Caroline’s Comments (group member since Nov 12, 2022)

Caroline’s comments from the Ranting and Reading Collective group.

Loved this book. So thought provoking and great for mulling over every night. The characters all felt really real and I could see them clear as day in my mind. I would really really like a TV series of this book. you could definitely get two entire seasons out of the book itself, exploring the other bits we didn't see as well. And then at least one more season that follows what happens next. What is life like for July and Shelby, as well as the long awaited highway reunion? I need this high production value tv shown in my life.

Same as the Jem and Kathryn, I loved this. It reminded me a lot of Little Women, one of my favourites growing up. The intensity of love and friendship and how so much that happens in your childhood is beyond not only your control but your scope of understanding. I love that it made me read more history and delve into events in greater detail. I particularly was very fond of the characters who all felt so real and developed to me. Ellie and Homa will stay with me for a long time.

I really liked it. I agree with Pamela that yes, the "reveal" I figured out way earlier than the character, and you are sitting there going well, duh. But I definitely got swept up in it, and I liked the duel time stories because I kept wanting to know how Mary and Eliza were connected to Lucy and Jess.

I really liked Jess's character and wished we'd had more from her POV.

I mean, everything Pamela says above is completely correct, but it was exactly the sort of book I was in the mood for, so I totally bought in 😁

I started this book thinking it way too high concept for me and I'd never really get into it but somewhere along the way I got swept up in the narrative and the concepts. I love how it comes so close to being pretentious but never takes itself too seriously and throws a laugh your way every now and then. There was even a reference in the final section that made me squeal with delight by taking one of my favourite TV shows and using it for a metaphor. It makes you think about romance novels, particularly sapphic romance, from a lot of angles while at the same time keeping you interested in the romance itself. A surprising one for me but really enjoyed it.

I loved this book. By sheer coincidence I read a book before it for another book group that on the face of it has a very similar premise - someone in their early 20s is struggling, has dropped out of University and finds it hard to make connections with people. However where The Blob (the other book) has unlikeable selfish characters with no self awareness, Small Joys is just pure loveableness. All the main characters are people you want to be friends with. On reflection I wonder if this is the difference between writing a book in your 20s and writing a book about being in your 20s but when you are older and can see things more clearly.

This book was written in 2009. I didn't realise that going in. I also think I was expecting a filled out world with an explanation for how things had gone differently, like the Man in the High Tower, rather than the Jonathan Swift inspired satire it is.

The descriptive powers of Bernardine Evaristo are extremely good. She paints a scene so clearly you can picture every aspect. Like any good book examining slavery you constantly wonder at the inhumane cruelty inflicted on people and how any person could treat another that way.

I think that overall I just didn't feel the concept, switching Africa and Europe around, came into play really. The book was at its most hard hitting when it was telling experiences and stories that were rooted in the reality of the slave trade and the switcheroo made little difference. Of course that partly the point, but I just felt like the book didn't quite land the concept the way it should, like Noughts and Crosses for example. Melding concepts from centuries and continents, while satirical, felt inconsistent to me.

But I have to wonder what 2009 me would have thought of it. The world was a very different place 15 years ago and the national conversations around race were very different. I think I'd have found it far more eye opening and hard hitting then than I do now.

I struggled with this book but I know its me and not the book. The translators note at the end is so helpful in putting context to the writing. I'm not great with poetry and this book really is poetry. I'm not great with really talented art. I'm the sister looking at the Jackson Pollack and not getting it. Bizarrely my breakthrough came when I changed the voice I was reading it in my head. When the voice in my head was this incredibly worldly wise Spanish woman who didn't give a fuck and lived this amazing life of sex and art and experience, I think I just found it too intimidating for little old dull British me. I was watching Bad Sisters on Apple TV at the time and so one night I started reading it in an Irish accent in my head and suddenly I started to hear the humour and the pain in a way I didn't before. It seemed more relatable suddenly.

Essentially this is a really good book. Not what I would choose for my bedtime reading generally, but nonetheless, I can recognise how good the writing (and the translation!) is. And when it ended so abruptly , I genuinely wanting more so clearly I liked it!

