I Make an Underwhelming Return
by Charlotte Reads Classics
Hello, bloggers! Its been two weeks and feels like longer. There are a slightly intimidating 160 posts queued up in my reader but I’m determined to catch up this week. I am all moved into my new house and mostly unpacked, but what’s more: I have an internet connection. I adore my new house and am very happy with the move.
But enough of that – more book chat! Since my last post, I’ve read:
- No More Parades, Ford Madox Ford
- John Saturnall’s Feast, Lawrence Norfolk
- A Change of Climate, Hilary Mantel
- NW, Zadie Smith
- The Greatcoat, Helen Dunmore
- On Chesil Beach, Ian McEwan
Two blew me away, one was amazingly disappointing, one wasn’t really for me and one suited me fine. Any guesses which was which? I’ll put some reviews up shortly. You’ll be surprised to see that some of them are what I said I’d intend to read – unusual for me! I am still working my way through Parade’s End and am about 70 pages from the end of the third book.
Looking forward to catching up with you all, hope you have had a good September so far.
Charlotte Reads Classics 
It’s always a lot of work to move in a new home but at least you get to decorate.
Yes, once all the unpacking is done you have the fun bit of making it home!
I read On Chesil Beach this week, and I can’t say it blew me away. I did like it very much and will probably read it again.
Was this the one that wasn’t really for you, or was this the disappointing read?
Great to read your move went well, and you’re back on the internet 🙂
Thanks, Nish 🙂 On Chesil Beach was one of my brilliant reads of the week – I loved it, like you said in your review: much greater than the sum of its parts.
Intrigued to find out, I read an interesting interview with the author of John Saturnall’s Feast so wonder how that translated into the reading of his book. And another Mantel will be interesting to see how that lives up to the popularity of her two better known works that I believe you enjoyed immensely. On verra!
I best get on and write up my thoughts! Was it an online review you read? If so can I ask where it was? I haven’t read much around the book so it would be interesting to find out a bit more.
It was in the Guardian, Lawrence Norfol was profiled in their series ‘A Life of Writing’. Here is the link:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/sep/07/lawrence-norfolk-life-in-writing
I see there are a few reviews on the Guardian site also, but this is the article I read.
Thank you! I will take a look.
Interested in how you found Parade’s End, I had a go about five years ago and stumbled through a couple of chapters before setting it aside. I’ve always wondered whether I should go back to it!
I am hoping to finish it this week… or possibly early next week. So far I am enjoying it, but it is hard work. I reckon worth a revisit. Have you watched the BBC adaptation at all?
I watched the first episode but found Cumberbatch a bit stiff as Tietjens and I’ve not caught up with the others yet. Have you watched them as you read?
Yes, I can see what you mean. I watched the first one when it was on TV, but only watched the second episode a few days ago. I found that after watching the second episode I liked the adaptation a lot more – hadn’t quite been convinced by the first. I haven’t watched any more because I don’t want to accidentally spoil the book but I think I will watch them all when I’ve finished reading.
Welcome back, glad the move went well. As someone who also doesn’t tend to read what she’s reckons she will, well done on that!
Thanks, Charlie. Yes I normally make lists and then ignore them completely so I am feeling rather accomplished:)
Welcome back. I’m glad things have gone well, and very curious to learn which book produced which response. Two on your list didn’t live up to my expectations, and there’s one I have lined up which I hope is one of the two that blew you away.
Ooh, I shall write my reviews and then can find out what your thoughts were. I quite like this element of mystery!