Ghostwalk
18 journalers for this copy...
Picked up today at the YMCA Charity Shop.
Amazon Editorial Review:
A Cambridge historian, Elizabeth Vogelsang, is found drowned, clutching a glass prism in her hand. The book she was writing about Isaac Newton’s involvement with alchemy—the culmination of her lifelong obsession with the seventeenth century—remains unfinished. When her son, Cameron, asks his former lover, Lydia Brooke, to ghostwrite the missing final chapters of his mother’s book, Lydia agrees and moves into Elizabeth’s house—a studio in an orchard where the light moves restlessly across the walls. Soon Lydia discovers that the shadow of violence that has fallen across present-day Cambridge, which escalates to a series of murders, may have its origins in the troubling evidence that Elizabeth’s research has unearthed. As Lydia becomes ensnared in a dangerous conspiracy that reawakens ghosts of the past, the seventeenth century slowly seeps into the twenty-first, with the city of Cambridge the bridge between them.
Filled with evocative descriptions of Cambridge, past and present, of seventeenth-century glassmaking, alchemy, the Great Plague, and Newton’s scientific innovations, Ghostwalk centers around a real historical mystery that Rebecca Stott has uncovered involving Newton’s alchemy. In it, time and relationships are entangled—the present with the seventeenth century, and figures from the past with the love-torn twenty-first century woman who is trying to discover their secrets. A stunningly original display of scholarship and imagination, and a gripping story of desire and obsession, Ghostwalk is a rare debut that will change the way most of us think about scientific innovation, the force of history, and time itself.
Amazon Editorial Review:
A Cambridge historian, Elizabeth Vogelsang, is found drowned, clutching a glass prism in her hand. The book she was writing about Isaac Newton’s involvement with alchemy—the culmination of her lifelong obsession with the seventeenth century—remains unfinished. When her son, Cameron, asks his former lover, Lydia Brooke, to ghostwrite the missing final chapters of his mother’s book, Lydia agrees and moves into Elizabeth’s house—a studio in an orchard where the light moves restlessly across the walls. Soon Lydia discovers that the shadow of violence that has fallen across present-day Cambridge, which escalates to a series of murders, may have its origins in the troubling evidence that Elizabeth’s research has unearthed. As Lydia becomes ensnared in a dangerous conspiracy that reawakens ghosts of the past, the seventeenth century slowly seeps into the twenty-first, with the city of Cambridge the bridge between them.
Filled with evocative descriptions of Cambridge, past and present, of seventeenth-century glassmaking, alchemy, the Great Plague, and Newton’s scientific innovations, Ghostwalk centers around a real historical mystery that Rebecca Stott has uncovered involving Newton’s alchemy. In it, time and relationships are entangled—the present with the seventeenth century, and figures from the past with the love-torn twenty-first century woman who is trying to discover their secrets. A stunningly original display of scholarship and imagination, and a gripping story of desire and obsession, Ghostwalk is a rare debut that will change the way most of us think about scientific innovation, the force of history, and time itself.
I finished this book on the way to Dartmoor on Friday and I loved it. Not at all the kind of book I usually read but it had me gripped from beginning to end. Some of it was a bit beyond me but the whole concept was absolutely riveting. Very well written and researched. I shall be looking out for more Rebecca Stott books.
I've offered it as a ring and will be working out the order when I've recovered from my holiday in the next day or two. There has been a lot of interest and I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I did.
I've offered it as a ring and will be working out the order when I've recovered from my holiday in the next day or two. There has been a lot of interest and I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I did.
Now a bookring! Here is the order of the ring:
1. grovalski - Germany (Int)
2. Duskdreamer - UK (Int)
3. ArabellaFigg - UK (Int)
4. Cinderess - UK (UK)
5. blueblack - UK (UK)
5. mafarrimond - UK (EU)
6. silvia-pco - Portugal (EU)
7. LadyAmalie - Germany (EU)
8. LilyKlip - Germany (EU)
9. kizmiaz - Portugal (EU)
10. Simson-Shilitoe France (EU)
11. chich - France (Int)
12. ravencat - USA (USA/Can)
13. carelaisa - Canada (USA/Can)
14. Brookler - Canada (Int)
15. foxygirlACT - Australia (Int)
16. jenm82 - Australia (Int)
17. chikichow - New Zealand (?)
