Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
What we're reading

Find your new favourite book or recommend one on our Book forum.

Original poster

We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves

56 replies

GetHappy · 02/06/2015 19:42

I am really twmpted to give up on this, which is really unlike me to give up, is it worth me persevering?

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
PuppyMonkey · 09/06/2015 13:28

Hated it. Really boring.

BabyGanoush · 09/06/2015 13:25

I really loved it.

I thought the relationship with the brother was a lot more interesting than the "sister" though.

really enjoyed it.

lucysnowe · 09/06/2015 12:20

I loved it! Definitely a devisive one. I downloaded it just cos it was cheap on Kindle and didn't know anything about it. Nice for a change to read about someone of my era rather than some historical lady. :)

IHaveBrilloHair · 08/06/2015 22:18

It was like a really boring and worthy animal rights lecture where nothing actually happens.

Waitingfordolly · 08/06/2015 22:10

I also gave up on it and was a bit bemused about the positive reviews.

JoylessFucker · 08/06/2015 21:55

It was a really interesting concept for a book, but not handled well, at all. It wasn't terrible or anything, but no more than a 3 out of 5. It reminded me a bit of those unusual storylines that Jodi Picoult used to have and then I'd find the book just OK.

Like Duchess, I was staggered after reading it to discover it was on the Booker shortlist. Although, it was probably the concept they were drawn to rather than the book itself (in my - apparently not very - humble opinion!)

Costacoffeeplease · 08/06/2015 11:46

I thought I explained that in my post above, I stopped reading after the 'twist' reveal

BringMeTea · 08/06/2015 10:24

I thought is was a very interesting premise. I learned stuff, which I like. It was neither here nor there writing-wise. Not sure why one would 'hate' it though.

ggirl · 08/06/2015 08:51

gointothewoods-ah yes I remember now...never finished it

Costacoffeeplease · 07/06/2015 20:21

I hated it because it wasn't a human sister, not because I didn't care, but because I cared too much and loathe this treatment of animals

ConstanceBlackwood · 07/06/2015 20:05

Not for me! My sister loved it

GatoradeMeBitch · 07/06/2015 20:04

I loved it! I read it for book club too. I found it depressing that the general consensus seemed to be 'Not a human sister so who cares?' It was very thought provoking. Definitely a book I will re-read.

gointothewoods · 07/06/2015 20:00

ggirl - the monkey sister (that's it in a nutshell)

gointothewoods · 07/06/2015 20:00

Hated it. I don't hate many books but this promised so much, had such fabulous reviews and I just read it cause I felt I had to for book club, and kept waiting for something interesting to happen or somebody in the various characters to be actually likeable.. Don't bother.

ItsRainingInBaltimore · 07/06/2015 19:54

I really liked it but everyone I've recommended it to has hated it.

TodaysAGoodDay · 04/06/2015 21:24

Awful. Other than the (rather predictable) twist half way through, it has no other redeemable qualities.

Elephantjuicelove · 04/06/2015 08:20

I persisted but it doesn't get much better. I would just move on. Life's too short

sarahlundssweater · 04/06/2015 08:14

Crap. Couldn't finish it and I hardly ever leave books unfinished.

Sgtmajormummy · 04/06/2015 08:13

Too many self indulgent characters not getting over themselves until the tidy little ending. I was very irritated by this book (and reading it on Kindle was even worse- serves me right for asking for one as a birthday present).

ggirl · 04/06/2015 08:07

I know Ive read this but for the life of me can't remember the storyline...someone put me out of my misery please.

hackmum · 04/06/2015 08:04

I loved it. Thought it was interesting and thought-provoking and original and rather sad. But hey, don't read it if you don't like it.

DuchessofMalfi · 04/06/2015 06:36

I thought it an interesting subject for a novel. It was a a good read but perhaps not ultimately that satisfying. I couldn't see that it was of Booker long list calibre.

sooperdooper · 03/06/2015 22:51

It was ok, nothing amazing, it was cheap on Amazon! It was an easy read on a long train journey but I wouldn't jump to recommend it to anyone

fourchetteoff · 03/06/2015 22:51

I liked the first half, but it got progressively more 'meh' as the 'writer became older.
I'd say you probably have read the best part already.

My friend, who recommended it to me, tends to recommend it to everyone. So far, I haven't recommended it to anyone.

girliefriend · 03/06/2015 22:48

I loved this book - can't believe some of you didn't like it!!

Found it really thought provoking, I have been recommending it to everyone!!

Swipe left for the next trending thread