The Man in the Picture: A Ghost Story
Registered by Cinderess on 4/12/2010
13 journalers for this copy...
Bought for a bargain 30p in Michael Sobell Charity shop, Kidlington.
Journal Entry 2 by Cinderess at -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Rather similar to The Woman in Black in the method of how the haunting continues... but an enjoyable read all the same.
Journal Entry 3 by Cinderess at Exchange/Trade, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, September 9, 2010
Released 13 yrs ago (9/9/2010 UTC) at Exchange/Trade, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Hope you haven't already read this, and if you haven't that you enjoy it!
:-D
:-D
Journal Entry 4 by footymadgill at Croydon, Greater London United Kingdom on Monday, September 20, 2010
Received as part of Nattabee's Act of Kindness Sweep. Looking forward to reading this.
Journal Entry 5 by footymadgill at Croydon, Greater London United Kingdom on Sunday, January 16, 2011
Read this book in a day...the housework was soon forgotten!
Each time I tried to put it down, I kept wanting to read more!
Each time I tried to put it down, I kept wanting to read more!
Journal Entry 6 by footymadgill at -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Saturday, May 28, 2011
Released 12 yrs ago (5/25/2011 UTC) at -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Sent off to MarcThomas to start the bookring
Participants: -
MarcThomas - France - Ship EU
Kiki66 - Germany - Ship EU
Nakipa - Portugal - Ship Intl
Madpocky - Philippines - Ship Intl
LilyKlip - Germany - Ship Intl
Sterile - UK - Ship UK
MKtiny - UK - Ship Intl
carelaisa - Canada - Ship Canada/US <---------------- on way here
Participants: -
MarcThomas - France - Ship EU
Kiki66 - Germany - Ship EU
Nakipa - Portugal - Ship Intl
Madpocky - Philippines - Ship Intl
LilyKlip - Germany - Ship Intl
Sterile - UK - Ship UK
MKtiny - UK - Ship Intl
carelaisa - Canada - Ship Canada/US <---------------- on way here
Seating comfortably in a though overheated bus, I soon find myself in the midst of a Cambridgian Winter with the conversation of old Dr Theo Parmitter enjoyably replacing the moans and cries of my fellow travellers. Fascinated by the choice of words, I am gladly taken away from reality and into an intriguing story of a 19th-Century Venetian picture.
Written in a very Henry James-ish style and as I knew nothing about the author, I was quite surprised to discover the publication actually is a pretty recent one. As the book is rather thin I have been tempted to swallow it all at once for I really was fascinated by the story. Perfect rhythm, excellent characterisation, great sense of observation, Susan Hill definitely has put all of her talent in this short novel. It may lack a bit of originality in the story itself to make it truly fabulous but the book still rightly deserves an excellent mention. A very pleasant reading.
PMing Kiki66 so the ring goes on!
Written in a very Henry James-ish style and as I knew nothing about the author, I was quite surprised to discover the publication actually is a pretty recent one. As the book is rather thin I have been tempted to swallow it all at once for I really was fascinated by the story. Perfect rhythm, excellent characterisation, great sense of observation, Susan Hill definitely has put all of her talent in this short novel. It may lack a bit of originality in the story itself to make it truly fabulous but the book still rightly deserves an excellent mention. A very pleasant reading.
PMing Kiki66 so the ring goes on!
Journal Entry 8 by MarcThomas at -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Thursday, June 16, 2011
Released 12 yrs ago (6/16/2011 UTC) at -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Sent to kiki66 this morning. Enjoy!
and here it is..
thanks a lot.. looking forward to reading this one!
and - amazingly - there's no other ring here at the moment ;-)
thanks a lot.. looking forward to reading this one!
and - amazingly - there's no other ring here at the moment ;-)
and here I am again - having read the book at one go :-)
the story was good (even though I couldn't relate to the Lady from The Times who wrote:
"I went to sleep with the light on" :-)) ... there were some facts which weren't explained to my liking (like the man Oliver saw in the window in Cambridge and went searching for..obviously no one saw actually one from the painting before in 'real' life?!?! so Oliver was a first?? and why did 'it' happen to Theo but without the usual end??)
Anyway - maybe I have over-read something - but nonetheless it was an enjoyable read! and I would like to read more by this author!
on its way as soon as I have the address...
the story was good (even though I couldn't relate to the Lady from The Times who wrote:
"I went to sleep with the light on" :-)) ... there were some facts which weren't explained to my liking (like the man Oliver saw in the window in Cambridge and went searching for..obviously no one saw actually one from the painting before in 'real' life?!?! so Oliver was a first?? and why did 'it' happen to Theo but without the usual end??)
Anyway - maybe I have over-read something - but nonetheless it was an enjoyable read! and I would like to read more by this author!
on its way as soon as I have the address...
on its way to haunt Portugal....
Happy travelling!
Happy travelling!
Got it yesterday. Looking forward to reading it.
