|
Post by claire on Mar 12, 2007 13:09:03 GMT
Tonight is the night that we chat about this wonderful first book from Mairead. We start around 8pm. Look forward to seeing you all later
|
|
|
Post by megan on Mar 12, 2007 13:14:03 GMT
Oh, Claire,
I am delighted you set this thread up already. I will put up my post before 8 p.m and then join in again later as I have dance class this evening. Should be back at around 10 p.m.
thanks,
Megan
|
|
|
Post by Karen on Mar 12, 2007 19:14:31 GMT
I'd actually forgotten tonight was book club night. Whoops. I should be around though.
|
|
|
Post by megan on Mar 12, 2007 19:21:07 GMT
Now, I’ve forgotten many of the names and I don’t have the book in front of me so I hope you can follow this. The story begins with Linda (I think?) – long blonde hair and a bit of a ‘B’. I have read about so many nasty good-looking girls in novels that I could take her or leave her, however I could see how, by beginning with her, we were introduced to the whole idea of Pebble Cove – the exclusive housing development. Then we moved on to Amy – a ‘nice’ nurse. I didn’t really bond with Amy either – she was just too nice and had no flaws that I could see, however I was interested in her job as a nurse and could imagine her arriving on nights and taking over duties from the other nurses. When I read this book I was sharing a house with a couple whose daughter was born at 25 five weeks, and it really helped me understand what they went through. That been said, I felt that this story line was drawn out a bit much – at times I felt that I was being given reams of information on premature babies and the story wasn’t moving forward. I could relate to what the parents were going through, but apart from their anxiety over Alex I felt that didn’t get to know these characters at all and I would have liked to. I couldn’t tell you one thing about the husband or wife other than they were happily married and their son was born early. (Oh know, hang on a sec – the wife liked reading) My absolute favourite story line in this book was about Shane and his mother Nora. I did not expect Shane’s best friend to die one night out in a club. His story came across as very real to me: the description of his depression and having to take time off from work. Also how Nora nursed him through it. This story line is what I remember about this book. Another character I enjoyed was Linda’s boyfriend, who worked with her in her father’s firm. I got into his head and felt that I knew him. I also knew that he would end up with Amy, and suspected that Peter, her boyfriend, would have to disappear somehow – we never were allowed to get too fond of him. One thing that I found slowed the book down was the way we were often told why someone said something after they said it. I notice this in a lot of popular fiction. (I have to work hard at cutting it out of my own writing!!) As a reader I like to work out why someone said something myself – hopefully it is obvious why they said it from the dialogue – and not have a paragraph afterwards explaining why. I thought the concept of the exclusive housing estate was an appealing one. Kind of like the American series ‘Knots Landing’ an off-shoot of Dallas. And was satisfied in the end when the horrible girl left them all having a loud party together.
|
|
|
Post by claire on Mar 12, 2007 20:18:21 GMT
The first I heard of this book was from Oonagh who had read it over the Christmas. She had bought it because there was a nurse, finally, in the 'main role'. I got stuck into it from the beginning and couldn't put it down.
Linda was the classic *B* but I couldn't quite hate her. I felt sorry for her really, she was so stuck up her own backside. And with not being able to name her house was a sign that she wasn't going to stay. Charlie her boyfriend was truly lovely, and as Megan said it was set from the start that he was going to end up with Amy. I loved the hill walking parts and that we knew from the beginning that she was a avid walking fan. I also like the sound of Peter and felt robbed that he was got rid of in that way. I know a lot of people die young but it really saddened me. I did like Amy and loved the sound of her job. I had 3 kids in the baby unit and although they were ok, it was just to keep an eye on them, I had seen a lot of things going on there. One of the saddest was when a baby died and they could do nothing for him. And there was me with two healthy babies, side by side. How I cried that night. I thought the whole baby unit, shifts and other staff members was great to read about and loved it each time we went back to the hospital. On reflection Megan, you're right, we got to know little about Alex's parents but I enjoy reading about his progress. Shanes story was the one that hit me the most. I didn't expect the friend to die either. The whole story line was very engrossing, the way he coped with it and how the whole thing shock him up. I liked both him and his mother.
I loved the idea of the private estate but thought of naming the houses pushing it a bit. I wouldn't have a clue as to what to name one. But I liked the idea that each chapter started with the house name instead of numbering them.
And I loved the party at the end. It did leave me wondering how they all would be say 5 years on.
|
|
|
Post by claire on Mar 12, 2007 20:20:04 GMT
Hi girls, I see there are a few on line.
