A gripping novel. Not from the first page, but when the childhood memories started I was fully in.
I liked the description of childhood and growing up A gripping novel. Not from the first page, but when the childhood memories started I was fully in.
I liked the description of childhood and growing up in Canada after the IIWW the most. Not only everyday life things and happenings but also the relations between people, and their views.
The relationship between girls, their friendship, and abuse were fascinating.
Some parts about feminism, the roles and rights of women are today (happily) not valid, sadly some others still are.
My scientific part liked the bits about physics, biology, etc., yet, there was nothing new or revealing. The novel was written almost forty years ago, and then, I am sure it was more thrilling.
It was my second try with the author. The first one, The Handmaid’s Tale, I ended with abandoning it. It was probably the wrong moment for that story. I must try more by Margaret Atwood.
After reading the beginning when there were too many names (characters) introduced in too short time, the rest of the reading was fast and interestingAfter reading the beginning when there were too many names (characters) introduced in too short time, the rest of the reading was fast and interesting. I enjoyed the glimpse at that time and of the class of people.
There was something in the hidden wit, the way of describing heroines and their political views that I couldn't fit completely, nonetheless, it didn't lessen my enjoyment of the novel. After finishing the book I read that Mary McCarthy's stories were a bit satirical and that the reality created in "The Group" was a bit exaggerated. And that makes sense.
I called it "the stories" because, to me, the book contained stories of a few women, and the connections between them weren't as important.
[3-3.5 stars]
Although I really liked it while reading, now, after gathering my thoughts I agree with Christine Boyer that the characters and plot were rather flat and the whole book was so popular mostly probably because of controversial topics. Still, I don't regret reading it at all. I even recommend trying it, because I learned a lot from it....more
Too little can be said, because there is too much to say.
While reading two previous books of the series I thought: what a great novel. This time w
Too little can be said, because there is too much to say.
While reading two previous books of the series I thought: what a great novel. This time was the same. And I think it was the best of the three, or at least I rooted for the characters the most.
Watching like Stacey "fought with the fire", meaning she coped with family life, was like watching real people. How many of us struggle with similar doubts and troubles?
Moreover, Margaret Laurence didn't try to be polite or give us "a nicer version". She wrote thoughts that women/mothers have, although they do not tell them aloud, because they are afraid of judgment, etc.
The novel didn't have "a big ending", it showed the power of the circle of life, which keeps repeating. And like Stacey, sooner or later we tell ourselves: I'm a stranger in the now world. Nonetheless, we don't stop "dwelling the fire"....more
I felt deeply Rachel's intrusive thoughts. That constant mix of worrying and dreaming. Margaret Laurence captured splendidly their intensity and powerI felt deeply Rachel's intrusive thoughts. That constant mix of worrying and dreaming. Margaret Laurence captured splendidly their intensity and power.
The author created supremely other characters too. Rachel's mother, Calla, Nick Kazlik and his parents. Laurence was great at human examination.
You can also find in this novel a glimpse at the specific time and place, at a woman who had her first affair (and her first sexual experience).
In other words, the book was a fascinating character study (and how nice and proper family and society sometimes can be oppressive)....more
It wasn't a fully objective study of Irish Catholic history, I think. The author (like probably most Polish readers) is too deep A very gripping read.
It wasn't a fully objective study of Irish Catholic history, I think. The author (like probably most Polish readers) is too deep in our own Catholic culture to be able to be calm on this topic. Still, Marta Abramowicz didn't hide her opinions, so one could easily separate her anger from facts.
I am not sure you can read it without emotions. I couldn't. The oppressiveness, the unfairness, and the violence were too overwhelming to stay calm. I had to make often breaks in listening to an audiobook.
Ireland got up from her knees, I hope Poland does it too. In Poland, there were no Magdalene Laundries or Industrial schools, and for a half-century of the Polish People's Republic (being one of the Eastern Bloc countries) the Roman Catholic Church was blocked from growing in power, still, for the last three decades the RCC has been trying (with some success) to turn the country back a century or two.
Believe in what you want to, just allow others to do it too.
It is true then, after all, that civilisation is only a cloak for barbarism
A must-read for everyone who calls him-/herself a feminist (or is inter
It is true then, after all, that civilisation is only a cloak for barbarism
A must-read for everyone who calls him-/herself a feminist (or is interested in any way in women's rights, gender equality). Amber Reeves Blanco White made a deep and thorough analysis of the topic, especially from the perspective of her times (the beginning of the XX century in the UK). Even after a hundred years, I was struck by some of her observations.
it saves them trouble to call us mysteries
for what are women, after all, but mere camp-followers
Throughout almost all read I was constantly annoyed or angry, I wanted to scream: "Don't patronize women!" or "Don't be so meek!" And I understand that many readers didn't like the ending. Yet, in my opinion, the story and characters were soaked in their times, culture, views. Big gestures appear mostly in movies. Life is more subtle, complex.