Easy read and quite interesting. I like mystery stories and this one is good enough to keep you occupied for a few hours. I'm glad I've read it because now I'm going to find onther Susan Hill's books to read. :D
Journal Entry 14 by 
Nakipa
at Manila, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Philippines on Friday, July 8, 2011
Nakipa at Manila, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Philippines on Friday, July 8, 2011
Released 12 yrs ago (7/8/2011 UTC) at Manila, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Philippines
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Traveling to The Philippines to Madpocky as a part of a BookRing. Thank you so much footymadgill for letting me be a part of this one. :D
Journal Entry 15 by madpocky at anywhere in Philippines, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Philippines on Monday, July 25, 2011
Got this book in the mail yesterday. Thanks footymadgill for sharing and Nakipa for posting. Will start reading this right away! ^____^
Journal Entry 16 by madpocky at Manila, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Philippines on Tuesday, September 13, 2011
I can’t really say The Man in the Picture terrified me into bouts of nightmares, but it did leave an unsettling sense of dread in me that I don’t think I’d ever be comfortable looking at paintings of masses of people ever again. Having said that, I don’t think I’d ever willingly set foot in Venice, either... ever. So much for not having nightmares, huh? :\
The novel is narrated through various points of view, each one just as effective as the last in building up the tension, the fear, the foreboding aura surrounding the Venetian oil painting. The varying narrative voices proved to be effective in keeping an air of mystery, that dreadful sense of the unknown throughout most of the novel, while at the same time keeping as close as possible to an atmosphere of truth. You knew exactly what was happening, but the characters themselves are expressing their disbelief over it that you just can’t be sure. But then, the very fact that these are real people (in the universe of the novel, that is) who are narrating these events just keeps you from writing it off as mere senile fantasies.
I really enjoyed reading The Man in the Picture, not only because I am partial to this genre, but because aside from being such a literary treat both technically and aesthetically, it’s quite easy to read and get into the feel of the story. The feelings of dread and abject terror are not monopolized by the characters, but are instead shared articulately in words that pretty easily latch onto the reader’s consciousness. You feel as you read, and eventually fear for the character’s safety, as well as your own... :)
The novel is narrated through various points of view, each one just as effective as the last in building up the tension, the fear, the foreboding aura surrounding the Venetian oil painting. The varying narrative voices proved to be effective in keeping an air of mystery, that dreadful sense of the unknown throughout most of the novel, while at the same time keeping as close as possible to an atmosphere of truth. You knew exactly what was happening, but the characters themselves are expressing their disbelief over it that you just can’t be sure. But then, the very fact that these are real people (in the universe of the novel, that is) who are narrating these events just keeps you from writing it off as mere senile fantasies.
I really enjoyed reading The Man in the Picture, not only because I am partial to this genre, but because aside from being such a literary treat both technically and aesthetically, it’s quite easy to read and get into the feel of the story. The feelings of dread and abject terror are not monopolized by the characters, but are instead shared articulately in words that pretty easily latch onto the reader’s consciousness. You feel as you read, and eventually fear for the character’s safety, as well as your own... :)
Journal Entry 17 by madpocky at To the next participant, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Released 12 yrs ago (9/13/2011 UTC) at To the next participant, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Book posted to the next reader on September 13, 2011. Thanks very much for sharing!
I loved reading this. A wonderful old fashioned ghost story. I will definetely look out for this author.
"Spoiler Alert"!!!
I have to agree with Kiki66 though. Some things just didn't make any sense: Theo's accident as Kiki already mentioned and I also didn't quite understand why "it" had to happen to Oliver too. Just because he had listened to the story? And yes, who was the man in the window?
"Spoiler Alert"!!!
I have to agree with Kiki66 though. Some things just didn't make any sense: Theo's accident as Kiki already mentioned and I also didn't quite understand why "it" had to happen to Oliver too. Just because he had listened to the story? And yes, who was the man in the window?
And off it goes again. Thank you for the ring!
Arrived with Today's post - thanks! I've read a couple of Hill's works previously
(The Small Hand and A Kind Man) which I enjoyed. Looking forward to reading this novel which is number 3 in the list so far so I may hold on to it for a couple of weeks....
(The Small Hand and A Kind Man) which I enjoyed. Looking forward to reading this novel which is number 3 in the list so far so I may hold on to it for a couple of weeks....
I have got an address for the next reader and will post out early next week.
Releasing via Royal Mail 2nd Class to MKTiny - next in the ring. 8 November 2011
Journal Entry 23 by MKtiny at Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire United Kingdom on Friday, November 11, 2011
Arrived today. I love ghost stories so I'm looking forward to reading this once I finish my current book.
Journal Entry 24 by MKtiny at Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire United Kingdom on Thursday, December 1, 2011
It didn't scare me too much, but I found it an atmospheric and entertaining read. It's a quick read, more of a novella.
