Sexing the Cherry
19 journalers for this copy...
This fabulous froth of a book, by the author of 'Oranges are Not the Only Fruit,' made me smile all the way through. (Anyone who knows what a dour individual I am will raise their eyebrows in surprise at this uncharacteristic remark.) The write-up succinctly says "Sexing the Cherry celebrates the power of the imagination as it playfully juggles with our perception of history and reality; love and sex; lies and truth; and the twelve dancing princesses who lived happily ever after, but not with their husbands." I really can't add anything to that, other than to say that it's a fairy story very much for adults. Read it!
Ciaccona was so kind to bring me this book today at the BC MeetUp - I look forward to reading it, and hopefully will be as good as ORANGES ARE NOT THE ONLY FRUIT...
I will make another entry after I've finished it...
I will make another entry after I've finished it...
I have always loved anything that has to do with the periods of history between 1200 and 1700... The fact that a good chunk of the story takes place sometimes in Cromwell's London was surely a plus for me, but what really made the incantation work (and forget that I was actually reading the book on a train on my way to York) are the Dog Woman and Jordan and their story that keep on shifting between their and our present time... As in ORANGES ARE NOT THE ONLY FRUIT, the red herring of a fairytale (or tales!) will pop up every now and then, giving the story sometimes the appearance of a dream or vision. I loved Jordan for his hunger for knowledge and the spirit of a traveller that I believe I share with him...and I loved the Dog Woman for her sense of justice - even if the others are afraid of her.
I won't write more...just that it was a wonderful story!
Thanks again to Ciaccona... I am going to get a hardback version for my private collection, and this book will be a bookray starting in the UK and going... away ...far away...like Jordan, sailing to foreign shores ;-)
OFFICIAL SHIPPING ORDER (updated on 4 August 2004)
1. lucycat (UK) rec. 4.7.03
2. talkland (UK) rec. 18.7.03
3. Lisa-B (Germany) rec. 31.7.03
4. Buecher-Eule (Germany) rec. 21.8.03
5. Willemijn (The Netherlands) rec. 6.9.03
6. MaaikeB (The Netherlands) rec. 10.10.03
7. nrrdgrrl (The Netherlands) rec. 05.11.03
8. beckys (Italy) rec. 15.12.03
9. mfa (Portugal) rec. 28.02.04
10. mady (Portugal) rec. 15.03.04
11. tho (Portugal) rec. 19.03.04
12. Zyana (Portugal) rec. 30.03.04
13. nastenka-d (Portugal) rec. 20.06.04
14. psmmr (Portugal) asked to be skipped for now, maybe Tahama can ask again before the book leaves Europe?
15. fio-dagua (Portugal)rec. 04.08.04
16. at-beirario (Portugal)
17. Reliquia (Portugal)
18. joaninha (Portugal)
19. TCP (Portugal)
20. Ftarazu (Portugal)
21. Tahama (Portugal)<----- reading
22. buchsuch (Germany, surface int.)----> asked to be skipped
23. symphonicca (Canada)----> asked to be skipped as she has already got a copy of the book
24. 16stepper (USA)----> not answering PMs
25. Zmrzlina (USA)
26. silver-halcyon (Canada)
27. senorag (USA)
28. bkwrm23 (USA)
29. tamster33 (USA)
30. tmtdino30 (USA)
31. grover3d (USA)
32. kymberlie (USA)
HOW TO USE MY BOOKRAY…
1. First of all, as soon as the book arrives, please make a journal entry to inform about its safe arrival.
2. The book gets to be the first on your TBR pile – it is not nice to have people waiting for years to read a book, and if you see that this ray has already 26 participants (and could be growing)….
3. PM the person next in line in order to obtain his/her mailing address and to find out if he/she is ok with receiving the book soon after… If the person is going away on vacation, please PM me and I will move him/her down the line (suggestions welcome).
4. After reading the book, make another entry and add your comments as you like… pics uplodaded and quotes welcome J
5. ship the book to the next reader (no release note!) and…relax, the worst is over!!
