21st Century Literature discussion

Now you've done .
What do you think ?
Did you listen to the playlist ?
Are you tempted to go there ?

I don't have much to add from what I said in prior threads. I think the author had a fascinating time and place, and wasn't quite up to the job of making it come alive.

Thanks Witney . I've now also finished the book and can see your point . At times the prose was clichéd and there were some stereotypes and descriptions that were , although a reflection of attitudes of the period , were jarring . I couldn't decide whether some of the more pedestrian prose was due to translation and also did wonder whether the author was parodying Ian Fleming when we encountered the exploits of our playboy double agent .

All that said I did enjoy the novel as I found the mix of real and fictional characters interesting and , although I was initially concerned it might drift into sentiment , there was just enough of a hint of realism and edge to keep me engaged .

I certainly learned something of the refugee experience both in a certain class of European ( mainly rich ) and the war experience in both Yugoslavia and Portugal .

Only 50 pages left to go before I finish.

I find what happened to Bruno haunting - I wish he had been more of a focus and that the book had gone a bit deeper into his story and history. I would have liked to have known his story.

Yes Greg . I felt the same . I've just watched a documentary about Ian Fleming , fronted by Joanna Lumley, and not a whiff of Portugal got a mention .

Hester wrote: "I've just watched a documentary about Ian Fleming , fronted by Joanna Lumley, and not a whiff of Portugal got a mention ."

Sounds interesting Hester - I'm really curious if the depiction in the book is accurate.

I guess at a minimum, there's some irony in Dusko's old-school womanizing character . . . given that Fleming is one of the proponents of that type of man in his work (the charming sexist womanizer), and Fleming himself is depicted in this book as clueless and out of his depth. He's depicted as someone lost in his own fantasies . . . a wannabe spy, someone who is misled by his own fantasies and lost in a mystique of his own creation.

I'm really not sure how to take Dusko's depiction. I find his depiction puzzling. Personally, I find him off-putting, and I can't tell from the text whether the author means me to find him appealing or not. His depiction doesn't feel exactly like a parody, where Dusko is meant to be ridiculous. But I don't see how I can take him at face value either. What I can't figure out is whether the author is buying into that mystique, or ironically commenting on it, or maybe half buying in and half ironic at the same time? I really don't have an answer.

My favorite part of the book was the beginning where the focus was on the boy and his interactions with the various guests. That part was a marvelously fun read, I thought. And there were several moments of poignancy with regards to the refugees plight that I also appreciated.

I definitely learned a lot about the history of the era as I found myself looking up a lot of information about the various personalities encountered. Thanks for the nomination and for leading it. I hope you're starting to recover from the virus, and best wishes for you to be fully healed soon!

Yes Greg . I feel the same about Dusko...not quite sure if the author's intent . And it's impossible to know which version of Fleming's Portuguese demeanor is more true to life but I found Dusko's story interesting in that it did mirrors Fleming's in terms of class and privilege.

I really have to thank Greg and Hester for keeping this conversation my interest going throughout the month. I felt this was more a book I could enjoy reading then analyze and I benefited from all of your contributions.

Sam wrote: "I really have to thank Greg and Hester for keeping this conversation my interest going throughout the month. I felt this was more a book I could enjoy reading then analyze and I benefited from all ..."

Thanks Sam! :)

Sorry for my lack of participation while you all were reading. I had intended to be part of the discussion, but I slowly read the book while in Portugal for 2 weeks in February and never went online. And it is too hard to comment on my phone!

I enjoyed the book. I like historical fiction and have read a lot of it in connection with WWII. I learned new things from this book, which is always a positive.

I did not get to Estroil to see the hotel, but Portugal is well worth a visit. It was our third trip, with our first in 2006 and second in 2010. We won't wait 14 years to again visit! I did not listen to the playlist. I rarely listen to music.

I rounded my 3.5 rating to a 4 but just as easily have rounded down to 3. Enjoyable but nothing special.

LindaJ^ wrote: "Sorry for my lack of participation while you all were reading. I had intended to be part of the discussion, but I slowly read the book while in Portugal for 2 weeks in February and never went onlin..."

Vacationing in Portugal wins over commenting on a novel taking place in Portugal.

Do you have a place there you usually visit, or do you go to different places each time? Are you adding Estoril to the "places to visit" list?

To date, Whitney, we have gone to different places -- first Lisbon area, second Porto area, and this last time the bottom half of the country. I loved Evora and the central area the most and hope to return. There are lots of farms, castles in walled villages, and few tourists. The biking was great (the weather was unusually warm for February) and the wine is good -- what more can one want?!

I do not think Estoril is a must see for me, although it would be cool to visit the hotel. Maybe fly into Lisbon and spend the first night there, as it is only 15 miles from the airport -- https://www.palacioestorilhotel.com/.

What fun you've had Linda and , I agree , it isn't a hefty novel but one I'm glad to have read . (I enjoyed the playlist and sometimes make my own to match the novel I'm reading.....must get a life ha ha) .