The Readers discussion

Of the 8 books chosen for the Summer Book Club, Pure was the only one that was already on radar/TBR list. So thanks for pushing that one to the top of the pile! I didn’t read the now deleted thread because I was afraid of spoilers.

Sadly, I haven’t had the time yet to listen to the last episode yet, however. I do look forward to it.

I really enjoyed Pure. I found it to be very well written historical fiction, right up my alley. I thought the blurb was a little misleading. Despite the fact that the blurb is entirely accurate; all those things do in fact happen; when I first read it, I thought the book would be more salacious and sensational (in the Victorian sense) than it really was. Not that I am disappointed. I loved the atmospheric feeling in the book and fine balance of the weird and the prosaic, or fact and fiction, I guess.

Pure was the book on the Summer Book Club list that I was looking forward the most. (Historical novel by Andrew Miller set on a Parisian cemetery, what more could you want?) While I wasn't exactly disappointed I was ever so slightly underwhelmed by the plot. I felt that I wanted to know more about some of the characters (like the verger and his granddaughter) and plot threads (the graffiti).

But overall I very much enjoyed the book, it was immersive. I could almost feel the sounds and smells. I read it in two days and didn't want to stop and check which parts of the story were historical facts.

Jenni, those are great thoughts. I loved the book and rated it 5 stars but I have to agree, the characters and the plot threads could have been more fulfilling.

Tasha, I'm stingy with my stars :)
I would have given it 4.5 stars if that were possible.

I often find a need that 1/2 star. I wish GRs would let us do that.