Journal Entry 1 by 16stepper from Gilbert, Arizona USA on Wednesday, May 28, 2003

Starting to read this today. It's been on my bookshelves for ages. 

Journal Entry 2 by 16stepper from Gilbert, Arizona USA on Wednesday, May 28, 2003

Ingram review:
The newest novel by the acclaimed author/illustrator of the Griffin & Sabine trilogy is part love story, part mystery, and part ghostly tale--an altogether bewitching brew of sensualtiy and lost treasures. A young woman's obsession with a drawing of Shiva, the Hindu god, leads to a curious job offer: to find the few remaining pieces of a 15-th century adventurer's renowed collection of Indian sculptures. 90+ color illustrations.

My review: I sat down this morning intending to read just 20 pages of this book and I didn't get back up until I had devoured the whole thing. This is a delightful journey into the sensuality of Indian mythology as it intersects with the lives of an Italian trader and an American woman.  

Journal Entry 3 by 16stepper from Gilbert, Arizona USA on Thursday, May 29, 2003

I'm starting a bookray with this book. PM me if you are interested! This is a perpetual bookray and I will add participants to the end of the current list. Please be prepared to ship internationally if you join this bookray.

Participants in order:
JollyL (British Columbia)
softdrink (CA)
puppymummy (Australia)
TramGirl (Australia)
talkland (England)
Fofum (England)
Guinneth (NH)
seferim (MD)
pgsahm (VA)
jenny-lou-who (Ontario)
marte (Norway)

----additional participants----
pikapolonica (Sweden)
LeighBCD (UK)
squirrel818 (MN)
caligula03 (CA)
tho (Portugal)
JDT (CA)
mysteryfan03 (MO)
Janbur (TX)
lenalill (Norway)<----- lost in transition here
futurecat (NZ)
alrescate (MO)
kymberlie (TX)
starbytes (Malaysia)
letterpress (Ontario, Canada)
YowlYY (England)
porpoise (Australia)
vinyldoll (Portugal)
jenvince (CA)
kucingkiut (Malaysia)
Annelis (Finland)
 

Journal Entry 4 by 16stepper from Gilbert, Arizona USA on Wednesday, June 11, 2003

Released via US mail to JollyL in British Columbia. 

Journal Entry 5 by JollyL from North Vancouver, British Columbia Canada on Thursday, June 19, 2003

Rec'd this book today! Can't wait to read it! Now I will PM the next person on the list for their address, and I will journal after I read it! Looks very interesting!
JollyL 

Journal Entry 6 by JollyL from North Vancouver, British Columbia Canada on Sunday, June 22, 2003

Well, the book is certainly addictive, I finished it in two days. I was disappointed in the ending, however, I won't say more in that this book is now on it's way to many more readers.

Sending tomorrow to Softdrink, enjoy! 

Journal Entry 7 by JollyL from North Vancouver, British Columbia Canada on Monday, June 23, 2003

This book is continuing on it's travels - on it's way to Softdrink in CA!

Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 8 by OSO-189982 on Wednesday, July 02, 2003

Received in the mail today, but have to finish Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons first! 

Journal Entry 9 by OSO-189982 on Saturday, July 05, 2003

Just wanted to let you know I've started reading the book. I'm about 1/2 way through and I love it! It reminds me of The Tattooed Map (the mystery, the illustrations), only it's much better. Thanks for the bookray, 16stepper.  

Journal Entry 10 by OSO-189982 on Wednesday, July 09, 2003

I'm with JollyL...what up with the ending?!? Still, it's a great book, but over way too quick. Thanks for sharing! Mailed off today to puppymummy in Australia. 

Journal Entry 11 by puppymummy from Melbourne, Victoria Australia on Saturday, September 06, 2003

Received this yesterday in the mail, and can't wait to start it. I can't believe how beautiful this book is - this will have to be a read-at-home book, I wouldn't dare put it in my bag I take to work as I'd be too scared of ripping the dustjacket or something. It's in fabulous condition.
 

Journal Entry 12 by puppymummy from Melbourne, Victoria Australia on Tuesday, September 23, 2003

I finally managed to get five minutes to journal this. What a fantastic book! I can't believe how well the story was presented, the illustrations were terrific and the whole story just drew me in.
It was over very quickly, but it was soooo good - and I thought the ending quite fitting, personally. I was expecting something more unusual based on the previous journal entries, but it was pretty much what I thought it would be.
This will be passed on to Tramgirl shortly. 

Journal Entry 13 by TramGirl from Ballarat, Victoria Australia on Tuesday, October 21, 2003

Recieved this book from Puppymummy, it looks gorgeous and I can't wait to start reading it...next week once all my assignments are finished (Monday is when the last one is due!!). 

