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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?

OP posts:
iseenodust · 19/03/2015 10:39

Our bookclub read the Luminaries. Though actually all bar two of us gave up part way through. I got to the end but it is slow and the retelling from the different characters got repetitive. The style, setting and story are fine but 300 pages fewer would still have covered it all.

JoylessFucker · 19/03/2015 10:41

I'm with Cote and kesstrel on this one. I loved The Luminaries - and I wish my book club would select chunky big reads like it. Unfortunately, after reading than This Thing of Darkness (which is also wonderful), we now have a page length limitation as everyone in the group works and three have young children.

I was also Confused about the reference to Afghanistan ...

Provencalroseparadox · 19/03/2015 10:43

I enjoyed The Luminaries but must admit I also find it quite difficult to get into. I think the first part of the book was incredibly slow for me but then when it moved into the present, I really started to enjoy it. I have much preferred the 2014 booker winner though. I thought The Narrow Road was wonderful.

antimatter · 19/03/2015 18:50

I have it on Audible. It took me 5 times to get into it and I am glad I didn't give up.
I think one of my favourite books over all.
I love big books I can get into and it just kept going....

Yosemitefalls · 19/03/2015 22:07

Oooooh yes The Narrow Road was amazing and harrowing in turns. What a story...

Provencalroseparadox · 19/03/2015 22:14

Yosemite I know it's only March but my book of the year so far. Truly wonderful

Yosemitefalls · 19/03/2015 22:20

It was so moving, couldn't stop thinking about it for ages after I'd read it. What a guy.

Igneococcus · 20/03/2015 08:42

I absolutely loved the Luminaries but I know a lot of people didn't. I was on a plane in January next to a lovely Canadian guy and we started talking about books and we kind of hugged each other when we found out that we both loved the book. He said I was the first person he met, besides his wife, who also liked it.

CoteDAzur · 20/03/2015 12:16

The Luminaries is not a book club book, though. It is a book to be savoured and experienced, not discussed and mined for morals. It is a long, exquisite journey, not a book a be rushed because you have to read it by your next book club meeting.

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