Book Group - Apr 2015 Beloved Discussion Thread
5 watchers
May 2015
3:57pm, 14 May 2015
5,236 posts
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Little Nemo - this kitten can
The original one was lost so I've started a new one. *** Do not read on if you haven't already read Beloved by Toni Morrison *** Spoilers ahead! |
May 2015
7:31pm, 14 May 2015
15,724 posts
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McGoohan
Well done - it's in 'Friday'
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May 2015
4:01pm, 23 May 2015
5,308 posts
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LindsD
Am I the only one here? I finished this last night. I really enjoyed it and I didn't intend to. I loved the 'magical realism' aspect of it and I found the way that emotions and experiences were conveyed very affecting (and shocking). The bit near the end with the stream of consciousness stuff was a bit hard to understand (where we are, I think, experiencing what Beloved experienced when she was 'dead') but I think I put it together in the end. I'd be interested to hear what other people think. |
May 2015
4:19pm, 23 May 2015
8,569 posts
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Bazoaxe
My views probably say more about me and my concentration when reading, but I honestly have no idea what this book was all about. I just couldnt follow or understand a thing. Reading for me is a relaxation and I know my mind wanders. This book seemed to need total concentration and thought to understand what was going on and I just wasnt able to do that. |
May 2015
4:34pm, 23 May 2015
5,274 posts
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Little Nemo - this kitten can
I forgot to give my views on this so thanks for reminding me LindsD! I also enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would. It was beautifully written even though it was describing horrible events. Also I'm not the biggest fan of magical realism, I have struggled with writers like Isabel Allende in the past. But it works for this book and I like her writing style. It was confusing at first keeping track of the different times and characters but it all came together in the end. I will probably try another one of her books but I will wait a while in case they''re as sad as this one. I thought the stream of consciousness of Beloved was a memory of a previous life where she was being transported as a slave. |
May 2015
4:45pm, 23 May 2015
5,275 posts
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Little Nemo - this kitten can
PS. There isn't a poll for this one but if there was I would've given it an 8.
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May 2015
5:47pm, 23 May 2015
5,310 posts
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LindsD
Oh I think I would have given it a 9. Agree about the slave ship. (Of course I meant to say "expect to" not "intend to".) |
May 2015
9:59pm, 23 May 2015
1,068 posts
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DazTheSlug
I gave it 10. I loved everything about it - I had no criticism whatsoever. I didn't want it to end - as I got further on I read less and less at once so that I'd always have some left! I read a lot of it out loud - partly to slow it down so as to take everthing in, and partly because a lot of the writing seemed so poetic |
May 2015
2:15pm, 24 May 2015
590 posts
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westmoors
I can't say I enjoyed this, but I didn't dislike it either. I guess the fact I don't believe in ghosts and/or reincarnations didn't help.
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May 2015
3:46pm, 24 May 2015
5,318 posts
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LindsD
I don't either, but I still enjoyed it. I don't need to believe in something to enjoy reading about it, it seems. I've never thought about it before.
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