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Post by megan on Dec 6, 2005 21:16:10 GMT
well I've nearly said all I need to say on this book - just one more thing! I think the use of language is very clever - not just the descriptions but the dialogue. The auther has picked up choice phrases by people in the west and they often made me laugh- particularly the language used by Thomas the village bully.
Claire, I hope that hot lemon drink soothes you and that you have a good night's sleep. Chat soon. Are we all finished now?
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Post by Shirley on Dec 6, 2005 21:16:32 GMT
Well Claire, to answer your questions about the amount of characters, it wasn't that I felt there were too many, but I felt that some of them were depicted in a one-dimensional light - they were either a good cop or a bad cop. Take Thomas, for example - the negative aspects of his character were explored, but I'd like to have seen some redeeming features in him too seeing as he featured prominently in the book and was always in the background. He just got his come-uppance and that was that, but there was no growth for him - he seemed to be a scapegoat villian, and I had no hope for him coming to a realisation about his actions at the end. And I know there are people like him who are set in their ways and unwilling to change, but there was something about his depiction that made me wish that someone could help him to leave his narrow world at the end. I wanted a more rounded ending for him because nobody in the world is all bad.
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Post by Shirley on Dec 6, 2005 21:18:17 GMT
One more thing - I loved the bit in the book where the guys left IOU notes on the shelves - you'll know the bit I'm talking about. I thought it was hilarious!
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fiona
New Member
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Post by fiona on Dec 6, 2005 21:19:47 GMT
Megan, I read Chocolat years ago and it's set in France. Ashamed to admit that the french setting made it more attractive for me, seeing that I am not too far from the foot of Croagh Patrick!
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Post by claire on Dec 6, 2005 21:19:50 GMT
Yeah I think that's it. I don't have anything else to say either. It's been one of the best turnouts for the book club for a long time and it is so nice that people have actually read the book! I've come here before and we've just chatted. Thanks to everyone who joined in.
I loved the book and would deffinitly but another one of Marshas
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Post by claire on Dec 6, 2005 21:22:47 GMT
Shirley I thought you'd gone!! There are people that just can't change, no matter what.
The IOUs were great, that poor chap in the shop.Forgot about that
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Post by Shirley on Dec 6, 2005 21:23:55 GMT
I think overall, it's definitely a thumbs up from us for this book, would you agree? The bookclub is great Claire, I'll deffo be here for the next one.
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Post by claire on Dec 6, 2005 21:24:32 GMT
Fiona with the right words any setting could be romantic! It was johnny depp that made that film for me
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Post by claire on Dec 6, 2005 21:26:11 GMT
Glad you enjoyed it Shirley. we have to start thinking for the next one. On another thread there was a mention of Wishfull Thinking
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Post by Shirley on Dec 6, 2005 21:30:38 GMT
It was me who suggested that one, but I'm open to another book if you guys prefer. I know that a good few of us have read that one though. I must send you a PM about it Claire, because there were a few things at the end that I'd like to discuss with you - but I don't want to ruin the ending for anyone else!!!
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Post by claire on Dec 6, 2005 21:32:20 GMT
ok wonder now which one that would be
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fiona
New Member
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Post by fiona on Dec 6, 2005 21:35:11 GMT
Thanks for inviting me, I'll be along next time but with some preperations beforehand and I'll be faster on the refresh button!!! Look forward to many more posts.
Fiona
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Post by megan on Dec 6, 2005 21:37:00 GMT
Yes, I give this book the thumbs up too and have already recommended it to a friend who is going to bring it away ski-ing with her at Christmas. And about Thomas the bully, I think there really are people like that - unfortunately. ( I enjoyed the idea of his wife being a nymphomaniac!)
I really enjoyed this discussion and I'm delighted that I read the book. Thanks everyone and chat soon. xx
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Post by claire on Dec 6, 2005 21:37:52 GMT
Keep your eyes open for threads in the general section, Fiona, a lot of chat goes on there. If there is any book you would like to talk about please let us know. All members are invited to all book clubs! And anyone can suggest a book
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fiona
New Member
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Post by fiona on Dec 6, 2005 21:44:36 GMT
I'm going to check back at all the books reviews so far but I'll take a guess and say you've done Alice Seabold - the lovely bones already. Thanks Claire, for the warm welcome.
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Post by claire on Dec 6, 2005 21:45:28 GMT
That's it from me, my bed is calling out to me. I had a great time tonight, see you all soon
clairexx
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Post by claire on Dec 6, 2005 21:47:20 GMT
Fiona that book has not been done but plenty have talked about it! at the top of the page check your PM, personal messages
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Post by Shirley on Dec 6, 2005 21:48:24 GMT
Bye girls, we'll chat tomorrow. And Charlie, if you log in before me tomorrow, I hope it all went well!
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Post by charlene on Dec 6, 2005 22:52:06 GMT
Hi everyone I'm so sorry I didnt make it in time my exam was really hard and I was so stressed when I got back I had a headache as well and the boys wouldnt leave me alone you would think I had been away for a week any way I have read through your posts and you are going to be so mad with me when I tell you I never got the book read.. now just wait before you start shouting at me I tried three times to read the book I got half way through chapter one and I could not get into the book, I know megan said she is a lazy reader well I think I am a very lazy reader and the book was too hard for me to get into, I have had a lot on my mind and I had a sad loss over the past month ,now I'm not making excuses I'm just thinking maybe there has been too much on my mind to get into this book. I want to read it and I'm going to keep going back to it, I don't know maybe you will think I'm not very bright for not sticking with it... I tried., but I just found it wasnt the type of book I would normally read I know when I start a book I get staight into it and for me it didnt work.sorry girls I'm just telling the truth and I like Marsha shes a lovley lady God I feel so guilty.
