The Ten o'Clock Horses
Registered by StoryChaser of Waterlooville, Hampshire United Kingdom on 9/8/2005
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
22 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by StoryChaser from Waterlooville, Hampshire United Kingdom on Thursday, September 8, 2005
From the back cover:
It is 1962. The first avocado pears are appearing at the greengrocer's, people are thinking about carpeting their lavatories and boxing in their banisters, and Ronnie Glover, housepainter, husband and father, is feeling the first vague stirrings of discontent with his life.
Then, out of the blue, the fabulous, sophisticated (and married) Jacqueline bursts into his life and teaches him to tango. She seems to offer everything he ever dreamt of. But is it all too good to be true? What can a woman who has travelled the world want with a man who carries a stub of pencil behind his ear? Are the Ten O'Clock horses of Ronnie's painful childhood awake and sniffing the wind!
What a great story. I don't think a book has made me laugh so much for ages. Such fabulous characters and so well portrayed. Hats off to Laurie Graham.
It is 1962. The first avocado pears are appearing at the greengrocer's, people are thinking about carpeting their lavatories and boxing in their banisters, and Ronnie Glover, housepainter, husband and father, is feeling the first vague stirrings of discontent with his life.
Then, out of the blue, the fabulous, sophisticated (and married) Jacqueline bursts into his life and teaches him to tango. She seems to offer everything he ever dreamt of. But is it all too good to be true? What can a woman who has travelled the world want with a man who carries a stub of pencil behind his ear? Are the Ten O'Clock horses of Ronnie's painful childhood awake and sniffing the wind!
What a great story. I don't think a book has made me laugh so much for ages. Such fabulous characters and so well portrayed. Hats off to Laurie Graham.
Journal Entry 2 by StoryChaser from Waterlooville, Hampshire United Kingdom on Sunday, September 11, 2005
book-bird has this now.
This book was passed to me from a friend. A beautiful book, that made me both laugh and cry. About hopes and dreams, and missed opportunities. I really enjoyed the nostalgic setting and remembered that the sixties were not all free love and flower power. Thanks storychaser, will return to you on 27/10.
Journal Entry 4 by StoryChaser from Waterlooville, Hampshire United Kingdom on Monday, October 31, 2005
Got this back from book-bird today and have lent it to a work colleague. Will probably send it out on a ring when it comes back.
Everyone I have lent this to has thoroughly enjoyed it, so it has got to go out in a ring.
Everyone I have lent this to has thoroughly enjoyed it, so it has got to go out in a ring.
Journal Entry 5 by StoryChaser from Waterlooville, Hampshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, November 8, 2005
Sending out as a bookring.The list.
LindyLouMac Italy
purplerosebud UK
calalilly UK
molekilby UK
sunlightbub UK
beekeeper40 UK
sadogs UK
safrolistics UK
namedujour USA
TheBowieFollies USA
Back home safe & sound.
Thanks everyone for taking part.
Arrived in the post today, courtesy of Storychaser, at the start of the bookring. I have another book to read before I start this one, but sure I will devour it quickly once started as it looks so amusing!
Growing up in the sixties meant that this seemed so relevant, funny yet sad. Sometimes I was torn between laughing or crying. It also made me think how much of everyday life has changed since those days.The characters were all very well portrayed.
It is now in the post to purplerosebud who tells me she is looking forward to reading a funny book. Hope it meets her expectations.
It is now in the post to purplerosebud who tells me she is looking forward to reading a funny book. Hope it meets her expectations.
Journal Entry 8 by purplerosebud from Petersfield, Hampshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, December 7, 2005
Thanks LindyLouMac, the book has arrived today and yes I am looking forward to reading a book that should make me laugh. No other bookring books here at the moment so this will be my next read.
Journal Entry 9 by purplerosebud from Petersfield, Hampshire United Kingdom on Friday, December 16, 2005
I have mixed feelings about this book. The first few pages had me really laughing but then for me it got more serious. It brought back so many memories of things long forgotton. The characters were so well portrayed that I could just picture them and the situations they were in having once been there myself. How things have changed! At times quite a sad story I did enjoy reading it and will be looking out for other Laurie Graham books to read. Thanks storychaser for starting this ring. I will now be passing the book on to calalilly.
