Books and Jams Readalong discussion

We've gotten started. What do you think so far? Do you have expectations for the rest of the book? Are you able to connect with the writing style or finding it difficult?

Hi everyone!
The first few chapters were slightly difficult to get into for me; I honestly thought them a bit boring. But I'm currently about to start chapter 8, and I'm fully invested now. It wasn't until Maxim asked our narrator to marry him that I got more interested. (I wonder if we'll ever know her name!?)
No character is really standing out to me so far.

Jenna (JenTheLibrarian) wrote: "Hi everyone!
The first few chapters were slightly difficult to get into for me; I honestly thought them a bit boring. But I'm currently about to start chapter 8, and I'm fully invested now. It was..."

I agree with you Jenna, I had a hard time getting into the story to begin with, but I only struggled with the first two chapters. I found the first chapter to have a bit too much detailed descriptions for me to comfortably settle into the narrative, and the second chapter had me a bit confused when she went from telling us about her current life to going back in time to talk about Monte Carlo.

However, I did think they did a good job of setting up the mystery surrounding Manderley - what happened to them there? Why can't they go back there? Those questions kept me going, and now that I'm at chapter 5 I'm really invested in the story!

Started reading today. I am already hooked. I liked how she described Manderley. She made it seem mysterious but at the same time like it could have once been a beautiful place.
It did have me asking why they couldn't go back and what brought the narrator out of her shell. She describes herself in chapter two like a very unworldly shy girl. Also she makes it seem like she isn't a servant but everyone seems to think she is. Is she ?
Looking forward to reading on.

I actually liked the first chapter. There's something darkly mysterious about nature overtaking Manderley. And while its deserted now, Manderley is still haunted by its past (e.g., when the interior becomes lit). But yes, I found the second chapter confusing when it switched to her past.

I like the writing style and the mystery of it a. It sort of made me sad thinking of the past like that but I'm intrigued to read further.

Sooo ... are we supposed to not like Maxim? Because I don't 😬
Why does everybody know Manderley? The narrator says she picked up a postcard picture of it when she was younger. Is it like the Biltmore, or maybe that place they use for Downton Abbey? It doesn't seem like it's a tourist attraction, so I'm not sure why people are so hung up on it?

I'm not particularly impressed with Maxim either, but from what I gather in Ch. 1-2, he seems to be the garden variety gothic man-child: moody, depressed, and over-dramatic. I half expect him to start failing physically from an inability to deal with stress. While I can't deal with guys like him in real life, I can't get enough of characters like him in novels, haha!

I love that we have a mixture of first impressions! I found the first two chapters a bit hard to get through. The descriptions certainly set the scene for a dark, mysterious story, but I ended chapter two without a sense of that story at all. Pressing on and I'm sure it will get better.

The back and forth style of the story is a bit confusing, even knowing what I do from the movie. I'm hoping that style doesn't continue and we get a much more straightforward tale.

It does seem very atmospheric, which I do like.

I started yesterday. Although I have read it twice before, I think I am going to enjoy it.

I read the first two chapters today and have to confess: I'm not in love with it yet.
Like Krista mentioned, I don't have any idea of what is going on - other than Manderley is lost and she was fearful in the past. I'm not even sure I know the narrator's name (I know I don't know it, I'm just not sure if it was given).
As with most classical literature, I do think the writing style and vocabulary is so much richer than what we find today which is a lovely experience.

Stick with it, Cassie. Hopefully, you will get into the story in a few chapters.

Cassie wrote: "I read the first two chapters today and have to confess: I'm not in love with it yet.
Like Krista mentioned, I don't have any idea of what is going on - other than Manderley is lost and she was fe..."

I've found it does get a bit easier to read as I go along, but it had a slow start for sure. I think I've heard that we will never learn the narrator's name. Not sure I like that.

So I started the book yesterday evening, and it was raining outside, so very gloomy, and I love it already. Totally fit with the vibes of the book. I want to know what happened to Manderley! I also want to know why Maxim and the narrator are no longer there....hmmm mysterious!