Intimacy
18 journalers for this copy...
A quick 1001 read. Set on the night that a man plans to leave his wife and children, I was really shocked that I enjoyed this exploration of the humdrum nature of marriage and raising children. Being offered as a bookray.
Postal list -
sarahmangan (UK/UK or EU)
Blue_berry (UK/EU)
carmendoran (UK/UK or EU)
kingfan (UK or EU)
vaga-bonde (Switzerland/EU shipping)
Beitaljawzaa (Switzerland/INTL)
lunatum (Finland/INTL)
Bloedengel (Belgium/INTL)
Icila (France/INTL)
Arvores (Portugal/INTL)
raluk68 (Romania/EU)
lamelemon (Romania/INTL)
Stoepbrak (S.Africa/INTL)
romy86 (Australia/INTL?)
book-a-neer (Australia/INTL)
Sfrogs (NZL/INTL)
wheepaperclips (US/USA shipping)
Postal list -
sarahmangan (UK/UK or EU)
Blue_berry (UK/EU)
carmendoran (UK/UK or EU)
kingfan (UK or EU)
vaga-bonde (Switzerland/EU shipping)
Beitaljawzaa (Switzerland/INTL)
lunatum (Finland/INTL)
Bloedengel (Belgium/INTL)
Icila (France/INTL)
Arvores (Portugal/INTL)
raluk68 (Romania/EU)
lamelemon (Romania/INTL)
Stoepbrak (S.Africa/INTL)
romy86 (Australia/INTL?)
book-a-neer (Australia/INTL)
Sfrogs (NZL/INTL)
wheepaperclips (US/USA shipping)
Journal Entry 2 by sarahmangan at Nottingham, Nottinghamshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Received today - thank you! I should get round to it fairly quickly.
Journal Entry 3 by sarahmangan at Nottingham, Nottinghamshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Reading this as a woman who has been 'left' it was a difficult read, but it was also more than that. The narrator is surely selfish and his actions inexcusable, but the workings of his mind and the account of his depression and restlessness are understandable and relatable. A very strong and interesting narrative voice and a very good read that raises some interesting questions about modern relationships.
Journal Entry 4 by sarahmangan at Nottingham, Nottinghamshire United Kingdom on Friday, December 6, 2013
Released 10 yrs ago (12/6/2013 UTC) at Nottingham, Nottinghamshire United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Sent off today. :)
Received with thanks! Thank you also for the Christmas card - I wish you a Merry Christmas too!
Journal Entry 6 by Blue_berry at Croydon, Greater London United Kingdom on Sunday, December 15, 2013
Kureishi is a very good writer, this sordid portrait of a middle aged man is depressingly believable. There are many good observations of the state and psychology of the modern relationships.
Journal Entry 7 by Blue_berry at -- Somewhere in London 🤷‍♀️ , Greater London United Kingdom on Monday, December 16, 2013
Released 10 yrs ago (12/16/2013 UTC) at -- Somewhere in London 🤷‍♀️ , Greater London United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Sent to the next reader in the BR.
Arrived yesterday - looking forward to having something to read in the few mins of downtime over Christmas break.
Enjoyed this book, which poses some very real concepts - a brave and well written book.
Off to kingfan30 in the post today or tomorrow.
Off to kingfan30 in the post today or tomorrow.
Journal Entry 10 by kingfan30 at Corby Glen, Lincolnshire United Kingdom on Saturday, January 4, 2014
Book has arrived safe and sound and will be next on my list - thanks for sharing :-)
9Jan 14 - I'm not sure I needed to read about the inner workings of a mans mind as he decides to leave his partner and children, probably not helped by the fact this has just happened to a friend of mine, to leave a note and go is a cowards way out. I can't think of a character I have disliked more, which I guess is part of the point of this book!
