Lush Library discussion

My copy hasn't arrived yet *feels panicky*. I ordered the hardback from the US as it was cheaper than the paperback here. Hope it won't take too much longer, as I can't wait to get started on it. Who has their copy already?

Kirsty did you order yours from the US? Mine was apparently shipped on the 16th April but Amazon reckon it could take up to the 15th May to arrive ... seems odd that it should be so slow.

Anyways thought I'd start the spoiler free thread now ... and hope that I'll be able to play catch up soon. x

I've got my copy but have a few other things I have to read first. I'm looking forward to this though, I like books that are based on fact.

I know there is a difference in how fast mail is delivered depending on what State it comes from. I've only ever had one book arrive at the end of it's delivery estimate. It's worth the wait x

Sophia wrote: "I've got my copy but have a few other things I have to read first. I'm looking forward to this though, I like books that are based on fact."

I'm a bit confused by the disclaimer at the start:/

Mine is coming from the US as well! Amazon says it could take up to 17th May to arrive, so maybe a few of us will be reading it in the latter half of the month...

Mine arrived today! very slow delivery as I got a dispatch e-mail on 17 April but then it has come all the way from...Slough.
Perhaps it took the scenic route

I ordered 2 other books from the States ( & - geek;) on the same day - Alice is the only one that has arrived.

Jo - you made me chuckle. HB or PB?

Kirsty wrote: "Sophia wrote: "I've got my copy but have a few other things I have to read first. I'm looking forward to this though, I like books that are based on fact."

I'm a bit confused by the disclaimer a..."

Mine's a paperback. Do you mean the 'this is a work of fiction' bit? I'm assuming it means it's based on real life events but she's had to imagine what people might have said and thought at the time?

Jo wrote: "Kirsty wrote: "Sophia wrote: "I've got my copy but have a few other things I have to read first. I'm looking forward to this though, I like books that are based on fact."

I'm a bit confused by t..."

that's what I'm hoping - "Alice I have been is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events; to real people, living or dead, or to real locales are intended only to give the fiction a setting in historical reality. Other names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and their resemblance, if any, to real-life counterparts is entirely coincidental." - I'm hoping that she had to put the disclaimer to save any hassle.

Kirsty wrote: "Jo wrote: "Kirsty wrote: "Sophia wrote: "I've got my copy but have a few other things I have to read first. I'm looking forward to this though, I like books that are based on fact."

I'm a bit conf..."

I really hope that's just a legal requirement, otherwise I'm going to feel a little cheated :-/

Mine has arrived (and is apparently signed by the author?!) and I ordered around the same time as you, Ness, so perhaps yours isn't too far away!

signed? Very nice :)

The pages are set in larger type and wider spacing - makes for less words but I'm finding it slows my reading a bit as I'm used to smaller type. I get the feeling it's justification is to remind the reader of the basis of the content. Also the rough cut paper makes it feel like a much older book (glad I didn't have to cut the pages apart)

That's a nice surprise Soupy, to have it come signed. Mine hasn't arrived yet. I've started Perfume whilst I'm waiting.

As far as I've read about Alice I Have Been, it's based on as much fact as Melanie Benjamin could research, apparently she does research quite deeply. Some of the letters between Lewis Carroll and Alice Liddell were destroyed by both families, there was quite some animosity as Alice reached her teens, and she was eventually forbidden to contact her old friend. In our book, MB as had to invent in places to fill in the gaps.

I'm being quite slow with this, not because I don't like it, just that I seem to have a lot to do at the moment and no time for reading. Hopefully I will have some more time this week

I feel awful that my copy hasn't arrived yet :(

Don't feel bad. It'll arrive soon.
Jo - it took awhile to grip me then tonight i didn't want to put it down.

Well my copy is here at last! ... bit disappointed that it hasn't come as described though. I ordered a hardback and it's arrived as a rough paperback advanced copy - uncorrected proof. Never read an uncorrected proof before, is there usually much difference?

I'll put Perfume on hold for now although I'm enjoying it and start on this one. Hopefully there won't be much between this and the published copy. I just don't like the rough feel of the cover. Never mind, it's a small thing and at least it's here :)

I'd e-mail them and get a refund as it's not even the format described. I finished it last night and it even got The Mr and I talking about it (a rare thing since he only reads when on holiday). I had a proof copy of White is for Witching - I think you'd need a normal copy to compare to and see if their are differences. My copy of perfume still hasn't arrived but funnily enough those other books I ordered from the States arrived today too:)

I would contact them about it, too, Ness!