18. Sherlockfan - New Zealand (reluctant Int)
19. goldenwattle - Australia
Please try to read the book within a month and don't forget to journal it when it arrives and again when you have finished reading it. Hope you all enjoy it.
1. grovalski - Germany (Int)
2. Duskdreamer - UK (Int)
3. ArabellaFigg - UK (Int)
4. Cinderess - UK (UK)
5. blueblack - UK (UK)
5. mafarrimond - UK (EU)
6. silvia-pco - Portugal (EU)
7. LadyAmalie - Germany (EU)
8. LilyKlip - Germany (EU)
9. kizmiaz - Portugal (EU)
10. Simson-Shilitoe France (EU)
11. chich - France (Int)
12. ravencat - USA (USA/Can)
13. carelaisa - Canada (USA/Can)
14. Brookler - Canada (Int)
15. foxygirlACT - Australia (Int)
16. jenm82 - Australia (Int)
17. chikichow - New Zealand (?)
18. Sherlockfan - New Zealand (reluctant Int)
19. goldenwattle - Australia
Please try to read the book within a month and don't forget to journal it when it arrives and again when you have finished reading it. Hope you all enjoy it.
Released 13 yrs ago (11/19/2010 UTC) at
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Going off on its travels to the first on the list, grovalski. Enjoy!
Just got the book in the mail today. I will start the book as soon as I'm done with my 2 current bookrings.
I really enjoyed this book. I'm not too much into fantasy, but this was a nice and light way of mixing fantasy and reality. I had a hard time getting into the book, though. Don't know if I had to get used to the writing style first or what. But after about 50 pages, I was really captivated. Usually, I don't like open endings (who killed the guy: someone from the past, or someone from the Syndicate?), but in this case it really worked. It doesn't bother me that I don't know the answer to that question. :-)
Will pass on the book as soon as I have the address of the next reader.
Will pass on the book as soon as I have the address of the next reader.
the book is in the mail now, back to the UK to the next reader.
First, my apologies to the rest of the ring for keeping the book so long :) Its journey will resume as soon as I get the next address.
I have mixed feelings about this novel. The meandering style works better than Ithought at first glance; you pick it up, drift along and before you know it you're 90 pages in already. Much of the history is fascinating; I love the spaces where fact and speculation blur together. The main characters, however, are summed up best in Lydia's own words: "...disappointing, when you looked close; full of mediocrity". Lydia herself alternates between blandly neutral and mildly irritating, while Cameron, to whom the narrative is ostensibly addressed, is objectionable from the start in many minor ways and then when it later turns out that he is actually objectionable in fairly major ways as well, it's almost meaningless because the reader's interest him is already set at zero. A revelation that should get at least a 'ooh!' instead gets a 'meh, and?', from this reader at least :) Their relationship baffles me - I have no idea why they are together, how they ever got together... they have no chemistry and apparently never did, they don't seem to especially enjoy each other's company socially or physically, they don't talk or seem to connect on any significant level, they have absolutely no honesty with each other or even any shared secrets aside from the fact of their relationship... but apparently there's enough there for them to maintain an affair on again-off-again for years. I don't see it. I think in terms of plot and character, the relationship detracts from the more interesting psychological deterioration of the narrator, who can't seem to find a tense and stick with it and intermittently slips from first to third person as the lines between objective truth and subjective experience blur and eventually absent themselves altogether. I would also have liked to see more of what Lydia wrote to finish the book--the extracts from Elizabeth were very interesting and Lydia's literary voice would've made a nice counterpoint, as opposed to the fairly brief and dismissive summary that is the final chapters.
So overall, interesting in places, disappointing in others, and I don't think I'll be reading anything else by this author.
