A Spot of Bother
14 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by BabyFlylady from Driffield, East Yorkshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Synopsis
George Hall doesn't understand the modern obsession with talking about everything. 'The secret of contentment, George felt, lay in ignoring many things completely.' Some things in life, however, cannot be ignored. At fifty-seven, George is settling down to a comfortable retirement, building a shed in his garden, reading historical novels, listening to a bit of light jazz. Then Katie, his tempestuous daughter, announces that she is getting remarried, to Ray. Her family is not pleased - as her brother Jamie observes, Ray has 'strangler's hands'. Katie can't decide if she loves Ray, or loves the wonderful way he has with her son Jacob, and her mother Jean is a bit put out by all the planning and arguing the wedding has occasioned, which get in the way of her quite fulfilling late-life affair with one of her husband's former colleagues. And the tidy and pleasant life Jamie has created crumbles when he fails to invite his lover, Tony, to the dreaded nuptials. Unnoticed in the uproar, George discovers a sinister lesion on his hip, and quietly begins to lose his mind. The way these damaged people fall apart - and come together - as a family is the true subject of Mark Haddon's disturbing yet very funny portrait of a dignified man trying to go insane politely.
George Hall doesn't understand the modern obsession with talking about everything. 'The secret of contentment, George felt, lay in ignoring many things completely.' Some things in life, however, cannot be ignored. At fifty-seven, George is settling down to a comfortable retirement, building a shed in his garden, reading historical novels, listening to a bit of light jazz. Then Katie, his tempestuous daughter, announces that she is getting remarried, to Ray. Her family is not pleased - as her brother Jamie observes, Ray has 'strangler's hands'. Katie can't decide if she loves Ray, or loves the wonderful way he has with her son Jacob, and her mother Jean is a bit put out by all the planning and arguing the wedding has occasioned, which get in the way of her quite fulfilling late-life affair with one of her husband's former colleagues. And the tidy and pleasant life Jamie has created crumbles when he fails to invite his lover, Tony, to the dreaded nuptials. Unnoticed in the uproar, George discovers a sinister lesion on his hip, and quietly begins to lose his mind. The way these damaged people fall apart - and come together - as a family is the true subject of Mark Haddon's disturbing yet very funny portrait of a dignified man trying to go insane politely.
Journal Entry 2 by BabyFlylady from Driffield, East Yorkshire United Kingdom on Sunday, July 22, 2007
Going to offer this as a Bookring. Initially UK then wider.
Participants so far -
Supertellp- UK
Suedo - UK
Peamartian - UK
max9 - uk - anywhere
katrinat - uk- anywhere
ekranda- uk- anywhere Skipped
lelly - uk - anywhere Skipped
Janey-Liz - uk - anywhere<------Book is on it's way here February2008
Borina - Portugal Europe pref
vainilla79- spain - europe
iliotropio- Belgium - anywhere
Pistaccio - Belgium - anywhere
ana-b - Netherlands - anywhere
KarenZero - US - US shipping pref
twinkpuddin - US - US pref
Secretariat - US - no pref stated
katayoun - Iran - International
snufkin81 - South Africa - International
livrecache - austrailia - austrailia
gillg - austrailia
Participants so far -
Supertellp- UK
Suedo - UK
Peamartian - UK
max9 - uk - anywhere
katrinat - uk- anywhere
ekranda- uk- anywhere Skipped
lelly - uk - anywhere Skipped
Janey-Liz - uk - anywhere<------Book is on it's way here February2008
Borina - Portugal Europe pref
vainilla79- spain - europe
iliotropio- Belgium - anywhere
Pistaccio - Belgium - anywhere
ana-b - Netherlands - anywhere
KarenZero - US - US shipping pref
twinkpuddin - US - US pref
Secretariat - US - no pref stated
katayoun - Iran - International
snufkin81 - South Africa - International
livrecache - austrailia - austrailia
gillg - austrailia
Journal Entry 3 by BabyFlylady from Driffield, East Yorkshire United Kingdom on Thursday, September 20, 2007
Hmmm not sure what I thought about this one. Definatley not to the same standard as "The Curious Incident..." but I did enjoy parts of it. Certainly I loved George and really felt for him. I totally cringed at the "surgery" scene. (Don't want to spoil it but you will know what I mean when you read it!) I found his family annoying and self-centred but then that is the point I guess! The humour was so dry that in places it can pass you by!
Sending on to Supertellp for it to start it's journey!
Sending on to Supertellp for it to start it's journey!
Journal Entry 4 by BabyFlylady at Controlled Release - By Post in -- Somewhere in E Yorks, East Yorkshire United Kingdom on Thursday, September 20, 2007
Released 16 yrs ago (9/20/2007 UTC) at Controlled Release - By Post in -- Somewhere in E Yorks, East Yorkshire United Kingdom
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Released to start the northen leg of it's journey. Enjoy!
Released to start the northen leg of it's journey. Enjoy!