Megan has already got the ball rolling and it took me ages to type that up!
so what have you lot got to say
|
|
|
Post by nicc on Mar 12, 2007 20:27:42 GMT
Like Karen I don't have the book in front of me and I can't find the notes I had written down so you'll have to bare with me. I really enjoyed this book. A couple of the characters I couldn't really take to though. I couldn't stand Shane. There was just something about him that just didn't appeal to me. I liked Amy, she was probably my favourite. I loved reading about her job. I also liked the couple with the baby, can't remember their names sorry. I didin't feel that the story line was drawn out to long though. i actually liked that it was. I find in alot of books something like that happens in one chapter then the next everyone is fine and all happy again. I think Pebble Cove gave us a realistic view of premature births. It's made me understand, and sympathise more, with people who are in that situation. I couldn't really take to Linda either. Spoilt B...ch! Can't remember too else at this sage but will add more as I think of it.
|
|
|
Post by Shirley on Mar 12, 2007 20:31:24 GMT
Just online now, sorry for being late. Will read through all the comments first before I post my opinions so that I don't repeat anything that's already been said.
|
|
|
Post by claire on Mar 12, 2007 20:33:06 GMT
Deirdre and Marcus Flemming were the parents
I would have liking to have gotten to know the other nurses, they were a lovely bunch.
Lind was the bad one, but someone has to be, don't they
|
|
|
Post by Karen on Mar 12, 2007 20:33:49 GMT
This is my review which I did at the time, will post more thoughts as the evening goes on.
Pebble Cove is the debut novel from Irish writer Mairead O'Driscoll and after reading it, I am now eagerly awaiting her second book.
There are quite a few characters throughout the book, but it mainly focuses on the people who live in an exclusive housing development made up of just four houses, called Pebble Cove, while the other people that you come across are those that make an appearance in the lives of the residents like work colleagues etc.
The mains ones are Linda Colton and her boyfriend Charlie who both work for Linda's father and whose relationship is slowly falling apart, Deirdre and Marcus Fleming whose lives take a dramatic turn when Deirdre gives birth to their son prematurely, Shay Deegan who has to face reality when tragedy strikes and Amy Harkin who finally finds happiness only to have it snatched away from her shortly afterwards. All of them are really likable, other than Linda that is who comes across as completely spoilt by her father and who expects to get what she wants, when she wants it, but even she has a few good points.
My favourite character was Amy, a nurse in a Neonatal ward. The chapters focusing on her and the ones on Deirdre and Marcus were the best as I just loved reading about the many little steps and hurdles that Alex has to overcome in his first few months of life. The book is filled with little details about what happens on a Neonatal ward, from the machines and procedures that premature babies have to go through, to the hours of worry from the parents, to the smiles and laughter from the staff, every little detail was interesting and written in a way that didn't make it too overbearing or confusing.
The title of Pebble Cove sounds idyllic before you even start reading and the cover of the book also looks really warm and inviting with very serene and beautiful colours used on it.
From the moment I started reading it to the moment I turned the last page, I was hooked. In fact I loved it so much, I was disappointed it had to end. This is the kind of book that I would love to read a sequel to, but regardless of whether Mairead O'Driscoll writes a follow up or a book entirely away from this one, I will definitely be rushing out to buy it the moment it is published.
|
|
|
Post by claire on Mar 12, 2007 20:34:14 GMT
great to see you Shirley, take your time.
And Karen it's nice to have you here too.
What time is it Nic down under
|
|
|
Post by Karen on Mar 12, 2007 20:35:31 GMT
And Karen it's nice to have you here too. Thanks. It's been a while since I've participated in a book club because I haven't been able to track down the books, so it's great to be here tonight with a book that I've actually read.
|
|
|
Post by claire on Mar 12, 2007 20:37:01 GMT
From the moment I started reading it to the moment I turned the last page, I was hooked. In fact I loved it so much, I was disappointed it had to end. This is the kind of book that I would love to read a sequel to, but regardless of whether Mairead O'Driscoll writes a follow up or a book entirely away from this one, I will definitely be rushing out to buy it the moment it is published. well said
|
|
|
Post by nicc on Mar 12, 2007 20:41:07 GMT
It's 7.39 am here Claire. i'm going to have to go soon though as I need to get to shops, I'm still in my PJ's so need to get ready. And yes I'll also be reading the next Mairead book. I wonder if she will be on here tonight.
