Journal Entry 1 by lucy-lemon from Llandudno, Wales United Kingdom on Wednesday, December 09, 2009

Journal Entry 2 by cat207 from Gladstone, Queensland Australia on Thursday, January 07, 2010

Arrived in the mail on 5th January with 'Tarka the Otter'. Thanks Lucy. X 

Journal Entry 3 by cat207 from Gladstone, Queensland Australia on Saturday, January 23, 2010

A quick and enjoyable read.
I can't understand how Ellen could just blindly accept the news she was given over the phone (I'd need physical proof) especially as it was coming from her ex-husband.

On to Dave in tomorrow's mail - three books together. Lucky Dave! X 

Journal Entry 4 by davemurray101 from Maryville, New South Wales Australia on Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Thanks to Cat207 and Lucy-Lemon for sending it on. I just read August is a wicket month not long ago and am looking forward to reading this one. 

Journal Entry 5 by davemurray101 from Maryville, New South Wales Australia on Wednesday, January 27, 2010

I read this one in one sitting last night. What a fantastic tale of self-destruction. As for Cat207s comments, I think acceptance (and her internalisation of the news) is a feature of certain strains of Irish catholic culture. Anyway off to fushmush. 

Journal Entry 6 by davemurray101 at A Controlled Release, a fellow bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases on Friday, January 29, 2010

Released 2 yrs ago (1/29/2010 UTC) at A Controlled Release, a fellow bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases

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Posted to fushmush of Sydney this afternoon 

Journal Entry 7 by fushmush from Sydney, New South Wales Australia on Monday, February 01, 2010

Received today. 

Journal Entry 8 by fushmush from Sydney, New South Wales Australia on Monday, March 15, 2010

August is indeed a wicked month for Ellen.

I didn't really connect with this novel. I think this is evidenced in how long it took me to read. It's only a sliver of a book and I've had it way too long.

I have PMed the next in line and should have it on its way shortly. 

Journal Entry 9 by fushmush at sent to the the next bookcrosser, Bookray -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, April 08, 2010

Released 2 yrs ago (4/8/2010 UTC) at sent to the the next bookcrosser, Bookray -- Controlled Releases

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sent to the next bookcrosser on the ray. 

Journal Entry 10 by Moeshell from Richardson, Texas USA on Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Book arrived yesterday. Have a few rings in my possession right now, I'll get to this one soon. Thanks for sharing Lucy-lemon and thanks for sending my way fushmush. 

Journal Entry 11 by Moeshell from Richardson, Texas USA on Monday, April 26, 2010

I am not a big fan of this book. I thought the way the story was presented was boring. I didn't even care about the news that Ellen receives from her exhusband. Not that I thought that she deserved it, just didn't care enough about the character to draw that sympathy out of me. I’ll be passing this one on by the week’s end. Thanks for sharing! 

Journal Entry 12 by Moeshell at By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Released 2 yrs ago (4/27/2010 UTC) at By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

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Journal Entry 13 by wildflower37 from Montclair, New Jersey USA on Friday, April 30, 2010

Received today as part of book ring. Look forward to reading in the next 2-3 weeks. thanks! 

Journal Entry 14 by wildflower37 from Montclair, New Jersey USA on Sunday, May 16, 2010

I initially loved this book - the opening scenes with Ellen in her garden, her shift from the roles of ex-wife and mother to single woman held a lot of promise. But i found myself bored with her behavior once she arrives in sunny France - I couldn't understand her motivations and desires. I nearly gave up when the turning point comes (the aforementioned phone call). While an unexpected twist, it still did not make me that much more sympathetic to Ellen. The language in the story was lovely, but it felt dampened and distant, perhaps intentionally...

Contact next BCer for address and hope to mail soon! 

Journal Entry 15 by wildflower37 at Bookring, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA on Friday, May 28, 2010

Released 2 yrs ago (5/28/2010 UTC) at Bookring, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA

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Mailed to next reader today. enjoy! 

Journal Entry 16 by EmgeeNL at Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland Netherlands on Thursday, June 03, 2010

The book arrived. it's on MTBR for now

Oct:
I wasn't sure what to expect of the book. I liked the quite unexpected turn the story took, but overall it is not a book that -in my opinion- really stands out. 

Journal Entry 17 by EmgeeNL at bookcrosser, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, October 06, 2010

Released 1 yr ago (10/6/2010 UTC) at bookcrosser, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

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The book is on it's way to the next reader 

Journal Entry 18 by Simson-Shilitoe at Neewiller-près-Lauterbourg, Alsace France on Tuesday, October 12, 2010

The book has arrived safely today.

At the moment I am reading "Measuring the World" by Daniel Kehlmann, another bookring started by "lucy-lemon". I hope to start with "August is a Wicked Month" soon.

Thank you "EmgeeNL" for posting. Thank you "lucy-lemon" for sharing.  

Journal Entry 19 by Simson-Shilitoe at Neewiller-près-Lauterbourg, Alsace France on Sunday, November 14, 2010

Journal Entry 20 by Simson-Shilitoe at Germersheim, Rheinland-Pfalz Germany on Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Released 1 yr ago (11/16/2010 UTC) at Germersheim, Rheinland-Pfalz Germany

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Journal Entry 21 by grovalskii at Zehlendorf, Berlin Germany on Monday, November 22, 2010

got the book on Saturday in the mail. Am reading it already.  

Journal Entry 22 by grovalskii at Zehlendorf, Berlin Germany on Sunday, December 05, 2010

I really don't understand why books like this one are on the "Have to read" list. What makes it so special? I thought it was average. Not the worst I've read, but definately not the best. Some story about some lady with the average problems having a summer vacation. Then her son dies. The author attempted to describe some of the emotions about the son's death, but the emotions seemed not very sincere to me. Or am I missing something? I suppose when I read a book that's on the "1001 books to read..." list I expect great writing and I just didn't see it here.

