Don't be put off by the title. It is a very dense, but enjoyable book - a very literary read. Was winner of the Booker in 1990. I loved this book.

To be mailed to Froggie66 just as soon as I find it!! (I'm in the middle of moving house and I know it is here somewhere in a box marked 'books' however there are about ten of those!!) Thanks for trading Froggie66! =)

It arrived ok. Thank you so much! No worries about the length of time it took to arrive. It was a nice surprise. :) I know what it is like to move for sure. I might take it on my trip if I don't start reading it before then. You were right it is a good choice. I haven't read any of that particular author but, it certainly looks like something I will read.

Thanks blue for this. Sorry it has been so long on my tbr pile. Just refound it. I will try to real it soon. :) Just saw an ad for the movie on DVD with Gynneth Paltrow. lol. I guess that is what tinged in my mind. :)

Sorry this has been on my shelf for way too long and I haven't read it. Figure I am not likely to get to it anytime soon so, I have decided to get it moving with my US/Canada Romance VBB. Reserving it for that. :)

I selected this from the Romance VBB. Looks even denser than I expected, but I am up for the challenge. I'm not sure when I will get to it but everything gets read eventually. Thanks!

A hard book to read because of all the poetry, feminism, scholarly references and just how long the book is. But it has a sense of humor about the poetry, feminism, and scholarly works. It also shows a sense of humor regarding academic life, scholarly papers, and the collectors of the works and properties of famous people. But ultimately it is the love stories that are the strength and beauty of this book, and the love stories are very moving. Because, bottom line, I wanted the couples to love each other and happiness to be found. I was kind of angry at Mr. Ash for awhile and with Christabel for a long while, but that was sorted out later, you see. Everything was. The ending was one of the finest endings I have ever read. I cried and cried.
It is worth reading if you can stick with it. Try reading the poetry out loud, it helps to keep you awake and the words at least have rhythm if not sense.

I am going to offer this book in bookstogive's lit/fic VBB

This book was not selected from the lit/fic vbb but I am going to leave it in for one more round as it was the Winner of the 1990 Booker Prize.

Still not selected, so bye bye Booker Prize Winner, you are off on a journey in the Alphabet Bookbox. Letter "P"

Released into the Alphabet Bookbox to replace a "P" book that I took.

I'm claiming this softcover from the A-to-Z bookbox. I've heard a lot about it but had never read it, so here's my chance!

Later: Whenever I find notes or letters tucked inside books I hope they'll turn out to be something fascinating, but in my case they're usually just shopping lists or receipts {wry grin}. But this story kicks off with truly intriguing "found documents" - two letters by a famed poet, suggesting a previously-unknown relationship. It can be tricky to develop suspense based on academic research, but this novel manages it, even throwing in a disinterment in an old graveyard (which reminded me of the beautifully macabre incident of Rossetti and Siddal). The historical scenes of the poets contrast nicely with the modern-day ones of the researchers, and the homage to writers and to readers is very clear.

I admit that I wasn't as enthralled with all the relationship ups and downs (in both timelines), but overall it was an impressive book, and I'm glad I had a chance to read it.

[There's a 2002 film adaptation, though I haven't seen it. And there's a TV Tropes page on the novel.]

I plan to leave this book on the book-swap shelf in the Tyngsboro post office library at around 11:30 or so; hope the finder enjoys it!

*** Released as part of the 2015 Keep Them Moving release challenge. ***

*** Released as part of the 2015 Movie release challenge. ***