Possession, by A S Byatt

[PrettyCandles]

Does it improve? I know it's supposed to be fantastic, but I'm losing the will to live! Should I make the effort?

Yes, it never really gets going as such but it is beautiful and you will have the satisfaction of having finished it.

Oooh - there was another thread on this last week!

Is it one of those books that just goes into graphic detail about someone's crappy relationship for chapters on end?

I can usually read anything and finish it, but I've given up on Possession twice now around page 100. It just gives off a depressing vibe, as if it's going to wallow in bad relationships.

I can normally plow through anything but have hit the brick wall twice now with this novel

I like it. But you have to stop hoing it will perk up. Because it doesn't.

OK, so it sounds like the sort of book you have to be in the right sort of mood to read.

I shan't discard it then.

Ooh, hated it, not anything like as good as the originals she is pastiche-ing. Srah Waters so much better at this.

I really liked it, but I did get stuck several times. I had to skim read some of the letters and poetry bits because I found them too hard-going.

I loved it, it does move on from the bad relationships.

Yes it does. It's a wonderful book

ooo how interesting, I just posted almost exactly the same op a week or so ago!

I did finish it but found the first 200 pages or so really boring. To be honest it never really picks up in pace but I did get absorbed in the relationship between Randolph and Christabel. It is a lovely love story but I found all that show-offy poetry a bit um . . . show offy.

I am discussing it at book group tonight. I think we may come to blows as a few of the women absolutely loved it, and I am going to be a bit rude about it .

I didn't see the point of Possession till I saw the film. It's a bit literary, and up itself, but it does have some good ideas, which are covered in a lot of extraneous words.

i nearly gave up but am so happy i didn't it is one of my favorite books - keep going!