Let's hope the next reader enjoys it more than I did! :)
I have mixed feelings about this novel. The meandering style works better than Ithought at first glance; you pick it up, drift along and before you know it you're 90 pages in already. Much of the history is fascinating; I love the spaces where fact and speculation blur together. The main characters, however, are summed up best in Lydia's own words: "...disappointing, when you looked close; full of mediocrity". Lydia herself alternates between blandly neutral and mildly irritating, while Cameron, to whom the narrative is ostensibly addressed, is objectionable from the start in many minor ways and then when it later turns out that he is actually objectionable in fairly major ways as well, it's almost meaningless because the reader's interest him is already set at zero. A revelation that should get at least a 'ooh!' instead gets a 'meh, and?', from this reader at least :) Their relationship baffles me - I have no idea why they are together, how they ever got together... they have no chemistry and apparently never did, they don't seem to especially enjoy each other's company socially or physically, they don't talk or seem to connect on any significant level, they have absolutely no honesty with each other or even any shared secrets aside from the fact of their relationship... but apparently there's enough there for them to maintain an affair on again-off-again for years. I don't see it. I think in terms of plot and character, the relationship detracts from the more interesting psychological deterioration of the narrator, who can't seem to find a tense and stick with it and intermittently slips from first to third person as the lines between objective truth and subjective experience blur and eventually absent themselves altogether. I would also have liked to see more of what Lydia wrote to finish the book--the extracts from Elizabeth were very interesting and Lydia's literary voice would've made a nice counterpoint, as opposed to the fairly brief and dismissive summary that is the final chapters.
So overall, interesting in places, disappointing in others, and I don't think I'll be reading anything else by this author.
Let's hope the next reader enjoys it more than I did! :)
On its way to the next reader!
So sorry I haven't journaled this book sooner. Thank you Duskdreamer for postng it on. Seem as I have had it for so long I will try and read it quickly. If I haven't read it within this week, I will post it on, I think I have had it for long enough!
So sorry for having this book for so long. Now on it's way to blueblack, Cinderess asked to be skipped.
Journal Entry 12 by blueblack at Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom on Saturday, April 30, 2011
This has arrived safely, thank you
Journal Entry 13 by blueblack at Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom on Tuesday, August 23, 2011
So sorry that this got stalled with me. I've had a terrible time over the last few months.
It took me a little while to warm to this book but then I became engrossed. I didn't know much about Newton's alchemical research and the book has some interesting speculation. It also contained a bit of quantuum physics, my personal favourite, haha!
Have PM'd mafarrimond for their address and will get this moving ASAP
It took me a little while to warm to this book but then I became engrossed. I didn't know much about Newton's alchemical research and the book has some interesting speculation. It also contained a bit of quantuum physics, my personal favourite, haha!
Have PM'd mafarrimond for their address and will get this moving ASAP
The book has arrived safely. Will read asap.
A fasinating read. I enjoyed the history interwoven into the novel - just the sort of book I prefer. Thanks for sharing.
Posting on, Enjoy!
Here it is! :) Mt. TBR is quite big at the moment, but I'll try to be quick.
On its way to LadyAmalie!
This just wasn't my kind of book. I found it a bit hard to go through, and eventually it was better to just pass it along. Hope the next reader will enjoy it!
This just wasn't my kind of book. I found it a bit hard to go through, and eventually it was better to just pass it along. Hope the next reader will enjoy it!
The book arrived safely. Thanks for sending!
Journal Entry 20 by 
LadyAmalie
at Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg Germany on Saturday, January 12, 2013
LadyAmalie at Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg Germany on Saturday, January 12, 2013
I started reading, but stopped after a while. My MTBR is so large and I was not in the mood to give the book a real chance, due to the temptation of so many others on the shelf.
Journal Entry 21 by LadyAmalie at By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Saturday, January 12, 2013
LadyAmalie at By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Saturday, January 12, 2013
Released 11 yrs ago (1/12/2013 UTC) at By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
The book is on its way to LilyKlip.