I will keep on adding names for participants until the 13th of July, however bear in mind that if your message reaches me after the book has left your country, your name can only be added at the very end of the ray…
Thanks to everyone who joined in, making my first bookray such a success!!
Enjoy the book – I look forward to reading all your comments ;-)
1. lucycat (UK) rec. 4.7.03
2. talkland (UK) rec. 18.7.03
3. Lisa-B (Germany) rec. 31.7.03
4. Buecher-Eule (Germany) rec. 21.8.03
5. Willemijn (The Netherlands) rec. 6.9.03
6. MaaikeB (The Netherlands) rec. 10.10.03
7. nrrdgrrl (The Netherlands) rec. 05.11.03
8. beckys (Italy) rec. 15.12.03
9. mfa (Portugal) rec. 28.02.04
10. mady (Portugal) rec. 15.03.04
11. tho (Portugal) rec. 19.03.04
12. Zyana (Portugal) rec. 30.03.04
13. nastenka-d (Portugal) rec. 20.06.04
14. psmmr (Portugal) asked to be skipped for now, maybe Tahama can ask again before the book leaves Europe?
15. fio-dagua (Portugal)rec. 04.08.04
16. at-beirario (Portugal)
17. Reliquia (Portugal)
18. joaninha (Portugal)
19. TCP (Portugal)
20. Ftarazu (Portugal)
21. Tahama (Portugal)<----- reading
22. buchsuch (Germany, surface int.)----> asked to be skipped
23. symphonicca (Canada)----> asked to be skipped as she has already got a copy of the book
24. 16stepper (USA)----> not answering PMs
25. Zmrzlina (USA)
26. silver-halcyon (Canada)
27. senorag (USA)
28. bkwrm23 (USA)
29. tamster33 (USA)
30. tmtdino30 (USA)
31. grover3d (USA)
32. kymberlie (USA)
HOW TO USE MY BOOKRAY…
1. First of all, as soon as the book arrives, please make a journal entry to inform about its safe arrival.
2. The book gets to be the first on your TBR pile – it is not nice to have people waiting for years to read a book, and if you see that this ray has already 26 participants (and could be growing)….
3. PM the person next in line in order to obtain his/her mailing address and to find out if he/she is ok with receiving the book soon after… If the person is going away on vacation, please PM me and I will move him/her down the line (suggestions welcome).
4. After reading the book, make another entry and add your comments as you like… pics uplodaded and quotes welcome J
5. ship the book to the next reader (no release note!) and…relax, the worst is over!!
I will keep on adding names for participants until the 13th of July, however bear in mind that if your message reaches me after the book has left your country, your name can only be added at the very end of the ray…
Thanks to everyone who joined in, making my first bookray such a success!!
Enjoy the book – I look forward to reading all your comments ;-)
...and off it goes to lucycat...we'll see if it will have you smile more than ORANGES....enjoy :-)))
Thanks Gabriella...wasn't expecting this one to land so soon (have Jennifer Government bookray on the go at the moment!), but will dig in over the weekend and hopefully get it back on the road again by the middle of next week...:O)
Update 16/7/03
Well, I don't know if it's because my mind is on other matters at present, but I didn't enjoy this one as much as 'Oranges'...I just didn't find it as engaging, and while I adore Jeanette Winterson's prose, if my mind is liable to wander, I need something that's going to suck me straight in and hold my attention for the duration.
There were still flashes of comedy, mostly supplied by the fabulous Dog Woman, but the steady background fizz of the humour in 'Oranges' was absent here, and sorely missed by me...possibly a case of 'right book, wrong time!'
Off she blows, then, down to Sarah in Eastbourne next...happy reading!
Update 16/7/03
Well, I don't know if it's because my mind is on other matters at present, but I didn't enjoy this one as much as 'Oranges'...I just didn't find it as engaging, and while I adore Jeanette Winterson's prose, if my mind is liable to wander, I need something that's going to suck me straight in and hold my attention for the duration.