9Jan 14 - I'm not sure I needed to read about the inner workings of a mans mind as he decides to leave his partner and children, probably not helped by the fact this has just happened to a friend of mine, to leave a note and go is a cowards way out. I can't think of a character I have disliked more, which I guess is part of the point of this book!
On its way to the next reader.
Journal Entry 12 by 
vaga-bonde
at Pregny-Chambésy, Genève Switzerland on Saturday, January 18, 2014
vaga-bonde at Pregny-Chambésy, Genève Switzerland on Saturday, January 18, 2014
Got the book today, thanks for sending it Kinfan30!
Journal Entry 13 by vaga-bonde at Pregny-Chambésy, Genève Switzerland on Wednesday, January 29, 2014
vaga-bonde at Pregny-Chambésy, Genève Switzerland on Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Released 10 yrs ago (1/29/2014 UTC) at Pregny-Chambésy, Genève Switzerland
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Fascinating journey in the mind and the false excuses of a selfish, self-centered man. He calls his cruelty honesty and his refusal of responsabilities freedom. Very depressing but very well written.
I mailed the book this morning to Beitaljawzaa, its next reader.
I mailed the book this morning to Beitaljawzaa, its next reader.
The book arrived on Saturday, but I was away. Will get down to reading at the weekend. Thanks Katrinat and Vaga-bonde.P.S. Couldn't find the BCID anywhere?!
Interesting read. Felt like stopping several times but my curiosity was greater than my exasperation.
I did find the BCID - shame on me! It was right at the top of the first page! I guess I need to check my glasses. Sorry about that I was expecting a plate I guess. Good luck Lunatum.
I did find the BCID - shame on me! It was right at the top of the first page! I guess I need to check my glasses. Sorry about that I was expecting a plate I guess. Good luck Lunatum.
The book arrived this week. I have one book to be read before I pick this one.
I read the book a month ago, but somehow I didn't remember to journal it and send forward. Sorry...
The book was very belieavable. It was interesting to read about workings of narrator's mind.
The book was very belieavable. It was interesting to read about workings of narrator's mind.
I sent the book forward. I've been really busy with my work and that is why sending took so much time.
Thank you lunatum. The book was safely waiting for me at home while I was visiting the Balkans.
I'm very looking forward to reading this book.
I'm very looking forward to reading this book.
Very interesting and well written.
An honest analysis of the mind, I think.
The product of the modern fifties, the liberated sixties and seventies and the dull eighties.
Horrible but true.
Thanks for sharing.
An honest analysis of the mind, I think.
The product of the modern fifties, the liberated sixties and seventies and the dull eighties.
Horrible but true.
Thanks for sharing.
En route to Portugal.
Arrived today. Thank you very much for sharing.
Journal Entry 23 by 
Arvores
at Viana do Castelo, Viana do Castelo Portugal on Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Arvores at Viana do Castelo, Viana do Castelo Portugal on Wednesday, July 23, 2014
I'm sorry for keeping this book longer than I should. I haven't been feeling well for some time (I had a vertebra out of its place and have been through a lot of pain - no suitable position to read). Fortunately, I'm feeling better today after some treatment, and I hope to finish the book till Sunday.
I'll send the book to the next person on the list ASAP.
Thank you!
I'll send the book to the next person on the list ASAP.
Thank you!
Journal Entry 24 by Arvores at Viana do Castelo, Viana do Castelo Portugal on Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Arvores at Viana do Castelo, Viana do Castelo Portugal on Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Thought provoking, poignant, honest.
You don’t have to like the characters or agree with them to like the book. I’ve found myself completely grasped into the writing and really wanting to know what was there, on the last page. I’ll surely follow the author and try to read more of his books.
Definitely, one book you should read before you die.
Thank you so much for sharing. And, once again, I apologize for keeping it for such a long time.
Will PM the next reader for address now.
You don’t have to like the characters or agree with them to like the book. I’ve found myself completely grasped into the writing and really wanting to know what was there, on the last page. I’ll surely follow the author and try to read more of his books.
Definitely, one book you should read before you die.