Journal Entry 14 by TramGirl from Ballarat, Victoria Australia on Sunday, November 02, 2003

I got to read this while on vacation last week and absolutely loved it!! It didn't take very long, a couple of hours by the pool, but it was a great mystery and the pictures throughout were brilliant, really added to the story and kind of made it interactive. I kinda agree about the ending, I felt that it ended quite abrubtly, it would be good if we could actually confer with each other and find out what others thought as there seems to be differing opinions.

It will be off to talkland hopefully by the end of the week. 

Journal Entry 15 by TramGirl from Ballarat, Victoria Australia on Tuesday, November 18, 2003

Sorry for not sending this off in a timely manner...I must put it down to starting a new job and having to move house!! So anyway it is off to Talkland today...I hope she enjoys it! 

Journal Entry 16 by talkland from Eastbourne, East Sussex United Kingdom on Tuesday, November 25, 2003

The book has arrived in jolly old England! 

Journal Entry 17 by talkland from Eastbourne, East Sussex United Kingdom on Wednesday, November 26, 2003

Wow, what an amazing book! It was a compelling and delightful read. I have added Nick Bantock to my list of authors to look out for. 'The Venetian's Wife' is a beautifully illustrated and written story told simply by the device of email and computer diary entries. I won't give any of the plot details away but I was disappointed at the ending, not because of what happens but 'coz I was enjoying the experience so much! The ending of the story was lovely. 

Journal Entry 18 by talkland at on Wednesday, November 26, 2003

Released on Wednesday, November 26, 2003 at the post office in Eastbourne, East Sussex, England, in Controlled Releases.

I am getting to the stage in my BookCrossing career whereby if you are bookray addict like myself, I will have your address already because I have probably sent a bookray on to you! Fofum is one such person, so straight in the post for this marvellous book - a real treat! 

Journal Entry 19 by Fofum from Beverley, East Yorkshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, December 30, 2003

Sorry - I'm late registering this book. It arrived before Christmas and I'm onlyjust catching up with my reading and Bookcrossing. Thanks for sending it on - I'll journal again once I've read it. 

Journal Entry 20 by Fofum from Beverley, East Yorkshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, December 31, 2003

Started this last night...it jumped to the top of the TBR pile because it looked so beautiful. I am now thoroughly hooked. Given the forecast is for snow this afternoon, I could well be seeing the New Year in with it! 

Journal Entry 21 by Fofum from Beverley, East Yorkshire United Kingdom on Thursday, January 01, 2004

Yes... I was hooked and no... the snow didn't arrive. We were treated instead to a gale and heavy rain. 2003 really blew itself out with style in East Yorkshire!
I've just finished the book and spent the last half hour trying to decide what to journal. It was a good read and beautiful to look at. I enjoyed the style which I thought was innovative and pacy.The plot was really good - credible despite its incredibility. However...the end!? I feel really cheated out of a denouement. It has been interesting to read what previous journalers have put about this...I have a theory about what was missing and without giving too much away ....but no, that would be giving too much away!
Happy New Year! 

Journal Entry 22 by Fofum at on Sunday, January 18, 2004

Released on Sunday, January 18, 2004 at Royal Mail in Beverley, England United Kingdom.

On its way to The United States. I hope you enjoy it. 

Journal Entry 23 by Guinneth from Manchester, New Hampshire USA on Saturday, February 28, 2004

Journal Entry 24 by Guinneth from Manchester, New Hampshire USA on Monday, March 01, 2004

Journal Entry 25 by Guinneth from Manchester, New Hampshire USA on Monday, March 01, 2004

Journal Entry 26 by Seferim from Columbia, Maryland USA on Wednesday, March 24, 2004

This book looks wonderful. I will start it tonight or tomorrow. Thank you so much for passing it on to me!

_The Venetian's Wife_ was the first book I read by Nick Bantock. I have heard wonderful reviews of his other books, and was really looking forward to a great reading experience. I loved the art, however I found the story a little weak.

Thanks 16stepper for starting this bookray--you have whet my appetite for other Bantock books (which I hear have more developed storylines...)


Pgsahm was "incommunicado" so I sent it on to jenny-lou-who! Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 27 by jenny-lou-who from St. Catharines, Ontario Canada on Friday, April 30, 2004

Just got this one in the mail and I'm really looking forward to reading it! 

Journal Entry 28 by jenny-lou-who from St. Catharines, Ontario Canada on Friday, August 20, 2004

Oh dear! I forgot all about this poor little book. Between finishing my thesis, starting a new job and moving across the country my mind has been elsewhere lately. No excuse for holding up a bookring this long, I know! Ok -- I'll read this book over the weekend and mail it out early next week. My apologies to all!

