Gin and Tolstory (Summer 2018): Book 3

[KeithLeMonde]

Discussion thread for group 1, book 3

[KeithLeMonde]

Hopefully obviously that is a typo for Tolstoy and not Toy Story.

Feel free to discuss Buzz, Woody et al if you prefer.....

[Badtasteflump]

Ha ha happy to discuss either, both favourites of mine :)

Anyway - the book I chose is One True Thing by Anna Quindlen. I initially read it because I'd read a couple of her other books (Black and Blue, Object Lessons...) and loved them. Her books centre around family relationships and tend to have strong female lead characters. One True thing has stuck with me and I've read it many times over the years. It focuses on the difficult relationship between the lead character and her mother - something I can definitely relate to which is probably why it struck a chord with me.

[diamantegal]

Ooh, this arrived today - thank you. Haven't heard of it before but look forward to trying it - will be back in a bit. And DS says thank you for the chocolate!

[Badtasteflump]

Ah he's very welcome - I hope you'll be having some too . Glad it didn't melt in the heat!

[diamantegal]

So thanks again for this one. I found the book really thought-provoking, especially the first half. We have a slightly morbid joke in our family about putting each other down before we get old and incapable, but the reality of that is often very different. And I'm honestly not sure I could do what Ellen did - but then I'm not in her position, maybe it's surprise myself if it were my mother (but I hope and pray that it won't be!)

Bizarrely, I thought the second part was a bit rushed and almost unnecessary. I "enjoyed" (in inverted commas because I don't think enjoy is the right world - it's hardly a cheery story - but can't think of a better one to explain what I mean) the first half, but wasn't sure how much the second part contributed. It wasn't long or developed enough to be the main theme of the book in my view - but maybe that was the intention.

Anyway, thanks again - I'll put this in the post next week and look forward to receiving my next one!

[Fizzywinegum]

I must admit that when I received this book my heart sank a little as I didn’t think it was my type of book. I’d never even heard of the author before

However I thought the book was well written and I enjoyed it even though the subject matter is quite dark. It’s strange because although I didn’t particularly like any of the characters and thought they were written quite coldly it didn’t stop me from enjoying the book.

It just goes to show that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover!

[RosehipHoney]

Realised that I have never posted on this, which was my August book. I opened it keenly, having read something by this author previously. It turns out that I have my own copy of this on the tbr pile which is the spare room! I really enjoyed it, thought the family dynamics were well portrayed, and with enough going on within the family to maintain interest. I agree that the second half felt a bit rushed, but perhaps on reflection that was intentional - you wait and wait for something and then the momentum of it finally happening sweeps you along. I have thought about the themes it raises, and will pass my own copy to friends it may resonate with

[iloveredwine]

Just finished this book. It took me a while to get into it but I think that was more that I didn't have time to sit down and read over half term. I really enjoyed it in the end and it wasn't something I would have chosen for myself.