Death by Choc-Lit (Summer 2018): Book 3

[KeithLeMonde]

Discuss thread for group 2, book 3

[lilywhiterosegirl]

This was my choice. I think it’s a fascinating story - the protagonist can be difficult and unlikeable at times but the rationale behind her behaviour and personality becomes clear as you read on. I loved the historical element to this story and the author’s robust characterisation. I cried. Don’t mind admitting it. I honestly can’t remember how, when and why I first came across this novel. I’ve read several of the author’s novels’ since and this is definitely the finest.

[Etihad]

Thanks for choosing this book. It’s not one I would have thought to pick up if I’d found it somewhere else - but my initial impression is that I really like it. This book swap is a fantastic idea.

It’s taking a while to read as I find I need to concentrate (not easy when it’s so hot and DD and I are cranky!) But I love the style - the constant subject changing could be highly irritating, but it’s so incredibly well written and flows beautifully.

[yaela123]

I have just finished this book, and whilst it was probably not something I would have chosen myself, I did really like it.

I think the main thing I liked about it was how it focussed building the characters more than the specific events. They were all well developed and multi-dimensional, although none particularly likable imo, and over the course of the book you understood more and more why they were maybe like this and the reasoning behind their thoughts and actions (particularly Lisa I think). I like how they all linked together, and found it especially effective when the same scene was retold from more than one perspective.

It is the kind of book where (for me at least) you do have to concentrate quite a lot and I found some bits a bit more slow, but overall it is beautifully written and felt like a literary work rather than just a story, iyswim.

Thank you for choosing it!

[clairethewitch70]

I have never read a Man Booker prize winner before. Always thought they were too literary advanced for me. This one was surprisingly readable. I did enjoy it, but thought it was nothing special. Did not like the characters very much, especially Lisa.

[KeithLeMonde]

Thank you to the person who chose this book! I don't know why it passed me by - I suspect it's one of those that you think you've read because the title and author are vaguely familiar.

I found it extremely readable, beautifully written and very moving. None of the characters are very likeable, I'd agree with that, but I love the clever way that the author weaves their stories into the fabric of history. So clever.