Journal Entry 5 by supertellp from Durham, County Durham United Kingdom on Saturday, September 22, 2007
Got it today after the postman had a major fight with my letter box....Perfect timing, i'm going to start it this afternoon!!!
3 days later:
I thought that I was not going to finish this book, I struggled to get involved with the characters at first...then they caught me, I was well and truly hooked. I think that anyone who has dealt with mental health issues will find George right on the money!!!
Big thumbs up. I enjoyed it more than The curious Incident!!!
3 days later:
I thought that I was not going to finish this book, I struggled to get involved with the characters at first...then they caught me, I was well and truly hooked. I think that anyone who has dealt with mental health issues will find George right on the money!!!
Big thumbs up. I enjoyed it more than The curious Incident!!!
Journal Entry 6 by supertellp at Controlled Release in -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Released 16 yrs ago (9/29/2007 UTC) at Controlled Release in -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Giving To Suedo on Saturday at Durham Meet Up
Giving To Suedo on Saturday at Durham Meet Up
Journal Entry 7 by suedo from Redditch, Worcestershire United Kingdom on Saturday, September 29, 2007
Picked up at today's meet
Journal Entry 8 by suedo from Redditch, Worcestershire United Kingdom on Wednesday, October 10, 2007
This was a good book. I agree it did not have the impact of 'curious dog' but I think that 'curious dog' would always be a tough act to follow.
To me this falls int the the 'dick lit' category, but I was surprised how much I could relate to George, and the things he went through, and the frustration that all the family members felt at different stages of the story.
I have another book for peamartian, so hopfully will pass these on at the next durham meet.
To me this falls int the the 'dick lit' category, but I was surprised how much I could relate to George, and the things he went through, and the frustration that all the family members felt at different stages of the story.
I have another book for peamartian, so hopfully will pass these on at the next durham meet.
am taking to today's durham meet for peamartian
Journal Entry 10 by PeaMartian from Durham, County Durham United Kingdom on Sunday, October 28, 2007
Picked up at the Durham meet on Saturday 27th and added to TBR...
Journal Entry 11 by PeaMartian from Durham, County Durham United Kingdom on Thursday, December 27, 2007
Well, I'm not really sure what I think of this book. I was really looking forward to it because I loved "The Curious Incident of the dog in the Night-time" so much - I guess this is probably an unfair comparison, and I might have enjoyed this book more if I wasn't expecting so much. Mark Haddon certainly has a good turn of phrase, and I can still picture a lot of the scenes (even the ones I didn't want to picture the first time around and had to read through my fingers [BTW: what it the reading equivalent of watching TV from behind the sofa??], but although the stuff on the cover says this is supposed to be funny I didn't laugh at all, not even a little secret grin.
So, in conclusion, it certainly made an impression, but I'm not sure that I would say that I enjoyed it.
Now PM'ing max9 to get an address to send this on to...
So, in conclusion, it certainly made an impression, but I'm not sure that I would say that I enjoyed it.
Now PM'ing max9 to get an address to send this on to...
Posted off to max9 today...
Thanks I got this in the post today, that was quick. I seem to have received all my bookrays at once so I may be a little while.
Started this last night and finished it this morning, couldn't put it down! Unexpectedly I liked it better than A Curious Incident. Thought it was really insightful about ordinary things. I agree with Peamartian about the watching tv from behind the sofa thing - esp one bit which I won't spoil! Really warmed to George and his thoughts, which were sad but also very funnily put.
I'll send this off to katrinat when I have her address.
Sent 22 Jan
I'll send this off to katrinat when I have her address.
Sent 22 Jan
Arrived on Friday but I've been away for the weekend. I shall get started on it in the next couple of days and try and get it sent out by Saturday.
ekranda has asked to be skipped as she has since read this book, so I'm pm'ing lelly 29.01.08
ekranda has asked to be skipped as she has since read this book, so I'm pm'ing lelly 29.01.08
Posting to Janey-Liz today as the two people next on the list asked to be skipped
"Rescued" from the Post Office on Friday! I will read it as soon as possible!
Thanks!
Thanks!
Journal Entry 18 by iliotropio from Bruxelles / Brussel, Bruxelles / Brussel Belgium on Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Arrived safe and sound thanks to vainilla79.
I´ve read the first 10 pages and I´m already hooked!
I´ve read the first 10 pages and I´m already hooked!
Journal Entry 19 by iliotropio from Bruxelles / Brussel, Bruxelles / Brussel Belgium on Sunday, October 26, 2008
"That was what it meant, didn´t it? Being good. You didn´t have to sink wells in Burkina Faso. You didn´t have to give away your coffee table. You just had to see things from other people´s point of view. Remember they were human".
Expertly crafted, it reminded me a little of The Corrections, although I´ve found the George character quite depressing. Still, the final chapters about the marriage definitely made the whole thing worth it.
On its way to Pistaccio. Happy reading!
Expertly crafted, it reminded me a little of The Corrections, although I´ve found the George character quite depressing. Still, the final chapters about the marriage definitely made the whole thing worth it.
