Book Club

1…3839414344…81

Comments

  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,089
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Don't read this yet Frogmella

    The Crimson Petal and the White     by Michael Faber

    This book is not a quick read. However I soon got to love one or two of the main characters, Sugar of course, (our heroine), and Agnes too the genuinely poorly wife, so I was hooked before I knew it and really looked forward to time to read!

    Set in 1870's and centred in London with it's supply of prostitutes, men who use Prostitutes and reformers . Our 'hero' (who isn't at all ::) ) seeks out a prostitute 'because' his wife is not available to him.

    Before long he is 'hooked' and sets her, Sugar, up in a house with more money than she ever had before. She gradually becomes, so she thinks, indispensable to him, moving in to become his young daughter's governess. She believes there is a future for them, but she is very wrong....

    When his wife goes missing he 'looses it' and treats Sugar shamefully, (she suffers a miscarriage), culminating in him abruptly and heartlessly dispensing with her services.

    What happens next could be a lesson to any man who treats women the way he has treated his wife, and 'mistress'....maybe also to any woman who believes a married man will love her.....???

    A 4.5* read in 'my book' :wink:
  • marrianne
    marrianne Member Posts: 1,161
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Bookworms ,I havent been around much due to flare ,but better now ,I hope you are all doing ok ,Toni just got to say really love your review ,Crimson /White ,its absolutely spot on ,Because of the content of the book I worried that Sugar wouldnt be liked ,I love her ,and as it was my choice for september I had already read it ,so mannaged a second reading but definately couldnt give such a brilliant critic ,loving DD s chioce half way ...Marrianne :) x
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,089
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks Marrianne

    It was a great book thanks for suggesting it :)

    and for your kind comments :oops:
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you for the top review Toni, I'm enjoying Oh Dear Silvia still, going to take it with me to the Hospital today (Squeeze it in my handbag some how!!) as don't know how long I will be!
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hope everyone will have a good weekend, if the weather man is right it will be hibernating and staying warm and reading!! We're suppose to be getting gale force winds and heavy rain with some flooding! That translates to me as have a good read and stay warm!! :D
  • suzygirl
    suzygirl Member Posts: 2,005
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Have had a migraine, so not been posting much. Have read a few books but not the BOTM's :oops: I really need to catch up.

    Hope all are well and warm :D
  • frogmella
    frogmella Member Posts: 1,111
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Phew - I have just finished The Crimson Petal and The White
    I too enjoyed this book. Despite its length it kept me interested, and wasn't too long! I also felt sorry for Agnes, although it has to be said she was a bit precious. Sugar is a brilliant character. William is just a sad man I think. Like a wet lettuce!!
    I like the ending and its uncertainty.
    I award ****/*****

    I am going to read Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor next as it is reserved. I then have a book from the library as they had a "book in a bag" initiative going on and I haven't had time to read it with the Crimson! Had it for about a month!! Then I will order the Dawn French and DD's recommendation.

    I am so excited about going on holiday tomorrow! Yay!! I will have my laptop so if I finish a book you will get a review.
    Keep warm and dry.
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,089
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Poor you Suzy :( I do sympathise

    Will be off to France on Sunday so hopefully warmer.

    Have a good weekend Amanda - enjoy your reading - Hope hubby is ok Paul says racing at Kings Lynn, but it's a long way ::)

    Frogmella     - happy holidays to you :) Enjoy your books while you are there. The book in a bag?? Could turn out to be Crimson!!!

    Love

    Toni xxx
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Well so far today, checked all my emails and other site I moderate on, got onto here and my darling HO informs me we are going out now to have our passport photo's done!! So went to 1st place that had a photo booth and it's out of order! OH drove to another town to find the other photo booth have pictures done, OH drives home and we have lunch and now picking up where I was last on! Hope I will get some time to read today after finished on my lappy! :(
    Hope everyone's enjoying Saturday!
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Oh Dear Silvia by Dawn French

    This book had me transfixed from page one, the way it was written each chapter as one of the characters visiting Silvia in hospital or by her hospital nurse Winnie. I found the story about Silvia being in a coma and family and her friends visiting her made the book more interesting. And to learn more and more about the relationships between Silvia and each visitor throughout the book made it more harder to put down. It kept the book flowing. Dawn French has wrote a brilliant book that will have you laughing one minute and crying the next. She has proved herself to be a clever novelist and I have put her other novel on my list to read.

    Rating:-****
  • suzygirl
    suzygirl Member Posts: 2,005
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Sounds good Amanda, I must read it. Keep getting distracted by other books!

    Toni and Frogmella, glad you are enjoying your hols.


    I hope Marianne and other BC members are keeping warm and out of the awful weather.
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Order this months book of the month 'Perpetual Astonishment of Jonathan Fairfax by Christopher Shevlin as suggested by the lovely DD. Looking forward to starting it.

    Well it's that time of the month my dear book worms we need to sort a book for Book Of The Month for November. I don't believe we have agreed on one yet so if anyone has any idea's please let me know otherwise I have a good book in my 'to read pile we could use!!
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,089
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Fellow bookworms :)Marrianne, Frogmella, Suzygirl (loving hols ta ;) )Bubbadog, and anyone else I have missed :oops:

    I have been having a great time here in France and yesterday was sunbathing reading - husband got burnt :shock: :wink:

    I have finished Oh Dear Sylvia, The Bad Mother by Isabelle Grey and The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion. I am now reading The Night Rainbow by Claire King (A recommendation from here - thank you!!! It's even in France :D )

    I promise to do my reviews on my return :wink:

    I think Bubbadog you ought to give us a clue about your November idea....what genre were you thinking??

