The Big Bath Read 2014 discussion

This is a thread for anyone who wants to talk about the book or the themes in it who hasn't started or finished it -- and who doesn't to experience spoilers! Nothing here that gives away the plot, please -- go to the "WITH SPOILERS" thread for that.

Thank you!

Just about to start reading this. My first impression is of vibrant colours and I'm drawn in by the blurb on the back with its separate stories of an estranged mother and daughter. I'm already intrigued by how their distant, very different lives will be woven together.

Whatever you do, don't read the WITH SPOILERS thread yet, Clairethinking! You've been drawn in by exactly the same feeling I was…. Hope you won't be disappointed! *fingers crossed* Do report in as you're going through… I know lots of the members of this thread are at different stages of reading the book. Only a handful of us have finished it. Everyone is welcome (even those who are too busy to ever get round to reading it -- tell us what else we should be reading)!

I'm about a third of the way through. What to say without introducing any spoilers (I don't want to go to WITH SPOILERS in case I find out too much!)? I like Joanna Rossiter's elegant writing, although in the prologue I wasn't too sure I would. There's a great sense of place, particularly in Imber - this seems to be the strongest part of the story at the moment. Fascinating that this is a real village, not far from me. I keep forgetting the Indian strand is set in the 1970s and my mind references the 2004 tsunami. Great female characterisations and dynamics, particularly mother/daughter/sister. Still intrigued and wanting to read on!

I know what you mean about the more recent tsunami, Clairethinking! I couldn't get that out of my mind either. I struggled to picture what that would look like in the 1970s. With Imber, on the other hand, I so agree -- because it's local you can just picture it instantly.