The New DISUK Book Club List - Reading Persuasion by Jane Austen

[irongirlof12]

I am very near to the end of 'pillars of the earth' and strangly i don't want it to end

 

[dolphingirl47]

I finished it a while ago and I am ready to start discussing this on Tuesday.

Corinna

 

[natalielongstaff]

Sorry i never started pillars so i will bow out of this one xx

 

[Dimplenose]

Goog Morning and a happy December. I'm going to declare the discussion for Pillars of the Earth open.

I can't make a complete review as I'm struggling to get past page 200. I don't think this is the fault of the plot or writing it's just that I haven't been able to give this book the time it needs. I don't feel it's a book that I can read in small chunks as I lose the sense of time within the story and forget whether we're in flashback or not. I've also not come to really care about any of the characters - interested in them yes, but normally there is st least one chatacter in a book that I NEED to know what happens to them.

I'm sure I'll get to the end eventually but it is taking a long time.

 

[natalielongstaff]

Goog Morning and a happy December. I'm going to declare the discussion for Pillars of the Earth open.

I can't make a complete review as I'm struggling to get past page 200. I don't think this is the fault of the plot or writing it's just that I haven't been able to give this book the time it needs. I don't feel it's a book that I can read in small chunks as I lose the sense of time within the story and forget whether we're in flashback or not. I've also not come to really care about any of the characters - interested in them yes, but normally there is st least one chatacter in a book that I NEED to know what happens to them.

I'm sure I'll get to the end eventually but it is taking a long time.

Its hard to read a book like that without the right amount of time and energy

 

[irongirlof12]

I was hooked on this right from the very start. I know it was tough back in the 12th century, but I think the author really brought out the utter cruelty and poverty of the time. I loved that there was a central character of Prior Philip running through the whole book. The beginning was nicely linked to the end and finished the book off well.

All in all I loved it and it's now a firm favorite of mine, and not the usual book I would read

 

[suzycute]

A big vote of thanks to whoever suggested reading this book.

I would never have picked it up in a book shop or library in a month of Sundays - black cover, historical book, huge in length, about building a cathedral - everything I thought I would hate! Well - I have been converted!

I really enjoyed this book and, having never read any of Ken Follett's books before, am thrilled that I have found another author that I can enjoy. I loved the way the characters were interwoven and I felt they really came to life. The sign of a good book for me is that I wanted to get back to reading it when I had to put it down (to get on with the mundane tasks of life such as going to work, cleaning, laundry etc!). It did take me the whole of the month of November to read and reckon it took me about 20 hours - great value for money! I'm off to buy "World Without End" next!

 

[dolphingirl47]

This was the first book that I ever read in English just because I wanted to and not because I had to read it for school, college or university. Ever since I read this for the first time in 1996, it has been my favourite book.

I have always been fascinated how seemingly unrelated stories all come together at some stage of the book and the link between all the characters. I always forget between reading the book that it has some quite graphic adult content and I wonder if this is really necessary.

I love most of the characters and the others, I love to hate. They are just so well drawn and realistic. Nobody is completely good. Even Prior Philipp has a few flaws.

I can really recommend World Without End. It is not a sequel as such in so far that it takes place about 200 years after The Pillars of the Earth and was written years later, but it is set in Kingsbridge again and there are definite links to the first book.

Corinna

 

[higgy66]

I've recently returned to work full time and to be honest reading has gone out of the window. However, after reading these reviews I'll have to start again..... I think I might start with pillars of the earth as it sounds like you've all enjoyed it.

I'll catch up with the club as soon as I can!

 

[Ware Bears]

I was hooked on this right from the very start.

Me too I'd never have chosen this book but once I'd started it, I found I was picking it up to read at every opportunity.

I've also not come to really care about any of the characters - interested in them yes, but normally there is st least one chatacter in a book that I NEED to know what happens to them.

Have you met Aliena yet? I really cared about what happened to her.

I can really recommend World Without End. It is not a sequel as such in so far that it takes place about 200 years after The Pillars of the Earth and was written years later, but it is set in Kingsbridge again and there are definite links to the first book.

I've bought mine and it's going to be my holiday read. I can't wait to start it.

 

[dolphingirl47]

Me too I'd never have chosen this book but once I'd started it, I found I was picking it up to read at every opportunity.

Have you met Aliena yet? I really cared about what happened to her.



I've bought mine and it's going to be my holiday read. I can't wait to start it.

I would never have dared suggest The Pillars of the Earth as it is such a long book, but I am glad that it was chosen.

I also love Aliena. Her combination of strength, determination and vulnerability is utterly fascinating. She is definitely one of the main characters in the book.

I hope that you will enjoy World Without End. This is one of the next books that I want to get as an Ebook for my Sony Reader. I am hoping to read this again when I am flying to Dubai later this month.

Corinna

 

[irongirlof12]

Have you met Aliena yet? I really cared about what happened to her.

She's a fab character and total opposite of her spoilt brother. really demonstrated the very tough and cruel world for women of that time.

I also thought that Ellen was fab , how the villagers and monks were afraid of her and named her a witch, and this all ties in with the plot at the end. very good writing!

I am asking DH for the next book for Xmas.

What about the fate of William, how did you feel about this?

I have to say I was kind of pleased that ' he got his' and I don't like any form of violence.

 

[Dimplenose]

I've now made it to page 300! I think I'm going to have to take a break soon to read December's book which I bought on Saturday.

 

[Dimplenose]

Looks as though there might be a TV series of Pillars of the Earth next year - not sure if it will be a UK or US production though.

 

[natalielongstaff]

I've now made it to page 300! I think I'm going to have to take a break soon to read December's book which I bought on Saturday.

im going to order a copy later

 

[irongirlof12]

Looks as though there might be a TV series of Pillars of the Earth next year - not sure if it will be a UK or US production though.

yay , that would be fab, as I was reading it waas thinking how this would translate into a film/series.

is December's reading 'the sugar queen'?

 

[natalielongstaff]

is December's reading 'the sugar queen'?

Thats what ive ordered from Amazon

 

[wilma-bride]

Thats what ive ordered from Amazon

Can you try and get it read before Boxing day mate - save me buying a copy too

Having read what has been written about Pillars of the Earth, I'm very tempted to try and get hold of a copy and read it for myself. I am not a fan of historical novels at all but I'll give anything a go

 

[natalielongstaff]

Can you try and get it read before Boxing day mate - save me buying a copy too

I think that rather depends on how fast Amazon's delivery is mate !!!

 

[dolphingirl47]

Looks as though there might be a TV series of Pillars of the Earth next year - not sure if it will be a UK or US production though.

That sounds fantastic. I very rarely watch TV, but I would be glued to the screen for that.

Corinna