Journal Entry 10 by calalilly from Waterlooville, Hampshire United Kingdom on Monday, December 26, 2005
I enjoyed reading this book and yes like Purplerosebud it did make me laugh at first but as she said it brough back memories,like for me having carpet in the bathroom in my parents bungalow, a pink quilted housecoat and a suede jacket. Listening to Jean Metcalfe on Family Favourites on a Sunday lunchtime and various other things. How things have changed over the years!!
I shall definitely look out for more of Laurie Graham books to read. Thank you Storychaser for this ring.
Will be emailing molekilby for his address and then sending it straight off.
I shall definitely look out for more of Laurie Graham books to read. Thank you Storychaser for this ring.
Will be emailing molekilby for his address and then sending it straight off.
Received today in the post. Will look forward to reading this in the New Year.
An easy read. I read it in a day (thanks to flying to Edinburgh for work). The backround of newly built houses, knocking through into one big room, all seemed reminiscent of the Sixties. I wonder if things have changed much in the intervening years.
Passing onto sunlightbub posted 7.1.2006.
Passing onto sunlightbub posted 7.1.2006.
Journal Entry 13 by Sunnybubble from Wallasey, Merseyside United Kingdom on Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Received this and 2 other bookrings today. I love The Unfortunates by this author which I read pre BC so I'm really looking forward to this. Thanks for making it available xx
Couldn't get into this so have given up afer 60 odd pages..It's not bad, I just wasn't in the mood for it at the moment and I have other rings to get to, so I'm wating for the next persons address and will get it on it's way..Thanks for giving me a chance to read it xxxx
Couldn't get into this so have given up afer 60 odd pages..It's not bad, I just wasn't in the mood for it at the moment and I have other rings to get to, so I'm wating for the next persons address and will get it on it's way..Thanks for giving me a chance to read it xxxx
Received today. Will start to read very shortly!
I really enjoyed this book and found it a very easy quick read. Even though it was set in 1962 and I wasn't born then, there were loads of things that rang bells of reminiscence for me growing up in the 1970's. The food for one thing - YUCK! I remember some truly horrendous meals when I lived at home. However I didn't feel a lot of sympathy for the main character Ronnie, who only considered himself and just moaned about his so called boring and embarrasing family. I loved the way this was written with mainly dialogue, this made it easy to get into and plausible. This is the second book I have read by Laurie Graham, so I will definitely put some of her other books on my wish list to read. Thank you Storychaser for letting me be part of this ring.
Am now sending it on to Sadogs.
Am now sending it on to Sadogs.
Book arrived today - have just finished a bookring so will be able to dive straight in.
How life has changed! Funny but sad at the same time - thank you StoryChaser for the opportunity to read this. Have never read anything by Laurie Graham before so will keep an eye out for others.
Posted to Safrolistics today 22/2/06
Posted to Safrolistics today 22/2/06
Journal Entry 18 by Safrolistics from Newbiggin-By-The-Sea, Northumberland United Kingdom on Monday, February 27, 2006
Received today02/03/06
just finished, and although I wasn't brought up in the sixties, there was still a lot of relevence in this book. Some people still live like this!
Will be sending this on to namedujour
alt="Click here to join bccov">Click to join bccov
Released 18 yrs ago (3/2/2006 UTC) at
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Posted to namedujour
Posted to namedujour
Book arrived safely. I have two ahead of it, but will get to it just as quickly as I can. Thank you so much for shipping from UK!
I'm so sorry this took so long! I was completely inundated. Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed it, and shipped it off to TheBowieFollies three days ago.
Thanks so much for sharing!!
Thanks so much for sharing!!
aye well Verra is back from Lancs and now the book is here the noo..cannae believe i signed up for it a year ago, well hope this will give me a proper tickle, im sure it will storychaser you are legend, cheers for letting me be one of the brood like..
happy brooksiding
love veronica innit...
happy brooksiding
love veronica innit...
Quite charmed alarm with this one, there was a certain irreverence in Miss Graham's narrative, really apropos for me, being homesick and wanting to come back 'ome to Bootle innit, even though I was just there, canny take the liver oot the bird eh, But this was pure gold cheers storychaser la, I lurved it!
