[This is my notes about it, not those from the group]
When you ask yourself, “Why am I reading this book?” and the only answer that you can give yourself is because it is a reading group book, surely that is a negative point against the book. If you then ask yourself if you are enjoying the book, and the answer is no, should you knock another point off the book score, or is this the same point as above. This book it is described as humorous, but the things that one should find as funny such as being caught out walking backwards, don't seem funny because of the formal, extremely educated use of language that the author has used.
It is a work of fiction, not a scholarly tome, and the uncommon words used cause one to pause and affect the enjoyment of the book.
It is a story of a young lady who has thrown up her previous life and taken a job in the country looking after a disabled young man. She wants no contact with her past life, or family. One of the problems with the story is that she seems extremely naive, even fighting through the hedge instead of looking for a gate. She falls asleep in the sunshine and gets burnt, she wanders down to the village shop and buys stuff she doesn't understand. It just does not seem real.
I don't know whether I shall finish it, I think I'll put it aside and read a book about someone chasing high-tech villains that is equally improbable, but more enjoyable.
I don't feel that I should be excluded from scoring this book just because I haven't finished it, because I feel that my comments are just and will keep the score unbiased.
How would I score it? Not very well, I think. 3 or 4, probably with 1 less for my initial comment above.
How would I score it? Not very well, I think. 3 or 4, probably with 1 less for my initial comment above.
