The Secret River
8 journalers for this copy...
I've been looking out for this book for a while as it was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2006, so I was right chuffed when I spotted it in a charity shop over the Easter weekend. I devoured it practically in one sitting, and although parts of the story were absolutely heart breaking, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Heading off on a bookray:
madmadge - UK (UK)
arturogrande - UK (Intl)
Rrrcaron - US
jeskawest - US (US/Canada)
carelaisa - Canada (Canada/US)
Heading off on a bookray:
madmadge - UK (UK)
arturogrande - UK (Intl)
Rrrcaron - US
jeskawest - US (US/Canada)
carelaisa - Canada (Canada/US)
I wasn't going to join any more bookrings but I couldn't resist this one. Although I'd never heard of it before it sounded like my sort of book and, having dipped into it after it arrived this morning, I don't think I'll be disappointed. Thank you for including me lucy and for the lovely postcard. I have one more to finish before I start and I can't wait!
I enjoyed this book but the account of the terrible conditions in the early part in London were very upsetting. Living in those sort of conditions is almost unimaginable. I wonder too how many Australians can trace their roots to a similar beginning when 'convicts' were regularly shipped over for sometimes very minor offences to an alien land. Those who survived must have bred families with very strong characters.
Will PM auturogrande for address and get it off ASAP.
Will PM auturogrande for address and get it off ASAP.
I am so ashamed! :0( I've had arturogrande's address for a few days now and this book is still sitting on my desk! Sorry lucy.
It will be heading off by first class post this afternoon.
It will be heading off by first class post this afternoon.
Journal Entry 5 by arturogrande from Coalville, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Arrived today, thank you very much. I've got one other ring ahead of it, but I'll get started on it very soon.
Journal Entry 6 by arturogrande from Coalville, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Monday, June 15, 2009
This is a brilliantly well written book, but some of the descriptions of the brutality meted out by the white settlers to the Aboriginal population is so sickening as to be almost unreadable. It really brings home the true roots of Australia as we know it today, as well as highlighting the fact that essentially good people can do terrible things in pursuit of a dream.
William and Sal Thornhill are very well drawn characters, properly fleshed out. And with the exception of the despicable Smasher, none of the rest of the characters are completely good or completely bad.
It's ultimately a very sad book, as William Thornhill reflects on the cost of achieving his lifetime's ambition.
The Secret River is definitely worth a read, even though it's harrowing stuff and times, and is a brave subject for a white Australian writer to tackle.
Thanks for sharing - it's now on its way to Rrrcaron.
William and Sal Thornhill are very well drawn characters, properly fleshed out. And with the exception of the despicable Smasher, none of the rest of the characters are completely good or completely bad.
It's ultimately a very sad book, as William Thornhill reflects on the cost of achieving his lifetime's ambition.
The Secret River is definitely worth a read, even though it's harrowing stuff and times, and is a brave subject for a white Australian writer to tackle.
Thanks for sharing - it's now on its way to Rrrcaron.
I received this book in the mail today. Will get to it soon.
Ruth
Ruth
What a wonderful story. I was saddened that in order for Will to achieve his dream he had to take part in such violence.I was almost hoping for a live together happily ever after type ending, knowing all along there would be heartbreaking violence. Thanks so much for sharing this read. Sending on to next reader.
Got the book and began reading it already. Not sure that I'm ready for such a sad book, but I'm giving it a try.
I finished this a few days ago, I've just been super busy this week. I really enjoyed it, Grenville's use of language to describe the wild Australian countryside was excellent. And it is amazing to consider what so many of those settlers went through, and so sad to think about how indigenous people are treated no matter where they are. I really mind-opening book.
Journal Entry 11 by jeskawest at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada on Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Released 14 yrs ago (8/26/2009 UTC) at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada
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Sent on its way to the next person in line!
Sent on its way to the next person in line!
rec'd the book today! looking forward to read it. Since I'm the last person on this ray, it may take a little while for me to get to it.
thanks to lucy-lemon for sharing this book with us and to jeskawest for sending it my way.
thanks to lucy-lemon for sharing this book with us and to jeskawest for sending it my way.
Finally got around to read it and well... it was a nice read but no more. I found it okay, not an easy subject to write about [deportation & colonisation] but I never got fully into the story. At some point, I found it a bit too depressing... maybe I'm not in a mood these days for this type of book. Nevertheless, I can understand why it has been nominated for awards, it's well written.
Journal Entry 14 by carelaisa at International Sweepstakes, A RABCK -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, April 11, 2010
Released 14 yrs ago (4/11/2010 UTC) at International Sweepstakes, A RABCK -- Controlled Releases
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sent to the winner of the march edition -- hope the book will be liked!
sent to the winner of the march edition -- hope the book will be liked!
Thanks so much, Carelaisa!
I've been having log-in problems, and couldn't journal it before.
Thanks for the lovely postcard and the kind note as well.
Looking forward to reading this one!
Eva
I've been having log-in problems, and couldn't journal it before.
Thanks for the lovely postcard and the kind note as well.
Looking forward to reading this one!
Eva
I have tagged Collectorkerri, at the WishList Tag Game, with this book, which has been on her WishList for ages...
Sent today to Collectorkerry; I tagged her with this book in the WishList Tag Game.
Enjoy! :)
Enjoy! :)
Received today. Thanks!
