On a scale of 1-5 stars, 5 being the best, how do you rate The Mathematics of Love?
***** (Loved it)
12%
[ 1 ]
****
12%
[ 1 ]
***
12%
[ 1 ]
**
0%
[ 0 ]
* (Loathed it)
0%
[ 0 ]
Didn't finish the book
37%
[ 3 ]
Didn't read this one
25%
[ 2 ]
Total Votes : 8
Author
Message
Daniela-26 Moderator
Joined: 06 May 2007 Posts: 683
Location: Bedfordshire
Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 2:30 pm Post subject: April's Book: The Mathematics of Love by Emma Darwin
Discuss your thoughts on the book here as soon as you have finished reading it. Did you (not) enjoy it? Anything that struck you or maybe someone else can answer 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 finished it, please choose a star rating for the book based on how much you liked it. What did you think of it? Do you have any questions based on the book?
If you do have something to post that reveals plot details which could ruin others' enjoyment of the book, please use the spoiler function (details: http://onlinebookclub.myfreeforum.org/about12.html)
_________________ Reading: The Devil and Miss Prym by Paulo Coelho
2009 '1001 Challenge':
I read this book a couple of months ago and enjoyed it.
Spoiler:
The characterisation of Stephen and the sections of the novel given to him were very well written, although I do feel some historical introduction would have been beneficial! I knew a little of the period from writing my thesis on Austen, as I had to have an understanding of the world in the 1800's but I don't have much knowledge of Spain at this time. Perhaps a short Author's Note would have been helpful.
On a personal level I am interested in the subject of 'invalidism' in literature and Darwin's portrayal of a maimed soldier was particularly interesting. Perhaps it would have been somewhat different had he not been injured during the war? I was always keen to return to his section to see if he would realise his feelings for Lucy and if the relationship would turn out.
While I 'liked' Anna as a character I wasn't particularly interested in her. Not to say she wasn't well written but I don't think she gave anything extra to the novel and her links to Stephen did seem tenuous and quite rushed toward the end.
_________________ Reading: The Devil and Miss Prym by Paulo Coelho
2009 '1001 Challenge':
Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Posts: 381 Birthday: 16th February
Location: Upper Largo, Fife
Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 5:18 pm Post subject:
Is anyone reading this or are we all busy not liking Captain Corelli?
I gave this 3 stars because 2 is too harsh and there's no 2.5
Spoiler:
I liked the parts with Stephen since I love anything even remotely connected to the Peninsular Wars and Waterloo etc. I found this part of the story much more compelling than the other part.
The part with Anna in it seemed to have absolutely no point to it. I was looking forward to seeing how the two worlds met but they never did. The ending felt tacked on and rushed. Even a little information about Belle's mystery life would have kept me intersted. Quite disappointing overall although I did find it easy to read.
Now off to read more of The Red Queen.. _________________ Currently reading: Man in the Dark by Paul Auster
I picked this up the other night but was too tired to embark on it so decided to give it a try another time. Some other "easier" books have arrived in the meantime to distract me! _________________ Currently reading - The Italian Boy - Murder and Grave Robbery in 1830s London - Sarah Wise
A bit late as it's now May but I am starting to read this tonight! LOL! _________________ Swap List: http://tinyurl.com/33pg6r
Currently Reading "Switchcraft" by Lowri Turner
Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 7637 Birthday: 7th July
Location: Shropshire
Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 11:09 am Post subject:
nicnic wrote:
Is anyone reading this or are we all busy not liking Captain Corelli?
I was planning on reading The Mathematics of Love but I'm tied up with Captain Corelli _________________ Reading: Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg
Reading Challenge 2009: 8
2008: 4
2007: 10
I've started this book twice and not been able to get beyond the first few chapters...
Me too Josie, I haven't been able to get into it at all _________________ Swap List: http://tinyurl.com/33pg6r
Currently Reading "Switchcraft" by Lowri Turner
Joined: 21 Jul 2007 Posts: 676 Birthday: 2nd November
Location: Watford, Herts
Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 9:38 am Post subject:
I've just finished this one and on the whole I did quite like it. I've given it 4 stars although I wanted to give it 3.5!
It was easy to read but for some reason took me a long time to get through. I was interested to see what happened but couldn't prioritise picking it up and reading it over other things I have to do. This is usually a sign for me that it's actually not that great.
Spoiler:
Like others have said, I really liked Stephen's story line and was always keen to get back to his side of the story. I was very pleased that it worked out in the end with Lucy and also bringing Idoia back.
Anna's side of the story was interesting and I do like novels that go back and forth in time. There were loose connections to Stephen, but I agree that the unraveling of the relations in the last few pages seemed rushed. I would have liked to have known more about the relationships within Anne's family: her mother, Belle, Ray and Cecil.
One little thing that I didn't like was that I'm sure the use of language in Anna's section of the book was very modern and it's supposed to be set in the 1970's. For example "I don't do the whole xx thing" isn't that a very "now" expression?
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