Flaubert's Parrot
11 journalers for this copy...
This is one strange little book...I like Flaubert quite a lot, so snapped this up when I spotted it (in a charity shop, where else!?) Then I found out it was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 1984, and is on the 1001 book list, so that's two challenges in one! Woohoo!The narrative jumps around quite a bit, and at first I didn't really like the novel. I think once I'd been reading it a little bit, I must have got used to it or something, because I'm currently on the last chapter and really, really enjoying it.
Will be a bookring and the order so far is:
Jozebedee - UK (UK/EU)
danielle23 - UK (UK)
Caroley - UK (Intl)
hopi100 - US (Intl)
cat207 - Australia (Australia)
Jean-Sol - Australia
Released 15 yrs ago (3/18/2009 UTC) at
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Sent off to start the ring. Hope you enjoy the book!
Sent off to start the ring. Hope you enjoy the book!
Received safely, and in the TBR pile.
Journal Entry 4 by Jozebedee at -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Friday, April 17, 2009
Released 15 yrs ago (4/17/2009 UTC) at -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom
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I love Flaubert and I really liked this book too. I enjoyed the way it's been written, and found Geoffrey quite a likeable character in his obsessive quest! I found myself chuckling at it constantly! It's really witty and overall a great read. Thanks lucy-lemon - that's another 1001 crossed off the list!
Sending off now to Danielle23 who is next.
I love Flaubert and I really liked this book too. I enjoyed the way it's been written, and found Geoffrey quite a likeable character in his obsessive quest! I found myself chuckling at it constantly! It's really witty and overall a great read. Thanks lucy-lemon - that's another 1001 crossed off the list!
Sending off now to Danielle23 who is next.
Journal Entry 5 by Danielle23 from Sunderland, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom on Thursday, April 23, 2009
Found this waiting for me on my arrival home from York and it's next on my TBR pile.
Journal Entry 6 by Danielle23 from Sunderland, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom on Sunday, April 26, 2009
I didn't really enjoy this book as much as anticipated although it has increased my interest in Flaubert. Only an average book IMO.
Will be sent off to Caroley soon.
Will be sent off to Caroley soon.
Released 14 yrs ago (4/27/2009 UTC) at Sunderland, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom
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CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Sent to Caroley, the next in the ray xx
Sent to Caroley, the next in the ray xx
Received today thanks.
I wasn't sure if I'd like this or not, especially as I haven't read any Flaubert. (I quite fancy trying some now, though.)
When I started reading, I was a bit bemused by it. There didn't seem to be any structure to it and then after a few chapters something just clicked and I started to really enjoy it.
I don't think you really understand what it's about until you read the last few chapters, but perhaps I've completely misunderstood it. Whatever, I liked it so that's good enough for me :)
Thanks for starting the ring Lucy, and for sending it on Danielle. I've PMd for Hopi100s address and will post the book on as soon as I get a reply.
When I started reading, I was a bit bemused by it. There didn't seem to be any structure to it and then after a few chapters something just clicked and I started to really enjoy it.
I don't think you really understand what it's about until you read the last few chapters, but perhaps I've completely misunderstood it. Whatever, I liked it so that's good enough for me :)
Thanks for starting the ring Lucy, and for sending it on Danielle. I've PMd for Hopi100s address and will post the book on as soon as I get a reply.
Released 14 yrs ago (5/11/2009 UTC) at Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom
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Apologies for the delay in posting this on. It's been sitting on my desk for a week waiting to be put in an envelope but somehow I just never got the time.
It is on its way now, via airmail so hopefully should be with its next reader soon.
Apologies for the delay in posting this on. It's been sitting on my desk for a week waiting to be put in an envelope but somehow I just never got the time.
It is on its way now, via airmail so hopefully should be with its next reader soon.
This just arrived in my mailslot. Thanks so much! I can't wait to get started. :)
What a great little book! Thank you so much, lucy-lemon, for including me in this ring! I'll be PMing cat207 right after I send off this JE and will be sending this book along as soon as I have an address.
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
Arrived in today's mail. Thank you hopi100 and lucy-lemon for sharing your books. X
It reads like a biography. I kept thinking that Geoffrey Braithwaite wrote the book.
I've PMed Jean-Sol and await an address to send this on to its last reader.
I've PMed Jean-Sol and await an address to send this on to its last reader.
Arrived yesterday in Melbourne. One of those books which has been on my wishlist for decades, so now is the time to read it at last. Thanks cat207 for sending it so quickly and lucy-lemon for organising the bookring. I'll be in touch when I'm nearly finished.
Flaubert has always been one of my favourite French writers, and I also like Julian Barnes, especially his early novels, so I really can't explain why it took me so long to read this book. I read just about all the books Geoffrey was referring to and kept wondering if I would enjoy the book as much had I not read them. The whole story is very clever and the main character is so realistic I too sometimes forgot that he wasn't writing the book. So nice also to read those descriptions of Normandy, a really nice French region full of history (and excellent food...). It made me want to read Flaubert novels again, as I read them when I was in my teenage years and living in France, a long time ago.
As I'm at the end of the line I consulted with lucy-lemon about the next move for this book and she kindly left it up to me. At this stage I'm thinking of taking it to our next BC meet-up here in Melbourne next week.
As I'm at the end of the line I consulted with lucy-lemon about the next move for this book and she kindly left it up to me. At this stage I'm thinking of taking it to our next BC meet-up here in Melbourne next week.