|
|
|
Post by Karen on Mar 12, 2007 20:43:49 GMT
When I read this book I was sharing a house with a couple whose daughter was born at 25 five weeks, and it really helped me understand what they went through. That been said, I felt that this story line was drawn out a bit much – at times I felt that I was being given reams of information on premature babies and the story wasn’t moving forward. I guess I do agree with you about the lack of info regarding the parents, but I loved these scenes. The scenes focusing on Amy, particularly when she was at work, and the ones on Marcus and Deirdre were in my opinion the best. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed reading about the others, but if the book had been purely on these three and set entirely around the neonatal ward I would have been happy.
|
|
|
Post by claire on Mar 12, 2007 20:45:01 GMT
I think the information made it more realistic
|
|
|
Post by Shirley on Mar 12, 2007 20:47:07 GMT
Damn! You've all already summed up aspects of what I thought about the book! So much for not repeating things...ok, I'll keep it brief. I enjoyed the concept of the housing estate as a structure for the story. I liked the fact that the depiction of premature birth was so accurate - we were never in any doubt that the author knew what she was writing about. I loved Shay's story - I knew from reading the blurb that he would be the one I would be most interested in. It says on the blurb "But when tragedy strikes, the young accountant is forced to re-evaluate his life" - I read this and didn't think for a minute that it would be someone in his peer group, so it was good to be jolted back into the story with the Ken incident (poor Ken!). I love stories of recovery and seeing how people get there, so I was very interested in his journey throughout the book. I really felt for him, and although the situation with Deirdre and Marcus was just as tragic, I read about what was happening to Alex in a more informational way than in an emotional way - so many things had to be done with the little mite that I was too busy taking the info in to really feel anything except for hope that he would survive, whereas I kind of went through Shay's recuperation with him. I kind of felt as well that it was inevitable that Alex would grow and get better, whereas with Shay, it wasn't as predictable how he was going to pull himself out of his depression (to me anyway, but maybe that's just down to personal preferences). I have to wholeheartedly echo what Megan said about explanations being given as to the motivation behind everything that each character said. It really made me feel like I was chugging through the book. I'd just get into a good run of dialogue when there would be a paragraph of explanation that I didn't feel was merited - I had worked out why the character said whatever they said for myself, and then I found it hard to get back into the flow of the chapter.
|
|
|
Post by Karen on Mar 12, 2007 20:47:54 GMT
I think the information made it more realistic ^ Exactly. And I just found it really interesting without feeling like there was too much info. I think Maireed got the balance just right. I could actually picture all the little things the nurses did.
|
|
|
Post by Shirley on Mar 12, 2007 20:49:20 GMT
Karen, you're a great woman for the reviews. You should write them for magazines!
|
|
|
Post by Karen on Mar 12, 2007 20:49:37 GMT
Aww! Thanks.
|
|
|
Post by claire on Mar 12, 2007 20:50:32 GMT
well you still had plenty to say Shirley!
|
|
|
Post by claire on Mar 12, 2007 20:51:23 GMT
Oonagh has just logged on
|
|
|
Post by Shirley on Mar 12, 2007 20:51:34 GMT
Felt like I was typing there for ages!
|
|
|
Post by claire on Mar 12, 2007 20:52:20 GMT
Karen, you're a great woman for the reviews. You should write them for magazines! yep you should give it a go
|
|
|
Post by Karen on Mar 12, 2007 20:54:34 GMT
And yes I'll also be reading the next Mairead book. I wonder if she will be on here tonight. Did anyone contact either Mairead or her brother in law Aaron to remind them that we were discussing this book tonight? Just nipping away for a couple of minutes to get a cup of tea. I will be back!
|
|
|
Post by claire on Mar 12, 2007 20:57:08 GMT
sorry I keep forgetting about that sort of thing. I really should send out reminders but I've done that before but nobody else ever turns up, just us lot.
|
|
|
Post by Shirley on Mar 12, 2007 20:57:50 GMT
I had 3 kids in the baby unit and although they were ok, it was just to keep an eye on them, I had seen a lot of things going on there. One of the saddest was when a baby died and they could do nothing for him. And there was me with two healthy babies, side by side. How I cried that night. Claire, that's so sad!
|
|
|
Post by Shirley on Mar 12, 2007 20:58:30 GMT
Well, at least there are a good gang of us online tonight for the chat!
|
|
|
Post by claire on Mar 12, 2007 21:01:01 GMT
love your avatar Shirley, Oons should get on too
I still see the doctor walking away from the baby and the nurse said if he gives up then there is no hope. It's so sad and every year around the twins birthday I still think of the woman
|
|
|
Post by Oonagh on Mar 12, 2007 21:04:59 GMT
Hi girl s will look at the thread properly later up to my eyes!!
|
|