I also recommend reading the book by the mother of Amber Reeves Blanco White Round About a Pound a Week. Both were written more or less at the same time.
An absorbing investigation (as the author called it) of a specific group of poor families who lived in London a few years before IWW. It was made metiAn absorbing investigation (as the author called it) of a specific group of poor families who lived in London a few years before IWW. It was made meticulously, substantively, without influencing the respondents.
It was a precious book mainly for two reasons.
Firstly, as a recollection, a view of the life of those families. Done carefully and thoroughly.
Secondly, as an example of how to do such research, what errors to avoid, how easy it is to draw wrong conclusions, etc.
I don't agree with a few of Maud Pember Reeve's opinions (put at the end), but it didn't matter. She gave us a priceless time capsule in this book.
Some fragments could be boring because she gave us numbers (data). But it made the book more precious today....more
I admit, at the beginning, I was a bit disappointed there was no Rincewind. But when I went into the story I was totally gripped.
Again, it was ridiculI admit, at the beginning, I was a bit disappointed there was no Rincewind. But when I went into the story I was totally gripped.
Again, it was ridiculously funny, satirical, and full of wisdom.
The characters! Terry Pratchett was a genius in creating them.
And who would have thought that such "light" fantasy should be on the shelf of every feminist?
What is the point of writing more? If you know Discworld - you like it most probably, and you have your own preferences among the books. With this one, I started with 4 and ended with 5 stars....more
To me, it wasn't as affecting as Chłopki: Opowieść o naszych babkach by the same author. But definitely, it was fascinating, well-researched, and infoTo me, it wasn't as affecting as Chłopki: Opowieść o naszych babkach by the same author. But definitely, it was fascinating, well-researched, and informative.
By the way, I have read a few books about English servants, and I can say that quite a few aspects of the life of maids of all work in England and Poland in the first half of the XX century were similar.
Funny, lovely, interesting adventure of a young woman who decided to take a job and moves to London (from Scotland) for a year.
AllWhat a charming gem.
Funny, lovely, interesting adventure of a young woman who decided to take a job and moves to London (from Scotland) for a year.
All in letters.
The world of London's life in the 30ties of the XX century from the perspective of a young working woman - priceless. The wit and sketches made it even more enjoyable.
Fascinating book about Polish countrywomen who lived mostly in the 20ies and 30ies of the XX century. Housewives, farm labourers, wet nurses, wenches Fascinating book about Polish countrywomen who lived mostly in the 20ies and 30ies of the XX century. Housewives, farm labourers, wet nurses, wenches working on richer farms, and many others.
Interesting, often sad, depressing.
They were my ancestors - and I knew so little about them. They carried the burden of work and duties so heavy that it is difficult for us to imagine today how they managed (although sometimes they did not manage).
Moreover, it is so easy to forget how Polish villages looked before IIWW. The enormity of poverty, ignorance, and superstition was overwhelming.
The author tried to give at the end hope, but I stayed with all those women who didn't have happy endings, whose descendants didn't have much luck either. They also deserve to be remembered.
One of the best nonfiction I have ever read.
One of the books, that if read in school would teach more about history and human nature than typical textbooks.
And I understand now better my grandmothers, sadly they both are dead already.
[They were a few repetitions, but I easily forgave them.]...more
A fascinating study of autism spectrum disorder through the eyes of a woman with this disorder.
ASD was (is) thought of as mostly concerned boys/men. A fascinating study of autism spectrum disorder through the eyes of a woman with this disorder.
ASD was (is) thought of as mostly concerned boys/men. This assumption has deep (and hurtful) consequences for girls/women with ASD.
Analyzing the topic Ewa Furgał raised also the issues like non-binary gender, the influence of family and society on growing up, the importance of psychotherapy, and self-acceptance....more
Every morning a new cobweb of threads was laid down on top of yesterday's pattern.
One family caught at the moment of moving from tA brilliant gem!
Every morning a new cobweb of threads was laid down on top of yesterday's pattern.
One family caught at the moment of moving from the old loved family house to the new (smaller) one, forced to do it by circumstances, not by choice.
To-day, she thought, is like a crack in my life. Things are coming up through the crack, and, if I don't look at them, perhaps I shall never see them again. Ordinary life in the new house will begin to-morrow and grow over the crack and seal it up.
Lettice Cooper used the moment as a scene for the study of relationships in a family, the study of human beings, the study of time, and changing societies.
He was an ordinary person. But ordinariness, he perceived, was a question of time. The ordinary post-war person would have been a pre-war crank.
One of the main, and the most powerful message (and longings) in the novel was the need to feel that one is a whole. It was touching to the core of my being.
You cannot become a whole person by seeing the division, but, if you know where it is, you can sometimes behave like one.
It was the thing that his generation yearned for, wholeness, but wholeness was difficult, the supreme achievement.
The second main thread was the struggle to be oneself. To not only be whole but also free. Some members of the family lost their battle, some won, some didn't even try, and some pretended they weren't enslaved.