Thanks!
Thanks!
I gave up after less than 100 pages. The story still interests me and part of me wants to stick with it but I just really don't like the writing style. The monologues addressed to Cameron that don't seem to have anything to do with the story are simply boring. And the hints Stott throws at the reader to keep up some kind of excitement seem artificial coming from a first person narrator.
A shame really. The story does have potential and in the hands of a better writer this could have been a really good book.
A shame really. The story does have potential and in the hands of a better writer this could have been a really good book.
Sending it on.
Just got it and will get to it after I finish my current reading. Thanks!
I really enjoyed the way the author builds her story and the way Cambridge comes alive with her words, both in the XVII century and the XX. I really liked the writing and... that's about it.
The characters and the plot are a bit dull and the pace is slow.
The last five chapters made the book take such a turn for the worse that made everything else seem... very pointless.
Didn't like the way the author chose to wrap the whole thing up and felt very disappointed by the ending.
There are some interesting aspects about the life of Isaac Newton that I wasn't aware of and were very enjoyable to read about but that ending really blew it for me.
A good book, up to a point, and then... pfff.
Will be sending it along when I get an address.
Journal Entry 26 by Simson-Shilitoe at Neewiller-près-Lauterbourg, Alsace France on Thursday, April 4, 2013
The book arrived safe and sound in today`s mail.
Because 4 other bookrings arrived within the last 2 weeks I have still some other books to be read before I can start with this one .....
Thank you very much, madmadge, for including me in this bookring.
And thank you very much, kizmiaz, for posting.
Because 4 other bookrings arrived within the last 2 weeks I have still some other books to be read before I can start with this one .....
Thank you very much, madmadge, for including me in this bookring.
And thank you very much, kizmiaz, for posting.
Journal Entry 27 by Simson-Shilitoe at Neewiller-près-Lauterbourg, Alsace France on Saturday, May 11, 2013
Started with the book in the late evening after finishing the "Fantomas"-bookring. I hope to finish this one within the next 2 weeks.
Journal Entry 28 by Simson-Shilitoe at Neewiller-près-Lauterbourg, Alsace France on Thursday, May 23, 2013
I just finished this book so it's still very fresh. I really enjoyed the book. The writer weaves in and out of the story using past and present to allow a certain level of intrigue. There's room for your own speculation and assumptions that allow your imagination to fill in the holes that history itself leaves for you.
This author did a great job researching her materials so that this is a true historical fiction instead of a fictional book based of a few stray pieces of known history. She weaves her story through what's known and what could be based on rational thought and then also hints at the intangible.
Many people like a book that flows and is a vacation book that unrolls the story and then wraps it back up with no loose ends. This is not that kind of a book -this one is a tantalizing teaser through to the end.
This author did a great job researching her materials so that this is a true historical fiction instead of a fictional book based of a few stray pieces of known history. She weaves her story through what's known and what could be based on rational thought and then also hints at the intangible.
Many people like a book that flows and is a vacation book that unrolls the story and then wraps it back up with no loose ends. This is not that kind of a book -this one is a tantalizing teaser through to the end.
Journal Entry 29 by Simson-Shilitoe at Neewiller-près-Lauterbourg, Alsace France on Friday, May 24, 2013
Got the following pm from "chich":
Hello Simson-Shilitoe,
Could you please go ahead and skip me for this one? I'm very busy these days and unfortunately don't have much time to dedicate to reading and/or BC.
Many thanks!
Sarah
chich
Hello Simson-Shilitoe,
Could you please go ahead and skip me for this one? I'm very busy these days and unfortunately don't have much time to dedicate to reading and/or BC.
Many thanks!
Sarah
chich
Journal Entry 30 by Simson-Shilitoe at Neewiller-près-Lauterbourg, Alsace France on Sunday, May 26, 2013
Got the following pm from "ravencat":
Hello Simson-Shilitoe,
Please skip me and go onto next in line (carelaisa) as I am recuperating from surgery and not much in the mood for reading right now which has put me terribly behind:((. Hope all is well with you and take care, Deborah(ravencat)
ravencat
PS:
It seems a little bit difficult to keep books moving at the moment. "Fantomas" another bookring ist still on my desk to get a new reader.
