This is the Country
8 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by goodthinkingmax from Sydney CBD, New South Wales Australia on Sunday, June 25, 2006
Adding this one to the Booker Longlist challenge. See fleebo's bookshelf for details.
fleebo
woosang
Alectoness
puppymummy
Viola7
xoddam
star-light
fleebo
woosang
Alectoness
puppymummy
Viola7
xoddam
star-light
Journal Entry 2 by goodthinkingmax from Sydney CBD, New South Wales Australia on Monday, July 10, 2006
I enjoyed this one. Yay. Wall is a really witty writer despite the darkness of the themes. The unknown underbelly of Ireland is beautifully evoked in the unexpected detail of the descriptions and the humorous observations and dialogue of the narrator. I also enjoyed the ending which was satisfying but not trite.
I will give this to fleebo at the meetup tonight.
I will give this to fleebo at the meetup tonight.
Received from goodthinkingmax at the Porterhouse hotel. Thanks!
An admirable piece of work. Great writing, but left me feeling very down... no fairytale endings here. I'd like to think that it really is possible to escape that kind of start in life, but when you read this you'll probably doubt it. Thanks very much, goodthinkingmax. I will pass it on soon.
Journal Entry 5 by woosang from Campbelltown, New South Wales Australia on Wednesday, August 16, 2006
This book was like an accident. You don't want to look but you can't tear your eyes from the mess. The story was fascinating, but horrible at the same time. I am glad the ending easn't really an ending just like real life. I would never have picked this book up if I was browsing in a bookstore, so it was a different experience. I didn't like any of the characters (except the daughter) but their experiences are so far from my own it was..... different
Journal Entry 6 by woosang at Controlled Release in Picton, New South Wales Australia on Thursday, August 17, 2006
Released 17 yrs ago (8/17/2006 UTC) at Controlled Release in Picton, New South Wales Australia
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Sending to Puppymummy as Alectoness has asked to be skipped
Sending to Puppymummy as Alectoness has asked to be skipped
Either everyone is finishing up their Booker books at once, or else it's one of those times when everything arrives at once. I think this is the third one to appear in a week, and I am expecting another couple - so I will read them soon, but don't expect miracles!
At least this one isn't brick-sized....
At least this one isn't brick-sized....
Well, this one was pretty good. I felt that it was a worthwhile read and I liked the writing style here, it suited the subject matter.
However, my biggest feeling is of relief that I've managed to move one more Booker longlisted on - I am afraid that I seem to be holding them all up at the moment!
However, my biggest feeling is of relief that I've managed to move one more Booker longlisted on - I am afraid that I seem to be holding them all up at the moment!
I don't really feel like dealing with such a black story at the moment, so I'm going to send this on.
Caught at work today along with a very interesting-looking RABCK from viola7. Thanks, I look forward to it.
Yet another Irish seaside retreat! But no art historians or mid-life crises in this one. Actually it's a great book, beats The Sea hands down. It was indeed rather like watching a train wreck, but I think because I'd already come to terms with the idea that something awful was going to happen, I found the story as a whole actually very upbeat. We know that the protagonist (do we ever learn his name?) is a resilient, positive kind of fellow despite everything, and it seems his daughter takes after him. It's grand to see him pull himself up from the depths, not once but twice.
Not a 'black story' at all, in my view.
I've pm'd star-light, will post it or hand it over within a week or two.
Not a 'black story' at all, in my view.
I've pm'd star-light, will post it or hand it over within a week or two.
Posted last week sometime, or maybe the week before. Anyway I've definitely sent it. Apologies for the delay, and many thanks for everyone's patience and generosity. A fine story.
Book arrived today. Thanks xoddam for posting and for the tea that came with the book. The chai smells lovely!
I am in the minority here but I didn't enjoy this that much. The first thrid of the book was very incoherent and I found the style hard to get into. I realise it was to reflect the narrator's drug-addled brain, but it didn't work for me. The rest of the book was better but I was already somewhat alienated by then. I did appreciate how the plot moved along briskly - more than I can say for some of the other 2005 Booker books.
This book is now on its way back to goodthinkingmax. Thanks for the opportunity to read this.
This book is now on its way back to goodthinkingmax. Thanks for the opportunity to read this.
Journal Entry 15 by goodthinkingmax at Edinburgh Castle Hotel, Cnr Pitt & Bathurst in Sydney CBD, New South Wales Australia on Thursday, July 12, 2007
Released 16 yrs ago (7/10/2007 UTC) at Edinburgh Castle Hotel, Cnr Pitt & Bathurst in Sydney CBD, New South Wales Australia
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
This one arrived home in my letterbox as I was leaving for the Sydney Bookcrossing meetup so I took it along and left at the pub.
This one arrived home in my letterbox as I was leaving for the Sydney Bookcrossing meetup so I took it along and left at the pub.
Picked up at the pub "book crossing meet up", now have traveled north to warmer climate!! Hoping to stir some more interest in the local bookcrossing scene. Will be released at Conviva Cafe in Wingham on Monday!