I'm really starting to appreciate the quarter stars you can give on Storygraph. This was a solid four star read for me the whole way through until it finished. I just didn't feel very satisfied by the ending. Endings are of course really hard to do well but I just felt this one slightly missed the mark. I thought the characters were fantastically real and I have pictures in my head of what they all look like. I raced through this book as I had to know what happened next and it was great fun reading it. Just as I say slightly left feeling meh by the ending. But then again that's 90% of Time travel fiction for you!

OK so I got started a little early on the list but I needed an audiobook for driving up and down the country repeatedly over Christmas and while I'm not one for audiobooks generally, hearing that Sandi was reading it herself made me enthusiastic.

I could not have asked for a better Christmas book. There's something just marvellous about this books, yes it's sweet and twee in many ways but it does not shy away from the dark sides of life and the terrible things that happen. It just gives you a hug and says we'll get through this and here's how. I loved every character in it but obviously Dorothy herself is my favourite. I hope I get to be Dorothy when I grow up and I would move to Grimaldi Place in a heartbeat. Great book to start the list with!

Love this xx

What you said. I did struggle with such an unlikeable narrator at first, but once I was halfway through, I had to finish the book as quickly as possible. The problem I had at the start is I could genuinely never understand what her problem with Athena was. But I liked the idea that all writers are stealing in some way, stealing emotions and experiences. The social media and fame side of the story just made me extremely glad I've broken my Twitter addiction. Sure I'll have more thoughts at some point but right now just really glad I read it. My mind has been provoked in lots of directions, but I'm mostly glad I don't think like Junie!

I've decided to stop this one after Part 1. I thought it was well written, the characters felt really real. As above, I felt all the sense of frustration and fear and the challenges of impossible decisions. It was just too bleak for me to carry on. Basically it's a great book but it's not what I want to read right now. I'm too scared for what's going to happen to Martha and what she's going to have to do.

Kind of scared to read this. Not sure that's the right word but definitely an apprehension about it. Topic and theme combined with my usual inability to read non fiction books. But you've made me think it might be doable with this.

This was such a good book. I loved how it was written, how it was structured, how it was paced. It deals with some tough stuff, abuse, murder, racism, but it's also filled with spooky stuff and it does a good job of balancing the fear. The drama starts at the start and every time you think you can't get more tense, it ramps up and I spent the last 20% of the book in a constant state of tension but yet...it still felt joyful and light in its way. Top recommendation 10/10

Read 80% of this book in one night. Since it was 3am I had to go to sleep. Finished it the next night. Really hits so many buttons and absolutely loved it. It seems I highlighted one quote, "When women understand these basic concepts, they can begin to see the false limits that have been created for them.” “You mean by men.” “I mean by artificial cultural and religious policies that put men in the highly unnatural role of single-sex leadership. Even a basic understanding of chemistry reveals the danger of such a lopsided approach."

Scruffy wrote: "Oh man, I feel a bit broken.

I love Gideon, I wanted nothing but the best for her. I was even coming around to Harrow!

Excellent book, really enjoyed it, although it appears to have slowed me dow..."

You can see why I had to reread the first book after the next two!

I really liked it - felt very sweet.

I was very happily taken along for this swashbuckling romp with magic. The end was very sappy but I still liked it. I liked how it touched on the dark but didn't wallow in it and still kept going as an adventure.

Well I've done it. I read it. I was so anxious because a) I know how much it means to some people and b) it comes with so many trigger warnings. Even about 7% in (love Kindle %) I was still apprehensive as I wasn't in the mood for some self indulgent art students (oh JB - I wish you weren't the character I identified with the most). But then I slowly found myself in another world. I don't read a lot of serious grown up books but when I do and it makes me utterly captivated I know that's good writing. You'll cry but you'll smile and laugh as well. And then cry again. Lots. But it's great.

Yay. Glad you enjoyed, and yes the ending is chaotic and unsatisfying but of course there is a sequel