    Sigh.....aren't holidays fabulous??

    love

    Toni xxx
  • marrianne
    marrianne Member Posts: 1,161
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Toni ,Its great to hear from you ,and sun burn o m g :oops: thats meant to be hubby .. terrible stuff here rain rain and yes even more rain .but glad your having a great time ,alsorts going on here ,good and not good :) ..but it will all come out in the wash ... still on catch up with my reads to bring some sunshine back with you :P ....Marrianne x
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,089
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Yes of course Marrianne it means that the weather here has been amazing :D

    I hope the 'not good' doesn't mean you are still flaring?

    At least we are both enjoying our reading :)
    k040.gif
    We managed to get a sort of mifi thingy here which connects a few things to the net so just about able to get online.....back tomorrow though :(

    Mind you I can see Daisycat :D

    Love

    Toni xxx
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you Toni for your response, glad your having a lovely time in France. I really want someone rather than myself to make a recommendation for this months Book of the month especially now we have started the month of November. Please if anyone has any idea's for Book of the Month please come forward. I will leave it open till the End of Monday night (Midnight!) for your recommendations if nobody comes forward I will go ahead with a book from my 'to read' pile!! :?
  • marrianne
    marrianne Member Posts: 1,161
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Bubba , can think of several ,but I did chose septembers ,so dont mind if you go with another choice ,.....on radio4 in the afternoon they are serialising a brilliant tale of gangsters in London beginning early 50 s spanning 60 years some real ie the krays .. etc Rackman the pretty evil landlord .. its called the corrupted but the actual book is called trial and retribution ..need to look on Amazon for the author he also wrote judge John Deed ...... also thinking the new Brigitte Jones ... and the last novel by Elizabeth Jane Howard .. due for release in mid November its the final book in the Cazelettes series ...stuck now hope for lots of choice happy reading everyone Marrianne :)
  • suzygirl
    suzygirl Member Posts: 2,005
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I am confused :?
    Thanks to DD's recommendation November's Book Of The Month is The Perpetual Astonishment of Jonathon Fairfax by Christopher Shelvin It costs 77p on Kindle and £5.99 new on paperback from Amazon. Will look forward to reading your reviews.

    Hope everyone has a good weekend! :)

    This a quote from Amanda's post. I know I am behind on the BOTM but not this much surely :lol:
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    marrianne wrote:
    Bubba , can think of several ,but I did chose septembers ,so dont mind if you go with another choice ,.....on radio4 in the afternoon they are serialising a brilliant tale of gangsters in London beginning early 50 s spanning 60 years some real ie the krays .. etc Rackman the pretty evil landlord .. its called the corrupted but the actual book is called trial and retribution ..need to look on Amazon for the author he also wrote judge John Deed ...... also thinking the new Brigitte Jones ... and the last novel by Elizabeth Jane Howard .. due for release in mid November its the final book in the Cazelettes series ...stuck now hope for lots of choice happy reading everyone Marrianne :)

    Hi marrianne, the book you suggested with gangsters in that was 'the corrupted' is called by book 'Crime and punishment' It looks a good read and costs £1.54 for Kindle and £3.64 for paperback. If everyone would like this for Book of the Month please let me know.

    The New Bridget Jones book 'mad about the boy' does look a fun book to read, it has just come out and is a little steep for cost! £7.20 on Kindle and £7.99 for paperback. Possible future read!
  • frogmella
    frogmella Member Posts: 1,111
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I am confused too!!! Are we not having DD's choice now?

    Anyway, I finished Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor
    It is the second in a trilogy, the first book being Daughter of Smoke and Bone. It is a teenage book but don't let that put you off. It is a fantasy book about travel between worlds, magical creatures and the war between good and evil - although the lines between the two seem to get a bt blurred - like real life I suppose.
    I have enjoyed them so far and award ****

    I have now to read my "book in a bag" which is a Francis Fyfield. Going to order the new Stephen King too!! Will also order the Dawn French while I am at it.
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,089
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I wanted to know what the book in the bag was Frogmella!!!

    Enjoy it ;)

    I reckon Amanda forgot DD's suggestion Suzy :lol: Probably looking after those furry babies :wink:

    Marrianne     that new Bridget Jones looks good I think and my Sister has recommended The Light Between Oceans by M L Stedman

    Back home and so far haven't read at ALL today :( ya booh!

    Love

    Toni xxx
  • suzygirl
    suzygirl Member Posts: 2,005
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Amanda I wonder if you saw my post? Hope you are feeling better now.

    Frogmella hope you had a good holiday. I have read Frances Fyfield books before.

    Toni glad to hear you had some sun. Shame you came back to such awful weather :roll: Will keep an eye out for your sisters recommendation

    Marianne I think the gangster book sounds really interesting. I will have a look for it. :D Hope your flare is settling.
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I'm so, so sorry everyone!! My head's not in the right place with not being well at the moment! Suzygirl you are right the Book of the month for November is The Perpetual Astonishment of Jonathon Fairfax by Christopher Shelvin. So sorry for the confusion!! :oops:

    I've started 'the perpetual Astonishment of Jonathon Fairfax and it's very amusing.
  • suzygirl
    suzygirl Member Posts: 2,005
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    It is fine Amanda, I know you haven't been well. Glad you are enjoying the book.
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you suzygirl, I get the blood test results this afternoon and it's looking like it's the hydro that has caused my kidney problems and I might have to come off the hydro. Don't know what's going to happen next! :(

Categories