I put this in the post this morning back to ya, aye its the boomering innit and you should be getting it proper soon :)
Love on ya!
Veronica
I put this in the post this morning back to ya, aye its the boomering innit and you should be getting it proper soon :)
Love on ya!
Veronica
Journal Entry 24 by StoryChaser from Waterlooville, Hampshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, December 6, 2006
Arrived back home safe and sound. Thanks everyone for taking part. The question is where do I send it next??
Journal Entry 25 by StoryChaser from Waterlooville, Hampshire United Kingdom on Thursday, September 27, 2007
Putting up for a bookray.Participants:
Midlifecrisis - UK
NanaPat - UK
lellie - UK
Releanna - Austria
lauraloo29 - Canada
RockBird - USA
MicheleReads - USA Skipped
BethanieKay - USA
Blundery - Australia <-- It's here
Journal Entry 26 by Midlifecrisis from St. Austell, Cornwall United Kingdom on Monday, October 15, 2007
Safely received today - thank you Storychaser. I am looking forward to reading my first Laurie Graham and will let you know how I get on.
Journal Entry 27 by Midlifecrisis from St. Austell, Cornwall United Kingdom on Saturday, October 20, 2007
I cannot really add much to the comments of other readers. A wonderful mixture of comic observation, nostalgia and frustrated ambition. It reminded me so much of my own childhood and my parents' attitudes. How much has really changed I wonder. Will we look back at the end of the nineties and be disparaging about our own aspirations? Will the beige neutral look seem as dated as the carpeted bathroom? And I guess the personal struggles with relationships and responsibilities never change. Thank you so much for letting me enjoy this book. I have Lellie's address and will get this in the post later today.
Journal Entry 28 by lellie from Trimley St Mary, Suffolk United Kingdom on Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Arrived safely, I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to this.
Journal Entry 29 by lellie from Trimley St Mary, Suffolk United Kingdom on Thursday, October 25, 2007
I'm passing this to my mum (NanaPat), who will read it before I get a chance :)
Thanks for letting me jump into this bookring. I started reading it this morning.
I thought this was an excellent read. My daughter introduced me to Laurie Graham a couple of years ago when she gave me The Future Homemakers of America and I have recently read The Unfortunates.
Every book of hers is just that bit different and dhe has a wonderful ear for dialogue. I'm putting this back on lellie's shelf now.
Thank you everyone.
Every book of hers is just that bit different and dhe has a wonderful ear for dialogue. I'm putting this back on lellie's shelf now.
Thank you everyone.
I'm starting this tonight. Will journal again on completion
Journal Entry 33 by lellie from Trimley St Mary, Suffolk United Kingdom on Wednesday, October 31, 2007
I loved this. One of my favourite reads this year. It raced along at such a pace I was finished before I knew it and only wished there was more. I was born in 1946 (sshh)! and remember well what it was like growing up in the 50's and 60's. This held so much resonance for me.
Laurie Graham's ear for dialogoue is wonderful and the characters all completely real and believable.
Thanks so much storychaser for starting this ring, long may this book continue to travel.
I'll be mailing to releanna tomorrow.
Laurie Graham's ear for dialogoue is wonderful and the characters all completely real and believable.
Thanks so much storychaser for starting this ring, long may this book continue to travel.
I'll be mailing to releanna tomorrow.
Journal Entry 34 by Releanna from Wien Bezirk 23 - Liesing, Wien Austria on Wednesday, November 7, 2007
the book arrived savely yesterday and I'm very much looking forward to reading it (hopefully this weekend)
Journal Entry 35 by Releanna from Wien Bezirk 23 - Liesing, Wien Austria on Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Not being a native English speaker I had a bit of a hard time to get into this book at first. I had to look up quite a few expression, but I kept going (I can be stubborn at times!) and it really paid. It was such a great read, giving a lot of insight in the life in the 60s (I was born 1960), it is written really witty, it's got a funny touch but it is also sad, very moving.
