The Seduction of Water
Registered by loopy1 of Herne Bay, Kent United Kingdom on 1/16/2004
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
13 journalers for this copy...
This one turned up on www.dearreader.com, and I got interested enough to order my own copy so I could read further than the first few pages.
There's a couple more people wanting to read this once I've done.
There's a couple more people wanting to read this once I've done.
collecting names for a bookray - please journal when you get the book and again to let us know what you thought of it.
ladyMondegreen UK
Shelbycat UK
ermintrude75 UK
rainbowandrain UK - Europe pref.
mytilusgirl - UK - anywhere
Minabomb - Portugal - Europe pref.
Annelis - Finland - anywhere
Sherria US US pref.
leeann347 - US - anywhere
spaceystacey New Jersey US - US/canada pref.
mysteryfan03 - US - anywhere
dragonfly4 - US - US/can pref
symphonicca - Canada - US/can pref
ladyMondegreen UK
Shelbycat UK
ermintrude75 UK
rainbowandrain UK - Europe pref.
mytilusgirl - UK - anywhere
Minabomb - Portugal - Europe pref.
Annelis - Finland - anywhere
Sherria US US pref.
leeann347 - US - anywhere
spaceystacey New Jersey US - US/canada pref.
mysteryfan03 - US - anywhere
dragonfly4 - US - US/can pref
symphonicca - Canada - US/can pref
Iris Greenfeder is the daughter of an author. Kay Greenfeder wrote two books of a trilogy, but the third book was never published, and when Iris was ten years old her mother died in a hotel fire registered as another man's wife.
Iris writes an article about her mother as an illustration of an assignment she sets her writing class, and is persuaded to start writing her mother's memoirs. In the course of investigating her mother's life she discovers that some secrets are deadlier than they seem...
I loved the fairy tales at the beginning of this book, and the hints of the two books Kay wrote - part of Iris's search is for a third manuscript, and I found it a fascinating story.
An exciting ending to the book, and many reflections on life and fairy tales.
Iris writes an article about her mother as an illustration of an assignment she sets her writing class, and is persuaded to start writing her mother's memoirs. In the course of investigating her mother's life she discovers that some secrets are deadlier than they seem...
I loved the fairy tales at the beginning of this book, and the hints of the two books Kay wrote - part of Iris's search is for a third manuscript, and I found it a fascinating story.
An exciting ending to the book, and many reflections on life and fairy tales.
Journal Entry 4 by Lady-Mondegreen from Basingstoke, Hampshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, March 2, 2004
Arrived this morning - goodness me, what a responsibility - first on the list for this ring (after loopy1 of course). I will read it asap and send it on to Shelbycat. I had a little giggle when I read one of the blurbs on the back praising "The Lake of Dead Languages" (a previous book from Carol Goodman) it exhorts us to "Embrace your inner Goth with this atmospheric shiver fest" (Elle). Well I didn't know I had an inner Goth but I might have to give that one a try to find out!
Journal Entry 5 by Lady-Mondegreen from Basingstoke, Hampshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, March 30, 2004
I found the pace of this book to be perfect for my enjoyment. If a story is slow to get going I can become bored quickly but if it is too fast paced I often find myself rushing along with it and missing stuff and then can't remember the book that well later! This had an almost hypnotic quality for me and I found myself reading it at a measured pace and "enjoying the scenery". The story itself is very good with interesting and believable characters. I loved fairy tales as a child & I really like books that explore mother/daughter relationships/feelings so this book scored a direct hit for those two reasons alone! Thanks loopy! Now off to Shelbycat.
Just got this in the post (on Friday). I've almost finished my current book so i'll be getting started on this one in the next couple of days, i can't wait!
A fabulous book, well worth waiting for. I really enjoyed the references to fairy tales throughout and it even helped me figure out where some of the other stories i've read have had their origins in fairy tales eg. the Tam Lin fairy tale is also used in Diana Wynne Jones' "Fire & Hemlock".
I'm just about to PM ermintrude75 to ask for their address so they can have the book asap.
I'm just about to PM ermintrude75 to ask for their address so they can have the book asap.
Received in the post last Friday (thanks Shelbycat), really looking forward to geting stuck into this one. More soon!
I will definitely be looking for more by this author. It's the sort of book where, if it was mine, I would read it again in a couple of months just to really take in all the relationships and significant moments that occur all through the book, and get the most out of the end section where everything is tied up.