The book will travel to Portugal next. 

Journal Entry 23 by grovalskii at Zehlendorf, Berlin Germany on Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Released 1 yr ago (12/10/2010 UTC) at Zehlendorf, Berlin Germany

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Sorry, I forgot to journal. I mailed the book a few days ago. 

Journal Entry 24 by Jujuks at Lisboa - City, Lisboa (cidade) Portugal on Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Book arrived safely. Thanks for sending it! 

Journal Entry 25 by Jujuks at Parede, Lisboa (distrito) Portugal on Thursday, January 06, 2011

I've finished the book a while ago but I forgot to journal it. I didn't enjoy it much and the main character wasn't that likable. I'm just waiting for PurpleElephant and then I'll send the book.

18 January: PurpleElephant isn't answering my messages so I'll send the book out to Fluffy-owl instead.  

Journal Entry 26 by Jujuks at Cambridge, Cambridgeshire United Kingdom on Thursday, March 03, 2011

Released 1 yr ago (3/3/2011 UTC) at Cambridge, Cambridgeshire United Kingdom

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Sorry for taking so long! 

Journal Entry 27 by Fluffy-Owl at Durham, County Durham United Kingdom on Thursday, March 10, 2011

Received in the post, thank you! 

Journal Entry 28 by Fluffy-Owl at Durham, County Durham United Kingdom on Wednesday, March 16, 2011

I really didn't like this - books this short I can normally get my way through, but this one beat me. Just not my cup of tea!

Will post on when I have an address. 

Journal Entry 29 by Fluffy-Owl at Durham, County Durham United Kingdom on Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Released 1 yr ago (3/16/2011 UTC) at Durham, County Durham United Kingdom

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Posting off today. 

Journal Entry 30 by platypussj at Colchester, Essex United Kingdom on Friday, March 18, 2011

I'm anticipating reading this book, particularly after reading the mixed journal entries. I will have to buy a copy of 1001 Books sooner or later, because I'd like to know the rationale for this book's inclusion. It appears to be very short (although in my experience some very short books can take a very long time to read!). I'll read it after I've finished the book that I'm reading now. Thank you, lucy-lemon, for sharing and Fluffy-Owl, for posting.  

Journal Entry 31 by platypussj at Colchester, Essex United Kingdom on Monday, April 18, 2011

I found this novel to be quite gripping and very sad. It's certainly a novel of its time, she was clearly rather naive and heavily influenced by her upbringing and the culture of the time. I thought that she was distressed and confused much of the time, yet detached, to me O'Brien makes this palpable in the language, almost as if Ellen is outside of herself. I think that she was going through a breakdown before she ever arrived in France and that, she perhaps thought that by going abroad on an exotic holiday she would somehow become another person - I can also see how then, and in some places still now, the men who work / live in certain holiday destinations rub their hands together with glee at the prospect of the single emancipated woman. I'd still be interested in knowing what the entry in 1001 Books says about this - I suspect it was perhaps something about the portrayal of women - I will edit this entry as soon as I find out.

Thanks again lucy-lemon for sharing :o) and thank you Fluffy-owl for posting :o) 

Journal Entry 32 by kingfan30 at Corby Glen, Lincolnshire United Kingdom on Thursday, April 21, 2011

Book has arrived safe and sound, thanks for the card I am not going to read the other reviews just yet, will do that after I've read it, I hate to sway my opinion before I open the book.

27 April 11 - not sure what to make of this book, I found it a quick read but could not relate to Ellen at all. It all seem very detached and the reaction to the news just plain odd. Someone mentioned that she did not ask for proof when receiving news from her ex - good point, especially as he disappears! Or am I just looking into it too much. Looks like I'm the end of this ring so will see if I can find someone else who wants to read it, thanks for sharing xx 

Journal Entry 33 by kingfan30 at Bourne, Lincolnshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, May 03, 2011

Released 1 yr ago (5/3/2011 UTC) at Bourne, Lincolnshire United Kingdom

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The book continues its journey 

Journal Entry 34 by mafarrimond at Hawarden, Wales United Kingdom on Friday, May 13, 2011

The book has arrived safely. Looking forward to reading it.  

Journal Entry 35 by mafarrimond at Hawarden, Wales United Kingdom on Saturday, May 21, 2011

Wasn't too keen on this book. I didn't engage with the characters at all! I found the main character to be very shallow.

This is the first book, I have read by Edna O'Brien. I have another waiting to be read - I hope it is better than this one. 

Journal Entry 36 by mafarrimond at Hawarden, Wales United Kingdom on Saturday, May 21, 2011

Released 1 yr ago (5/21/2011 UTC) at Hawarden, Wales United Kingdom

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Posted to brunton11. Hope you enjoy it. 

Journal Entry 37 by brunton11 at Salford, Lancashire United Kingdom on Sunday, May 29, 2011

Arrived yesterday - Thanks mafarrimond for kindly agreeing to send this book on. Mixed reviews for this one so I look forward to checking it out. 

Journal Entry 38 by brunton11 at Salford, Lancashire United Kingdom on Wednesday, December 07, 2011

I didn't have high expectations for this one given previous reviews but I actually found it very readable and would quite happily try other books by this author. I think the time period probably explains a lot of the odd behaviour...

Sending this book on to stubee as he has it on his wishlist.
 

Journal Entry 39 by stubee at Bury, Lancashire United Kingdom on Monday, December 12, 2011

Thanks Brunton11, I'll read this one soon and pass it on.