2025 & 2026 Reading Challenge discussion

*Featured Buddy Read*
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This thread is to discuss Possession by A.S. Byatt.

Pages: 555 pages

Length: 1 month (December)

Participants:oshizu, Lorraine, Valerie, Sarah, Rebecca

Everyone reads at their own pace during a Buddy Read. Because participants can be at different parts of the book at different times, it is extremely important to mark spoilers so that the book is not ruined for someone who is not as far along as others!!!

Mark spoilers by placing {spoiler} before the text and {/spoiler} after the text but use the < and > instead of the { and }.

Looking forward to starting this next week.

I plan to start this one early to mid next week. I’m looking forward to it!!

Should get to start this by the end of next week or next weekend. Still have a couple of November books but they are both short.

I should also start end middle or end of next week. Very curious about this book.

I will start this book tomorrow.

Me too!

I started today and read the first two chapters, which wasn't really enough to form an impression other than that (view spoiler)[ Roland and Val are horribly unsuited for each other (hide spoiler)]

End of chapter 3. Initial thoughts - having been an English Literature student in the early 80s in the UK is actually suddenly useful again. Who’d have thought all those names and a vague memory of the concept of deconstruction would still be lurking in my brain after all these years. Other thought - how complicated it was to find out and research before we had Google.

Valerie wrote: "End of chapter 3. Initial thoughts - having been an English Literature student in the early 80s in the UK is actually suddenly useful again. Who’d have thought all those names and a vague memory of..."

ahahahah funny comment! I was thinking that the fact I did not study in Literature would maybe be a problem here, but I'll concentrate on the story and send you questions if needed. :-)

And I so much agree that Mister Google is now indispensable! It does settle a lot of discussions in my house! :-)

I just finished Chapter 2 and I like it so far.

Rebecca wrote: "I started today and read the first two chapters, which wasn't really enough to form an impression other than that [spoilers removed]"

Totally agree, hopefully (view spoiler)[ he’ll escape from her and life in the cat pee basement. And she will too. (hide spoiler)]

End of chapter 8. Very impressed by her ability to write in so many genres (narrative, poetry, letters, academic and my favourite the dark fairy tales) whilst changing voice and style according to person and time.
I was remembering when I used to write letters - seems like another age.

I'm midway through chapter 5, and I feel a little overwhelmed by all the different genres, wondering if there's something I'm supposed to be reading more deeply or analyzing. For example, I keep wondering why all the space in chapter four was devoted to (view spoiler)[ The Glass Coffin. I enjoyed the fairytale, but I wondered if I should be looking for some significance that'd escaped me. (hide spoiler)] Oh well, I guess it will all come together in the end.

Rebecca wrote: "I'm midway through chapter 5, and I feel a little overwhelmed by all the different genres, wondering if there's something I'm supposed to be reading more deeply or analyzing. For example, I keep wo..."

I interpreted the story to be about (view spoiler)[ making brave choices and taking risks. Something that our hapless hero definitely needs a push towards (hide spoiler)]

Valerie wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "I'm midway through chapter 5, and I feel a little overwhelmed by all the different genres, wondering if there's something I'm supposed to be reading more deeply or analyzing. For ex..."

I wondered if, (view spoiler)[ from the tailor's perspective, if it was a message not to stay with someone just because you're grateful to them. It was mentioned several times that Val was the breadwinner, and I wonder if he feels grateful that, other than a few passive-aggressive comments, she hadn't asked him to get a job to contribute more to their finances. (hide spoiler)]

I just finished chapter five. (view spoiler)[ I was surprised by how welcoming Joan Bailey was after being told how at odds the varied sides of the family were. And it definitely sounds like a romance gone bad. I think I hurt a little bit for how Ash tells Christabel how the letters should be burned but that they’d live on in his memory. I actually might have done a slight 1800s swoon (hide spoiler)]

I’m through chapter nine now, and I got so excited about the topic of chapter ten that, if it were not 2 am in my time zone, I would keep reading.

