I read this when it first came out (quite a few years ago as it was her first novel.) I remember enjoying it at the time, so very happy to pick up this copy for a secret purpose!

And off it goes it the winner of the Spurtle sweeps. Happy reading!

Thank you for sending me this wishlist book and all the other goodies. I am eager to read this book. It is one of my top wishes, and your journal entry made me more excited.

Gripping and intense. Amazing that it is O'Farrell's debut novel. Loved it.

Sending as part of the St. Patrick's Day exchange. Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

Thank you mcsar for the Totoro Irish-themed post-its' set, the beautiful postcard featuring a James Joyce's Ulysses' extract and this book which you enjoyed and seems very interesting!

May your troubles be less,
your blessings be more,
and nothing but happiness
come through your door!

: )

To be honest, I couldn't connect with any character on this book and I liked no one- yes, even Alice. I found that her behavior and decisions (including how she met and started a relashionship with her husband) very often didn't make much sense. Many scenes were full of cliche and/or hyperbole in this book.
Furthermore I don't know why the author paints women the way Victorian authors did? Emotional stress, a bad incident or heavy baggage from their ugly childhood and they get disillusioned and out of their mind temporarily (or not) and think/behave like lunatics.

All that said and while some developments are easy to guess, this is a book that moves fast and keeps the reader's interest. It can be quite moving at times, especially towards the end, although personally I'm not very fond of so much melodrama. I think it could be a bit shorter, because I found my self to starting getting restless and wanted the author to get to the point at the final 50 pages or so. The final scene was very very abrupt.

A somehow original and very decent book!

After You'd Gone will continue its travels to Iceland and then...Who knows?

Good Luck little book and Don't forget to write your news from time to time : )

Arrived today, thanks so much :)