On its way to carelaisa in Canada. Thanks for sharing :)
On its way to carelaisa in Canada. Thanks for sharing :)
Rec'd it today :)
I will read it during the holidays - it seems a not-too-long read so shouldn't take me too long to go through!
Thanks MKtiny for sending it my way :)
I will read it during the holidays - it seems a not-too-long read so shouldn't take me too long to go through!
Thanks MKtiny for sending it my way :)
Finished a few days ago... just before Christmas to be precised!
A short book (less than 150 pages) to read but nevertheless quite entertaining and chilling to a point. The author masters here the art of creating a story where the reader get caught up in the nightmarish atmosphere and can only hope something good will happen. It hasn’t given me nightmares and didn’t find it too creepy but I still found a mysterious side to it, making it quite enjoyable to read. She has mastered the art of telling a story and making you feel as you are a part of it.
Since I'm the last person in the bookring, I'm contacting footymadgill to see if I'm to return the book to her or not...
A short book (less than 150 pages) to read but nevertheless quite entertaining and chilling to a point. The author masters here the art of creating a story where the reader get caught up in the nightmarish atmosphere and can only hope something good will happen. It hasn’t given me nightmares and didn’t find it too creepy but I still found a mysterious side to it, making it quite enjoyable to read. She has mastered the art of telling a story and making you feel as you are a part of it.
Since I'm the last person in the bookring, I'm contacting footymadgill to see if I'm to return the book to her or not...
Journal Entry 27 by carelaisa at RABCK, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, March 22, 2012
Released 12 yrs ago (3/22/2012 UTC) at RABCK, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Sent to my birthday buddy, Tsjara, for her birthday on March 29th... along with a couple of goodies.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Arrived here exactly on my birthday! Great timing. :)
I like a ghost story every now and then, and I have been wanting to read something from this author, so this was a very nice surprise. I've already had one of the teas this morning, and the sticky notes and card are very cute. Thanks a lot Carelaisa for all the lovely goodies! :D
Edit 9 June 2012: Wishlist tag for Bookworm-lady. Have to read it first though.
I like a ghost story every now and then, and I have been wanting to read something from this author, so this was a very nice surprise. I've already had one of the teas this morning, and the sticky notes and card are very cute. Thanks a lot Carelaisa for all the lovely goodies! :D
Edit 9 June 2012: Wishlist tag for Bookworm-lady. Have to read it first though.
I really enjoyed this story. It has that nice old fashioned feel, very atmospheric and the story draws you right in (bit confused when I looked up and realized I was sitting in the train, instead of a dark room next to a lovely fire :p).
It wasn't very scary, as in giving me nightmares, but there was that feeling of dread..
(And now that I see Kiki66's comments, there were some things left unexplained.. but I hadn't really noticed when I finished the book).
Thanks again for sharing the book with me carelaisa. :)
It wasn't very scary, as in giving me nightmares, but there was that feeling of dread..
(And now that I see Kiki66's comments, there were some things left unexplained.. but I hadn't really noticed when I finished the book).
Thanks again for sharing the book with me carelaisa. :)
Released 11 yrs ago (6/25/2012 UTC) at Assendelft, Noord-Holland Netherlands
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
This little book is now travelling to Bookworm-Lady in Spain (as a wishlist tag).
Hope you'll enjoy it! :)
Hope you'll enjoy it! :)
Thanks for tagging me with this book, Tsjara!
And a well-traveled copy as well! I don't want to spoil it, but I will make sure to read all comments after I finish it.
I loved "The Woman in Black", I even watched the play at London's West End... so if this one goes along the same line, I will surely love it too!
Thanks for your kindness!
And a well-traveled copy as well! I don't want to spoil it, but I will make sure to read all comments after I finish it.
I loved "The Woman in Black", I even watched the play at London's West End... so if this one goes along the same line, I will surely love it too!
Thanks for your kindness!
Currently reading it. :)
A thrilling novella... not something to keep you awake at night, as some others have noted ("The Woman in Black" certainly haunted me for a while), but nevertheless a very good read.The writer keeps shifting the narrative from one character to another, and thus interest is always maintained.
It has reminded me of a classic short story by M.R. James, one of the "ancient masters" of this genre, in which a painting also kept changing in a frightening way.
And of course, the whole sub-plot about Venice, a city which you either love or hate, as stated by the different characters. (I myself liked Florence better...)
Thanks for tagging me with this WishList book, Tsjara; it will soon be on its way to a Sweepstakes Winner...
Sent today to the winner of the Mystery/Thriller and Tea Sweepstakes.
Congrats on winning!
I hope you'll enjoy this story... ideal to read with a nice cup of tea! :)
Congrats on winning!
I hope you'll enjoy this story... ideal to read with a nice cup of tea! :)
The book and the tea arrived safely in Helsinki today, thanks a lot. Hope the book won't be too scary, but will give it a try anyway.
The tea looks very interesting ;)
The tea looks very interesting ;)
