Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 7637 Birthday: 7th July
Location: Shropshire
Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 9:41 am Post subject:
Hi Janie, welcome to BB! It's a really good book for curling up with. Enjoy it! _________________ Reading: Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg
Reading Challenge 2009: 8
2008: 4
2007: 10
Joined: 29 Jul 2006 Posts: 4137 Birthday: 12th December
Location: Cumbria
Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 9:32 pm Post subject:
I started this book last night and I think I am going to enjoy it. However I am now a bit worried as I like the authors to have done there research but I noticed something that doesn't quite ring true with the period.
I don't know if anyone has mentioned this as I don't want to read the spoilers.
Spoiler:
When Grace went into service at fourteen in 1914 she was shown to her room where she unpacked - " -I packed my clothes into the top drawer; two skirts, two blouses and a pair of black tights" TIGHTS? I think it was the 1960s before tights were invented. I think she would have had had woollen stockings but not tights. (page 25).
I know its only a small thing and I am been pedantic, but it just didn't fit with the Edwardian period.
Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 7637 Birthday: 7th July
Location: Shropshire
Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2007 12:15 am Post subject:
blueflower wrote:
I started this book last night and I think I am going to enjoy it. However I am now a bit worried as I like the authors to have done there research but I noticed something that doesn't quite ring true with the period.
I don't know if anyone has mentioned this as I don't want to read the spoilers.
Spoiler:
When Grace went into service at fourteen in 1914 she was shown to her room where she unpacked - " -I packed my clothes into the top drawer; two skirts, two blouses and a pair of black tights" TIGHTS? I think it was the 1960s before tights were invented. I think she would have had had woollen stockings but not tights. (page 25).
I know its only a small thing and I am been pedantic, but it just didn't fit with the Edwardian period.
Do you know, the same crossed my mind but I dismissed it as thought they might be some kind of thick woollen socks _________________ Reading: Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg
Reading Challenge 2009: 8
2008: 4
2007: 10
Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 2142 Birthday: 10th June
Location: Scottish Borders
Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2007 1:17 am Post subject:
It never struck me when I read that bit because of the point Gwen made (I can't say I've ever needed to know) but I don't know... maybe I was trying to imagine her in 40 dernier tights or something - the picture just wasn't right
Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 459 Birthday: 22nd April
Location: Devon
Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2007 9:18 am Post subject:
Don't think you're being pedantic at all Gwen. Details like that can really jar and spoil the overall effect/authenticity. I have to admit that I didn't pick up on that example, but it now makes me wonder if there were anymore?
Having said that, it was still a nice peice of period drama, which I enjoyed overall. _________________ Currently reading,
"The Mathematics of Love", Emma Darwin
Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 7637 Birthday: 7th July
Location: Shropshire
Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2007 9:19 am Post subject:
Gwen's right, tights came along in the 60s and before then women used woollen stockings. So Grace wouldn't have called them tights. _________________ Reading: Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg
Reading Challenge 2009: 8
2008: 4
2007: 10
Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 459 Birthday: 22nd April
Location: Devon
Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2007 2:54 pm Post subject:
Good point Debbie.
Wonder what she actually would have been wearing in those days-stockings, or maybe just socks at 14?
So for her to class them as tights is probably understandable.A bit like the interchange in usage with hoover/vacuum cleaner.
Myabe it should have been picked up in the editing though, and does make me wonder if there are any more "bloomers"-sorry, couldn't resist...... _________________ Currently reading,
"The Mathematics of Love", Emma Darwin
Joined: 29 Jul 2006 Posts: 4137 Birthday: 12th December
Location: Cumbria
Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2007 4:45 pm Post subject:
dingsy wrote:
Good point Debbie.
Wonder what she actually would have been wearing in those days-stockings, or maybe just socks at 14?
So for her to class them as tights is probably understandable.A bit like the interchange in usage with hoover/vacuum cleaner.
Myabe it should have been picked up in the editing though, and does make me wonder if there are any more "bloomers"-sorry, couldn't resist......
oh that was bad...... but talking of bloomers they weren't mentioned on the list of clothes, but then she was probably to polite to mention them.
I'm still only half way through this, finding I am struggling to read on the bus to/fro work at the moment so have decided to just read it at bedtimes... I'm enjoying it so far, glad I nominated it!
