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Original poster

We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves - anyone NOT really into it?

30 replies

AnnDaloozier · 29/07/2014 13:21

I am 25% in.
its DULL.

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PenelopeLane · 26/08/2014 05:30

I liked it quite a bit as found the story quite original, but still thought it was a bit lacking in terms of structure and character development, especially the secondary characters like her parents and brother.

BringMeTea · 22/08/2014 14:24

I found the subject matter very interesting but a a novel fell short. Mind you it is infinitely better than the Jane Austen Book Club which was utterly banal.

Maddaddam · 22/08/2014 10:38

I loved it. Much much better than Jane Austen Book Club. I had already read about the twist in a review before I started it.

I particularly liked it as I'm a psychologist and had to study a lot of those twin studies and chimp studies, and I used to want to have my own twins to conduct long term developmental experiments on, so I enjoyed the bits about the postgrad researchers doing experiments and Rosemary picking up all the chimp behaviour.

UseHerName · 20/08/2014 21:26

it wad a bit meh

falgelednl · 17/08/2014 20:25

I have just finished the kindle version so had not seen the cover. I guessed the twist as soon as I read the quote on the first page as I read some reviews that indicated that there was a twist.
The discussion with the author at the end about how she came up with the idea and her own childhood was interesting. I also like the way of telling the story from the inside out - as a technique, although found the book quite tedious as nothing much happened.

Am now reading Small Change for Stuart which is for kids but much more gripping.

mumslife · 17/08/2014 20:14

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Southeastdweller · 17/08/2014 19:29

Finished it. And I thought Love Nina was dull before I read this.

Southeastdweller · 15/08/2014 08:07

A third of the way in and quite bored. Don't get the fuss about this at all though it may get better.

mumslife · 08/08/2014 22:59

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mumslife · 08/08/2014 22:57

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Newrowsees · 07/08/2014 23:21

Shocked, I've just finished it and really enjoyed it! However I have now moved on to the most dire piece of chick lit ever, I'm embarrassed to even mention the title! I find it hard to abandon books halfway through though, so I shall have to persevere Hmm

Morgan · 07/08/2014 21:54

Finding it quite dull tbh and can't wait to finish it and move on ( am compelled to finish books I start )

DameEdnasBridesmaid · 07/08/2014 21:51

I stopped reading at the twist. Didn't like Rosemary very much but was intrigued, however I stopped reading when the twist was revealed (which I didn't know otherwise I would most definitely not have even started the book).

RainbowB7 · 07/08/2014 00:54

And didn't know this was by the author of Jane Austen book club! Haven't read that though

RainbowB7 · 07/08/2014 00:52

Just finished Beside Ourselves. I was a bit disappointed with it after I had seen people raving about it.

I guessed the twist in advance and just wasn't massively interested in that as a storyline tbh.

I was glad to be finished with it and wouldn't recommend but i did get through it and didn't completely hate it. It's no more than a 3/5.

BumgrapesofWrath · 01/08/2014 17:25

That's interesting Batman!

Batmansbuttocks · 01/08/2014 17:22

Just finished it. 'Twas great and nothing like that Jane Austin book club twaddle, can't believe it's the same author.

BumgrapesofWrath · 01/08/2014 17:20

I haven't even attempted to read this one, as I've read one of the authors previous (The Jane Austen Book Club), and that was pure tedium!!

PittTheYounger · 29/07/2014 17:51

I am moving onto a thing about Everest Remus recomended

Batmansbuttocks · 29/07/2014 17:50

I'm 50% in and adoring it. Best book I've read in ages. Oooh errr Smile

NellVarnish · 29/07/2014 17:38

Glad it's not just me Ann, dull dull dull.

I've got Marriage Material on my wish list and last good book I read was Alys, Always so looking forward to reading Her next.

Some books are just shite.

Original poster
AnnDaloozier · 29/07/2014 15:02

Also her by Harriet lame. Great.
If you want intellectual read the Elizabeth Gilbert book. Signature of summat. Is ace

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Original poster
AnnDaloozier · 29/07/2014 15:01

Shock of the fall also crap. Like reading a very boring depressed teenagers diary.

Try instead a book that it pipped for that award "marriage material" it's funny and shocking

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Original poster
AnnDaloozier · 29/07/2014 15:00

Ive given up.

IME books up for awards are rarely good.
Apart from the Undertaking. Which I read in a day

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NellVarnish · 29/07/2014 14:15

Not long finished it. Didn't live up to all the hype around it imo. Disappointed.

Also just finished The Shock of the Fall which was a bit
Meh too.

Need something unputdownable.