I finished Perfume a couple of days ago so I've started this one now. I've only got a vague recollection of what it's about so I'm intrigued!

Thanks guys, I emailed the store in the US and they've been really nice and refunded me. I've also ordered another hardback from somewhere else, as I think it's a book I'd like a decent copy of.

I'm liking it so far :)

It's interesting isn't it, are we ready for a spoiler thread yet?

Oh yes! Sorry. I'll get one up tonight. x

OK, I've JUST started this and already, on page 8, I have encountered a massive pet peeve of mine. Alice Hargreaves, a Victorian ENGLISH lady would never have uttered the words, "I am tired of being Alice, period". Why can't American publishers find a Brit to check books with British characters before they send the thing off to the printers? Basic errors like this just make me want to hurl the thing across the room before I've even begun!

Kirsty noticed that Melanie Benjamin would like to hear from book clubs :) I've just sent an email to let her know that we're reading a long and requesting signed book plates if she doesn't mind posting them overseas.

It would be lovely to hear from her anyway. Let me know if you have any questions I could pass on.

I've heard back from Melanie Benjamin :) She kindly said that she would be happy to send me some signed book plates, so if anyone wants one, can you message me with your address and I'll request a number and send them on to you. Also if there are any questions you have for Melanie then I can include in my email back to her.

I'm halfway through Alice, and I'm so loving the writing, it's really beautifully written. I'd definitely seek out more books by her. I'm also impressed at how much attention to detail and character there is. Much of what I have read so far, I've found to be reasonably accurate from other sources that I've been looking at. For example the close friendship that Charles Dodgson and John Ruskin had and of others that were at Christ Church at the this time, Prince Leopold for one.

I never really believed that Charles Dodgson was a paedophile and that debate is still very much in the air ... he did love to include little girls in his photography though, but then in context the Victorians innocently celebrated cherub-like nudity, in a way that may be viewed sinisterly in this day and age.

John Ruskin however did write in his autobiography of his preference for young girls and he did fall in love with his 10 year old muse Rose Latouche. When he did eventually marry, he couldn't consummate his marriage as the adult female form repelled him so much. I didn't know very much about John Ruskin before, or Prince Leopold. I've enjoyed reading up about them and then comparing to the story.

I've not had as much reading time as I've wanted these last few days, but I'm hoping to finish in the next couple of days. It's certainly a book that I'm enjoying diving into.

That's so nice that she replied - I'll try to think of a question. It would be really great to have more author interaction for future books:)

What is a book plate? Sorry for being dumb ;)

I have just started this, yes Sophia I picked up on the 'period' too it didn't spoil it though I just twitched a little hehe!

I'm at page 56 is it just me or is Mr Dodgson a little bit strange it makes me feel a bit uncomfortable...

Sam (VanillaFountain) wrote: "I'm at page 56 is it just me or is Mr Dodgson a little bit strange it makes me feel a bit uncomfortable..."

I felt like that too but it gets better/eases off x

Sam (VanillaFountain) wrote: "I'm at page 56 is it just me or is Mr Dodgson a little bit strange it makes me feel a bit uncomfortable..."

I felt like that too but it gets better/eases off x

Sam (VanillaFountain) wrote: "I'm at page 56 is it just me or is Mr Dodgson a little bit strange it makes me feel a bit uncomfortable..."

I felt like that too but it gets better/eases off x

Sam (VanillaFountain) wrote: "I'm at page 56 is it just me or is Mr Dodgson a little bit strange it makes me feel a bit uncomfortable..."

I felt like that too but it gets better/eases off x

Sam (VanillaFountain) wrote: "I'm at page 56 is it just me or is Mr Dodgson a little bit strange it makes me feel a bit uncomfortable..."

I felt like that too but it gets better/eases off x

Sam (VanillaFountain) wrote: "I'm at page 56 is it just me or is Mr Dodgson a little bit strange it makes me feel a bit uncomfortable..."

I felt like that too but it gets better/eases off x