This book is very low key, a slow but relaxing read for me. Takes you back to the countryside in the "old country". So far removed from our generation. I enjoy the chapters about people more than the general chapters.
I agree with B, that this is a very low key book. And honestly, it just didn't keep my attention. It was interesting when I was reading it, but then I had to make a point to pick it back up again. I think it was the lack of a plot that made it easy for me to ignore.
Because of that, I ran up against my deadline to return it to the library (after a second renewal) and had to quick read the last few chapters in a hurry.
Overall, it was fun to read about the different people and makeup of the little town, but I found the language a bit flowery for my tastes.
Only a few quotes to mention:
First Names: "I affected a brainstorm..." Is this like a brainfever?
Also from this chapter, Cabbage-Stump Charlie cracked me up. "'What's up then, Charlie? Got no quarrel with thee.' 'Wham!' said Charlie, and hit him." I've had days when I wanted to be like this!
Mother: This chapter reminded me a lot of the PBS show 'Downton Abbey'. That show is addicting. Needless to say, I liked this chapter. :-)
One last comment, it drove me crazy when the author ended chapters with elipses (...), especially the last chapter. What type of an ending is that?
I've recently not liked a lot of books I've been reading and notice that a lot of my comments on this book are pretty negative. I wonder if I am becoming a book-whiner? Maybe I'll like the next pick a lot...
I really hate it when I pick a book I don’t really like. So, Cider With Rosie wasn’t my favorite and I think it even beat “Shirley” for main character “entrance” – next to the last chapter! This was more a collection of essays than a story. Que sera, sera. But there were parts I did like. My favorite was the description of brother Jack as the “Infant Freak” that plowed through the Infant Room and was quickly promoted to the Big Room while Laurie was content to stay behind and enjoy the easy life. And his own dismay when he discovered that he HAD learned something and was moved up to the Big Room. And I enjoyed the story of the Grannies, bonded by hate, ‘Er-Up-Atop and ‘Er-Down-Under. The description of Granny Wallon’s wine reminded me of the Beverly Hillbillies Granny and the couple of old ladies on the Walton’s with their special recipe. Makes you wonder when did these people START their brewing practice? I also liked that Granny Trill kept her old clock even after the hands fell off just so she could hear the tick tock. How comforting. The chapter on “Winter” made me wonder if this version of caroling is still done in England today.
Although I liked the book, it did take me a couple of weeks to finish. I second M's comment that it was good to read but hard to return to. I loved, loved the chapter about the grannies. Overall the book reminded me of a British tv show, and indeed it has been adapted for the screen a couple of times. Might be interesting to watch.
I also liked the chapter about the horse being replaced by the car and bus.
The rape chapter seemed out of place. I was worried that they would go through with it!
Word I learned: gibbet
I'll post some of my fave quotes tomorrow (accidentally left my book at the office)
Some favorite lines: from Public Death, Private Murder regarding the Browns, the old couple that died when separated: "Visiting Spinsters" "I was haunted by their end as by no other, and by the kind, killing Authority that arranged it."
from Mother: "Not until I left home did I ever live in a house where the rooms were clear and carpeted, where corners were visible and window-seats empty, and where it was possible to sit on a kitchen chair without first turning it up and shaking it." I know that feeling!
from Last Days: " 'I ain't nurn a aypence about I just now - but Mrs. Crissole'll recollect 'ee...' We wrote her off as the day's good deed, and she died still recollecting us."
7 comments:
Baltimore Public Library - no matches.
6 Barnes & Noble Stores - out of stock.
Oh Dear.
Thank you, amazon.com!
This book is very low key, a slow but relaxing read for me. Takes you back to the countryside in the "old country". So far removed from our generation. I enjoy the chapters about people more than the general chapters.
I agree with B, that this is a very low key book. And honestly, it just didn't keep my attention. It was interesting when I was reading it, but then I had to make a point to pick it back up again. I think it was the lack of a plot that made it easy for me to ignore.
Because of that, I ran up against my deadline to return it to the library (after a second renewal) and had to quick read the last few chapters in a hurry.
Overall, it was fun to read about the different people and makeup of the little town, but I found the language a bit flowery for my tastes.
Only a few quotes to mention:
First Names: "I affected a brainstorm..." Is this like a brainfever?
Also from this chapter, Cabbage-Stump Charlie cracked me up. "'What's up then, Charlie? Got no quarrel with thee.' 'Wham!' said Charlie, and hit him." I've had days when I wanted to be like this!
Mother: This chapter reminded me a lot of the PBS show 'Downton Abbey'. That show is addicting. Needless to say, I liked this chapter. :-)
One last comment, it drove me crazy when the author ended chapters with elipses (...), especially the last chapter. What type of an ending is that?
I've recently not liked a lot of books I've been reading and notice that a lot of my comments on this book are pretty negative. I wonder if I am becoming a book-whiner? Maybe I'll like the next pick a lot...
I really hate it when I pick a book I don’t really like. So, Cider With Rosie wasn’t my favorite and I think it even beat “Shirley” for main character “entrance” – next to the last chapter! This was more a collection of essays than a story. Que sera, sera.
But there were parts I did like. My favorite was the description of brother Jack as the “Infant Freak” that plowed through the Infant Room and was quickly promoted to the Big Room while Laurie was content to stay behind and enjoy the easy life. And his own dismay when he discovered that he HAD learned something and was moved up to the Big Room.
And I enjoyed the story of the Grannies, bonded by hate, ‘Er-Up-Atop and ‘Er-Down-Under. The description of Granny Wallon’s wine reminded me of the Beverly Hillbillies Granny and the couple of old ladies on the Walton’s with their special recipe. Makes you wonder when did these people START their brewing practice?
I also liked that Granny Trill kept her old clock even after the hands fell off just so she could hear the tick tock. How comforting.
The chapter on “Winter” made me wonder if this version of caroling is still done in England today.
You're right, M and B, it was a really low key book. I had to force myself to read a chapter every day.
And you're not a book whiner. There just ARE some not-so-good books.
Although I liked the book, it did take me a couple of weeks to finish. I second M's comment that it was good to read but hard to return to. I loved, loved the chapter about the grannies. Overall the book reminded me of a British tv show, and indeed it has been adapted for the screen a couple of times. Might be interesting to watch.
I also liked the chapter about the horse being replaced by the car and bus.
The rape chapter seemed out of place. I was worried that they would go through with it!
Word I learned: gibbet
I'll post some of my fave quotes tomorrow (accidentally left my book at the office)
Sorry J, not one of my faves.
Some favorite lines:
from Public Death, Private Murder regarding the Browns, the old couple that died when separated:
"Visiting Spinsters"
"I was haunted by their end as by no other, and by the kind, killing Authority that arranged it."
from Mother:
"Not until I left home did I ever live in a house where the rooms were clear and carpeted, where corners were visible and window-seats empty, and where it was possible to sit on a kitchen chair without first turning it up and shaking it."
I know that feeling!
from Last Days:
" 'I ain't nurn a aypence about I just now - but Mrs. Crissole'll recollect 'ee...' We wrote her off as the day's good deed, and she died still recollecting us."
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