The Mermaid Chair
3 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by LadyIndigo02 from Fordingbridge, Hampshire United Kingdom on Saturday, December 1, 2007
found this one which is on my NSSFC partner's wishlist. Sending to her.
Firstly I must offer apologies for a delayed journal entry, all my own fault having taken a huge long Christmas break away from a computer until now! Too, too thrilled, really great squeaks of amazement came from Aberdeen this Christmas as I opened my intriguing set of wee parcels from my Not-So-Secret-Father-Christmas. Too, too thrilled, for words to receive this! Well, obviously not quite speechless of course I am a bookcrosser with usually lots to say…
So, not one but two, books off my wish-list!!! This and Sleepwalking by Julie Myerson, yahoo! Then also, GASP a third book, Ethan Frome an Edith Warton novel, my skippy joy knew no bounds. Skippy, on a chocolate high no doubt, having started nibbling on one of the two fabulous bars, Green & Blacks, Maya Gold when I picked up The Mermaid Chair to start reading it in the new year. The other chocolate bar, a Devine Dark Chocolate that came with the books awaits just the right nibbling moment. Oh joy, a chocolate bar in reserve, bliss! Now post Christmas and my complexion is glowing after pampering with a Christmas face cloth and delightful wee Mystical Monks soap, which also came with my parcel. Happy day, what a lucky bookcrosser I am! Thanks ever so much, LadyIndigo02.
So, not one but two, books off my wish-list!!! This and Sleepwalking by Julie Myerson, yahoo! Then also, GASP a third book, Ethan Frome an Edith Warton novel, my skippy joy knew no bounds. Skippy, on a chocolate high no doubt, having started nibbling on one of the two fabulous bars, Green & Blacks, Maya Gold when I picked up The Mermaid Chair to start reading it in the new year. The other chocolate bar, a Devine Dark Chocolate that came with the books awaits just the right nibbling moment. Oh joy, a chocolate bar in reserve, bliss! Now post Christmas and my complexion is glowing after pampering with a Christmas face cloth and delightful wee Mystical Monks soap, which also came with my parcel. Happy day, what a lucky bookcrosser I am! Thanks ever so much, LadyIndigo02.
Now I know. I was wondering why on earth I had not written a review for The Mermaids Chair yet as I read it in January? So coming back to it I see there is a note on the book cover mentioning some exclusive extras: an interview with the author; My Kind of Day, a short article and: Reading-Group Questions. This explains everything, I had been meaning to go through the Reading-Group Questions section and mull it over extensively. Clearly that, sounding too much like hard work, I had put myself off. Then also having subsequently, joined a short five session, book group I decided with that commitment came the determination to tackle the Reading-Group Questions here too. Lets see how that goes…
So finally I return eager to prepare to pass the book onto other readers. I am glad I took some time before I reviewed this as I feel having that time brought me to recognise that I both liked and admired this more than I realised on finishing it. The understanding for this that seems to have snuck up on me somewhat by surprise. It appears to me to be a gentle and loving story of the inevitable anguish that re-assessment of ones life can often take. Its all very well to think one can simply ignore deep unease, not address it and it will dissipate, or determinedly immerse one self in other things and the unease will cease to matter. While in reality I think that the deep unease is a sign that something needs to be addressed and some open and honest talking is required. This book then covers some of that territory, and covers it well I think. Jessie comes to understand more of herself and begins to struggle for what she wants but in so doing finds she also has to fight to keep the love of her family who have become hurt while she was thrashing about on that torturous journey of understanding.
So finally I return eager to prepare to pass the book onto other readers. I am glad I took some time before I reviewed this as I feel having that time brought me to recognise that I both liked and admired this more than I realised on finishing it. The understanding for this that seems to have snuck up on me somewhat by surprise. It appears to me to be a gentle and loving story of the inevitable anguish that re-assessment of ones life can often take. Its all very well to think one can simply ignore deep unease, not address it and it will dissipate, or determinedly immerse one self in other things and the unease will cease to matter. While in reality I think that the deep unease is a sign that something needs to be addressed and some open and honest talking is required. This book then covers some of that territory, and covers it well I think. Jessie comes to understand more of herself and begins to struggle for what she wants but in so doing finds she also has to fight to keep the love of her family who have become hurt while she was thrashing about on that torturous journey of understanding.
Caught at Edinburgh Bookcrossing Meetup on May 14th