Thank you so much for sharing. And, once again, I apologize for keeping it for such a long time.
Will PM the next reader for address now.
Got it! Thanks Arvores :)
Looking forward to start reading this one!
I think next week I'll finish my current read- latest from McEwan!
Looking forward to start reading this one!
I think next week I'll finish my current read- latest from McEwan!
Interesting book!
I hated the character all the way! :) It's obvious to me since long that men and women think different, this one convinced me for good - we sure don't have the same reasoning for the same action :)
I was amazed by his feelings and contradictory thoughts; he sure struggle with the decision to leave!
Thank you for this opportunity! I enjoyed this book!
I am contacting lamelemon to pass it on.
I hated the character all the way! :) It's obvious to me since long that men and women think different, this one convinced me for good - we sure don't have the same reasoning for the same action :)
I was amazed by his feelings and contradictory thoughts; he sure struggle with the decision to leave!
Thank you for this opportunity! I enjoyed this book!
I am contacting lamelemon to pass it on.
This is now safe with me, thanks!
I have one book to finish before it.
I have one book to finish before it.
You should passionately hate Jay, yet you follow his story up till the end. The book follows the nights of a man on the edge of leaving his wife and children, all in the name of love and intimacy, and their lack of. The turning points of his decision are childish, the last hope he gives his marriage, then his last last, whimsical. Jay wants to be drawn back, dreams of everything changing overnight, yet he doesn't move a finger. The surreal Nina, always absent, feels like an icon rather than a person, an idealized statue of everything Jay looks for away from home.
Thank you for the opportunity, and sorry for holding on for so long onto such a slim book. It is now ready to travel to its next reader.
Thank you for the opportunity, and sorry for holding on for so long onto such a slim book. It is now ready to travel to its next reader.
The book is on its way to Stoepbrak in South Africa. Thank you all for sharing!
The book made it to Cape Town and is still in good nick.
Thanks for passing it on, lamelemon, and for hosting the bookray, katrinat. I should get to it pretty soon.
I'm in two minds about this book, and not convinced of its overall merit. Is this how a man thinks or is this how people think a man thinks? Or is it how this particular individual thinks? Like I say, this reader, who happens to be a man, wasn't convinced and detected more than a bit of stereotyping.
-- spoiler alert --
The man was clearly suffering, even though mostly through his own doing.
• Was it a deeply philosophical and heartfelt exercise? p4: Hurting someone is an act of reluctant intimacy?
• Or was it a lot more straightforward? p80: Perhaps, all this time, she has been making a heroic effort to get along with a morose, over-sensitive, self-absorbed fool.
I believe the latter, and I think he knows it.
The book is on its way to romy86 in Australia. I posted it this morning.
International tracking number: RJ027499956ZA
http://sms.postoffice.co.za/trackingparcels
http://www.postoffice.co.za/tools/trackandtrace.html
http://globaltracktrace.ptc.post/gtt.web
The picture shows some of the interesting stamps used on the envelope.
Arrived today. Have a quite thick book ahead of it I need to read, but I'm a fast reader, so shouldn't be too long a gap. Thanks for sending, certainly did have some pretty stamps on the envelope!
Quite a hard book to rate. I have to admit, I knew nothing about the book or author going into this, but since reading a few reviews online, it seems this is mostly thought of as a (not well at all) disguised account of the authors own life.
Obviously I feel sorry for the wife and kids having it all put out there (whether it actually is based on them, that's what people are going to think).
Well, our main character here isn't a nice man, that's for sure. I'm not sure if he is intentionally showing his worst and wants us to hate him, or if he actually is a s@&tbag.
Probably the later, since he does own up to affairs in his marriage and is walking out on his family by leaving them a note.
Now, I can well understand why someone would choose not to marry, have kids and do that whole lifestyle, but presumably this man chose that. To me, that's the bad part in this - I think you can't just change your mind when you've got kids.