There were still flashes of comedy, mostly supplied by the fabulous Dog Woman, but the steady background fizz of the humour in 'Oranges' was absent here, and sorely missed by me...possibly a case of 'right book, wrong time!'
Off she blows, then, down to Sarah in Eastbourne next...happy reading!
Thank you LucyCat for this book and the other ones you sent as well. They were all a big surprise as I did not realise that any of them were coming. I am very happy! :-)
I loved the idea in the book about how time is not linear. Jordan and the Dog Woman are great characters and I will never look at a banana in the same way! Reality of our world and the more surreal scenes start off separate and confusing. The more I read though, I saw the various worlds and realities merging and create its own existence and the book started to make sense. I would love to reread this again as I believe it is the sort of book that one can get more out of each time they read it.
Journal Entry 9 by talkland at == by post or by hand == in Eastbourne, East Sussex United Kingdom on Thursday, July 24, 2003
Released on Thursday, July 24, 2003 ~ Postal Release in Eastbourne, East Sussex, United Kingdom.
Germany is the next stop to get a taste of Dog Woman and Jordan!
Germany is the next stop to get a taste of Dog Woman and Jordan!
Received yesterday per mail from the UK. I'll be starting "Sexing the Cherry" sometime during the next few days, and I'll be back with a comment of course, before sending it on.
Adding to the earlier readers' comments (and mostly agreeing ): The idea of time not being linear and therefore the not so linear structure of the book also made it a not so easy read for me, sometimes I felt irritated quite a bit. Nevertheless an exceptional book, surely worth to read not only once. I especially liked the style and language of "Sexing the Cherry".
The book is ready to be mailed to the next reader, as soon as I get Buecher-Eule's adress.
Update on August 19th: Buecher-Eule is back from her summer holidays, and the book is off to the South of Germany!
The book is ready to be mailed to the next reader, as soon as I get Buecher-Eule's adress.
Update on August 19th: Buecher-Eule is back from her summer holidays, and the book is off to the South of Germany!
Journal Entry 12 by Buecher-Eule from Rheinstetten, Baden-Württemberg Germany on Sunday, August 24, 2003
angekommen am Donnerstag :-)
Bin gespannt!
I was not sure if I really liked it or not.
There were scenes I loved but others were so brutal I really hated to read them. I'm not used to medieval literature and never really liked Gargantua, which is another giant...
I loved the part with the 7 princesses and all the things that were so tender and full of imagination.
I didn't like the political parts.
Bin gespannt!
I was not sure if I really liked it or not.
There were scenes I loved but others were so brutal I really hated to read them. I'm not used to medieval literature and never really liked Gargantua, which is another giant...
I loved the part with the 7 princesses and all the things that were so tender and full of imagination.
I didn't like the political parts.
What a joy it is to recieve a bookcrossing gift! I'm subscribed to so many bookrays and -rings that I lost track. Will read this book soon, however. First I will finish Angels by Marion Keyes.
This little book has a few presents (interesting postcards) in it. I will add my journal & Deventer treat before releasing it to number 6.
This little book has a few presents (interesting postcards) in it. I will add my journal & Deventer treat before releasing it to number 6.
I really was looking forward to read my first Winterson. I'm very sorry to tell you all it didn't work for me. I tried a couple of times, but the language, the strange way this book is composed...The glory brought by this book fell on baren ground with me, helas. So I thought, if the book is not able to give anything to ME, thanks to my present state of mind, no doubt, I may very will give something to the BOOK. And that's why I brought it to a trip to the shore, this weekend. The book visited Scheveningen and the Dutch Parliament and the largest painting in the Netherlands, Panorama Mesdag (see picture).On its way to MaaikeB now!
It arrived safely in Zeist. Thanks, Willemijn. I'm looking forward to tasting this cherry, but I have to finish another bookray-book first. I'll read as fast as I can!
