This is a book I bought while travelling in the UK and/or Italy. When I get back home I will edit the details above to show the book's actual title.

UPDATE: I bought this at Waterstone's in Shrewsbury, England, when I was there for the folk festival (hence the photograph of morris dancers, Martha Rhoden's Tuppenny Dish).

I bought this in part because I loved The Red Tent, but also because I was intrigued by the blurb on the back. I was disappointed at first. It all seemed rather bleak, and scattered. The chapters move from one character to another, just brief vignettes.

But gradually it started to come together, and (this helped, too) to include some happier events. I have to confess that at one point I couldn't believe the new happiness, and skimmed ahead to see what misfortune would befall the character I was reading about, afraid I would be unable to bear any more depression! But yes, some of the Dogtown folk do find happiness (I hope that doesn't qualify as a "spoiler").

I suppose the novel does have a couple of features in common with The Red Tent. One is the strength of some of the women, and the importance of their friendships. Another is the extent to which the narration carries right on through to the end. Another novelist might have closed Dinah's story (The Red Tent) much earlier; similarly, Diamant carries on the varied stories of Dogtown until no one is left in that place. I found it a much more satisfying ending than Haruf's Plainsong in that regard.

It does leave me curious to "visit" Dogtown. Perhaps the next time I'm in Massachusetts I'll head off to do a little exploring around Cape Ann!

Read what Diamant herself has to say about the book (and see images of four different covers for it, none the same as this copy - I have uploaded the Hungarian cover here).

I've asked on bookrelay if anyone wants to join a ring for this book. I've got three people interested so far - it might be a short ring! But here's how we'll start:

1. Breeze144 (Pickering, Ontario)
2. KarinAlyssa (Montreal / Ottawa)
3. mellonhead (Austin, TX) (asked to be skipped)
4. back to Potok-fan in Finland

Please journal when you get the book, and again once you've read it, telling us what you thought of the book. Try to get the book moving again within three weeks, but don't panic if there's a delay - just journal so we know what's going on. Thanks!

Arrived here today! This is the second ring to arrive this week but I will get to it soon....

I finished this on Friday, but have been putting off writing a JE because I'm not sure what to say. I read this fairly quickly but didn't really feel 'into' it. I liked the characters and all their unqiue little predicaments and stories and how they all intertwined but I think that too little time was paid to each. I feel like this is one of those books that I won't really remember the plot in a couple months. I have to say I liked "The Red Tent" a whole lot more.

I'll send this to KarinAlyssa this week. Thanks for sharing!!!

got it ! I don't remember signing up for that bookring, but I must have since Bree mailed it to me ! Thanks Bree for mailing it and Potok for sharing it.

Sorry for the delay in journalling, I've been having computer troubles and forgetting the book at home when I'm near a computer to do school work.

finally started it and I should be done with it soon enough too !

I am so happy that book found my mailbox ! I had never read any Anita Diamant, but now I want to read The Red Tent and anything she might have written. She seems to have a gift to create a world neither here or there with amazing characters that just stand out and become alive. Even the writing while simple added a little something to the overall effect of this book.

Since Mellonhead asked to be skipped, the book is going back to Finland with Potok-Fan via seamail with another book. Thank you so much for sharing !

The book is back with me! Thanks, Breeze144 & KarinAlyssa for your comments on the novel. :)

UPDATE (Sept 25, 2007): I've sent this travelling again, in Giz's Shiny Bookbox.

And here's a link to another Diamant novel, Good Harbor.

Removed from giz-angel's shiny bookbox. Looks interesting.

This started out a little slow for me, but I soon got drawn in with the characters and it was actually a quick read. It's been awhile since I read "The red tent" but I think I liked this book more. I liked the ending which had me in tears.

Putting into round 2 of the covergirl bookbox.

Removing from the bookbox. I tried to read The Red Tent and couldn't get past the first 50 pages but I've always wanted to try another of her books. This one sounds interesting and I just love a well-travelled book!

This was such an enjoyable, bittersweet story. I felt I could picture the town and characters perfectly. Before reading this book I knew nothing about Dogtown - now I would love to explore the area sometime!

I plan to release this for Haugtussa's 2009 52 Towns in 52 Weeks Challenge and guinaveve's Keep Them Moving Challenge.

2009 Reduce MT TBR

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

I put this book on a bookshelf in the back of the store, where the computer tables and chairs are sold. The bookshelf is next to the rack of sunglasses.

Sorry for the multiple release notes, but I kept messing up on the release time and had to delete them and do it over!!!