I just wanted to stop by and mention that I love the discussion on the genre if letters in chapter nine. I don’t think it’s a story spoiler to point out my favorite quote, “Letters tell no story, because they do not know, from line to line, where they are going.” Perfect!

I also wanted to ask, (view spoiler)[ do you guys think Lenora has sexual feelings for Maud? I kind of felt like I got a vibe from the letter, but maybe I’m reading too much into it. (hide spoiler)]

You definitely wouldn’t want to try reading chapter 10 at 2 am. It’s long, heavy but beautiful to read and reveals so much. Set aside a good couple of hours (I took a break in the middle) to enjoy is my advice.
As to Lenora (view spoiler)[ she definitely seems to have some kind of feeling of having propriety rights over Maud which suggests some kind of relationship. There’s a parallel here to something in the letters as you will see (hide spoiler)]

Halfway/end of chapter 13. Apart from the academic sections, which I find tedious and rather ridiculous (which I think may actually be the point but doesn’t make them any more fun to read), I’m enjoying the other genres although probably reading the poems too quickly to really appreciate them.
I’m enjoying (view spoiler)[ the trip to North Yorkshire as I know all the towns and Whitby is one of my favourite places especially the ruined abbey associated with Dracula. Hoping Maud and Roland are heading for a bit of life affirming romance but we will see. As for Christabel and Ash ……. (hide spoiler)]

I am beginning Chapter 10. I am also reading the poems quickly. I really enjoyed the (view spoiler)[ letter from Ash to Cropper mother (or grandmother…not sure) about the spirits (especially great writers) having better things to do than talk to the living, about lost objects or what they think about some day-to-day decisions. I was thinking of Shakespeare talking about a lost piece or jewelry instead of what it is to be in the other world! 😊 (hide spoiler)]
I enjoyed chapter 9 called ‘Le Seuil’ in my book. I am curious to see the link between (view spoiler)[ this young man choosing the 3rd woman and the rest of the book (hide spoiler)]
I find this is not an easy book to get into. But I am hopeful that after Chapter 10, it will start to make more sense in terms of where the author wants to go with this story?

Lorraine wrote: "I am beginning Chapter 10. I am also reading the poems quickly. I really enjoyed the [spoilers removed]
I enjoyed chapter 9 called ‘Le Seuil’ in my book. I am curious to see the link between [spoil..."

I totally agree that it's not an easy book to get into, and it needs a lot of concentration. I've been trying to read chapter 10 for two days, but we got a new puppy on Sunday, and my concentration has been shot. I'm slowly making my way through though!

I've finished chapter 10 and 11. The part about (view spoiler)[Lazarus not saying a word about what he had seen or experienced when he was dead, is funny! For sure we would have a lot of questions for him in 2022 if he was resurrected again! (hide spoiler)]
I hope for more action in the next chapters...

I’ve now finished through chapter 12, so I’m at 46%. I was surprised (view spoiler)[ by how philosophical chapter 10 was. I really took some concentration to read.

I find that I was especially fond of chapter 12 and how Maud was using Ellen’s journal and letters to attempt to piece more of the story together. (hide spoiler)]

Rebecca wrote: "I’ve now finished through chapter 12, so I’m at 46%. I was surprised by how philosophical chapter 10 was. I really took some concentration to read.

I find that I was especially fond of chapter 1..."

Same for me. I also found chapter 12 quite interesting.

End of chapter 19. Am really enjoying the part of the book set in Breton and interwoven with the local mythology and beliefs. It really is taking the shape of a literary detective novel.
(view spoiler)[ Sabine’s journal is very skilfully developed from her initial wonder and worship of her cousin to the darker twist of knowledge. I had guessed part of the mystery surrounding Christabel’s search for sanctuary but was not expecting the secret that still has not been explained (hide spoiler)]
The plot is definitely moving on now for all concerned.

