Mumsnet Book club, The Water Horse Review

I agree with Mc Dreamy, there were women in the 19 century who did behave out of character. I read in one interview that this book is actually based on a girl who lived in Wales and ran away with the Welsh cattle drovers to join Florence Nightingale in Scutari, that was why I found it fascinating, also the fact that most historical novels of war are told from a man's point of view. I can't remember ever reading about the Crimean war from a nurse's perspective.

There are a few copies for sale on ebay git one fro 2 quiD

Right Anita Shreve it is - not read any of her stuff, so am looking forward to something new. See you all on MArch1st - happy reading!

I still haven't quite finished the book yet {blush] (in fact I can't find it at the moment as I think DD has "put it away" for me) but I also accept your points about Catherine being a 21st century girl. BUt i guess there were these feisty women in all ages or else the role of women wouldn't have evolved as it had done. If all women in Victorian times had been Victorian we would never have moved on IYSWIM

You're pretty much right, Katsma, and he did it after surviving horrific wounds and primitive surgery!

I couldn't finish Water Horse either (Liv321 - glad you fessed up as well!). Found the characters quite unconvincing and when the storyline started heading off into Mills and Boon territory, I had to put it down. I obviously don't know how the story ended, but I'm betting Deio wound up 'bruising Catherines lips in his passionate embrace' or something similar! Go on - tell me I'm wrong!!

Sorry to sound so negative, but I'm never sorry to have started reading a book. After all, it could have ended up being my best read ever. IMO, a book club can broaden your literary outlook by inviting you to try books that you would never usually pick up.

My mum has just about everything by Anita Shreve on her bookshelf, so she put Sea Glass in the post to me yesterday.

Well, I have to confess I couldn't finish this. I'm pretty bad like that - either I whizz through a book or it grinds on and I give up.

Agree with many of the comments about 21st century girl out of place, historically silly, etc...

The writing itself was good, but the story wasn't a me thing.

Really looking forward to the next book - I loved Pilot's Wife...

No I don't think any one is offended Miss Golightly - the other thread has gained a few new members so that can only be a good thing. (Hope you find out about cp soon - DC have been exposed over and over during xamas period and nothing - )

I am just a bit embarrassed as I suggested this book club and then haven't managed to finish the book by the deadline! but I guess life sometimes takes over best intentions and all that!!!

I'm bored today, too. It's a howling gale outside, dd is restless 'cos we haven't gone for our afternoon walk, and I haven't got the inclination to do anything useful like clean the house.

1st March sounds good to me

BTW I hope no-one minds my bossily starting the membership list and stuff - it's just I am incredibly bored this week as DS might have chickenpox so we can't go and see any of my pregnant friends and I am desperate for stuff to doooooo!

I think we should aim for 1st March for the next book - we're half way through Jan already, and by the time we get the book, we need some time to read it.

I agree, MissGolightly, Catherine was a 21st century girl. I think that sums up one of the problems I had with the novel: Julia Gregson was applying 21st century values to a 19th century setting. The love affair between a lady and a drover is another example of this. I don't know enough about military history, but I think the criticism of Lord Cardigan for his bad decision making might also be a 21st century thing - I rather suspect he was a hero in his day. Having said that, I have just re-read Tennyson's poem, The Charge of the Light Brigade here , and that hints at bad leadership

I wondered about picking a certain date in the month and that is always book review night.

The first/last day of the month springs to mind. What do you think? Not sure what to do about the next book though - 1st Feb or 1st March?

What does everyone think?

Have you seen the membership list? - I never thought it would take off like this

I'm glad the book has split the group - it makes it much more interesting.

What did you all think of the period setting? I was impressed with the amount of detail, but wasn't entirely convinced by the dialogue and general "feel" - I always felt that Catherine was ultimately a twenty-first century girl and she never felt real for me as a Victorian. Did anyone else think that?

(On a housekeeping note, I have started another thread for a rolling membership list and details of forthcoming books - link here . One question - when are we planning to do Sea Glass? I'll put a note in the thread to tell new members)

Oh I am glad there have been some negative reviews as although I enjoyed the book on a superficial level, it was a book which mildly entertained me, on a holiday reading type of a level.
The love story irritated me, although I loved reading about the conditions in the Crimea and how badly planned things like provisions were. I did wonder if her friend who dies , the working class nurse with the children who was having an affair, was she having her affair with one of Miss Nightingale's ladyfriend's husbands.
The rape/not a rape irritated me, it felt wrong.
I also wanted to know more about what affect Miss Nightingale had on the hospital, I thought her main contribution to decreasing death rates was improved sanitation.She didn't seem to get much of a chance to improve anything.
I am second on the book choice list so will choose The Secret River by Kate GRenville.
Better get going on the next

I couldn't put the Water Horse down, I became so absorbed it its world, in her journey, in the vile conditions for nurses in The Crimea .I found it powerful stuff and look foward to her next book.

McD -- no it's a good idea, so some bulk ordering can be done and save on postage . I'm 5 down the list, but can I put my choice in anyway....Pomegrantate Soup by Marsha Mehran (if anyone above me was going to choose this I do have another choice)

Back to the Waterhorse, in thinking about the ending I find myself thinking , would Diego actually just go along with Catherine like that? Given his strong convinctions earlier. While he does seem to have suffered from post tramatic shock, in other actions he seems to have overcome this (the care of horses etc).

Also, it did seem to end rather suddenly. Sort of, I've run out of things to say and didn't seem to come to closure. Even one of those sort of open endings (e.g. Pride & Prejudice)

pianist I think the discussion is to come I've only gone ahead and recommended another book to give people a chance to get a copy from wherever - I didn't mean it to sound like The Sea Horse was a finished book.

In fact would it be a good idea for the next couple of people on the list to recommend their book too for those of us who do amazon orders? Just a thought as I am in Cyprus I can't nip into Waterstones or WHSmith! Also I am home in the UK in Feb for a couple of weeks so if I knew what the next couple were I could get copies of them then - would that be possible or do you not think it's a good idea? Having read my idea back it might come across as a bit selfish!!

Where are all the other people in this group? I thought there would be a bit more discussion about the last book before we went on to pick another. Was looking forward to reading lots of interesting critiques!

However, Sea Glass looks interesting so will make a start on that.

Have you read any of her other chocolate? I have just finishd Fortunes Rock which is why I didn't want to recommend it for this bookclub as I want to read another of hers.

Not read that one. Am zooming to finish the last book too!! (Must also mention that chocolaterobin was my xmas name and am now back to this.)

Wrong Anita Shreve book - sorry I wanted to put Sea Glass - I am so disorganised at the moment - so my suggestion (if we agree it's my turn to pick to pick) is SEA GLASS by Anita Shreve - thank you!

Hello everyone sorry for my absence I am here and very much still want ot be part of this book club. Not quite finished the Water Horse but so nearly there. I am happy to choose the next book if that sits well with everyone else. I would suggest Fortunes Rock by Anita Shreve (Has anybody already read it?)