Virago Modern Classics discussion

In a poll for December 2024 won The Thinking Reed by Rebecca West.

Who is going to read it? How do you like it?

If you have read it already, or you are reading it at another (later) time - write here what you think about the book too.

[Please keep in mind to hide spoilers in spoiler brackets.]

Read this a while ago - It's on the Boxall 1000 (combined editions) to read before you die list.

Cphe wrote: "Read this a while ago - It's on the Boxall 1000 (combined editions) to read before you die list."

Did you like it? I want to try it.

I will read it. I will start as soon as I finish Challenge.

I finished it. I struggled a bit at first to get into the atmosphere of the book but after the first 100 pages it got better.
I really did not expect the ending. 
The portrait of the wealthy society of France in those years is merciless. Isabel is sick of it, after having lived there for a while.
(view spoiler)[I was struck by her reflections after the miscarriage:
Anyway it (death) should not have taken the child at such a stage and in such a way that sensible human opinion denied it a grave.
....
"This is absurd. At this stage it has no more consciousness than a sea-anemone or a limpet. It is absurd to feel about it as if it were a person whom I had known."
Luckily, nowadays there is greater sensitivity on the subject. (hide spoiler)]
Rebecca West's writing is very accurate, both in terms of characters and settings. If approached with patience, it then gives its rewards.

Daniela wrote: "I finished it. I struggled a bit at first to get into the atmosphere of the book but after the first 100 pages it got better.
I really did not expect the ending. 
The portrait of the wealthy socie..."

Since you have put it this way, I will have to consider giving it another try. This time I abandoned it.