I was given this book for my LibraryThing Virago Group Secret Santa last year and have to admit I’d not fancied reading it, though I appreciated being sent it in a lovely and thoughtful box of books. And I did change my mind, even though I knew the big plot twist. And now, because of the big plot twist, which makes it really hard to review, and because I also don’t really want to think that much about it because of the horrible cat bits in it (why did no one warn me when they saw I was going to read it?) so this is going to be a short review.
Karen Joy Fowler – “We are all Completely Beside Ourselves”
(25 December 2017)
I think this must have been Fowler’s break-out book, mustn’t it, when she suddenly upped her game. I’d enjoyed at least one of her novels, “The Jane Austen Book Club” but this really is a masterpiece of research and weaving together of fact and fiction. She makes it clear in the notes at the back of this edition that this book came from a conversation with her daughter and a “what if” question, and it’s equally clear that she approached the topic with humility and respect and did her best by the subject.
It’s an engaging book with an engaging central character / narrator and a good supporting cast. Everything is believable and the shifting time line easy to follow. It’s not all spelled out for you and she nips back and forth, and I have to admit that, distressing as the Unpleasant Incident is, it is essential to the plot, although distressing.
So that’s it, really – I gave it a go, I enjoyed it up to a point I had to do a little skimming and I don’t want to think about the horrible bit (if you’re going to mention that in a comment, no details, please!)
The book next to it was Francis Spufford’s “Golden Hill” which I gave a go at, but I’m really not great with historical fiction and I couldn’t get a foothold on it. So I’ve started reading “How to be a Heroine” by Samantha Ellis (OK, I started this on Friday because it was small enough to slip into the bag I was taking to town) which Meg gave me for Christmas and which is amazing so far, and I’ve also promoted “The Icelandic Adventures of Pike Ward” edited by my friend Katherine Findlay to the next read because I can’t wait, basically.
Rebecca Foster
Nov 29, 2018 @ 22:39:20
I reviewed this for Nudge way back when and couldn’t see a way to discuss it without spoilers, so just went right ahead (with a warning). I’ve forgotten the cat bits! (A neat aside: her daughter is an author, too. I read her memoir.)
Too bad you didn’t get on with Golden Hill. I loved it, but then the 2018 book everyone said I should read since I loved Golden Hill, The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock, I couldn’t finish.
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Liz Dexter
Nov 30, 2018 @ 06:47:00
I’ve not fancied that one either. I’m really, really bad with historical stuff (not stuff written at the time) and I had a goof flip through but really not keen. I have enough good books I want to read to keep me going …
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Grab the Lapels
Nov 30, 2018 @ 02:31:04
I listened to the audio book and had a hard time following along at first because the main character is in college and there’s some cafeteria milk incident, and it was all so mysterious that I almost didn’t want to keep listening, that is, until I got to her sister.
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Liz Dexter
Nov 30, 2018 @ 06:48:32
Yes, it does hop around and I’d imagine that would be quite tricky in an audio book (I can’t read them as they make me fall asleep!) I had to warn my husband that he can’t skim the horrible bits as he listens to audio versions. Did you know about the twist in advance? I actually found it quite interesting knowing it, but it’s two very different ways of reading it, knowing and not knowing. I was relieved the reveal came quite early!
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Grab the Lapels
Nov 30, 2018 @ 14:16:32
I did not know and can’t even remember why I chose this book…. I didn’t know anything about the author, either, so it wasn’t based on fame…
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kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 30, 2018 @ 10:14:52
I’ve not read this but I think someone did give me a copy once. I didn’t really fancy it and passed it on, and I’m very glad that I did now…. =:o
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Liz Dexter
Nov 30, 2018 @ 14:18:24
Yes, stay away! It’ very anti animal experimentation etc but there are descriptions of that as well.
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Jane @ Beyond Eden Rock
Nov 30, 2018 @ 11:01:55
I know this book had a lot of attention but I really didn’t like the look of it, and though I read a lot of historical novels I had to give up on ‘Golden Hill.’ ‘How to be a Heroine’ is much more you – I loved it!
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Liz Dexter
Nov 30, 2018 @ 14:19:10
Yes, it was better than I thought it would be but with reservations. I’m glad you gave up on Golden Hill, too; that makes me feel much better about it! And yes, you’re right, I’m loving Heroine!
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heavenali
Nov 30, 2018 @ 19:10:07
I have never fancied reading We are all completely beside ourselves, (not read any of her other books) and somehow I don’t know anything about the book or the plot twist, and I must have read reviews of it. Not surprised you ditched Golden Hill, I can’t imagine it’s your sort of thing. Really looking forward to hearing how you got on with How to be a Heroine. I really enjoyed it.
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Liz Dexter
Nov 30, 2018 @ 19:51:29
This is why no one told me about the horrible bit! No one I know who would think of that has read it! I am loving Heroines and imagine I may finish it tonight!
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Sarah
Dec 11, 2018 @ 20:40:37
I’m wondering whether people put that horrible bit in a little box in the back of a dusty cupboard in their brain so they don’t have to think about it. I read this no more than three years ago and remember that it involved animal experimentation, but nothing else. Not a bean.
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Liz Dexter
Dec 12, 2018 @ 10:27:44
Maybe some people wouldn’t have been worried about the vile bit but I wouldn’t like to think so! Anyway, I’m trying to put it there myself now. Hope I can!
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Cari
Dec 28, 2018 @ 02:07:17
This author rings a bell – did we spot it at one of the second hand shops in Stratford? why yes, I am playing catchup
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Liz Dexter
Dec 28, 2018 @ 12:28:51
I expect so, it is one of those that you see a lot!
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