I don't know what to say about this book. I wanted to finish it, but I was glad it didn't have too many pages. The stories were intriguing but I wasn't pulled into them. I read it more with my head than with my heart and I like to entertain both. I'm glad I read it, but I won't read more Wintersons.
The book travels on to nrrdgrrl.
The book travels on to nrrdgrrl.
Journal Entry 17 by nrrdgrrl from Tunbridge Wells, Kent United Kingdom on Wednesday, November 5, 2003
an unexpected surprise - or maybe not. bookrings tend to arrive in groups.
a heavy ring is almost finished and a small one is yet to be read. after that i'll start the cherry immediately!
having seen the mixed reviews i'm very curious what my opinion will be.
a heavy ring is almost finished and a small one is yet to be read. after that i'll start the cherry immediately!
having seen the mixed reviews i'm very curious what my opinion will be.
a wonderful fairy tale so far! classical themes nicely wrapped. a long time ago i saw the 'oranges' as a tv series and was mesmerized. i'm happy to discover the writer is no disappointment.
finally started this book two days ago after a flood of other rings. will finish within a week i expect, so will pm the next one today.
for yowlyy i upload a picture of my dog. who caused me to hurt my ankle really bad (distracted by his misbehaviour i misstepped while running), so now i sit at home and have time to read... and still not happy! (ouch)
Journal Entry 19 by nrrdgrrl at Hilversum, controlled release in - Per post of in persoon doorgegeven, Noord-Holland Netherlands on Friday, December 5, 2003
Released on Friday, December 05, 2003 at controlled release in hilversum, Noord-Holland Netherlands.
my apologies for the delay. the book's been ready to go since wednesday, but i lacked the time to pack it. now it's wrapped in a shiny cherry red paper, looking very festive. which is appropriate as today is st.nicholas' feast, comparable to christmas but quite different.
ankle's much better now. finishing the book was a bit hard. i was very fond of the first part, but when the tougher philosophies were explicitly named instead of hinted upon the story drifted off. still, a good read.
i hope the cherries won't get stuck in early holiday mail queues.
my apologies for the delay. the book's been ready to go since wednesday, but i lacked the time to pack it. now it's wrapped in a shiny cherry red paper, looking very festive. which is appropriate as today is st.nicholas' feast, comparable to christmas but quite different.
ankle's much better now. finishing the book was a bit hard. i was very fond of the first part, but when the tougher philosophies were explicitly named instead of hinted upon the story drifted off. still, a good read.
i hope the cherries won't get stuck in early holiday mail queues.
Just found it in my mail box! I hope you will be patient: my house is full of bookrings...
An enchanting journey through time, space and feelings... I loved it, but I'll soon buy it in Italian - my own language - to appreciate it fully.
As soon as I receive mfa's address, I'll pass it on...
As soon as I receive mfa's address, I'll pass it on...
just got my first book ever sent from italy... thanks, beckys. well, as it's happening more and more, i can't recall having joined this ring :) but after seeing how much it has traveled and having read just a tiny bit, the least i can say is... i'm very, very curious. will be read soon.
"marvelous" is perhaps the best word to describe this book. in its writing, theme and approach to history, it is a manifesto for freedom. some of its main ideas became eversince a bit common, but i'm sure this novel has moved mountains in literary criticism in the 90's. and if it hasn't, it should have. deconstructing time, character and plot was something post-modernism has used perhaps too much, but here we do have a perfect match between imagination and control of the narrative.i especially enjoyed the 12 sisters tale. and that brings me to one of the strongest features of the book - the way it renders women strong, free and tangible. it is also very "90s", but i do believe feminist and environmental issues haven't been driven out of the agenda by time...
i wish i had read it before i read "the life of pi", for i find their approach to fiction and science similar. and if, as winterson claims, time is a falacy and a retrospective reading is allowed, i'll have to withdraw some of my praising of the latter, for "sexing the chery" is so much more powerful. or maybe i'm just being a bit pro-feminist bigot once again:)
i don't mind, really...
