Troubled Blood sells almost 65,000 copies in just five days

I certainly bought it as support for JK Rowling, obviously not financial as she doesn't need that but as a way to say no, women will not be cancelled thank you very much!

I can also recommend the audio book. Amazing reading and character voices/tone.

There's subtle things in the book I feel that critics have not picked up on - there's a small part where a character is explaining how she had a miscarriage in a women's toilet. Harrowing description. However I think it's telling that the character explains how another women helped her as she said similar had happened to her,

I feel this is an example of how women's spaces are extremely intimate and only other women can empathise with a very female experience.

All critics of this book have gone for the non-existent transphobia/cross dressing and missed this.

Strong recommendation for the audiobook. Robert Glennister narrates it, and he is absolutely brilliant. I think it's one of my all time favourite narrations.

Some of the writing, especially character descriptions and speech, is incredibly well observed and there were sections where I was snorting with laughter. I'm glad it's so long, I don't want it to end!

@FindTheTruth the Goodreads comments order does seem a bit .

Good to see the overall rating up to 4.12 though

[quote DurtySarf]It looks like Amazon deleted the reviews from people who hadn't read it.

On Goodreads unfortunately, the top review (with nearly 500 likes) is from someone who hasn't read it and is simply smearing JKR.

Perhaps some more of us might like to 'like' some of the reviews from individuals who have actually read the book?

www.goodreads.com/book/show/51807232-troubled-blood[/quote]
The 'top review' according to Goodreads default sort order with 517 likes is by someone who hasn't read the book. 'it's been revealed that the plot to this book is also transphobic'. 1 star

The 'next review' according to Goodreads default sort order with 525 likes is by someone who has read the book. 5 stars

Questions for Goodreads: is it a decision by a human being to put the one star review first? if yes, is it because Goodreads agree with the reviewer? or is it just an algorithm resulting in this? Why are you not deleting reviews by people who haven't read the book?

Thanks @DurtySarf for the suggestion to 'like' some of the reviews. I followed your suggestion and liked reviews by people who had actually read the book and had something interesting to say.

A relative's partner was murdered by a man dressed as a woman many years ago. It was a huge story at the time. ( Not UK.)

DD read me a Biff & Chip book last night. Two different men used women's clothing as a disguise. Two! That must mean the Oxford reading scheme is twice as transphobic as JKR.

Should I alert twitter?

Watching the Goodreads rating inch up as actual readers share their views. 4.06 last night, 4.08 this morning...

I'm surprised to see it repeated so frequently that there's only one reference in the book to a serial killer wearing women's clothing. It's been alluded to about four times so far.

It's mentioned more than once but it is a very minor detail- the 'cross dressing' is very clearly a disguise designed to confuse people.

Nothing to talk about.

Considering the length of the book and its plot, if anyone else had written it, no-one would have picked up on it.

OMG, does that make FWR Dumbledore's Army (gets carried away....).

We need badges

wildwomynworkshop.com/store/t-shirts/this-witch-doesnt-burn-feminist-t-shirt/

I love their model. She rocks. Remember her from this meeting (WPUK at UCL)?

That article by Nick Cohen is great, but this is the best bit

"Rowling said the moral lesson of the Harry Potter books was “blindingly obvious”. She was dramatising the choice between what is right and what is easy, “because that, that is how tyranny is started, with people being apathetic and taking the easy route and suddenly finding themselves in deep trouble”."

And that sums up the whole trans debate really. Far too many people have taken the easy route without thinking about whether what they were agreeing with would REALLY help trans children or anyone else.

When Harry claims Voldemort has come back and Umbridge and the Ministry condemn him and force him to say he's lying, that's what this is, really. We're all being forced to say TWAW against our wills because we're scared. Doesn't mean we really think it's true.

OMG, does that make FWR Dumbledore's Army (gets carried away....).

wildwomynworkshop.com

While you're there, you'll be officially pissing off exactly the right people.

Reading Troubled Blood at the moment. It's excellent - am loving it.

I'm surprised to see it repeated so frequently that there's only one reference in the book to a serial killer wearing women's clothing. It's been alluded to about four times so far. It's a minor part of the plot, however, and I should make clear that the book isn't about trying to catch the serial killer (who has in fact been caught and is in Broadmoor), it's about trying to solve the disappearance of a particular woman in 1974 whose body has never been found. The serial killer in question is one of a number of possible suspects.

I need the t shirt JKR's wearing in that tweet from the mail article.

I don't know a thing about JKR as a person, but I do know charities benefit from her wealth. I would think these big sales will bring bonuses for some women's causes like DV

oops! cross-posted! sorry!

The Daily Mail reports on the good sales, and gives an accurate account of the "transphobic" content:

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8766559/JK-Rowling-shakes-transgender-row-controversial-new-book-shoots-straight-charts.html

excellent comments as usual.

Here's the story in The Mail!
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8766559/JK-Rowling-shakes-transgender-row-controversial-new-book-shoots-straight-charts.html

I think those sales speak a very loud message.
The TRAs aren't winning any fans. People might not be speaking out for one reason or the other, but they are showing their support for JKR through their spending. WIN, I'd say.

I just bought my copy. Thanks for the heads up.

[quote CodenameVillanelle]@mum2jakie Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone: MinaLima Edition ]][/quote]
This looks absolutely beautiful, I’ve just pre-ordered it. My kids are a bit old to appreciate it now, (although we read all the HP series when they were younger) but there’s always grandkids to look forward to reading it to!

I also bought the Ickabog. I think my 11 year old granddaughter will like it, and then she can pass it on to my 2-year-old other DGD!

I've always wondered how many people simply bought The Satanic Verses with zero intention of reading it, just to make a point.

Foolish, foolish TRAs. It's as if they have no cultural context from pre-2010 when they launch their campaigns. We don't even have to look a bookshop assistant in the eye to buy forbidden literature now. Of course people would buy it in their droves.