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Original poster

We are all completely besides ourselves

81 replies

DameEdnasBridesmaid · 26/07/2014 19:35

Just got to the 'twist' and it has completely put me off. No idea that was what the book was about and wouldn't have bought if I was aware.

Don't want to say what because it's a spoiler.

Is it worth persevering?

OP posts:
firstposts · 27/08/2014 22:58

God, I loved it. Just finished it and got that empty feeling when you realise it's all gone. Think the characters will stay with me for a while. Beautiful.

MsVanRein · 26/08/2014 15:44

I loved it, read it in 2 days.

Admittedly I was a bit put off by the plot twist at first but I thought it was a brilliant book. One of the best I've read in a while.

CaulkheadUpNorth · 26/08/2014 15:37

I loved it. Probably wouldn't have read it if I knew what it was about, but thought it was really well written and liked the style, so was hooked before it happened if that makes sense.

For people who didn't like it, do you like other things with a twist like Never Let Me Go?

firstposts · 26/08/2014 15:31

Argh! Literally reading it at this very moment. Want to read thread but don't want book to be spoiled.

Will put down phone and pick up book!

Optimist1 · 26/08/2014 15:27

Just finished reading it (the twist had been revealed to me by a blabbermouth friend before I started). Liked it a lot - it made me think about the nature of study, convictions, siblings and so on. I was in tears at the end. A bit reminiscent of some of John Irving's books, IMO.

frogbubbles · 26/08/2014 00:06

Have this downloaded to kindle. - looking forward to reading it

watchingthedetectives · 25/08/2014 20:33

Also annoyed by the twist but carried on and actually liked it by the end.

The Lemon Grove however - wide berth required

RumAppleGinger · 16/08/2014 07:59

Just finished this and it's one of my favourite books of the year so far.

Avoided the reviews and got to page 77 not knowing the twist. Read the twist, did a little eye roll, considered not reading any further. Decided to continue. Found myself in tears just a few chapters later. Excellent book.

7Days · 16/08/2014 02:11

Initialy thought it was fine
then when I got to the twist, felt cheated and scammed, angry even
But I read on in a temper - and loved it
So much better, and thought provoking , than it appears at first
That rather inane chattery voice at the start doesn't prepare you for the themes
It seems as though the author is very passionate about the subject, it felt like very authentic anger to me

Southeastdweller · 15/08/2014 21:47

This book is really divisive, isn't it? I'm halfway through and in the boring camp but I'll persevere. Like the OP and Dame, if I'd have known what the subject matter was I wouldn't have started reading.

TomatoSorbetWoman · 10/08/2014 07:46

Hated it.

TheMaw · 09/08/2014 22:30

Oct I've just googled it and stupidly read the twist. I think I'm probably more likely to read it now though, I thought it looked a bit dull before.

Original poster
DameEdnasBridesmaid · 09/08/2014 22:05

I didn't go back to the book after the 'twist', it completely put me off and if I'm honest - I couldn't care less not an animal lover, can't stand them

OP posts:
RainbowB7 · 09/08/2014 00:04

I read this recently based on knowing nothing at all about it, hadn't read any reviews or anything, just seen the name bandied about and it was cheap on kindle bestsellers. I guessed the "twist" before it was revealed so wasn't that shocking! OP I agree with you if I'd known that if I'd known the subject matter I'd likely not have bothered as it's not a topic that particularly attracts me and I did find the book a bit dull.

mumslife · 08/08/2014 23:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ShotgunNotDoingThePans · 06/08/2014 23:49

< Belated >
Yes it is mean Mignonette!

hackmum · 06/08/2014 20:03

Really loved this book. I'd managed not to read any reviews or anything beforehand, so didn't know what it was about, just a vague idea that a lot of people were reading it and it was longlisted for the Booker.

The twist was a complete surprise, and very cleverly done, I thought, because if you'd known at the beginning, it would have coloured your view of what she was saying. I thought it was beautifully done and very moving, but also very funny in places. And at the end it made me want to go and read some non-fictional stuff about the subject matter, which is always the sign of a good book.

Sonnet · 04/08/2014 15:17

I really enjoyed it - good job there are books enough for all :)

Costacoffeeplease · 04/08/2014 14:49

I've given up on it - not keen in the subject matter of the 'twist' and just not holding my attention anyway - really disappointing. I think I'll give all those books with a 'buzz' about them a miss in future as I was totally underwhelmed by the Lemon Grove too

mignonette · 04/08/2014 14:38

WHY do they do that Shotgun? So mean isn't it?

ShotgunNotDoingThePans · 04/08/2014 12:29

An Amazon reviewer gave it away for me. Don't know whether to bother reading now - haven't ordered it luckily.

mignonette · 04/08/2014 12:25

Am so furious- the fucking Guardian books review gave away the twist on Saturday in a review of the book by Liz Jensen. She claims that reviewing it is impossible without giving it away- I claim that it is only impossible if you are an unimaginative and resourceless reviewer.

So thanks for that Liz, spoiled it for me.

PittTheYounger · 30/07/2014 09:48

oh i started a thread. SOrry
I hated it

NoSnowJustSand · 28/07/2014 16:49

I've just finished it and thought it was beautiful; one of my favourites this year!

Cheboludo · 26/07/2014 21:29

I already knew the twist when I read it and I quite enjoyed it. Though, I think I'd have enjoyed it more if the twist came as a shock. Lots of news outlets have spoiled it when giving a synopsis since the Booker long listing.

Did anyone else feel that at times the book read more like a lecture or polemic than a novel? To me, it read like the subject was something the author was incredibly passionate about.