Mumsnet Book club, The Water Horse Review

[sophiewd]

Ok I'll kick off. I thought it was a bit of a bodice ripper, with a fairly weak and covenient love story, but the description of the hospital and the war made up for the books downsides. sorry its short but ot to pick up from nursery

I think we should aim for 1st March for the next book - we're half way through Jan already, and by the time we get the book, we need some time to read it.

1st March sounds good to me

BTW I hope no-one minds my bossily starting the membership list and stuff - it's just I am incredibly bored this week as DS might have chickenpox so we can't go and see any of my pregnant friends and I am desperate for stuff to doooooo!

I'm bored today, too. It's a howling gale outside, dd is restless 'cos we haven't gone for our afternoon walk, and I haven't got the inclination to do anything useful like clean the house.

No I don't think any one is offended Miss Golightly - the other thread has gained a few new members so that can only be a good thing. (Hope you find out about cp soon - DC have been exposed over and over during xamas period and nothing - )

I am just a bit embarrassed as I suggested this book club and then haven't managed to finish the book by the deadline! but I guess life sometimes takes over best intentions and all that!!!

Hi Roskva, at mo reading a Jodie Picolt, another chic lit and still trying to get through What are we going to do about Kevin. Sill think of something I really want to read for my book soon.

Well, I have to confess I couldn't finish this. I'm pretty bad like that - either I whizz through a book or it grinds on and I give up.

Agree with many of the comments about 21st century girl out of place, historically silly, etc...

The writing itself was good, but the story wasn't a me thing.

Really looking forward to the next book - I loved Pilot's Wife...

My mum has just about everything by Anita Shreve on her bookshelf, so she put Sea Glass in the post to me yesterday.

I couldn't finish Water Horse either (Liv321 - glad you fessed up as well!). Found the characters quite unconvincing and when the storyline started heading off into Mills and Boon territory, I had to put it down. I obviously don't know how the story ended, but I'm betting Deio wound up 'bruising Catherines lips in his passionate embrace' or something similar! Go on - tell me I'm wrong!!

Sorry to sound so negative, but I'm never sorry to have started reading a book. After all, it could have ended up being my best read ever. IMO, a book club can broaden your literary outlook by inviting you to try books that you would never usually pick up.

You're pretty much right, Katsma, and he did it after surviving horrific wounds and primitive surgery!

I still haven't quite finished the book yet {blush] (in fact I can't find it at the moment as I think DD has "put it away" for me) but I also accept your points about Catherine being a 21st century girl. BUt i guess there were these feisty women in all ages or else the role of women wouldn't have evolved as it had done. If all women in Victorian times had been Victorian we would never have moved on IYSWIM

Right Anita Shreve it is - not read any of her stuff, so am looking forward to something new. See you all on MArch1st - happy reading!

There are a few copies for sale on ebay git one fro 2 quiD

I agree with Mc Dreamy, there were women in the 19 century who did behave out of character. I read in one interview that this book is actually based on a girl who lived in Wales and ran away with the Welsh cattle drovers to join Florence Nightingale in Scutari, that was why I found it fascinating, also the fact that most historical novels of war are told from a man's point of view. I can't remember ever reading about the Crimean war from a nurse's perspective.