On its way to Pistaccio. Happy reading!
I liked the humour of the book (at some points I caught myself literally laughing out loud). Some parts of the book also capture in an interesting way the thoughts of the characters, though it's also not one of my favourite books in that respect. Going to send the book to Ana-b now.
Received the book this morning, thanks Pistaccio.
I read his first book, which was great. This book is not as good as the first. But nice to read.
I am really sorry I kept this book so long. I had not realised the book was with me for so many months.
I am really sorry I kept this book so long. I had not realised the book was with me for so many months.
Journal Entry 23 by ana-b at Achter de Kerk, ter hoogte van in Gouda, Zuid-Holland Netherlands on Monday, March 23, 2009
Released 15 yrs ago (3/21/2009 UTC) at Achter de Kerk, ter hoogte van in Gouda, Zuid-Holland Netherlands
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
It's on its way to twinkpuddin as KarenZero wanted to be skipped.
The book will arrive in a fortnight.
Edit: the releasenote is not correct: it should be: Gouda: by mail to another bookcrosser!
It's on its way to twinkpuddin as KarenZero wanted to be skipped.
The book will arrive in a fortnight.
Edit: the releasenote is not correct: it should be: Gouda: by mail to another bookcrosser!
Received in the mail today!
Finished last nite. It certainly was nothing like Curious Incident, as others have said (which isn't necessarily a bad thing). It did take me some time to get into, but once I was into the characters and wanting to see how everything would pan out it became a lot more enjoyable (maybe 1/3 to 1/2 way in?)I had A LOT of trouble with the surgery scene as well. Oh boy. I actually did chuckle at some parts - George's antics were humorous at some points. It reminded me a lot of Nick Hornby's writing, which I found surprising. That quote someone else noted about being good is just like another quote I have written down from Being Good by Hornby.
Have PM'd Secretariat for address. Thanks BabyFlylady for sharing!
Have PM'd Secretariat for address. Thanks BabyFlylady for sharing!
Dropped in the mail for yesterday Secretariat - enjoy!
Arrived today. The cover is beginning to separate from the spine, and I'll fix that before I send it on to the next in line. I'm in the midst of three now, but will start this ASAP.
I'd initially decided that I'd had enough of this book at page 80 because I found the character of George and his hypochrondria so annoying. However, a few days later I picked it up because I really loved Katie and Jamie and wanted to know how things turned out for them. Along the way I grew to sympathize with and like George and even to like Jean (but never sympathized with her "need" for an affair, which I thought she fell into out of boredom with her life and a mid-life crisis). I could never understand Katie's ambivalence about Ray. I thought he was wonderful--caring, thoughtful, and trying so hard to please. I found a good deal of the book very amusing, and much of the prepration for and the wedding itself was laugh-out-loud funny. In the end, I really enjoyed this family and this book. Thanks BabyFlylady for starting this ring so I could eventually have such an enjoyable read.
Three of those slated for this book have asked that it be sent on to the next person, so gillg has sent me her address. I'll get it off to her in the next day or two.
Three of those slated for this book have asked that it be sent on to the next person, so gillg has sent me her address. I'll get it off to her in the next day or two.
Journal Entry 29 by Secretariat at Controlled Release, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases on Friday, May 29, 2009
Released 14 yrs ago (5/29/2009 UTC) at Controlled Release, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
On its way to gillg
On its way to gillg
recieved with thanks all the way from California!
Journal Entry 31 by gillg at Tinakori Road in Thorndon, Wellington Province New Zealand on Sunday, August 9, 2009
Released 14 yrs ago (8/8/2009 UTC) at Tinakori Road in Thorndon, Wellington Province New Zealand
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Having walked around the botanic gardens I walked down Tinakori Rd to get back to the city. Saw a book shop and hoping it was open crossed the road, it was shut so I left it in the doorway. It was such a beautiful sunny day that there were lots of people out walking- hope it is picked up to be enjoyed.
Having walked around the botanic gardens I walked down Tinakori Rd to get back to the city. Saw a book shop and hoping it was open crossed the road, it was shut so I left it in the doorway. It was such a beautiful sunny day that there were lots of people out walking- hope it is picked up to be enjoyed.
Journal Entry 32 by gillg at Tinakori Road in Thorndon, Wellington Province New Zealand on Sunday, August 9, 2009
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Having walked around the botanic gardens I walked down Tinakori Rd to get back to the city. Saw a book shop and hoping it was open crossed the road, it was shut so I left it in the doorway. It was such a beautiful sunny day that there were lots of people out walking- hope it is picked up to be enjoyed.
Having walked around the botanic gardens I walked down Tinakori Rd to get back to the city. Saw a book shop and hoping it was open crossed the road, it was shut so I left it in the doorway. It was such a beautiful sunny day that there were lots of people out walking- hope it is picked up to be enjoyed.
good cover
CAUGHT IN WELLINGTON WELLINGTON NEWZEALAND
CAUGHT IN WELLINGTON WELLINGTON NEWZEALAND
