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Original poster

The Luminaries?

34 replies

sunnybears · 18/03/2015 10:21

Has anyone read this one? I have it for book club and it's proving challenge. I can't get into it and it's quite a thick volume (for me).

If it worth pushing on with?

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mumhum · 18/03/2015 12:44

I have read this, yes it is worth pushing on with, it gets better. I would still only give it 3.5 out of 5 though.

Pinkglow · 18/03/2015 13:30

Reading it now and have just got past the first part which is huge. Its well written and just about keeps it together and stops me losing the plot completely. As its all come together abit towards the end of the first part it did get a lot better but I've found that I can only read it when there are no other distractions at all so its taking flipping ages to get through

FriendlyLadybird · 18/03/2015 13:42

I ploughed all the way through it because it was a book group read for me too. I wouldn't have bothered otherwise. It does get a bit better, but then you start to realise what she's doing with the structure and get all annoyed ... and then the end is a big let-down, which gets you all annoyed again.

Southeastdweller · 18/03/2015 14:43

There's some lovely writing now and then, though the story wasn't that absorbing. It gets better after the Afghanistan sections are over. I rate it 3/5.

Original poster
sunnybears · 18/03/2015 18:20

It sounds like mixed reviews. I am going to suggest some shorter reads next month :-), I'm dying to start the girl on the train and I can't get to it cause this one is nagging at me.

Thanks everyone

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PeteCampbellsRecedingHairline · 18/03/2015 18:27

I thought it was just me! I have it on the Kindle but have put it aside for now as I seem to be stuck on 8%. Grin

CoteDAzur · 18/03/2015 19:46

Great book. Vast in scope, masterfully crafted, beautiful prose. Winner of 2013 Booker Prize and deserves it, too. Amazing that the author was only 28 years old at the time.

There was nothing annoying about it and the ending didn't let me down, either. I don't know what some people on here have been reading.

kesstrel · 18/03/2015 19:52

I really enjoyed it when we read it for our book group, but it does require concentration. I also admit to having to flag & annotate the pages where each of the 12 initial male characters is introduced, so I could go back and refresh my memory as to who is who! But then I love Victorian pastiche, and she does it so beautifully: I hate it when there are lots of anachronisms in the style and dialogue.

FiveHoursSleep · 18/03/2015 19:53

I got through it on my kindle but didn't think it was fantastic. The plot was a bit sluggish and I didn't like the astrology bits, but listened to a talk by the author and she's really into that kind of thing.

confusedandemployed · 18/03/2015 19:54

I have it on audiobook and managed about an hour before giving up. Not sure I'll bother trying again now..

Southeastdweller · 18/03/2015 19:58

Cote You're thinking of something else. The Illuminations was only published a few months ago.

Southeastdweller · 18/03/2015 19:59

Whoops, sorry to Cote and everyone else. I was thinking of The Illuminations. I'm sleep-deprieved at the moment.

Sorry.

Yosemitefalls · 18/03/2015 20:01

No Cote is right - The Luminaries has been out for a while now.

Yosemitefalls · 18/03/2015 20:02

Ha ha x post!

I loved it but read it a little while ago, this is tragic re my memory but I don't remember a bit about Afghanistan in it?

Southeastdweller · 18/03/2015 20:04

I've read the summary for The Luminaries and there's nothing about Afghanistan Blush.

I'll try to get to bed early tonight...

CoteDAzur · 18/03/2015 20:06

Unbelievable. All these years of sharing my infinite wisdom on MN and there are still some who are oblivious to the fact that I am always right Wink

CoteDAzur · 18/03/2015 20:07

The Luminaries takes place in New Zealand Grin

Yosemitefalls · 18/03/2015 20:19

Southeastdweller I'm glad you said that as I was thinking I invested a fair bit of time reading the book and sure it never really left New Zealand Grin!

It was fantastic and I almost read it again but I never do that so moved on to This Edge of Darkness instead.

bamboostalks · 18/03/2015 20:24

Loathed it. Also read it for book club. Just found it tedious by the end and found the denouement a huge let down.

CoteDAzur · 18/03/2015 20:37

"This Edge Of Darkness"? Do you mean This Thing Of Darkness, by any chance?

What exactly are you two smoking tonight? Grin

Original poster
sunnybears · 18/03/2015 20:40

Seems like some like it and some really don't. Everyone has their own tastes. It would be boring if we were all the same :-)

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Yosemitefalls · 18/03/2015 20:43

I do mean This Thing of Darkness, I knew that wasn't right! Not smoking or drinking sadly just very tired and fed up with blimmin children not going to bed grrr.....

CoteDAzur · 18/03/2015 20:45

There's something about the name of that book. I called it This Hand Of Darkness for ages and now you will, too to general hilarity on the 50-Book Challenge thread.

MyCatIsBatman11 · 19/03/2015 09:51

Abandoned. YOLO, and so forth.

Original poster
sunnybears · 19/03/2015 10:31

Yup. I started girl on the train last night!

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