Still Life by Sarah Winman - is it worth pushing on?

[toastofthetown]

I’m only 50 pages into Still Life (just finished part 1) but I’m not feeling it at all so far. For those who enjoyed it, is it a book worth pushing on with or one where if I’m not gelling with it now it’s not going to get better?

I think if it hasn't clicked for you, it probably won't.

I read it on holiday a few years ago. I have barely any recollection of it now tbh. So honestly, no, I would say not worth persevering if you aren't really enjoying it.

Thanks, I’ll probably just DNF and move on. I’m feeing a bit of pressure because it’s a borrowed book I’ve had for a little too long anyway, but I’m not wanting to pick it up, and reading it is feeling a bit of a chore.

I listened to it on Audible and it’s one of my favourite ever listens. I loved it! She did all the characters and found it one of those books that stayed with me a long time. Maybe it doesn’t translate so well when it’s read…

I loved this book, but when recommending it to my mum, I said to skip through the first chapter(s) - something about ww2 and art? Once you get past this it’s a really heartwarming book about friendship over adversity. And a parrot.

but I’m also a big believer in moving on quickly if a book isn’t for you, there’s just so many TBRs in the world to waste time on one you’re not enjoying.

I looked up my review from 2023.

I found it annoying and rather twee, but I continued with it because I wanted to find out what happened to the characters. I was annoyed that they talked so much. Everyone was talking all the time and the parrot had to put up with a lot.
I did like the descriptions of Florence, however. So, a mixed review.

How funny to read everyone's thoughts. I adored this book - thought the characters were so funny and loved the tragicomedy and the love stories...I gave a copy to my husband who also loved it and has bought it for loads of people!! I also mentioned it to my physio recently and she said she booked a holiday to Florence on the back of it.

I guess as someone else said, if you haven't clicked with it then it is probably not for you. (Although Captain Corelli's Mandolin had quite a turgid start if I remember before becoming fabulous IMO...so 🤷)

I loved it and keep buying it for friends. Sorry if you’re one of them!

Oh I loved this book! I have recommended it to many people, and they have all enjoyed it.
I would absolutely persevere.

Persevere! I found it a bit slow to start with but once I got into it, I loved it and really enjoyed it.

Please don’t stop. I nearly did after 50 pages but I’m so glad I persevered. Same with Captain Corelli. I think the reason it’s a tricky start is because there are no speech marks. I remember having to repeat pages at first because I wasn’t sure who had said what. But it’s a gorgeous book. Currently reading Winman’s “When God was a rabbit”.

You have excellent taste, CC is my favourite book, Still Life probably second

I hated Still Life and don't regret not finishing it.

Don't stop reading. It's one of the books where the characters have stayed with me. Agree that the beginning can be a put off but it's an amazing book.

I listened to it on Audible and couldn’t get into it at all. Maybe it was the narrator but it didn’t hold my attention so barely registered with me. I can’t even remember if I finished it TBH.

I really enjoyed it but can't remember a parrot!

It’s one of my favourite books but each to their own. Sometimes I give up on a book then come back to it later and can’t understand why I gave up but if it’s borrowed I’d just hand it back.

The parrot was in it all the way through but quite bizarre.

I read it and quite like it the first time then read it again for Book Club and loved it. I think the beginning is quite important for those saying to skip it.

I liked the beginning, I loved the descriptions of Florence, but the forced whimsy of the parrot was rather grating.

I loved the parrot. I really enjoyed it and it broke a reading drought for me so I’m very grateful to it. I think it gets better as you go through it. I’ve suggested it to many friends and had mostly positive feedback. But if it’s not for you….

I DNFd it, I really hate when they don’t use speech marks, seems to be more of a thing recently with some authors

I couldn’t get through the first bit but DH loved the book so I skipped the beginning ( came back to it after reading a bit further on) and I like the book very much.
Just about to read it again (third time).