UPDATE: kalipriestess has asked to be skipped, so I've sent a PM to Marte asking for her mailing address and will send the book out as soon as I've got it. 

Journal Entry 29 by jenny-lou-who from St. Catharines, Ontario Canada on Saturday, August 21, 2004

I really enjoyed this one and devoured it in one sitting. This was a wonderfully imaginative story and just the "escape" I needed this weekend.

I think the thing I appreciate most about Nick Bantock's books is the "entire package" effect. Somehow I don't think this story would have been quite as compelling if it were not accompanied by the illustrations and graphic effects.

I'm awaiting a PM with the mailing address for the next person in line. Once again I apologize for having this one for so long. Stalling bookrays is not something I make a habit of doing! 

Journal Entry 30 by jenny-lou-who from St. Catharines, Ontario Canada on Tuesday, September 28, 2004

I was finally able to get in touch with someone to send the book to. It took a few tries, but this wee book is on its way to squirrel818 tomorrow. 

Journal Entry 31 by squirrel818 from Tafton, Pennsylvania USA on Sunday, November 21, 2004

received in yesterdays mail. i will read it asap. thanks! 

Journal Entry 32 by squirrel818 from Tafton, Pennsylvania USA on Monday, November 22, 2004

the art in this book is beautiful. i had never seen a nick bantock book before so i was completely surprised. the basic story was interesting but the ending? i don't get it. 

Journal Entry 33 by squirrel818 at a fellow bookcrosser in Hayward, California USA on Wednesday, November 24, 2004

Released on Wednesday, November 24, 2004 at about 10:00:00 AM BX time (GMT-06:00) Central Time (US & Canada) at a fellow bookcrosser in Hayward, California USA.

RELEASE NOTES:

 

Journal Entry 34 by caligula03 from Hayward, California USA on Tuesday, November 30, 2004

The book has arrived. It's not quite what I was expecting but intriguing nonetheless. I will read it as soon as I can. 

Journal Entry 35 by caligula03 from Hayward, California USA on Tuesday, January 25, 2005

Easy read and beautiful illustrations but there were times that I found myself too distracted by the artistry of the book to actually want to read the page I was on. The story seems secondary to the illustrations. 

Journal Entry 36 by caligula03 from Hayward, California USA on Tuesday, January 25, 2005

I should add that i'm waiting for an address from tho. I will give it another week or two and then if I don't hear from her I will mail the book to JDT whose address I do have. 

Journal Entry 37 by caligula03 from Hayward, California USA on Monday, January 31, 2005

Have an address for tho now. Will mail to her on Saturday. 

Journal Entry 38 by caligula03 at on Monday, January 31, 2005

Released 7 yrs ago (2/5/2005 UTC) at

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

Mailing to tho. 

Journal Entry 39 by tho on Sunday, April 17, 2005

It's here, it's here !!!!!! I'm so glad this has not been lost in the mail, the book looks gorgeous ;-) Will start reading very, very soon ... 

Journal Entry 40 by tho on Monday, May 02, 2005

Journal Entry 41 by JDT from Pleasanton, California USA on Friday, May 13, 2005

Ooh - what an intriguing book/beautiful art work!
Picked up our mail after 3 wonderful weeks in Italy - including 3 days in Venice. Perfect timing for this well-travelled bookray!

Thanks so much, tho, 16stepper - and everyone else before me! 

Journal Entry 42 by JDT from Pleasanton, California USA on Tuesday, June 07, 2005

What a beautifully-illustrated book and creative, intriguing story!
Once I suspended reality a bit and just went with the story - told through letters, diary, history, spirituality, art...it was a great experience.
(BTW - I did like the ending - appropriate, meaningful closure - IMHO!)

An added amazement to me is the wonderful 2-year journey of this book - still in very good condition!

Sending on to mysteryfan03!
 

Journal Entry 43 by mysteryfan03 from Moberly, Missouri USA on Tuesday, June 14, 2005

Wow! this book is in great condition to have traveled so much! I got it today! I have a couple of rings in front of it, so I am going to put it away because I can tell that if I look through it, I will finish the whole thing, too!!

Thanks JDT for the lovely bookmark from Venice!!!! I lived 2 years in Rimini and got to spend a whole day in Venice before we left the country. (several years ago) I loved Venice, I would love to be able to go back someday! 

Journal Entry 44 by mysteryfan03 from Moberly, Missouri USA on Friday, June 24, 2005

I really loved the look and "feel" of the book. The storyline was great, too, until the end. All of a sudden, it got boring and just stopped!

Thanks for the opportunity to read this!

BTW-I have not been able to reach Janbur by PM and her shelf says that she is in the process of moving and cannot send books for a while.


Note-- Mailed this to lenalill August 5, 2005