On a scale of 1-5 stars (5 being the best) how do you rate Mudbound?
***** (Loved it)
33%
[ 3 ]
****
33%
[ 3 ]
***
22%
[ 2 ]
**
0%
[ 0 ]
*
0%
[ 0 ]
Didn't read this one
11%
[ 1 ]
Total Votes : 9
Author
Message
lisa2062 Administrator
Joined: 05 Jul 2007 Posts: 919 Birthday: 23rd December
Location: Dorset, UK
Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2009 8:43 pm Post subject: February's Book: Mudbound by Hillary Jordan
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 Mudbound at the end of last year - it's an absolutely beautiful read - very emotional, but wonderfully written. I hope you all enjoy it too. _________________ 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: 10 Oct 2007 Posts: 538 Birthday: 12th November
Location: In the Land of Pies and Piers
Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2009 12:02 pm Post subject:
I was lucky enough to get Mudbound as a Christmas present, and I absolutely loved it. It's a very emotional read, stunning really..it will be one of my books of 2009..
charlottestar Busy babbling when should be reading
Joined: 08 May 2007 Posts: 404 Birthday: 27th February
Location: Oxfordshire
Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2009 3:45 pm Post subject:
Finished Mudbound a few days ago. I enjoyed it but it didn't blow me away. It covered the usual themes you'd find in a Deep South novel i.e. race relations etc but it didn't tell us anything new.
I think the way it was split between the characters I never really got to know any of them as well as I would have liked. I would have liked it to have been split between Laura's and Florence's viewpoints and maybe a bit more about the isolation of the woman at home in a place like that and two different perspectives on motherhood from either end of spectrum.
There wasn't as much build up to the climax as I felt there could have been. I was expecting the tension to rise to a point where you could feel the claustrophobia of the characters but as it was I didn't feel much. It was good but it could have been better I think.
Last edited by charlottestar on Mon Feb 16, 2009 4:59 pm; edited 1 time in total
Joined: 01 Oct 2008 Posts: 843 Birthday: 25 September
Location: Bristol
Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2009 10:40 pm Post subject:
I think I have to agree with all your comments Charlotte. I read this over our Christmas break and I did really enjoy it, but as you say, not blown away by it.
Joined: 27 Jun 2008 Posts: 510 Birthday: 23rd April
Location: Manchester UK
Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2009 12:40 pm Post subject:
I got hold of a copy of this last night- in the chippy !
They have a collection of 'free' books there, but ask you to give a donation in the charity box.
I shall be giving it a read soon- the type looks double-spaced so don't imagine it will take too long. It might have to be 'decontaminated' for a while tho, to get the fried-food smell out ! _________________ Current reading: The Last Temptation, Val McDermid ~ 40 @2009
Joined: 27 Jun 2008 Posts: 510 Birthday: 23rd April
Location: Manchester UK
Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 9:23 am Post subject:
I haven't finished reading this yet, but hasn't she essentially stolen the plot from The Secret History- starting with a murder/ burial, and then to the leading up to it, showing the victim as a hateful character who 'deserves it' ? _________________ Current reading: The Last Temptation, Val McDermid ~ 40 @2009
Joined: 03 Sep 2006 Posts: 232 Birthday: 30th March
Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 10:24 am Post subject:
I agree with what others have said, I enjoyed it but was not blown away which I sort of hoped to be. I gave it 4 stars though as I did enjoy the writing and the chapters being told from different characters perspectives.
Spoiler:
I felt as though I would have liked a few chapters written from Pappy's perspective though - found out what made him tick. Also I sort of wanted more to happen between Laura and Jamie but then perhaps thats just the romantic in me.
Joined: 27 Jun 2008 Posts: 510 Birthday: 23rd April
Location: Manchester UK
Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 9:39 am Post subject:
smiler07 wrote:
I agree with what others have said, I enjoyed it but was not blown away which I sort of hoped to be. I gave it 4 stars though as I did enjoy the writing and the chapters being told from different characters perspectives.
Spoiler:
I felt as though I would have liked a few chapters written from Pappy's perspective though - found out what made him tick. Also I sort of wanted more to happen between Laura and Jamie but then perhaps thats just the romantic in me.
Finished reading this and thought it was okay, gave it 3 out of 5. Maybe suffered from bring read straight after I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.
re Pappy's perspective- yes this would have been very interesting, but would it have also made him more 'human' ? _________________ Current reading: The Last Temptation, Val McDermid ~ 40 @2009
Joined: 03 Sep 2006 Posts: 232 Birthday: 30th March
Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 8:48 am Post subject:
wonderlake wrote:
smiler07 wrote:
I agree with what others have said, I enjoyed it but was not blown away which I sort of hoped to be. I gave it 4 stars though as I did enjoy the writing and the chapters being told from different characters perspectives.
Spoiler:
I felt as though I would have liked a few chapters written from Pappy's perspective though - found out what made him tick. Also I sort of wanted more to happen between Laura and Jamie but then perhaps thats just the romantic in me.
Finished reading this and thought it was okay, gave it 3 out of 5. Maybe suffered from bring read straight after I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.
re Pappy's perspective- yes this would have been very interesting, but would it have also made him more 'human' ?
Yes I was thinking similar after I'd posted this and thought that Jordan has probably ommited his perspective for this reason. However I still think that I would have like two or three short chapters from Pappy's POV.
I have to agree that it wasn't as good as i expected it to be. It didn't really bring anything new or different to others stories set in the deep south during segregation. Having said that i did think that it was very well written and easy and quick to read, i liked the structure of different chapters written from different characters perspectives. Whilst it would have been interesting to read elements of the story from Pappy's perspective i think it would have been very difficult for the writer to be able to portray Pappy in a way that the reader would understand or sympathise with his point of view. All in all i would give it 4 stars i think.
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