You can bring your mind to reason in half an hour, and your feelings not at all, or perhaps, by great courage and skill, in then years.
A tyranny is not all the tyrant's fault; it is the fault of those who submit to be slaves
A relationship is spoiled as soon as you begin to demand more than the other person wants to give.
In a way, it was a simple story, but thanks to all those priceless observations - excellent, deep, memorable, forcing to think.
What you see is so seldom the other person. It is a character in your one novel, in the story of your life that you have foisted upon them, made of the things in your own mind. It is a novelist's character that you have made out of the person, stressing the outlines, omitting inconsistencies, giving coherence, adding emphasis.
Yes, Evie Dunmore seemed to tell me that I am spoilt by the historical romance genre. Part of me expect
Fairy tales express our hopes, not reality.
Yes, Evie Dunmore seemed to tell me that I am spoilt by the historical romance genre. Part of me expects more twists/dramas/"sighing moments" in love stories, especially in historical romances.
Yet, I must admit, I like the author's romances very much. They could have had a bit less sex but apart from it, Dunmore's voice sounds very promising for the genre.
the things one had learned early often felt instinctual, as unquestionable as the act of breathing, and the familiarity of them mattered rather than whether they were good or harmful
Most importantly, her books show the world (women's position in the Victorian era) known to me, but not as well as I know now (after reading). They helped me to connect a few points of my knowledge and give me quite a few thoughts to deliberate.
people are chiefly motivated by convenience, vanity, or greed
Evie Dunmore became one of the authors to follow - definitely. I hope she will keep writing in her style and at a such high level.
Proof that progressiveness wasn’t a matter of possibilities—who and what was to be included in the progress was a matter of will
My first book by the author and I am positively surprised. A historical romance written in the XXI century, taking place in the Victorian Era - there My first book by the author and I am positively surprised. A historical romance written in the XXI century, taking place in the Victorian Era - there are many things that can go wrong. It can be stupid, unbelievable, too melodramatic, with too much sex, boring - to name just a few. I am happy this novel wasn't any of it.
Interesting, complex characters - I appreciated Tristan and Arthur the most.
A fascinating issue that was as much important a part of the book as a romance.
A few nice twists, e.g. I was totally surprised by the last event with Cecily, mostly how believable Evie Dunmore made it.
The weaker was a romance. As a whole I liked it. From the first scene (meeting) to the last conclusion. The development between them was also pleasing. Yet, I didn't feel I read a great love story. Not sure why because Tristan's strong constancy and Lucie's struggle with wanting to be free were splendid.
For, when anybody comes to a conclusion it is as if they had tossed the ball over the net and must wait for the unseen antagonist to return it to t
For, when anybody comes to a conclusion it is as if they had tossed the ball over the net and must wait for the unseen antagonist to return it to them.
Virginia Woolf took me on the journey through a few centuries and quite a lot of important questions, what is sex/gender, what means to be a human, what is love, good literature, fame, and a few more.
Nonetheless, I admit, sometimes there was too much of Virginia Woolf to me. Perhaps there were the wrong moments to read her. Still, everyone can see her genius.
Illustions are to the soul what atmosphere is to the earth.
For the most part, it sounded to me like the beginning of an enjoyable love story. Witty, interesting, a bit moving. But then it went to the level I wFor the most part, it sounded to me like the beginning of an enjoyable love story. Witty, interesting, a bit moving. But then it went to the level I wasn't expecting. And, wow.
I recommend it to every (especially young) woman. No, stress it out. Every woman must read it. Period.
PS On YouTube is a recording where the author reads her story. ...more
The 90ties of "The Friends" (yes, I belong to those who don't know how many times already they saw the series ;-) ) but much much wiser. I loved it!
The 90ties of "The Friends" (yes, I belong to those who don't know how many times already they saw the series ;-) ) but much much wiser. I loved it!
It was very nice and we were very grateful to get the beautifully wrapped (albeit reluctantly given) gift of sexual liberation, but who was the out-oftouch, aged great-aunt that gave us the hand-crocheted coordinating packages of guilt? She wouldn’t be getting a thank-you card.
The wit was hilarious.I laughed out loud many times.
The characters so full of flaws, so human. Read: so real.
I seemed to spend my whole life oscillating between feeling horribly conspicuous and then feeling totally invisible.
I was in so much pain that I couldn’t imagine not feeling it
The main Lucy's issue was brilliantly built. No fairy-tales, to the end.
It wasn't about how Lucy was getting married, it was about how Lucy was becoming Lucy. And it was a wonderful (although sometimes painful) road....more
A glimpse into Florence Nightingale's views about women. I don't agree with many of them, nonetheless, Nightingale was one of the first to throw a briA glimpse into Florence Nightingale's views about women. I don't agree with many of them, nonetheless, Nightingale was one of the first to throw a brick against the 'anti-sex-equality-wall', and it is good to remember how slow the process was, and how many people had to act before we get where we are now.
And I definitely recommend reading first an introduction by Myra Stark....more
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