Journal Entry 1 by booklemur on Saturday, June 28, 2003

This book is NOT the bizarre cookbook it at first appears to be. Does the creepy feeling you get from watching The Food Network keep you awake late at night? Do you taste olive oil in the store before buying it? Do you feel secretly hostile toward people who write memoirs about their vacation homes in Provence? This may be the book for you.

Winner of the Whitbread Award, long-listed for the Booker Prize.

NOTE - SOME OF THE REVIEWS BELOW CONTAIN SPOILERS! Since this book does have a fair number of surprises, YOU MAY WANT TO WAIT TO READ THE OTHER READERS' REACTIONS UNTIL AFTER YOU HAVE READ THE BOOK!!

The List so Far:
1) juliebarreto (HI, USA)
2) 16stepper (AZ, USA) (arrived)
3) JDT (CA, USA)
4) Cafemundo (ME, USA)
5) DrBrown (CA, USA)
6) YowlYY (UK)
7) talkland (UK)
8) bluenoser (Canada)
9) djf1968 (CA, USA)
10) Cacullus (UK)
11) BlossomU (Portugal)
12-ish) rern (order for rern subject to change - rern needs to ship w/in the US)
13) ???

Bookray Guidelines
(Adapted from Muffin77, via psychjo))

1) Please leave a journal entry when you receive the book and after you read it. Please let us all know what you think of it...

2) PM the next person on the list for a mailing addy when it's time to send the book on. If that person doesn't answer within 7 days, please PM the one after, and then me. (That way I can move the missing person down the list...)

3) Please try to read the book reasonably soon after receiving it.

4) You can send the book via surface mail or airmail - that is completely up to you. However, please let the next person know if the package is going surface, so they don't worry that it's been lost!

5) If you find you don't have the time to read the book when it's your turn please PM me and I'll move you to a later slot.

Thanks! : )
 

Journal Entry 2 by booklemur at fellow BookCrosser in USPS, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA on Monday, June 30, 2003

Released on Monday, June 30, 2003 at fellow BookCrosser in USPS, postal release USA.

Bookray!

 

Journal Entry 3 by juliebarreto from Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg Germany on Wednesday, July 02, 2003

This just came in the mail today! I am looking forward to reading it. I'm honored to be so early in the ring. 

Journal Entry 4 by juliebarreto from Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg Germany on Tuesday, July 08, 2003

Well, that was weird! I'm not sure what I expected, but it sure wasn't this. That said, though, I enjoyed it. I stayed up late to finish it. The first 2/3s of the book I just focused on the food talk. I'm not a real foodie, but I enjoy reading about it and imagining meals and drinks. (In real life, it's a rush just to get those meals on that table for those kids.) Even though this is a novel, the food talk seemed accurate and was quite interesting. There was a heavy emphasis on French food, which is always nice. You know, the Peter Mayles/MFKFisher/Patricia Wells kind of food travelogue. But, larded into the food talk, you become aware of snippets of - dare I say - a plot? No, that's too strong a word. But, you do start to get odd vignettes that lead you to think this is going somewhere. Something has happened that you're not entirely sure about. Well, I don't want to spoil it for you. Read it for yourself!

This is off to 16stepper. 

Journal Entry 5 by 16stepper from Gilbert, Arizona USA on Monday, August 04, 2003

The Debt to Pleasure has arrived from Hawaii and now it goes on Bookray Mountain to be devoured as I scale the heights. Thanks for sharing this with us, booklemur. 

Journal Entry 6 by 16stepper from Gilbert, Arizona USA on Saturday, August 30, 2003

THIS JOURNAL ENTRY CONTAINS SPOILERS. DO NOT READ IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU READ.

I started this book, ostensibly about food, yesterday, the same day I made my final appearance in criminal court to testify against my husband, the pathological narcissist and sex offender. The hair on the back of my neck has been standing up from the first chapter of this book. This is NOT a book about food, but a book about an incredibly clever sociopath. The Talented Mr. Ripley has nothing on this turkey. I am slogging through the book, but with much less enjoyment than I might have had in it a couple years ago before I learned that sociopaths are frequently found wearing sheep's clothing and sleeping next to one in bed. I cannot say at this point if I will finish the book. So far, I have predicted his actions chapters in advance of his sly admission to it. Sociopaths are only clever until you recognize what they are; then they become predictably dull. I suspect that the big revelation in this book will have to do with parenticide (is that a word?), and I don't know that I have the heart to stick around and read it. To anyone who finds this book entertaining but unbelievable, I highly recommend Without Conscience by Robert L. Hare. Sociopaths walk among us. We elect them to political office, pay to watch them in various forms of entertainment, we may even work with or be married to one. They are frighteningly common in the US today. More recommended reading is Sam Vanikin's NarcissisticAbuse list through Yahoo. Sam is a diagnosed narcissist who has spent time in prison and written one of the most useful books on dealing with narcissists that is available. He collects stories and articles from the international press on the narcissists among us. It is chilling reading, moreso than this book because it is real life, not fiction.