And what I never will understand is Cricket ;)
anyway, tomorrow this great book will travel on to lauraloo29
And what I never will understand is Cricket ;)
anyway, tomorrow this great book will travel on to lauraloo29
Arrived today. I have a couple of other rings before it, but I will keep it moving. :)
I couldn't get into this book. I've been having a bit of a dry spell when it comes to reading, so not sure what the problem is. :) I don't want to keep this longer as I have other rings. Thank you for sharing!
At long last, the book has arrived in California.
Couldn't really get into this book. I PMed the next person, but he has asked to be skipped, so I'm PMing the next one in line now.
Journal Entry 40 by RockBird at in front of the house in -- Mailed, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA on Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Released 16 yrs ago (3/18/2008 UTC) at in front of the house in -- Mailed, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Being sent (finally) to the next person in the ring; it'll be picked up with the morning mail.
Being sent (finally) to the next person in the ring; it'll be picked up with the morning mail.
Received in the mail today! Just finishing up another book then will dive into this one. Thanks for including me!
I had to read through all the other reviews on this book to see what others thought, and I feel a bit bad that I didn't really enjoy it when so many others did. Maybe it's that I'm too young and just can't relate to the 60's era, or that, despite my love for Brit-Lit, I just didn't understand enough of the colloquialisms.
Regardless, this book has been on a wonderful journey and it's about to head out on its last leg. I am mailing this Down Under to blundery tomorrow, and looks like she's the last one on the ray.
Thanks for letting me join!
Regardless, this book has been on a wonderful journey and it's about to head out on its last leg. I am mailing this Down Under to blundery tomorrow, and looks like she's the last one on the ray.
Thanks for letting me join!
This book is on its way to blundery in Western Australia ... mailed today.
Happy travels, little book!
Happy travels, little book!
this book arrived safe and sound today, thanks for forwarding it on BethanieKay. I have two bookring books to read before this one so it might take a couple of weeks for me to get to it, but I will journal as soon as I am done :-)
Oooops, I was just about to journal the impending despatch of this book to another bookcrosser, when I realised (in horror) that I didn't journal after I finished the book!!! Sorry BC'ers, not my usual habit.
Ok, about the book..... I enjoyed it greatly. I liked the the characters in this story, they were realistic and heartwarming and I really felt emotion for them.
The setting was refreshingly different, I have not read much fiction set in the early sixties, and like another BC'er, I too felt it reminding me of my childhood in the early 70's. This book was not something that I would have normally chosen to read, but I am glad that I had the opportunity to read it.
I am sending this book off to a fellow BC'er who I hope will get the same sort of enjoyment out of reading it as I did.
Ok, about the book..... I enjoyed it greatly. I liked the the characters in this story, they were realistic and heartwarming and I really felt emotion for them.
The setting was refreshingly different, I have not read much fiction set in the early sixties, and like another BC'er, I too felt it reminding me of my childhood in the early 70's. This book was not something that I would have normally chosen to read, but I am glad that I had the opportunity to read it.
I am sending this book off to a fellow BC'er who I hope will get the same sort of enjoyment out of reading it as I did.
Journal Entry 46 by Blundery at Rockingham, Western Australia Australia on Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Released 14 yrs ago (1/13/2010 UTC) at Rockingham, Western Australia Australia
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Happy Smile Day :-)
Happy Smile Day :-)
Whoop! I never journalled this as received. :/ Sorry. Book has been safe here with me and I've only just read it.
When I first started reading this, I couldn't get into the writing style. But I stuck with it and when I started to get the voice of the novel I really really enjoyed it and couldn't put it down. The characters are well drawn, and the dialogue is incredibly realistic. The reader can feel the emotions of the characters on a deep level.
When I first started reading this, I couldn't get into the writing style. But I stuck with it and when I started to get the voice of the novel I really really enjoyed it and couldn't put it down. The characters are well drawn, and the dialogue is incredibly realistic. The reader can feel the emotions of the characters on a deep level.
Smiling again for Smile Day!
received this book today as the winner of Smile Day RABCK
really enjoyed this book, cannot add more to what has already been said....a real joy
Journal Entry 51 by glenystasmania at Bushy Park Market in Bushy Park, Tasmania Australia on Friday, December 30, 2011
Released 12 yrs ago (12/30/2011 UTC) at Bushy Park Market in Bushy Park, Tasmania Australia
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just to the right inside the main doorway
