"Over the course of a single day, we meet George and Sarah, who are bound together and cruelly separated by a momentous act that has cut deeply into both their lives."

I read this in a day, it was so gripping. It could almost be described as a thriller from the way the author sustains the tension, only giving away the tiniest piece of information at each step. But it's an emotional tension. It's not about whodunnit. We find that out early on. It's about failings and disappointment and the persistence of blind hope. Plus beautiful descriptions of that bright, brittle, late autumn sunshine.

I wish the woman on the front cover of my copy would cheer up, though. She's got such a fierce scowl on her face I kept having to put the book face down.

Replacement copy for stalled bookray, here: http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/4669600

Mailing order:

Sidney1, Germany
rapturina, Netherlands
silvia-pco, Portugal
followdream, Switzerland
eloisamos, Brazil
Rrrcaron, US
bartonz, US <--- here
GateGypsy, Canada
Wandering-B, Hong Kong
Hawkette, Australia
lakelady2282, Australia
FreePages, Australia

Finally on its way to Germany. Hope you enjoy it!

Oops, so sorry, I forgot to journal the book. It arrived safely a couple of weeks ago or so. Am finished and will write more about it, soon. Have asked rapturina for her address.

Well, I found this book somewhat disappointing. I love Swift’s writing, his very personal narrative style which reflects the way the person thinks: an associative way of writing. But where in his other books he slowly reveals the mostly shocking or tragic background to the story line which at first seems deceptively simple, here there is nothing to reveal. Yes, it is quite a good description of this man, his character and background. How he feels for Sarah, because as a child he discovered his father was having an affair. He felt protective of his mum then, and feels protective of Sarah now. Yes, yes, all very well, I get it. Swift tries to be deep with such philosophical questions as “how do we choose?”. But to my taste the story of the book is too slight, the thrill is never fulfilled.

Still, I am pleased I read the book, thank you shnedwards. Have now got rapturina's address, will send the book tomorrow 15.10.

It's here! I just started another 1000 page book, so it might be a while before I get to this one. :D I promise it won't take too long, though!

I finished reading this book yesterday and it was indeed a gripping read. Though I did get a bit tired of the jumping back and forth in time towards the end, I just wanted to know what had happened two years ago! I also was a bit disappointed when I finished it. The story and the tension are being built up all throughout the book and I guess I was just expecting some final big bang, a crazy twist to the story to put everything in a different perspective. So when that didn't come, it was a bit of a letdown.

Still, I did really enjoy this book. I'd never read anything by Graham Swift before and I don't think I would've ever picked up this book if it hadn't been on the 1001 list (that I'm still trying to get through!). So in that respect it was good to get the chance to read this book, and I might look into his other books. I really liked his writing style!

Silvia-pco requested to be skipped, so I'm now waiting for an address from followdream.

I'm so sorry, I still have this book! Life got in the way a little bit, I suppose... My apologies.

I have followdream's address and will send on the book today!

thank you rapturina for sending the book.
I received it a few days ago, started to read, but soon felt, that this isn't what I like to read, at least for now. So I'm gonna pm eloisamos to send it on to her.

all the same, thank you very much shnedwards for organizing the ring

finally sent it on its way a few days ago

It arrived some days ago and I alread readed it...
I think the autor were able to do "a little for a lot" in this book...and perhaps it were his intention...
I liked the history and the stile but not verry much... I never were known for choose books for be deep but for fun...and the book weren´t too much fun...I would like to know more about the relationship of George and Sara...about what were in her mind after she could see that he wouldn´t abandon her...
Thank you

PS: I´m sending for Rrrcaron´s address

It is going to Rrrcaron.
Thank you

I received this book in the mail today, and I've already started it. So far so good....
Ruth

This is the first book I've read by Swift. I really enjoyed reading it, even though it was a very tragic story. I literally felt George's emotion. It was just so real. I want to imagine for him that day years down the road when he and Sarah can both be free. Glad I read it, and thanks for sharing. Sending on to next reader.
Ruth

It's here and I look forward to reading it :)