The other thing I'm getting from this book is that I think what's under it is a fear of his own mortality. He mentions a few time his not so far off death, and his aging appearance. It's possible this is actually an account of a midlife crisis.
it's too easy and lazy to blame his wife for her lack of response. It's obvious reading between the lines that he actually hasn't exactly been a great husband to her either. Just the fact she wrote a diary and invented a fictional lover shows that there were things missing for her too.
possibly these were just two people who should never have been together to start with. Because this is a short book of 150 pages and reads like a long letter/collection of thoughts as the man prepares to leave, we don't get that back story and we don't know what the wife knows or what she feels.
It's probably not important as he doesn't much seem to care anyhow. It's all about him here and I guess that's the point of the book.
Well written and honest. Not to say I like this man, and even less than the author if it is truly about himself.
Thank you for sharing this novel. I am glad I had a chance to read it and I will send it along to the next reader soon.
Obviously I feel sorry for the wife and kids having it all put out there (whether it actually is based on them, that's what people are going to think).
Well, our main character here isn't a nice man, that's for sure. I'm not sure if he is intentionally showing his worst and wants us to hate him, or if he actually is a s@&tbag.
Probably the later, since he does own up to affairs in his marriage and is walking out on his family by leaving them a note.
Now, I can well understand why someone would choose not to marry, have kids and do that whole lifestyle, but presumably this man chose that. To me, that's the bad part in this - I think you can't just change your mind when you've got kids.
The other thing I'm getting from this book is that I think what's under it is a fear of his own mortality. He mentions a few time his not so far off death, and his aging appearance. It's possible this is actually an account of a midlife crisis.
it's too easy and lazy to blame his wife for her lack of response. It's obvious reading between the lines that he actually hasn't exactly been a great husband to her either. Just the fact she wrote a diary and invented a fictional lover shows that there were things missing for her too.
possibly these were just two people who should never have been together to start with. Because this is a short book of 150 pages and reads like a long letter/collection of thoughts as the man prepares to leave, we don't get that back story and we don't know what the wife knows or what she feels.
It's probably not important as he doesn't much seem to care anyhow. It's all about him here and I guess that's the point of the book.
Well written and honest. Not to say I like this man, and even less than the author if it is truly about himself.
Thank you for sharing this novel. I am glad I had a chance to read it and I will send it along to the next reader soon.
Released 9 yrs ago (4/10/2015 UTC) at Perth City, Western Australia Australia
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
this book continues it's journey today. Off to book-a-neer in vic!
Arrived safely the other today. Will get on to it soon as I can. Currently in the middle of two books.
Finished the book today and I'm happy I did. That's one more off the list.
The narrator seemed to me to be a very selfish individual. He says that he's not interested in his wife anymore. I wonder if he was ever interested enough in her seeing that he had affairs throughout their marriage. To me he's just looking for a reason to leave his wife because he wants to be with the other girl.
The narrator seemed to me to be a very selfish individual. He says that he's not interested in his wife anymore. I wonder if he was ever interested enough in her seeing that he had affairs throughout their marriage. To me he's just looking for a reason to leave his wife because he wants to be with the other girl.
Sent off to sfogs who's next in line.
Book has arrived safely!
This book was ok.
The writing was very long-winded for such a small book.
I can understand some points of the character, but very few.
How could you leave your children?!
The writing was very long-winded for such a small book.
I can understand some points of the character, but very few.
How could you leave your children?!
Released 8 yrs ago (10/22/2015 UTC) at Christchurch, Canterbury New Zealand
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Since the next person in line could not be contacted, and with permission this book is being sent on to the USA. As a Wishlist RABCK. Enjoy!
Arrived safely! Thanx a bunch!!
Well, I'm not sure about this one. I started out interested but as his lament continued I grew to dislike him very much.
On its way to HI77
Another man that turns
into a boy,
set the first sign
of a real trail.
into a boy,
set the first sign
of a real trail.
