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What we're reading

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

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Original poster

Anyone read Apple Tree Yard?

31 replies

Scarletohello · 15/03/2014 23:45

Apologies if there has already been another thread about this but I just finished it today and I was blown away by it. It was one of those books that made me think how does this writer know all this stuff? It was so insightful and accurate and empathetic. Just wow really! Made me want to write a book as good as this ( but I guess that's the skill of a really good writer, to make it look easy and effortless and like it really happened..)

Any thoughts?

OP posts:

Wineoclocksomewhere · 15/03/2014 23:51

With you. I keep recommending it to people without giving too much away as it's how it unfolds that captivated me! Loved it. Meant to see if she (is it a she?) has written anything else...

Original poster

Scarletohello · 15/03/2014 23:54

Yes indeed! I really want to tell people about it but don't want to give away the plot. I think she has written other books on a wide range of subjects. She's one of those authors that I wished I knew in real life.

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kateecass · 15/03/2014 23:56

Yes, I loved it too. I couldn't put it down. I hadn't hardly read for ages as I can only read if a book gets me from the beginning. But it sucked me in straight from the start.

householdchorewhore · 15/03/2014 23:59

Finished it not long ago and was disappointed. Nothing was a surprise after reading the prologue!

Original poster

Scarletohello · 16/03/2014 00:00

The Amazon reviews ( nearly 500 of them ) are interesting. She gets many 5 stars but there are many people who really disliked it. Don't know why, maybe they just expected something different. It's definitely a slow burner but so worth it! And great for a book club.

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DuchessofMalfi · 16/03/2014 06:13

I read it a couple of months ago for the MN Book of the Month. Really enjoyed it, gripping and fascinating story.

There's a thread over on the Book of the Month section with the questions and answers with the author, if you wanted a bit more info/insight into the novel.

leelteloo · 16/03/2014 06:42

I loved it and couldn't put it down. I immediately down loaded another book by same author; about a mother dealing with the death of her 9 year old daughter. It is so well written that I am in a permanent state of grief lol!!! I love books that make you experience true emotion. (Can't remember title though, too many sleepless nights)

Original poster

Scarletohello · 16/03/2014 10:38

Duchess, thanks for that, just read her web chat. Fascinating!

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Southeastdweller · 16/03/2014 13:03

One of the most compelling books I've read for years. Like so many others have said, I found it very hard to put down.

RuddyDuck · 19/03/2014 01:48

Read it last week, I hated it, thought it was very boring, and didn't live up to the blurb on the back. I had expected better as I'd read a book by her previously (Whatever You Love? or similar title) which I'd enjoyed. This just didn't grab me at all.

Elsiequadrille · 19/03/2014 02:06

I thought it was vaguely ok. I did recommend it to somebody I thought would enjoy it, however, and they were very unimpressed.

It was quite predictable I think. The ending, and 'twist' was quite meh (sorry, I dislike the word 'meh' but can't think of a better one to describe). I'm also not quite convinced that she wouldn't have told all to her lawyer.

bubblegoose · 19/03/2014 02:29

I thought it was pretty slow and ended up skim reading the second half.

MadamBatShit · 19/03/2014 11:33

I read it but also did not like it.. more to the point: I did not like Yvonne. She had such a high opinion of herself and is supposed to be so intelligent but then does such stupid things, drove me mad!
The premise was pretty good and I hoped it would be better but it turned into quite a slog, dragged on to the finish.
Loads to talk about though, good for a group read. But I was disappointed.

LumpySpacePrincessOhMyGlob · 19/03/2014 21:47

I am so with MadamBatShit on this.

mizu · 21/03/2014 16:56

I really liked it until it got to the last part and I got bored. Skim read til the end

lorettamilan · 29/03/2014 19:28

Hi. I loved it overall and have written a short book review on my blog here if you're interested: www.literarylightbox.com.

Pukkapik · 30/03/2014 23:24

I just read it last week - thought it was really boring, no character development, and wondered why I wasted my time on it. Didn't care whether she was guilty or not!
Fortunately the next book I picked up was exactly the opposite - Perfect - by Rachel Joyce. Now that's what I call a Good Read - compelling, moving, lots to think about.

brandnewcombineharvester · 01/04/2014 16:29

Glad I'm not the only one who hated it!

Acinonyx · 01/04/2014 21:00

I really enjoyed it

NotGoodNotBad · 01/04/2014 21:11

Was ok but I don't get the hype.

MrsDesperado · 03/04/2014 21:27

I loved it. I couldn't put it down, I wish I could read it again with fresh eyes. I have started another thread about what to read next as I'm so lost! Some good suggestions there.

lurkingfromhome · 07/04/2014 15:19

I found it a good holiday read. Good for its genre and it was certainly a page-turner but it wasn't brimming over with great characterisation or offering me very much to think about. Perfect reading for a hungover Sunday curled up under a blanket, though!

hollyisalovelyname · 15/10/2014 20:32

I'm teading it at the moment. It's so
s l o w.
Hope it gets better.

hollyisalovelyname · 15/10/2014 20:32

Oops - reading not teading

Original poster

Scarletohello · 15/10/2014 20:37

It's got some good twists in it. Persevere, it's worth it!

Let us know what you think...

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