Russethouse Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 Is anyone else reading this, or has read it ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybanana Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 Nope! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 Nah, the last thing I read about hedgehogs was Mrs Tiggywinkle and I loved her apron! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted September 15, 2009 Author Share Posted September 15, 2009 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Elegance-Hedgehog-Muriel-Barbery/dp/1906040184/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1253036954&sr=1-1It's not about Hedgehogs [:)][:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaJ Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 Yes I read it. I enjoyed it, but found the style a bit overblown. I read it in translation which may not have helped. I thought the central characters were beautifully drawn and I liked the basic idea of the story, but got irritated by the philosophical digressions. What did you think RH?regardsL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 I am reading it in French, which helps the points about style and grammar that she makes.The central literary conceit of the knowledgeable who pretend or appear not to be works to a point, but it was spoiled for me by prior knowledge that the author has been a philosophy teacher, so not in the situation of her central characters.To some extent it is a vehicle for her showing off her learning..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 So, I think I'll stick with Beatrix Potter: much more amenable! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybanana Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 It sounds very boring Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted September 15, 2009 Author Share Posted September 15, 2009 I'm halfway through and debating whether to go on....I used to read mainly historical fiction and non fiction, but recently a friend sent me several of the Jack Reacher books by Lee Child, then Stephanie Plum books by Janet Evanovitch, both are full of action... this is so different, so much introspection........but I hate to give up on a book....I wondered if anyone else had the same feelings about it.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybanana Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 I ain't read it and am developing a feeling that I shant bother. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pads Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 It looks good RH ... next time im ordering off amazon if I remember it I will order it ...Im reading .The house of special purpose, by John Boyne at the moment its very good . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted September 16, 2009 Author Share Posted September 16, 2009 If I ever finish it I'll be putting it on Book Mooch.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pads Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 Whats that ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted September 16, 2009 Author Share Posted September 16, 2009 http://www.bookmooch.co.uk/ What you do is list books that you have finished with, other members contact you to ask for them you post them and build up a points balance which you use to request books from other members. I know theres a group of English speakers in France who are members. You can decide whether to post abroad or not.I've posted quite a few books off (one to Chatou in France just today) and in turn I've got a few too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pads Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 Thats a good Idea ... I use this one some times as its fun http://www.bookcrossing.com/hunt/3/travel_But as I hate giving up my books I dont do it very often ... I just build new shelves !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted September 17, 2009 Author Share Posted September 17, 2009 You must have more room than me......plus I keep a lot of reference stuff for my hobby and my past occupation, oh and gardening and cookery, I've had to harden my heart and get rid of most fiction paperbacks..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fay Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 I just finished it this morning and my loud sobbing scared the cat. I absolutely loved it. It was a bit of a struggle to get in to, but suddenly on about page 40 I 'got it' and then adored it more with every page. I was reading the translation (for my book group) but feel the translator/publishers did very well to make points about grammar and syntax, amongst other things, relevant to English-speaking readers.Loved it, and will certainly be reading it again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted January 3, 2011 Author Share Posted January 3, 2011 In the end I gave up and gave it away...perhaps I'll try again another time.Have you read 'The Help' ? The best book I read in 2010, by a mile! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cendrillon Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 I saw the film "Le Herisson" and thought it was worth seeing though have not read the book."The Help" was broadcast on radio 4 a while back and just the other day a friend told me she too was enjoying the book. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fay Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 I'll look out for The Help - thanks!I think a lot of people will feel the same as you, RH, and not make it through the early stages... I would not have done, probably, if I hadn't been reading it for Book Group - I suspect certain other members will also have given up. It's a shame, because after the 'tipping point' it becomes such a wonderful story of change and revelation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted January 4, 2011 Author Share Posted January 4, 2011 I think you are right Fay, I have a friend who loved it, passed it on to her mother who like me, gave up on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterG Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 [quote user="NormanH"]I am reading it in French, which helps the points about style and grammar that she makes.The central literary conceit of the knowledgeable who pretend or appear not to be works to a point, but it was spoiled for me by prior knowledge that the author has been a philosophy teacher, so not in the situation of her central characters.To some extent it is a vehicle for her showing off her learning.....[/quote] Think I'll stick to Viz then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 [quote user="Fay"]I'll look out for The Help - thanks!I think a lot of people will feel the same as you, RH, and not make it through the early stages... I would not have done, probably, if I hadn't been reading it for Book Group - I suspect certain other members will also have given up. It's a shame, because after the 'tipping point' it becomes such a wonderful story of change and revelation.[/quote]I don't think that it is the early stages that are the problem.It is the intellectual snobbery.The concièrge is just a voice for the author, who is a Philosophy teacher, so the unreal (if whimsically amusing) situation of a woman judging people who snobbishly look down on her because they have a more comfortable material situation only works if you accept the author's own snobbish assumption that arcane knowledge about philosophy and Japanese culture is in some way a reason to feel superior .Basically they are just two snobberies which as is the wont are about excluding and judging those who aren't in a particular magic circle.The ending is particularly contrived and unprepared, and one suspects that having run out of useless knowledge with which to bore the reader ( the book is full of it) the author just wanted to finish it as quickly as possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 [quote user="PeterG"][quote user="NormanH"]I am reading it in French, which helps the points about style and grammar that she makes.The central literary conceit of the knowledgeable who pretend or appear not to be works to a point, but it was spoiled for me by prior knowledge that the author has been a philosophy teacher, so not in the situation of her central characters.To some extent it is a vehicle for her showing off her learning.....[/quote] Think I'll stick to Viz then. [/quote]Your bestial reactions to the Fat slags needed no airing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybanana Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 I have a great new book on Wellington in the Peninsular War. So much more fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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