2018 Reading Group - February: Fatherland by Robert Harris - *Spoilers from 25 February*

[Chillywhippet]

So for February we have a thriller Fatherland by Robert Harris.

We will discuss the book from 25th February so please no spoilers until then.

Umm. That's it really. We have a thread where we are sorting the book list for the year. Will post link later when not on phone.

It's a new group for this year so please join in. We are working it out as we go along and everyone is welcome for one book or all twelve.

[mamapants]

Thanks chillywhippet
Haven't read any Robert Harris before so not sure what to expect.
Seems an interesting premise, wondering if it will have any similarities to the Man in the High Castle, although imagining will be quite different in style.
Am in the middle of a book right now and then will read this next.

[greenllicic]

That's great thankyou @Chillywhippet Iv got it on kindle and my husband is severely dyslexic and can't read so we've got him an audiobook.

[WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo]

Hello. I only spotted the previous thread a couple of days ago so didn't have a chance to read that one, but I'd like to join for February :)

I've borrowed the ebook from Overdrive and I will start it this evening.

[mamapants]

I've started too... Am a whole two chapters in as the children keep chattering so not concentrating on it properly. Hopefully read a bit more tonight.

[TomatoTomAto]

Hi.
I'd love to join in. I've had this on my bookcase for over a year and haven't managed to read it yet!

[endehors]

Thanks Chilly. Have this one on my Kindle now, will try to get started and read a chapter later.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Read this last January and it ended up being one of my top reads of the year.

[Chillywhippet]

Remus that is good to hear.

[mamapants]

I'm enjoying it so far, thought I'd start early incase I didn't like it and I'm a third of the way through already.

[Chillywhippet]

Here's the thread with us trying to decide books for the year

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/what_were_reading/3149146-2018-Book-Group-were-making-a-list-make-a-suggestion?watched=1&msgid=75268659#75268659

I'd better get reading Fatherland

[Piggywaspushed]

I'm making DS1 (16) read this as he never reads but says he likes history. He has read 20 pages and has now left it on the sofa.

I will update if he does read it!! Fingers crossed.

I read Munich recently and think Harris is good for older teenage boys in theory : clear, well paced and straightforward (and minimal sex...). I prefer my language a bit more florid but hopefully DS1 will stick with it...

[tribpot]

I'm enjoying The Man in the High Castle on Amazon at the mo (no spoilers if poss, please, I'm still in the middle of season 2) so I thought I might give it a go, esp as it has a decent-sounding narration. I've been wanting to read The Invisible Library for ages but have a load of knitting to get done, so bought the Audible narration - my god, it is truly dreadful (I should have listened to the preview) but that is my only bad experience with Audible in many years.

[mamapants]

How's everyone getting on? After a strong start I've slowed down a bit.
Enjoying so far. Feels like a very masculine book for some reason and a bit noire in atmosphere.
Reminds me quite a bit of 1984 in a lot of ways which makes a lot of sense as that has so many elements from nazi Germany.
Enjoying March's perspective from inside the regime.

[JaimesGoldenHand]

Finished it and now waiting for 25th. I could swear blind I've read it before and my OH thinks I have as well. But when I read it, I had absolutely no recollection of any of it.

[mamapants]

I've finished now too.
I have got about three quarters of the way through books and then suddenly realised I've read them before Jaime it's very strange. I think sometimes I read when I'm distracted and then I don't remember much afterwards.
Did you enjoy it this time round?

[JaimesGoldenHand]

I did mama, I always enjoy a Robert Harris. I really liked the Cicero trilogy. I've also read a number of books that imagine alternative turnings the 2WW could have taken and find them fascinating.

[sproutsandparsnips]

Ooh I read this quite a few years ago and I have read all his books since. He is an excellent author. My favourite was 'An officer and a spy', and I'm looking forward to reading 'Munich'.
Hope you all enjoy!

[endehors]

How are we all doing? I'm 3% of the way through, apparently, so not doing very well. I'll make more effort later this week/

[Taytocrisps]

Can I join in? I'm a good way through it. Enjoying it so far and looking forward to the discussion.

[WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo]

I'm about a third of the way through :) I don't normally read thrillers, but I am really enjoying it so far

[endehors]

Welcome Tayto. I'm pretty certain also that newcomers can join in at any point along the way.

I'm up to 11% thanks to delayed and extended journey home last night! It's not so bad once ploughed through first few pages, I don't normally read thrillers either.

[Chillywhippet]

Anyone is welcome anytime.

Only rule is no spoilers until 25th of the month.

No danger of me giving any spoilers as I am not doing so well. I relaxed because I assume it will be an easier read than North and South as I like thrillers. But I still have to actually read it.

Been a bit distracted by GCSE work. Not mine. I show my most excellent parenting skills by saying things like, “you don’t want to do chemistry today? Well, guess what? Neither do I. I’ve got O level chemistry already.”

[runningoutofjuice]

Sorry, reported my post, possible spoiler

[Chillywhippet]

That was swift work getting your post removed running