On a scale of 1-5 stars (5 being the best) how do you rate The Secret Scripture?
***** (Loved it)
33%
[ 1 ]
****
0%
[ 0 ]
***
33%
[ 1 ]
**
0%
[ 0 ]
* (Loathed It)
0%
[ 0 ]
Didn't read this one
0%
[ 0 ]
Didn't finish, gave up, couldn't get into it
33%
[ 1 ]
Total Votes : 3
Author
Message
lisa2062 Administrator
Joined: 05 Jul 2007 Posts: 919 Birthday: 23rd December
Location: Dorset, UK
Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 3:02 pm Post subject: April's Book Choice -The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry
Discuss here your thoughts on the book once you have read it. Did you (not) enjoy it? Anything that struck you or maybe someone else could help if you have a question? We're not really looking for in depth discussions... just tell us what you think of it!
For those who have read the book, please choose a star rating based on how much you liked it.
I read 50 pages of this and had to give up - I dont think it's the book, I think it is my frame of mind at the moment.
From the synopsis this should be just my sort of read - everyone else I know has enjoyed it.
One day I'll give it another go. _________________ Currently reading: The Tent The Bucket and Me by Emma Kennedy and Granny The Pag by Nina Bawden
1001 Challenge Books read in 2009 - 3
1001 Challenge Books read in 2008 - 8
1001 Challenge Books read in 2007 - 13
Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Posts: 381 Birthday: 16th February
Location: Upper Largo, Fife
Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 3:09 pm Post subject:
Well, I didn't see that coming...
I finished this today after my lunch break when I should have been working mainly, as a paltry defence, so I didn't have to bring it tomorrow for the sake of three or four pages (and because work is boring me silly at the moment ).
I have to admit to being a bit non-plussed for most of this, but I'll put that down to my mood at the moment, although there were some truly heart-rending moments. I suppose we've all come across tales of injustice and such like in various guises and this novel was in essence what I was expecting when I picked it up.
Spoiler:
I did wonder if the twist would be predictable - that Roseanne was actually mad and not wrongly commited - or of it would follow the age-old 'wrongly persecuted, finally some justice' framework. The twist at the end, with Dr Grene being Roseanne's lost child was a genuine shock. (Isn't it nice to get one of those every now and then?? literary shock I mean not a literal one )It felt almost - dare I say it - dickensian in as much as all the characters are linked and nicely lumped together at the end.
I had read A Long Long Way by the same author and was struck by the poetic nature of the prose. One of the quotes on the edition of secret scripture I have says 'he writes like an angel' and, while I think 'angel' is a bit OTT, I get the point. There are some beautiful passages in this book, especially towards the end.
I gave it 3 stars because it was ok, with some nice bits, but not mind-blowing.
[spoiler] _________________ Currently reading: Man in the Dark by Paul Auster
Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 7637 Birthday: 7th July
Location: Shropshire
Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2009 12:41 pm Post subject:
I'm reading this now, 50 pages in, and not too sure about it yet. It must be my mood as I had trouble getting into The Shadow of the Wind as well. _________________ Reading: Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg
Reading Challenge 2009: 8
2008: 4
2007: 10
Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 7637 Birthday: 7th July
Location: Shropshire
Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 9:41 pm Post subject:
Finished reading this today and still undecided! I guessed the twist when
Spoiler:
Dr Grene mentioned he was adopted. Because his writing seemed to mirror Roseanne's I guessed he must be her son
so sadly the ending didn't have the impact it could've had.
There were parts I found quite gripping, but the rest I could take or leave. I put the book down for a week and didn't really miss it, but picked it back up today and enjoyed it, but skimmed the ending. I didn't really care much for Dr Grene. I liked the Irish setting and Roseanne's testimony of herself. I loved how she described how happy she was. I don't know, can't put my finger on why it wasn't a brilliant read. Enjoyable yes. Glad I read it. Reminded me a bit of the Esme Lennox book by Maggie O'Farrell. _________________ Reading: Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg
Reading Challenge 2009: 8
2008: 4
2007: 10
Joined: 11 Feb 2007 Posts: 2509 Birthday: 19th July
Location: Dorset, UK
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 7:21 pm Post subject:
I've just finished this and I loved it. Read it in 5 days.
I did find the begining a bit hard to get to grips with but I'm really glad I persevered.
Spoiler:
I didn't see the twist coming at all, in fact I thought it might turn out that she had actually killed her baby and that was why she was committed and that much of her verison of events would be proved false.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
mainly, as a paltry defence, so I didn't have to bring it tomorrow for the sake of three or four pages (and because work is boring me silly at the moment 
).
)It felt almost - dare I say it - dickensian 
in as much as all the characters are linked and nicely lumped together at the end.