The people and places evoked were done very well, and I felt transported into the story. Even though the two environments of the city/teaching and the mountains/hotel were really quite different, the story flows between them without feeling disjointed. I'd love to know if there is a real-life inspiration for the Hotel Equinox, as it sounds like a lovely place (just forget about the past goings-on for a while :).
The people and places evoked were done very well, and I felt transported into the story. Even though the two environments of the city/teaching and the mountains/hotel were really quite different, the story flows between them without feeling disjointed. I'd love to know if there is a real-life inspiration for the Hotel Equinox, as it sounds like a lovely place (just forget about the past goings-on for a while :).
Journal Entry 10 by bookwormteacher from Cherry Hinton, Cambridgeshire United Kingdom on Monday, May 10, 2004
Received over the weekend thanks:) Will get to it asap:)
Journal Entry 11 by bookwormteacher from Cherry Hinton, Cambridgeshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, May 25, 2004
What a wonderful book! I loved the story and even though I guessed the truth about her mother quite early on I was still gripped and could not put it down. The descriptions of the hotel and its surroundings made me wish I could paint and be able to capture some of the glorious surroundings I see. I will definitely be seeking out other books by this author.
Sent on to the next person today by good old Royal Mail:)
Sent on to the next person today by good old Royal Mail:)
Arrived today, hooray, hoorah!
I'm a third into another bookring (which arrived yesterday; typical, one bookring in two months, and then two LARGE bookrings arrive in two days... Ah well, c'est la vie) but will start this as soon as I'm finished the first.
Thanks rainbowdrain!
I'm a third into another bookring (which arrived yesterday; typical, one bookring in two months, and then two LARGE bookrings arrive in two days... Ah well, c'est la vie) but will start this as soon as I'm finished the first.
Thanks rainbowdrain!
I loved this book.
Initially I found the book to be a little slow and aimless, in that I couldn't see where the story was heading. However the luminous quality and warmth of Carol Goodman's writing held me rapt....and then the plot really picked up pace.
Great writing. Great story. Thank you loopy1 and rainbowandrain. My life is now that little bit richer. Oh yeah, and I popped this in the post to Annelis today.
Initially I found the book to be a little slow and aimless, in that I couldn't see where the story was heading. However the luminous quality and warmth of Carol Goodman's writing held me rapt....and then the plot really picked up pace.
Great writing. Great story. Thank you loopy1 and rainbowandrain. My life is now that little bit richer. Oh yeah, and I popped this in the post to Annelis today.
greetings from Portugal...the book arrived safe and...safe
thanks loopy1 and mytilusgirl...
i'm finishing two books....so i hope i'll start reading this one real soon
when i'm done i'll make a review...kisses to you all
thanks loopy1 and mytilusgirl...
i'm finishing two books....so i hope i'll start reading this one real soon
when i'm done i'll make a review...kisses to you all
i really enjoyed this book...it have a great story, full of warmth and color....and a little twist in the end....
i can see the seduction in it... :-)
i'll send it to annelis...soon
i can see the seduction in it... :-)
i'll send it to annelis...soon
The book arrived two days ago. I'll read it as soon as I've finished two other books. This seems to be a fascinating story. Thank you!
Please forgive me for forgetting this book in a pile of books for some time. I was trying to make my piles look smaller while I was travelling in order to prevent my husband getting fed up with the piles. This is very interesting book and it does not take many more days to finish it.
This is quite a special book. At first it seems to be a literary novel but little by little the suspense is growing and finally the story gets very exciting.In my European eyes it is rather curious that so old people (were they not over 70?) as Joseph and Aunt Sophie are still working but maybe it is the way things are elsewhere.
I posted the book today by economy mail. I hope you enjoy the book, Sherria!
And Happy Holidays to all those who already read the book!
This book arrived a couple of days ago, and apparently I forgot to journal it's arrival. Sorry!
I enjoyed this book, and liked the author's style. The descriptions of the hotel and the environment were lovely, and having lived in that area I could easily picture what she was talking about. The characters were developed slowly but fully, and I felt like i knew them quite well. The story itself moved along at a comfortable pace, building suspense until the end. I loved the bits of fairy tales and fables thrown in through the novel.
Thanks for sharing this book loopy1. I'll send it out as soon as I get an address for the next participant.
**Edit: Book was sent out 1/4/05 via media mail**
I enjoyed this book, and liked the author's style. The descriptions of the hotel and the environment were lovely, and having lived in that area I could easily picture what she was talking about. The characters were developed slowly but fully, and I felt like i knew them quite well. The story itself moved along at a comfortable pace, building suspense until the end. I loved the bits of fairy tales and fables thrown in through the novel.
