The long Song anyone else reading this?

12 replies

iwastooearlytobeayummymummy · 08/02/2011 23:24

I'm loving this book, and just like Andrea levy's Small Island, wish I could meet the characters.
I really enjoy the starting premise of personalty and people first, and using fiction to explore unimaginable experience of others.

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pink4ever · 10/02/2011 20:27

Am torn over whether to get this or not. Havent read any of her other books but didnt like the tv adaptation of Small Island.Am trying to read along with the tv book club.Read Room(meh),The immortal life of Henrietta Lacks(fab) and My Last duchess(enjoyed it but very light-weight).Has anyone else read any of the others on the list?.

FluffyMummy123 · 10/02/2011 20:28

GOD I HATED IT
i almost gave up
it was not as good as S I and i found the narrative style really distracting nad the patios etc

jenga079 · 10/02/2011 20:42

I've given up. I don't usually give up on books, but I just found it so irritating. Didn't like the characters, didn't like the style. Sooooo disappointing.

Original poster

iwastooearlytobeayummymummy · 10/02/2011 23:41

thanks for the replies!
I'm loving cranky old narrator July and have really got into the patois, I've yet to finish,but have liked the way she focuses on the people and the way we all judge each other, right or wrong.
I also like the way that major events in world history are overtaken in most peoples' experiences by the sheer effort and drama of day to day life.
Pink4ever I had read the book before the adaptation and found the TV did very little for me, but that's usually the case isn't it if you've done one before the other, and vice versa? i don't think i'd have gone to the book after the TV either.

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Penelope1980 · 21/02/2011 06:55

I didn't really like the Long Song - it was OK, just nothing special or memorable. I much prefered Small Island.

PrinceRogersNelson · 21/02/2011 07:53

I'm reading it and enjoying it. Love July. She is so crotchety. Just wanted you to know you are not the only one who likes it.

MordechaiVanunu · 21/02/2011 21:11

I really enjoyed it.

I thought July was a brilliant character.

I thought some bits were so funny, and to manage to make human interactions funny alongside the appalling human misery was a real feat imo.

ivykaty44 · 22/02/2011 15:57

I put it down over a week ago and although half way through am thinking of jacking it in and giving to my dd1 who wants to read it.

It is wandering and wandering and half way through am wondering myself to other books

redundant · 23/02/2011 11:04

i absolutely loved it and raved about it to everyone once i'd finished it! Heart-wrenching, fascinating, funny, just loved it.

BooToYouToo · 24/02/2011 18:31

I'm with you, redundant - Fab book.

Original poster

iwastooearlytobeayummymummy · 25/02/2011 21:05

I've finished it now and found it a very rewarding but difficult read as there are no 'likeable' characters just human ones.
July herself is self serving, but obviously a survivor and full of flaws.
I think it is unusual to have a 'heroine' like this and unusually no other perspective is presented to make her more sympathetic.
very clever IMO

I love Andrea Levy!

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gailforce1 · 16/04/2011 14:03

Listening to the Long Song on CD in the car and relly enjoying. Narrated by Andrea Levy herself and she is excellent. Anyone who gave up reading it try as an audiobook?

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