Finished. Well I guarantee the last part of the book will keep you reading!
As to the ending (view spoiler)[ I had guessed that Maud was a direct descendant of Christabel’s baby but hadn’t thought about it involving the sister. I suppose that was how such scandals were handled then. Thought Ash got a much better deal (the knowledge without any consequences or responsibility) than she did. For her it was such a sad ending but I suppose women always got the worse treatment.
Glad that Maud and Roland finally got it together and that Val found someone more suitable. I thought Euan was a welcome breath of fresh air and common sense. (hide spoiler)]

I thought the novel had an amazing scope and range. The writer shows off (in both senses) a really impressive range of skills and techniques. I found the (I assume satirical) portrayal of academia rather tedious, and personally I find that a little poetry goes a long way, but the main storyline and quest for truth had me increasingly hooked as the novel progressed and I enjoyed the clever way it was all tied up at the end.
Overall, hard work but worth the effort in the end!

Valerie wrote: "I thought the novel had an amazing scope and range. The writer shows off (in both senses) a really impressive range of skills and techniques. I found the (I assume satirical) portrayal of academia ..."

So happy to read your comments (but did not look at your spoiler for the ending!) as I am a bit discourage about this book. I finished chapter 18 and I feel like there is one good chapter, then she goes back to poetry or to some letters that do not make a lot of sense to me…so reading that you were hooked, give me hope! I’ll try to read a few chapters today and get back to you.

I just finished chapter 15, and I was like (view spoiler)[ Eek! They really were lovers! (hide spoiler)] I hope to get a few more chapters in today.

Lorraine wrote: "Valerie wrote: "I thought the novel had an amazing scope and range. The writer shows off (in both senses) a really impressive range of skills and techniques. I found the (I assume satirical) portra..."
Having finished, I can assure you that you’ll lose nothing by skimming through the rest of the poetry. The rest of the letters though are a different matter. Chapter 19 is very revealing…….. but that’s in the form of a diary.

I just finished chapter 19. I agree this is an important chapter. I am curious to see if we will know (view spoiler)[ if the child is alive and if yes who it is... (hide spoiler)] I also think that Mr Ash had more then (view spoiler)[ one affair and illegitime children... (hide spoiler)]

I finished the book. It is true that the last chapters are the best and the ending is very good! I did not expected the (view spoiler)[ meeting between the daughter Maia and her father, Ash. I can see the 'romantic' idea in that meeting. I have to admit I love it. Very touching! (hide spoiler)]
Thank you both for reading this with me! Not sure I would have made it on my own.
Rebecca: I will follow you comments and get back for it.

Is there a way to see the spoilers on these reviews that have been removed?

If you 'click' on view spoiler, it should work.

Lorraine wrote: "I finished the book. It is true that the last chapters are the best and the ending is very good! I did not expected the [spoilers removed]
Thank you both for reading this with me! Not sure I would..."

I see like me you read the last part quite quickly. The ending really is quite gripping.

I stopped reading for a week or so on this one to finish The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet and a couple of Christmas romances. I came back to this one last night and am halfway through chapter 19. (view spoiler)[ This whole France thing has thrown me for a loop, and I suspect that Christabel must be pregnant or very desperate to completely escape Ash in England to have come to stay with a cousin in a foreign country.

I also was a little shocked by Blanche's suicide. Did we know that before chapter 18? If we did, I don't think it made a big impression on me. (hide spoiler)]

All will be revealed, Rebecca, although I’d skim through the rest of the poetry unless you are a fan.

I just finished chapter 21 and I went (view spoiler)[ OMG!! What happened to the child? And Ash knew of the child!! And was even attending seances to attempt to find out what happened to it too!! I think my jaw dropped there.

Also, on a more minor point, did anyone see Leonora and Blackadder working together? Their sudden collaboration at the end of chapter 20 seemed to come out of nowhere. (hide spoiler)]

I’m going to attempt to finish this book tomorrow so my questions will find answers!

Rebecca wrote: "I just finished chapter 21 and I went OMG!! What happened to the child? And Ash knew of the child!! And was even attending seances to attempt to find out what happened to it too!! I think my jaw d..."
Leonora and Blackadder. The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

Valerie wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "I just finished chapter 21 and I went OMG!! What happened to the child? And Ash knew of the child!! And was even attending seances to attempt to find out what happened to it too!! I..."

So well said!