Journal Entry 18 by 
Jean-Sol
at A fellow BookCrosser, A RABCK -- Controlled Releases on Monday, February 8, 2010
Jean-Sol at A fellow BookCrosser, A RABCK -- Controlled Releases on Monday, February 8, 2010
Released 14 yrs ago (2/9/2010 UTC) at A fellow BookCrosser, A RABCK -- Controlled Releases
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CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
I got quite attached to this little book but it's time to let it go. It's on its way to New Zealand as a RABCK to Sherlockfan, who is keen to read it. Enjoy!
I got quite attached to this little book but it's time to let it go. It's on its way to New Zealand as a RABCK to Sherlockfan, who is keen to read it. Enjoy!
Journal Entry 19 by Sherlockfan from Upper Hutt, Wellington Province New Zealand on Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Well that was quick, thanks Jean-Sol. It arrived today safely in NZ now, and don't you love the BC posting envelopes. They seem very robust to me. I'll write direct to you after my book club meeting on Monday when we get to discuss "Arthur & George".
I'd not realised that parts of the book are in Normandy. While I don't know that part of France other than a fleeting visit once I do know Brittany and will hopefully be spending two weeks there in July. One of our sons married a French woman of Breton descent and the family takes a holiday in Brittany each year. We've been lucky enough to join them. I'm looking forward to the book even more now.
I'd not realised that parts of the book are in Normandy. While I don't know that part of France other than a fleeting visit once I do know Brittany and will hopefully be spending two weeks there in July. One of our sons married a French woman of Breton descent and the family takes a holiday in Brittany each year. We've been lucky enough to join them. I'm looking forward to the book even more now.
Journal Entry 20 by Sherlockfan at Upper Hutt, Wellington Province New Zealand on Monday, February 20, 2012
I'm ashamed to admit that it is almost exactly 2 years since this book landed on my Mt. TBR and in all that time it hasn't come to the surface. I have now read partway through it and found that it just hasn't gripped me at all, sorry to say. I will check Wish Lists to see if there is anyone wishing for it. Being on the 1001 List I don't want to waste an opportunity to help someone along with their quest. Must confess that I've not really enjoyed many of those on the 1001 List and wonder who compiled it, and what justification was used in the compilation.
Later,
I have found D-Face in Australia with the book on his Wish List and sent a pmail. There were 12 folk wanting the book but the first one I tried had a notice on top of her page saying she did not want to be contacted about Wishlist exchanges. How odd is that?
Neverthe less, Thanks to Jean-sol and others who have kept this book moving.
Later,
I have found D-Face in Australia with the book on his Wish List and sent a pmail. There were 12 folk wanting the book but the first one I tried had a notice on top of her page saying she did not want to be contacted about Wishlist exchanges. How odd is that?
Neverthe less, Thanks to Jean-sol and others who have kept this book moving.
Journal Entry 21 by Sherlockfan at Upper Hutt, Wellington Province New Zealand on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Released 12 yrs ago (2/21/2012 UTC) at Upper Hutt, Wellington Province New Zealand
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Posting off to D-Face this afternoon.
Journal Entry 22 by D-face at Canberra, Australian Capital Territory Australia on Thursday, March 22, 2012
Thank you to Sherlockfan for sending this through in response to my wish list! It was waiting for me when I got back from China and is next on the To Be Read list.
Journal Entry 23 by D-face at Canberra, Australian Capital Territory Australia on Monday, April 9, 2012
This is a fictional biography that works very well. I have only read Madame Bovary but enjoyed learning more about Flaubert through this fictional fan who wants to discover which of two stuffed parrots was the one that actually sat on Flaubert's desk. In the process we learn about Flaubert's travels, loves, friends and associates along with such fantastical incidents as the copulating madman and the best cheese to buy on a visit to France (Brillat-Savarin). There are lists, a dictionary and an exam paper in this wonderful little book. I see that some reviewers have compared Julian Barnes to Alain de Botton; how fortunate! I am reading 'Religion for Atheists' at the moment. They are a very happy pair on my bedside table and percolating through my grey cells.
Journal Entry 24 by D-face at YHA Canberra City, Akuna Street in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory Australia on Monday, May 14, 2012
Released 11 yrs ago (5/14/2012 UTC) at YHA Canberra City, Akuna Street in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory Australia
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Third floor book exchange
This came up on the release alerts for Canberra so I sent countdebeans off on a hunting expedition for a parrot and the book I've heard of and wanted to read. (I couldn't resist a '1001 book' either.)
with a cheerio to everyone and a wave to D-face, lucy-lemon and waving across the ditch to Sherlockfan!
with a cheerio to everyone and a wave to D-face, lucy-lemon and waving across the ditch to Sherlockfan!
This has languished on Mt Toobie while I have been studying so it's time to find it another home.
RESERVED for the OZVBB
RESERVED for the OZVBB
Sending it over the little ditch to livrecache who has requested it from the OZVBB.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Thanks very much to Eldaau1 for sending me this book from the OZ VBB. I look forward to reading it.
Thanks for the postcard of the lovely Yass Valley. I used to live in Canberra and I love the surrounding area very much. Thanks too for Jamie does Spain, Italy, France etc . This book is particularly timely and relevant as those countries are exactly where I'm going, starting from next month!
Thanks also for extra book, which I shall journal separately! xx
Thanks for the postcard of the lovely Yass Valley. I used to live in Canberra and I love the surrounding area very much. Thanks too for Jamie does Spain, Italy, France etc . This book is particularly timely and relevant as those countries are exactly where I'm going, starting from next month!
Thanks also for extra book, which I shall journal separately! xx