I appreciated the opportunity to read this book, if for no reason other than to realize that therapy is working and I won't get sucked in by another sociopath in sheep's clothing. My clue catcher is now fully operational. Thank God! 

Journal Entry 7 by JDT from Pleasanton, California USA on Saturday, September 06, 2003

Just received this intriguing book (great cover) from 16stepper.
Fighting the temptation to read journal entries thanks to booklemur's alert - to not spoil surprise elements in the book. 

Journal Entry 8 by JDT from Pleasanton, California USA on Friday, October 17, 2003

Whew!
This book goes from quirky, witty, delicious descriptions of food and place, a bit affected/pretentious - to off-beat, over-the-top, odd, weird, disturbing.
This apparently light, then powerful reading experience sneaks up on you.
And now I read 16 stepper's words from painful experience!

Sending on to cafemundo.
Thanks to all before me! 

Journal Entry 9 by Cafemundo from Wilton, Maine USA on Wednesday, October 29, 2003

Yippee! Received this book today...will start to read this very soon...in the middle of another bookray.
Reading as fast as I can because I really want to read this one!
Thanks JDT!!! 

Journal Entry 10 by Cafemundo from Wilton, Maine USA on Tuesday, December 02, 2003

*** Thank you booklemur for sharing this book with all of us!

I wanted to like this book but I could not. John Lancaster's writing is brilliant, I only wish he had used those words in a different story. But, unfortunately, for me, it was meant to be in this story. I disliked Tarquin Winot from the beginning. The sordid puzzle opened itself up to me early on too. I hope the next reader enjoys it more.

Sending to DrBrown next... 

Journal Entry 11 by DrBrown from Sierra Madre, California USA on Wednesday, December 24, 2003

It has arrived! I will read and send it on its way ASAP!  

Journal Entry 12 by DrBrown from Sierra Madre, California USA on Tuesday, December 30, 2003

I found this novel to be slow-going in many places. I would've enjoyed the plot more if the book had been somewhat faster paced; as it was, I didn't get that thrill of discovery that I usually get in a book like this. There is a type of 'literary' fiction that I enjoy, and a type that seems overly arty; this one falls too much into the latter category for me. Although -- I really loved the language (when I wasn't skipping over sections to try and figure out WHAT WAS ACTUALLY HAPPENING!) and now find myself trying desperately to write a journal entry here that doesn't mimic Lanchester's authorial voice. He has a new book out that I may or may not read based on this one.... 

Journal Entry 13 by YowlYY from Nottingham, not specified not specified on Tuesday, January 13, 2004

I've received this today from my neighbour... the postman left the parcel with him on Friday, and he then left for the weekend without meeting us first, so... here it is and I've already started reading it :-)
Many thanks to DrBrown for shipping it, and to booklemur for starting this bookray!
 

Journal Entry 14 by YowlYY from Nottingham, not specified not specified on Friday, January 23, 2004

I wish I could give a rating according to different criteria!! I decided to settle on a 7, because I was really amazed by the language used here. The main character, whether you like him or hate him with a passion, has one of the most baroque and ironic ways of describing food, places, people and things... I really loved the language, and especially enjoyed the chapter on curry and Indian spices, which is still very much of an exotic dish to me. Having said that, I didn't enjoy much the bits related to the description of meat dishes - I have now been vegetarian for a good while, and I felt a bit of disgust at some paragraphs... yuck!
Like DrBrown, I found the book a bit slow in parts, but the rich language made up for the bits I didn't like.

******* WARNING!!!! SPOILER BEHIND THIS LINE!!!!*******

I tend to like reading novels dealing with serial killers and sociopaths, but this book left me with a strange feeling inside. His murdering of pets at the beginning, continued with the systematic obliteration of the household members, directly and indirectly, followed by the elimination of some of the people that crossed his path, made me detatch from the plot and dislike Tarquin Winot immensely. Just like other readers, I spotted well in advance what kind of person he was. The more the plot unfolded in front of me, the less I liked him and found his obsession with himself to be sickening. You remember the interview in the last section of the book, when he's obviously ignoring Laura's husband (not in his league, apparently!)and feels definitely annoyed by her asking questions about his brother.... oh well, I could go on and on...
However, I am glad to have read this book and am now looking forward to reading his next work...just so, to see if he's still using the same kind of bloomy language ;-)

This book is now ready to continue to travel to the next UK reader... 

