All About Books discussion

The Sense of an Ending
This topic is about The Sense of an Ending
36 views
Readalongs > The Sense of an Ending (Tracey & Leslie & ?)

Comments Showing 1-32 of 32 (32 new)    post a comment »
dateUp arrow    newest »

Leslie | 16369 comments Tracey & I both recently bought this book and are planning on reading it in February. All are welcome to join us!


Tracey (traceypb) | 1193 comments Cya next month Leslie :) :)


Leslie | 16369 comments I am looking forward to this :)


LauraT (laurata) | 14412 comments Mod
Read it last year. I'll look to see what you think of it


Shirley | 4177 comments I really liked it, hope you do, too.


message 6: by [deleted user] (new)

I read it recently, had mixed feelings. Will try comment


LauraT (laurata) | 14412 comments Mod
Heather wrote: "I read it recently, had mixed feelings. Will try comment"

Me too!


Pink LauraT wrote: "Heather wrote: "I read it recently, had mixed feelings. Will try comment"

Me too!"


Same here!


Charbel (queez) | 2729 comments It's one my favourites! So I'll definitely participate in the discussion..


Dhanaraj Rajan | 2962 comments Barnes is one of my favourite authors. And this was his first book. Hope, you will enjoy reading it and I am sure you will have lot to discuss as you come to the end.


Tracey (traceypb) | 1193 comments Will you be ready for this in the first week Leslie? Whenever is fine by me .


Leslie | 16369 comments Tracey wrote: "Will you be ready for this in the first week Leslie? Whenever is fine by me ."

I think the first week looks good Tracey. I will let you know if I am ready earlier ;)


Tracey (traceypb) | 1193 comments Planning on starting Monday Leslie, can't wait :) :)


Leslie | 16369 comments Tracey wrote: "Planning on starting Monday Leslie, can't wait :) :)"

I was just going to post the same thing!


Tracey (traceypb) | 1193 comments I'm up to page 59 and part two and I can't say I'm taken with it. I mean the words are wonderful but it's not saying anything to me, it's kind of been a pointless exercise up to now, setting the scene? I don't see a 'scene' Introducing characters and themes?
I'm beginning to think it's me because I don't seem to get along with books that win big prizes, I didn't like Life of Pi, I thought The Nightingale was a country mile ahead of All the light we cannot see hmm.Leslie, anyone can you point out what I'm missing please. :( :(


Shirley | 4177 comments it's a while since I read this, but I do remember it was a slow burner.


Tracey (traceypb) | 1193 comments I think I'll shout out for help from Charbel !


Tracey (traceypb) | 1193 comments Maybe I should just be patient....


Portia Just pulled my copy out if the stacks. I'd live to join in, if only from the wings.


Tracey (traceypb) | 1193 comments Oh Portia please do the more the merrier. Hopefully.. :)


Leslie | 16369 comments Tracey wrote: "I'm up to page 59 and part two and I can't say I'm taken with it. I mean the words are wonderful but it's not saying anything to me, it's kind of been a pointless exercise up to now, setting the sc..."

I just finished the first section. I can see what you mean Tracey (and I too have not had good experience with the Man Booker prize-winners) but I think that the entire first part is just setting the stage. Fingers crossed that the second part has more "oomph"!


Leslie | 16369 comments Portia wrote: "Just pulled my copy out if the stacks. I'd live to join in, if only from the wings."

Yes, do join us either from the wings or center stage!


Leslie | 16369 comments Well, I found it kept my interest but didn't really engage me emotionally. I gave it 3½* which I rounded up (instead of my normal practice of rounding down) due to the quality of the writing.

My review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


Tracey (traceypb) | 1193 comments Yes! I'm reading along much better in part 2 (thank goodness) I will finish off tomorrow. :)


Portia Leslie and Tracey, how can I not after such warm encouragement. Back soon, promise! :-)


Charbel (queez) | 2729 comments Tracey wrote: "I think I'll shout out for help from Charbel !"

It's perfectly fine if you don't like it Tracey. I also have hard time with some big prize winners. I think the best aspect of the novel is the writing, and part 2 is definitely better than part 1. Can't wait to read your review.


Tracey (traceypb) | 1193 comments Just finished this morning and my thoughts are rather disjointed. I have however written some thoughts on the book here ...Here is a review by Tracey: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...


Leslie | 16369 comments Tracey, what did you think about (view spoiler)


Portia I became very sad when I reread the first part of this book which means, for me, that Barnes did his job well. I was in high school at the same time as Tony, so I remember the same music playing in the background as I made friends and lost tough with them when we all went our separate ways to college.


message 30: by Portia (last edited Feb 08, 2016 08:39AM) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Portia Leslie, what is your particular issue with the Mann Bookers? I find them edgy but, with one exception, I have always come away questioning myself and my attitudes, which Is what I think good writing is meant to do. Full disclosure, I did not like The Luminaries. No finished it to win a bet ;-)


Leslie | 16369 comments Portia wrote: "Leslie, what is high particular issue with the Mann Bookers? I find them edgy but, with one exception, I have always come away questioning myself and my attitudes, which Is what I think good writin..."

I don't know what the issue is -- I just know that overall, I haven't enjoyed those books. My experience has been that they were not very interesting (to me, obviously others find them interesting!). I think perhaps the problem is that I like a book with a good plot and many of their prize-winners are more character studies.


Portia Yes, I see your point.


back to top