Thanks for sharing this book loopy1. I'll send it out as soon as I get an address for the next participant.
**Edit: Book was sent out 1/4/05 via media mail**
I received this book through the post a little while ago, but it seems like there are times when the books from book rings tumble into each other like waves on a beach. I'm finishing up one now and will begin this one next. I'm looking forward to it.
I loved reading this. The folktales/fairy tales were wonderful, and it was great to find ones that I knew but more rarely encounter in contemporary fiction. I really enjoyed the whole work, but one thing that kept creeping in to mar the credibility (interrupting my willful suspension of disbelief) was the use of Brit colloquialisms like "knickers" and "bloke" spoken by people who were New Yorkers. Aside from that and the fact that I, too, guessed at the secret about the narrator's mother early on; I really did love it. It's made me want to write a fairy tale or two myself. It will stick in my mind for a long time.
Thank you so much, loopy1, for sharing it. It made the enjoyment all the more special that the book (though written by an American) started it's journey in Kent. It's one of my favorite places in the world.
In fact, I noticed that the last person on the list - symphonicca - perferred mailing within the US/Canada. If she'd like to mail it back to me when it's done, I'd like to include a little something and mail it back home to loopy1. As soon as spaceystacey gets me her address, it will be moving on!
Thank you so much, loopy1, for sharing it. It made the enjoyment all the more special that the book (though written by an American) started it's journey in Kent. It's one of my favorite places in the world.
In fact, I noticed that the last person on the list - symphonicca - perferred mailing within the US/Canada. If she'd like to mail it back to me when it's done, I'd like to include a little something and mail it back home to loopy1. As soon as spaceystacey gets me her address, it will be moving on!
Got this in the mail a couple of days ago, but have been too busy to get online for more than a few minutes! I have already started this book, It is good so far. Thanks!!
I really enjoyed this book! The fairy tales were great and the story was fascinating. Imagine growing up in a big hotel. I loved all the images of the hotel, esp in the last half of the book. Thanks for sharing this book.
This arrived yesterday and I've already started reading it.
The book is finally on its way to symphonicca. I actually finished the book a couple of months ago but held onto the book for her while she was away in Europe. Since she's last on the list, we figured this wouldn't do anyone harm.
Just caught this book last night after coming home from a trip/internship--- have to finsih the book I am reading right now, and then will get to this one. Thanks for sharing! Will journal more once I have started reading it!
This was a good, book, though i didn't absolutely love it. I did love parts though--- the lovely passages about the selkies and the fairytale world--- i really enojyed those parts, as well as the parts that paralleled that world more gracefully and allegorically.
However, i didn't take to the murderous mystery part. I think this book would have been just as good, if not better, without the murder and the 'snake in the grass' character (trying not to give things away for the next reader). The mystery of discovering her mother and her past and interweaving that story with the fairytales would have been enough, if you ask me. Which no one did. But i thought i'd say it anyway... :)
Anyway, still happy to have read the book, and appreciate having had it passed on to me! As I am the last one on the ray, will be leaving at the Halifax bookcrossing zone in the hopes that it will continue its journey on in the wild. Thanks to all who came before, and to loopy1 for starting the ray!!
However, i didn't take to the murderous mystery part. I think this book would have been just as good, if not better, without the murder and the 'snake in the grass' character (trying not to give things away for the next reader). The mystery of discovering her mother and her past and interweaving that story with the fairytales would have been enough, if you ask me. Which no one did. But i thought i'd say it anyway... :)
Anyway, still happy to have read the book, and appreciate having had it passed on to me! As I am the last one on the ray, will be leaving at the Halifax bookcrossing zone in the hopes that it will continue its journey on in the wild. Thanks to all who came before, and to loopy1 for starting the ray!!
Journal Entry 28 by symphonicca at Uncommon Grounds, 1030 South Park Street in Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada on Saturday, August 13, 2005
Released 18 yrs ago (8/13/2005 UTC) at Uncommon Grounds, 1030 South Park Street in Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Will leave this at the OBCZ shelf, this afternoon while up for a short visit with the lovely bookhogger!! Hope someone finds it, as it has been travelling around a bit!
Will leave this at the OBCZ shelf, this afternoon while up for a short visit with the lovely bookhogger!! Hope someone finds it, as it has been travelling around a bit!