Journal Entry 15 by talkland from Eastbourne, East Sussex United Kingdom on Tuesday, January 27, 2004

I haven't a clue what this is about. Obviously when I joined up it must of intrigued me but I have forgotten what that was. All I know is that it is weird! Thanks to YowlYY to sending this on to me and thanks for the good wishes. I am taking it easy at the moment after being ill so plenty of time for reading at the moment. 

Journal Entry 16 by talkland from Eastbourne, East Sussex United Kingdom on Wednesday, February 04, 2004

I really could not get into this book. I must not have been in the right frame of mind. I am afraid I did not finish it. I might have another go sometime in the future but this particualar copy is setting off to Canada and Bluenoser. 

Journal Entry 17 by talkland at on Friday, February 06, 2004

Released on Friday, February 06, 2004 at the post office in Eastbourne, East Sussex, England, in Controlled Releases.

Off across the ocean to Canada. 

Journal Entry 18 by bluenoser from Eymet, Aquitaine France on Thursday, March 25, 2004

Woohoo! This just arrived at noon today.Thanks Booklemur for starting this bookray and Talkland for getting it safely to my house (I hope you're feeling better).
I have resisted the very strong temptation to read everyone's reviews.....so far!
Good timing, I only have a few pages left in a current read, so will start this today. 

Journal Entry 19 by bluenoser from Eymet, Aquitaine France on Thursday, April 01, 2004

Having finished the book I read the reviews of those before me. I agree the pretentious, egotistical character of the narrator is unpleasant and disquieting long before we discover just what a monster he is. The language is fascinating but the author must have swallowed a dictionary before he started the book.
I loved the descriptions of the food and Provencal countryside, but I'm really glad I can speak enough French to enjoy all the french phrases scattered throughout.
I agree it was pretty easy to spot "the plot" early on via the liberally sprinkled references to sibling rivalry.
Oh! - and I'll definitely think twice before I eat platefuls of mushrooms in France again, et j'adore les cepes.
Sent via Canada Post to djt1968 in California. Thanks to booklemur for this 'ray. 

Journal Entry 20 by djf1968 from San Ramon, California USA on Monday, April 26, 2004

This arrived safely in the mail over the weekend. I'm finishing up a ring book now, and this is next in my queue. Thanks for sharing! 

Journal Entry 21 by djf1968 from San Ramon, California USA on Tuesday, June 08, 2004

Booklemur asked about this one today; great timing! I just started reading it over the weekend. It didn't languish on my shelf... my boyfriend read and enjoyed it while it waited for me. Based on my work schedule (and correponding "me" time for recreational reading, I suspect it'll be on its way to the next reader before the end of the month. I'll be back with my thoughts after I'm finished. Thanks so much for sharing!
 

Journal Entry 22 by djf1968 from San Ramon, California USA on Thursday, June 17, 2004

Hmm... I couldn't tell you now what I was expecting from this book when I joined the ring... but it surely wasn't what I got. I AM a foodie, so that part of the book was interesting to me. But the "real" story... well... odd is the best I can do. And while I enjoyed Lanchester's use of the language, parts of the book were tedious for me. It'll be interesting to see what other readers think. As soon as I have an address, this one's on its way across the Atlantic to Cacullus. 

Journal Entry 23 by booklemur on Wednesday, August 18, 2004

Just got this in the mail because the previous reader was having trouble making contact with the next ones up the chain. I will pass this on as soon as I get a hold of someone... 

Journal Entry 24 by booklemur at Postal Release in -- By post or by hand --, Greater London United Kingdom on Monday, September 13, 2004

Released 7 yrs ago (9/13/2004 UTC) at Postal Release in -- By post or by hand --, Greater London United Kingdom

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:


Off again to BlossomU... 

Journal Entry 25 by BlossomU on Wednesday, September 15, 2004

With me and arrived with a lovely surprise, many thanks booklemur! I will get this read first to send to rern as soon as possible. 

Journal Entry 26 by BlossomU on Saturday, September 18, 2004

djf1968, just checking if you get this, did you get my PM asking about well, your PMS to me having gone astray when it was your time to ship it. Many thanks for shipping it out for me again, booklemur, I loved it and the language and tone were so arch and perfect in character, the translation I would have read otherwise would have none of that.

Spoilers ahead. Possibly

Everybody is supposed to be the hero in their own side of the story, but in this case I should imagine it would be about everybody being more of an artist than one´s brother in one´s own story, n´est ce pas? Oops, sorry ex-Rodney´s style is dangerously contagious. The clues are there in the beginning about the narrator´s personality, time after time, what he says about others, the casual meanness, the cruelty, is a pretty good clue to what was going on. I do not think this was meant to be a real mystery, though I was glad to see some suspicions confirmed and was still surprised by a certain plural on the very last sentence. And I guess that was a key to Tarquin´s ( oh, but I love to call him Rodney, it so deflates his class ambitions) very rotten and empty psyche, what he could not stand was that he was not the genius, and is consumed by envy of his brother, while trying to figure out his place in history as just a footnote if any in comments on his brother´s work.