PPS:
Now pming "carelaisa" for the Ghostwalk-book ....
Hello Simson-Shilitoe,
Please skip me and go onto next in line (carelaisa) as I am recuperating from surgery and not much in the mood for reading right now which has put me terribly behind:((. Hope all is well with you and take care, Deborah(ravencat)
ravencat
PS:
It seems a little bit difficult to keep books moving at the moment. "Fantomas" another bookring ist still on my desk to get a new reader.
PPS:
Now pming "carelaisa" for the Ghostwalk-book ....
The book will travel to carelaisa in Canada .....Happy journey and I hope you`ll like the story.
I received the book today! (along with another bookray...)
I'm looking forward to read it, it should be quite interesting...
Thanks madmadge for organizing the bookray and Simson-Shilitoe for sending it my way (with some tea and nice stamps on the envelope!)!
I'm looking forward to read it, it should be quite interesting...
Thanks madmadge for organizing the bookray and Simson-Shilitoe for sending it my way (with some tea and nice stamps on the envelope!)!
It was an interesting read. Not exactly what I expected – it was very slow-paced, instead of a high-paced story that I was expecting. Once in a while we got to read the book written by the reclusive historian, though I found it not always useful and mostly hindering more than anything else the story. But it still was a reading that was worth it. The writing is compelling, even if it’s slow-paced, and the ending is in part what I had anticipated since lots of clues were left all along the story. A book that I would definitely recommend.
I have the address of the next bcer to read this book - I will mail the book later this week!
EDIT: as of June 27th, it's now on its way to the next bcer, Brookler.
I have the address of the next bcer to read this book - I will mail the book later this week!
EDIT: as of June 27th, it's now on its way to the next bcer, Brookler.
Received safe and sound! Thanks, it looks interesting (and a bit creepy, lol).
I didn't really like this book very much. At one point I thought it was getting too scary for me, but that slipped away. I found the plot confusing, with too many lies to be able to make sense of what was happening. I was left with the impression that the narrator was slipping into madness...and psychological dramas are not a genre I like!
On its way to Australia, by surface mail.
Journal Entry 37 by foxygirlACT at Canberra, Australian Capital Territory Australia on Sunday, November 10, 2013
received this in the post :-) thanks for sharing
Journal Entry 38 by foxygirlACT at Canberra, Australian Capital Territory Australia on Monday, December 2, 2013
this wasnt a bad book, but just really wasnt my style. I have messaged the person next on the list so hopefully it will continue its journey soon
Update - Jan 2015. I havent heard back from the next person on the list, so am going to try the next Aussie on the list to try and get this moving again
Update - Jan 2015. I havent heard back from the next person on the list, so am going to try the next Aussie on the list to try and get this moving again
Journal Entry 39 by foxygirlACT at Canberra, Australian Capital Territory Australia on Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Released 9 yrs ago (2/3/2015 UTC) at Canberra, Australian Capital Territory Australia
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
this one has been stalled long enough. I cant get a hold of the next person, so I'm sending it to a fellow Aussie on the list who I know is an active member
Journal Entry 40 by 
goldenwattle
at Canberra, Australian Capital Territory Australia on Wednesday, February 4, 2015
goldenwattle at Canberra, Australian Capital Territory Australia on Wednesday, February 4, 2015
I had forgotten about this bookray book, until an email from foxygirlACT. I have a long list of bookrays I put my name down for, but most stalled ages ago, but not it seems this one. This one had trundled on and now it is here in Australia. Thank you foxygirlACT for posting it to me and thank you madmadge for starting it.
I am reading another book at present, but this one is next after that.
I am reading another book at present, but this one is next after that.
