Phil Preston
Mr Pip - What I liked: Quite a simple setting and easy story to follow (no Luminaries-style mental gymnastics). Thought it was a nice twist at the end where we were presented with the possibility that this was a performance / acting assignment by Watts. Also, good to find out the source of the trolley pulling! Really good to read a story set in Australia's backyard - a country / community that we don't know much about and this was a good mechanism.
Liked the theme of tolerance in Watts character, versus Matilda's Mum who was judgemental (although redeemed herself through bravery / defiance perhaps). I wish I could be more like Wattsy! Easy uto see how it would make a good screenplay.
Things I struggled with:
- I don't think I had a great grasp of Matilda even though the story was told through her eyes. I know what she was thinking and going through but feel like I didn't know her that well
- I also thought that, early on, the village as a whole were pretty laid back when all around there was the potential for danger.
It was an enjoyable read. Complemented by the fact I read Great Expectations not so long ago too. And my score ....
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3.5 (very good but not life changing!)
Cute but didn't cut the grade for me. Historical interest yes, writing style not to my tastes. That weird bit where the perspective switched a couple of times quickly was perhaps arty, but random and without reason.
[note, listened to this as an audiobook, excellently narrated by John Chancer]
This is great writing and the themes in it are as relevant today as they were back then. Chapter 5 alone is worth it. For a book to retain such powerful themes that resonate well after their time is a sign of something special.
The structure of the book is interesting and works once you are used to it. I like the solid tempo of the writing. I love the characters, good people - not perfect - and the author brings out their humanity. How could you not feel for Tom and the various travellers they meet along the way? And how is the dynamic between Ma and Pa, where they openly talk about giving each other a “whuppin'”. And the language, the “fambly” (family) and “overhauls” (overalls) etc.
This is a dimension to the human cost of an aggressive capitalist system that I had not encountered before. It was startlingly powerful and moving.
The ending seemed a little weird at the time, but on reflection reminded me of the more recent, The Road, where you are delicately sandwiched in between hope and despair. I'd give this 4.5 stars if I could, but on deciding whether to round up or down, I went up to 5.
I just found it a bit boring and couldn't wait til
I finished it. Seemed to be trying too hard to be clever. My fellow book clubbers are indicating they loved it and from the reviews here it is certainly a polarizing experience.
Read it when much younger - made an impact for the alt universe these characters seem to live in
Hard to fault such a well told story about incredible adversity and the learning that comes from it.
Some people say it is too ambitious - I think not - Bernadine takes on some massive issues and conquers them all. Breathtaking insights into a world that isn't always visible.
I read a much earlier edition of this work and have to say it was extraordinarily well written. As a maths major at uni (who never really applied anything I learned) I found myself wishing that my tertiary lecturers could have brought the subject - of maths in general and its historical highlights - to life like Simon has.
Very interesting to get a perspective on race relations in the US at the time. Story was ok but didn't really transport me to any place magical. Recommended by Karen who said one of the best reads she'd had, so that probably meant it would never live up to expectations.
The mark of a great book is one that makes you think and reflect on what you're reading, where you find new insights into your own world through that process. This was such a book!
This is chock a block full of interesting data and examples of people or organisations doing ‘stuff', but I found it a bit hard going. I know it is non-fiction, but a stronger narrative and possibly leaving some of the research in the drawer could have helped.
Classic Boyle, presenting the good, bad and ugly side of interesting characters, all the while moving along at a good pace
Wow! An absolutely compelling and insightful story; loved the structure, perspectives and contemporary issues that it took on.
I liken this book to the feeling you get when your football team is up 3-0 with 20 minutes to play, only to lose 3-4. That was how I felt.
Don't know where to start ... Illuminating on so many levels!!! One of those books you wish would never end, however it's value lies in the fact that you know it must end. Expertly woven story and believable characters.
This is very much like The Count of Monte Cristo in terms of being a revenge story, although it is based loosely on real people and happenings that occurred in exploring the mid-west in the early 1800s. I found it very gripping and the pages flew by.
First half quite interesting in terms of biography, second half was a master class in comedy construction :)
Great insight - delivered in a fable-like way - into a major chapter in China's history that I didn't know so much about. It seems to foreshadow the bigger environmental and social problems in the world today.
It obviously works on some level and if you know what that level is, please let me know. Whilst we can have a little laugh about the undefined nature of the Koob-Sassen project and how a raft of talentless people have an influence in society, there is not much else to take away for mine. Devoid of character development and general interest. At least it was short and easy reading!
Can't get over how great the passages are in this work, even if the plot is not the finest, it's the sort of book you'd read as a budding author and become dispirited rather quickly! And listening to it as an audio book on Audible, I have to praise the reading of Simon Vance.