"I myself, have always disliked being called a genius. It is fascinating to notice how quick people have been to intuit this aversion and avoid using the term", now what a revealing thing this is, and what great sig fodder. Surely the author is playing fair, nobody could say something like that seriously without a very twisted ego and a due that genius is their part. But alas, Rodney, his proclaiming of not doing being an art is as empty as air ( ok, the author perhaps gave a little too much space to his ramblings, though it would be perfectly in character) and the whole façade crumbles there and crumbles in so many details. Rodney is as much a self-hating English-basher as his pool-using neighbour, much as he reads and exposes and postures he still uses canned tomatoes and artifical sweetener, throwing into question his own judgement of his own culinary taste. I found the end disapointing at first, my moral instinct wanted Tarquin to be caught, to be stopped. If not that, there is some consolation at least in that Tarquin ultimately will fail in what he so wants, stop his brother being praised and admired, all the clues are there for a very solid work indeed.

I am waiting for rern´s adress to ship him/her the book. 

Journal Entry 27 by BlossomU on Tuesday, November 23, 2004

I have not received any news from the BCer which should be after me in the ray, and it has been two months so with booklemur´s permission ( hi!) I am sending the ray back on the road, asked in the forum and

1- PCSAF, Portugal
2- LilB, Japan

want to read it. I am mailing it to PCSAF today, anybody else interested please let me know. 

Journal Entry 28 by PCSAF from Gondomar, Porto Portugal on Friday, November 26, 2004

I got it yesterday in the mail. Thanks BlossomU. 

Journal Entry 29 by PCSAF from Gondomar, Porto Portugal on Tuesday, December 21, 2004

I have finished it some days ago, but only now I was able to make a new journal entry.

I must say I didn´t quite like it. It's a weird book and surely not my kind of reading. But I'm happy to have given it a go.

It will now travel to Japan!! Hope it arrives safely. 

Journal Entry 30 by LilB from Auckland, Auckland Province New Zealand on Monday, January 10, 2005

Well,it looks delicious and I am intrigued already by booklemur's journal entry so am very much looking forward to reading this. 

Journal Entry 31 by LilB from Auckland, Auckland Province New Zealand on Friday, January 28, 2005

Journal Entry 32 by delala from Victoria, British Columbia Canada on Monday, February 07, 2005

Got this from a friend and it looks like it is going to be a good one!! thanks lilB 

Journal Entry 33 by delala from Victoria, British Columbia Canada on Thursday, May 05, 2005

Well I got through it!! I did enjoy the food stuff as did the others it seems. I don't think that I saw what was coming as fast as some of the other readers. I think I was just so focused on getting through it and I keep kind of tuning out when he wasn't talking about food. This kind of makes me snicker now that I realize more about what the book was really about.
 

Journal Entry 34 by delala at Didi's Cafe, Higashioji St. near Mototanaka Statio in Kyoto / 京都市, Kyoto-fu Japan on Thursday, May 05, 2005

Released 7 yrs ago (5/5/2005 UTC) at Didi's Cafe, Higashioji St. near Mototanaka Statio in Kyoto / 京都市, Kyoto-fu Japan

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

I'm going to leave it in the notice shelf outside.

*** the restaurant was closed today so I will try again tomorrow!! 

Journal Entry 35 by maderose on Tuesday, June 07, 2005

I 'caught' the book at the first Kyoto Bookcrossers meeting a while ago. 

Journal Entry 36 by maderose on Tuesday, June 07, 2005

Sorry, I shouldn't have rated it before.

Um, I loved the book. It was intelligent, addictive and laugh out loud funny.
People said they didn't like Tarquin? Good, he probably didn't want you to!
Considering what he is doing (not really very hidden) from the start, should we
really be complaining about how he wasn't a likeable sociopath?

Anyway, a big ARIGATO to debbie & lil-chan, the deadly kyoto duo for nudging this tome
my way at that fateful meeting. I will certainly recommend it to other friends.

'reasons for what?' :) 

Journal Entry 37 by maderose at Doshisha Kori School in Osaka / 大阪市, Osaka-fu Japan on Saturday, June 11, 2005

Released 6 yrs ago (6/7/2005 UTC) at Doshisha Kori School in Osaka / 大阪市, Osaka-fu Japan

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

 

Journal Entry 38 by nekobaka on Sunday, September 25, 2005

I think I was probably the last one to figure out what was going on. I often thought, if only I understood french and had been to Europe. I like to cook, but in japan we don't have those kinds of fish. now I've got to find somewhere with lots of native english speakers to leave it. (definetly not non-native material in my opinion)
-spoiler-




What?! you mean he's a serial killer!? what could be better than mushrooms?