Joined: 21 Jul 2007 Posts: 676 Birthday: 2nd November
Location: Watford, Herts
Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 7:42 pm Post subject:
Well, what can I add to this discussion...! I absolutely loved this book and gave it 5 stars. I enjoy reading books from the period this was set in, I definitely felt transported back to the time of the 1st world war and on to the 1920's. I found the book completely captivating and enjoyed it to the last moment. The period detail was great (I know the tights debate has been discussed, but putting that to one side), the house, the clothes, the atmosphere in general all seemed very fitting.
Spoiler:
I liked the theme of secrecy running through this book. It probably was the way of it at the time, people keeping information from others. Everybody had their secrets in this novel and the revelation of why interpretation of short hand was so important was cleverly done. You know that Grace feels enormous guilt about the outcome for Hannah, Emmeline and Robbie, but the fact that you're kept guessing as to how he dies and what happens between the sisters right to the end is great. I didn't get bored with the story at all, even when Robbie hadn't been mentioned for a long time in the middle of the book, I was too engrossed in the other characters.
I actually liked the twist about Ursula's grandmother being Hannah's baby Florence! I admit it's a little far fetched but not beyond the realms of possibility....
Again, the reintroduction of Alfred was a lovely touch.
Grace's death was handled well and I actually felt choked even though you know the end is imminent.
I also agree that I could see this being made into a drama or movie. It reminds me alot of Titanic, the shift between the recollection of an old lady today and how it was then.
I definitely would recommend this book. A lovely read, easy to get to grips with and thoroughly enjoyable. _________________ Currently Reading:
Joined: 29 Jul 2006 Posts: 4137 Birthday: 12th December
Location: Cumbria
Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 8:23 pm Post subject:
All I can picture while reading this book is Mr Hudson, Mrs Bridges and Rose. For all those who are lucky enough not to know what I am talking about - they were in a really good period drama called Upstairs Downstairs in the 70's.
I am still reading the book but wish the author had had a better proof reader. There are quite a few errors in detail, grammar or continuity, but it is shaping up to be a good story. I am quite interested in the 1st world war period and have read quite a lot about it and some of the war poetry so I am keen to continue.
( I couldn't think how to spell proof reader so asked Mr BF, he advised my not to apply for the job).
Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 7637 Birthday: 7th July
Location: Shropshire
Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 10:56 pm Post subject:
blueflower wrote:
All I can picture while reading this book is Mr Hudson, Mrs Bridges and Rose. For all those who are lucky enough not to know what I am talking about - they were in a really good period drama called Upstairs Downstairs in the 70's.
I am still reading the book but wish the author had had a better proof reader. There are quite a few errors in detail, grammar or continuity, but it is shaping up to be a good story. I am quite interested in the 1st world war period and have read quite a lot about it and some of the war poetry so I am keen to continue.
(I couldn't think how to spell proof reader so asked Mr BF, he advised my not to apply for the job).
heehee!
I'm interested in the First World War period too. _________________ Reading: Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg
Reading Challenge 2009: 8
2008: 4
2007: 10
Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 459 Birthday: 22nd April
Location: Devon
Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2007 7:00 am Post subject:
Going slightly off topic-as you're intereseted in WW1 (as am I)have either of you read Pat Barker's "Regeneration" trilogy? _________________ Currently reading,
"The Mathematics of Love", Emma Darwin
Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 459 Birthday: 22nd April
Location: Devon
Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2007 9:06 am Post subject:
Glynis wrote:
dingsy wrote:
Going slightly off topic-as you're intereseted in WW1 (as am I)have either of you read Pat Barker's "Regeneration" trilogy?
No, but have heard of it. Have you?
I read, and enjoyed, it a while ago. It deals more with the psychiatric care after being invalided out, which I found interesting.
Real/fictional characters are intertwined-a bit like "Interpretation of Murder"-but much more effectively.The hub of the novel deals with Siegfied Sasson's treatment following his protests against the war, after which he was declared mentally unfit.
I'd offer to lend it to you, but I read it in while living in our previous house, where the mobile library called each week, so I got it from there. Highly recommended, if you get a chance to read it. _________________ Currently reading,
"The Mathematics of Love", Emma Darwin
Joined: 29 Jul 2006 Posts: 4137 Birthday: 12th December
Location: Cumbria
Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2007 5:54 pm Post subject:
I read the first one in the trilogy years ago and really enjoyed it but don't think I was too keen on the others. I think one was called the Eye in the Door or something similar but I didn't finished it. But it was Regeneration that got me reading war poetry. I agree Elaine, it is definitely worth a read.
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oh that was bad...... 
I couldn't think how to spell proof reader so asked Mr BF, he advised my not to apply for the job).