Journal Entry 41 by goldenwattle at Canberra, Australian Capital Territory Australia on Monday, February 9, 2015
goldenwattle at Canberra, Australian Capital Territory Australia on Monday, February 9, 2015
Released 9 yrs ago (2/9/2015 UTC) at Canberra, Australian Capital Territory Australia
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
I read 50 to 60 pages of this book, but it never drew me in. Too introspective for me and slow. I have moved onto another book that appeals to me more.
I posted it today to Sherlockfan in New Zealand. It's going airmail, so it shouldn't take too long to cross the Tasman. I hope you enjoy it more than I did.
I posted it today to Sherlockfan in New Zealand. It's going airmail, so it shouldn't take too long to cross the Tasman. I hope you enjoy it more than I did.
Journal Entry 42 by Sherlockfan at Upper Hutt, Wellington Province New Zealand on Thursday, February 19, 2015
Book arrived this morning - 10 days to cross the Tasman seemed rather long to me but it is here safely. Won't be reading it until next week as I have a book club book to finish before Sunday for meeting Monday. After that I'll get right on to this one. Quite a range of diverse opinions here so I'll be interested to see what I think.
Goldenwattle, your name is at the end of the list - do you want it back again? Didn't sound as if you found it especially riveting but it does need to go somewhere I guess. Please let me know. If it is to come back to you I will need your address please.
Thanks for the very dramatic Watercolour Chook.
Goldenwattle, your name is at the end of the list - do you want it back again? Didn't sound as if you found it especially riveting but it does need to go somewhere I guess. Please let me know. If it is to come back to you I will need your address please.
Thanks for the very dramatic Watercolour Chook.
Journal Entry 43 by goldenwattle at Canberra, Australian Capital Territory Australia on Thursday, February 19, 2015
goldenwattle at Canberra, Australian Capital Territory Australia on Thursday, February 19, 2015
Hi Sherlockfan,
No, I don't want the book back, but thanks for asking. It's up to you and madmadge now what to do with the book. I hope you enjoy it. Happy reading.
GW.
No, I don't want the book back, but thanks for asking. It's up to you and madmadge now what to do with the book. I hope you enjoy it. Happy reading.
GW.
Journal Entry 44 by Sherlockfan at Chicago Bar in Wellington City, Wellington Province New Zealand on Monday, May 11, 2015
Released 8 yrs ago (5/12/2015 UTC) at Chicago Bar in Wellington City, Wellington Province New Zealand
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Releasing tomorrow night in the Chicago Sports Bar in central Wellington.
If you are new to BookCrossing and find this book and this site; welcome! Enjoy the site, the book and hopefully the BookCrossing community. I hope you'll join BookCrossing (doesn't cost anything to join!) and if you do, please consider using any previous reader of this book, or me, Sherlockfan, as the member who referred you. If you are an old hand at BookCrossing, thanks for picking up the book! Either way, I hope you'll journal so all the previous and future readers can track this book's journey. Thanks, and Happy Crossing!
If you are new to BookCrossing and find this book and this site; welcome! Enjoy the site, the book and hopefully the BookCrossing community. I hope you'll join BookCrossing (doesn't cost anything to join!) and if you do, please consider using any previous reader of this book, or me, Sherlockfan, as the member who referred you. If you are an old hand at BookCrossing, thanks for picking up the book! Either way, I hope you'll journal so all the previous and future readers can track this book's journey. Thanks, and Happy Crossing!
Journal Entry 45 by IHCLibraryOBCZ at Wellington City, Wellington Province New Zealand on Tuesday, June 23, 2015
For the new OBCZ
Journal Entry 46 by LizzieW86 at Wellington City, Wellington Province New Zealand on Tuesday, May 8, 2018
Not my usual read but thought I'd give it a try...
Journal Entry 47 by LizzieW86 at Wellington City, Wellington Province New Zealand on Friday, July 27, 2018
I loved this book! Wasn't sure that I would as it isn't my usual but it turned out to be less of a ghost story and more of a murder mystery across time. I think if I read this again I'd notice small details I had missed - it's that sort of book that I'd be happy to read a few times.