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Post by megan on Dec 6, 2005 23:09:30 GMT
Hi Charlene!
Good to have you on and I'm sorry to hear that your exam was so hard! Like I said earlier Charlene I wouldn't have stuck with the book either if it wasn't for the book club. Some people like loads of description and others don't - I guess we fall into the latter catagory. And when I am tired, busy or stressed I like descriptive books even less. I just don't have the energy to access them. It sounds like you are in the same boat at the moment. I haven't read a decent book in months because I've been so busy in a play and then I was too tired when I was sick. ANd now I am frantically busy writing my own book so when I pick something up to read, I don't want to have to use my brain too much! It's good to be honest and that what a book club is all about, I presume. I know that if I were a published author I would be very interested to hear everyone's opinion - those who loved it and those who didn't. It is always illuminating to get people's reaction.
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Post by nicc on Dec 7, 2005 5:03:29 GMT
Claire I hope your headache is better now. Tianna has mild inflamation of the ear canal and a slightly inflamed throat, so she should be better in the next few days. Charlie glad that your exam is over for you now, sure you did fine with it though. I enjoyed Pom Soup but I found it to be the type of book that you could easily put down when other things had to get done. i didn't find there were too many characters but as someone previously said (sorry can't remember who) it would of been good to introduce them all slowly and made it into a longer book and told us more about the sisters. Sometimes I felt that this was a sequal to another book and we were just being briefed on things from a first book, just the way some things were skimmed over and not much depth too them. (Did that make sense to anyone) I will still buy another book from Marsha though, and will definately watch the movie when (if) it gets made.
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Post by megan on Dec 7, 2005 9:35:53 GMT
Hi Nic, yes, that made sense to me! I would definitely watch the movie too if it ever got made
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Post by susanmay on Dec 7, 2005 10:12:35 GMT
Sorry I couldn't make it last night you all seemed to have a great time. Claire hope your headache is gone and Nicc I hope Tianna is feeling better. Charlie don't feel bad after the first chapter I also wanted to put the book down and found I was reading it chapter by chapter rather than reading it almost straight through - not everybody likes the same books. Firstly I found this book difficult to get - it wasn't in Easons. I finally tracked it down to a small book shop in Lucan but couldn't find it on the shelves until the the girl checked it on her computer and found there was one in stock. This bookshop is tiny and yet this book was so difficult to find! Finally it was found in the cookery section! The cover on this book is stunning. One of the nicest covers I've ever seen. I read the first chapter and found the English very strong and heavy but as I went on to read the second chapter and the third and so on I really enjoyed it. My favourite character was Estele and I laughed out loud at the descriptions of how Mrs. Quigleys husband passed away ! I agree with Shirley I think Thomas Sr. may have been a bit of a scapegoat. If he was the bully he was made out to be would his wife have had an affair probably not because she possibly would have been afraid of him All in all this book was great entertainment. It was a cookery book, humerus, historical and a work of fiction all rolled in one. I can still taste the descriptions of the herbs and ingredients used in the sisters kitchen and the lentil soup sticks out most in my mind. This book is a wonderful old fashioned tale that you don't see much of today. Thats why it still sticks out in my mind while other stories I've read this year is long forgotten.
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Post by megan on Dec 7, 2005 10:28:49 GMT
hi Susan,
Yeah I agree with you, I won't forget this book in a hurry. It is so different!
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Post by susanmay on Dec 7, 2005 10:39:21 GMT
Hi Megan
There's just one more thing I forgot to mention I think there was too much detail in it for one book. The story could have been spread over a trilogy of books. Would love to see a film made of it.
I haven't read Chocolat but I have it it on DVD which I never got around to watch. Must look at it tonight!
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Post by Marian on Dec 7, 2005 10:53:25 GMT
Hi Girls sorry did not make it last night. A few points about the book, I would not have bought the book if Marsha had not come onto this site although the front cover was gorgeous I don;t think it would have appealed to me. Loved the book - love the way food is associated with mood and loved Marsha's descriptions. I would have liked more in depth about the sisters and less about the periphery characters. I know there is to be a sequel of this book and I am dying to read that. The one aspect I disliked was the heart attack in the kitchen, it did not seem necessary and felt a bit slap stick comedy. Overall loved the book and have even tried a couple of recipes.
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iulia
Full Member
Posts: 131
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Post by iulia on Dec 7, 2005 13:28:02 GMT
hey girls sorry i never made it last night. i tried to find the book in my library a couple of days ago, so id be ready, but never found it. i later got it from one of my friends and was skimming trough it to be able to caht to you last night, when my friend asked me to help her out on a project. i am going to re-read it and try to really get the feel of it, and will post more when I do. It sounds a bit slow going and i don't know how much i will enjoy it, as just like megan and a few others have said I love fast moving books that absorbe me into the action.
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Post by Oonagh on Dec 7, 2005 15:14:03 GMT
Hi all, Charlene your not the only one who is a lazy reader. Ok I tried on the train coming up the las t two nites to get into reading this book and still could not. The descriptions were way too heavy. Maybe ill leave it a while and try it again. I hve just too much on my plate . i need a easy book which doesnt involve too much brain power as im up mto my eyes in college work.
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Post by susanmay on Dec 7, 2005 15:51:52 GMT
Hi Julia and Oons
I found myself reading this book in the morning or the afternoon beacuse I'd be exhauseted by the evening and wouldn't want to pick it up. But do and try finish it it is a good tale.
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Post by claire on Dec 7, 2005 16:18:39 GMT
It is a book to read when you've nothing else on your mind and just let it flow from the pages
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