I've received this one today from mfa. Since it's small, I hope to pass it forward still this week. Thanks for giving me the chance to read it :)
I have finished it. I have mixed feelings about it. I really liked the melting of historic and fantasy in the book. But there were some parts that I found that they didn't fit... I guess I am too rational.
I'll be passing this book to tho today and will try to discuss it with her and mfa ;)
I'll be passing this book to tho today and will try to discuss it with her and mfa ;)
Received yesterday from mady - humm, I'm very curious about this book, so I think I might even start reading it today ;-)
Finished yesterday ... and, like mady, I also ended up with mixed feelings about it. I loved the historical portion of it (the civil war and the restoration period, the story of Tradescant the famous gardener, which I've read about in other novels) and the magical/mythical tales like the 12 princesses or Artemis. Halfway through the book, though, I had a hard time to make myself keep reading, and I think that was mainly because I couldn't really understand where the story was going ... Although the last part did surprise me, I can't really say that this book has made me laugh much (maybe a smile once in a while ;-) - but anyway, because so many previous journalers talked about it, I think I'll go in search of the "Oranges ..." book as well and see if that works better for me.
Has been mailed to Zyana today.
Has been mailed to Zyana today.
Received today along with 4 other bookrings! I have perhaps another handful in wait and cannot foresee when I'll be able to start on this one ... hopefully sooner than my pile suggests!
Zyana gave me the book last sunday, but I kept forgetting to make the entry.. sorry about that! I started reading that same day; but I'm also studing for my finals, so it may take longer to finish. I hope you'll be patient!
:)
:)
Anda after all, it didn't take me all that time! Perhaps because I read it before sleep, and tired after studing, I didn't enjoy it as much I as wanted to. Maybe that's why I can't really say it "grab" me; though I had enjoy it, specially because it is a peculiar historical romance.
Now, and as psmmr doesn't have avaiable time for reading it right now, I'm sending it to fio-dagua. Have a nice journey!
Now, and as psmmr doesn't have avaiable time for reading it right now, I'm sending it to fio-dagua. Have a nice journey!
i«m reading it tomorrow...~
thanks =)
thanks =)
Hello?? Where is the book now? Please make a JE, thanks!
This book arrives at the Lost Book Island with no word whatsoever in more than a year. That makes for such a sad case when there are so many people that are waiting for this book and wondering about its fate.The Lost Book Island would like to welcome this book to our luxurious resort in hopes that a brief stay here will give this book the rest it needs to continue along its planned bookray journey so that all who are interested in it will get the chance to read it and enjoy the wisdom of its pages and experiences. All it will take to ease the minds of those involved is a journal entry that verifies the safety of this book and some communication of how it might get moving again.
Arrived yesterday. Will try to read it asap.
Indeed its sad that this ring stopped for so long. And there are lots of people waiting to read it! And what a nice read it is!
I must say I liked reading this book but it wasn’t one of those that I just couldn’t stop. Maybe because Im a bit tired lately and have a lot of books in my TBR pile, I didn’t pay the proper attention. But I just loved some of the characters of the book such as the dog woman and the 12 dancing sisters, including Fortunata. I really liked the idea in the book that time is not linear and also the notion that, sometimes, we are looking for something (or someone) and what we find is ourselves…
A must read, definitely…I will want to read more from the author…
Im waiting for an address...
I must say I liked reading this book but it wasn’t one of those that I just couldn’t stop. Maybe because Im a bit tired lately and have a lot of books in my TBR pile, I didn’t pay the proper attention. But I just loved some of the characters of the book such as the dog woman and the 12 dancing sisters, including Fortunata. I really liked the idea in the book that time is not linear and also the notion that, sometimes, we are looking for something (or someone) and what we find is ourselves…
A must read, definitely…I will want to read more from the author…
Im waiting for an address...
Finally, after all this time, I have found someone willing to receive the book. It will be sent to Tahama today!
Sorry for the delay!
Sorry for the delay!
