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Tigerlily · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 2:45 pm Post subject:

I also read it in two sittings, it's very simply written but Maggie O'Farrell manages to convey so many rich details using choice words, if that makes sense. I like how I have so many questions to put to book group re this one. It reminds me a bit of Notes on a Scandal because there are lots of open ends I want to ask the characters about. I agree with Sarah that Esme has never been free to express herself. I see Iris as the person she'd liked to have been, yet even Iris is held back by social norms too.

I really like novels with unanswered questions. I imagine Esme says little after her release from Cauldstone because she's in awe of the world around her. I expected the ending to be different, but wasn't shocked by how it did end. I had to re-read it when I twigged what'd happened. It's interesting. Makes you think who's to blame - the parents, Kitty, Esme for not conforming, Jamie, society, the doctors? Would you have acted as Kitty did under those circumstances?

I liked the humorous parts too. The bit about 'and this is what we call a spoon' had me smiling and so did the 'acht, acht' bit.

A very sad tale. Always makes me cross at how women were treated. How many lives were ruined this way? Would love to know if Esme was based on a real person.

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Reading: Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg
Reading Challenge 2009: 8
2008: 4
2007: 10

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