The Readers discussion

i haven't read this, but after looking at the synopsis, i would like to know why it's set during WWI. it sounds like the story could be set during any time period really. so what about this time period was appealing to di Rollo?

what fiction and non-fiction books would she recommend focused on this time period?

I'm piggy-backing on Elizabeth's question...I've only just started and am only about 1/4 of the way in but I'm really intrigued by the setting of Bleakly Hall: Bleakly Hall Hydropathic. I'd love to hear her talk about this a bit and how she came to use this as a background to her story. I've never heard of this and am intrigued. I'm a bit intimidated in forming this question so I give you free reign to shape it into a reasonable question. ;)

I don’t have any questions for Elaine actually. I did like the book and I think I am going to look up her first novel A Proper Education for Girls. I did expected (purely from the title) that the book would be more gothic and set about 50 years earlier. It did have its gothic elements, however, the crumbling sanatorium, Nurse Monty’s big secret, etc.

Simon, would you ask in the panel if anybody was reminded of Angela Carter while reading? I think there was a blurb on the edition that I read that made that link. I have only read Wise Children by Carter, but I think I can see the similarity in the dark humor and madcap atmosphere.

I was not a fan of this book. Glad it is over but I do look forward to the podcast with the author.

Tasha wrote: "I was not a fan of this book. Glad it is over but I do look forward to the podcast with the author."

Hi Tasha! What were some of the aspects you didn't enjoy in Bleakly Hall? I am really curious because you really liked Half-Blood Blues, which I found to be "just ok", whereas I liked Bleakly Hall (but admit it wasn't perfect).

Haha, that's funny! :)

I just never connected emotionally with the characters or the story. It all just felt so flat to me. I do tend to read non-fiction war accounts so the war descriptions in this one just didn't cut it for me either.

(view spoiler)[ I didn't like the characters or the romantic angle of the story. I was very annoyed by Monty and her anger at Foxley when she was actually the one responsible for sending Sophie over to the hotel to wait for Foxley by not disclosing his letter in full to Sophie. I just didn't buy it, I guess. (hide spoiler)]

The story just felt disjointed to me, I think. I was hoping for more and it just didn't deliver...for me.

Tasha wrote: The story just felt disjointed to me, I think. I was hoping for more and it just didn't deliver...for me.

I agree about "disjointed". The WWI flashbacks worked well for me, but I was occasionally confused in the present narrative...characters would pop up out of nowhere and then disappear. And it took Monty a ridiculously long time to confront Foxley.

I loved the scene where Foxley is catching the bees, however. It was both loony and sad.

I agree, that was a good scene. I like the idea of each bee carrying a memory.

characters would pop up out of nowhere and then disappear

Perhaps that''s a better description of what I meant by disjointed. :)

i am eager to hear this one. my library doesn't carry the book, so i'll have to order it from amazon.

Elizabeth wrote: "i am eager to hear this one. my library doesn't carry the book, so i'll have to order it from amazon."
I can send you my copy Elizabeth. Just send me a message on my goodreads page.

thanks ruthiella. i sent you a message.

i've listened to the podcast (all but the last segment with spoilers), but i haven't read the book.

after listening, i thought the book i started last night may have some parallels. so i am listing it here in case any of you might want to read it.

That looks so interesting! I put a hold on at the library. Thanks for the rec.

I am almost done with this one and I have to say, I really like it. I didn't look forward to reading it, because it seemed so many were lukewarm on it. But I have found it to be quite interesting and heartbreaking.