First Impressions

[SapphicKris]

It took me several chapters to get into this book. I'm not sure why I found it so hard to follow at first, but 70 or so pages in I found the groove of the book and it is going well now. I expect there may have been external factors (a bad car accident) that made the first few chapters hard to concentrate on. Maybe I should give them another read.

[cornwall]

I am having a bit of trouble with the story so far.. like The Time Travelers Wife, I don't do well with such abrupt changes. I can't figure Iris out, but feel like I know Frankie already.

[crazywolf]

The book is good.  The title for me is a little misleading.  We follow Frankie so much.  The descriptions of the war are good.  I could see myself there.

[m3girl]

Hello,

I have to say that my initial first impression wasn't so very positive.  I had to start this book more than once because it just didn't grab me - and we all know so well about first impressions and short attention spans.  Still - bound and determined to read the book and participate I set it down for a week and then picked it up again on Monday this week.  I plowed through the first few pages - and I guess what I didn't like was the short section with the woman on the bus.  She seemed too weak and I just couldn't relate to her at all - and so wasn't so interested in spending a whole lot of time with her.  Still I read more and got to the scenes in England during the bombing with the reporter - and now have to say I'm engaged with the story - and hope that this character is a primary / protagonist because her story is much more interesting than the one going on back in the states.  I'm behind - but will try my best to catch up and participate as I can.

Susan

[m3girl]

I have to agree with you there.  I'm always surprised when I pick up books like this - where its difficult to get into them from the start.  It's all about the short attention span of the reading public and I wonder how they can expect us to put in 70+ pages before it gets going.  I'm not even there just yet and find it rather disjointed - but I do like the scenes in England during the bombing with the reporter...I guess we just plug along and see what happens next.

Susan

[thebookin]

After reading everyones reply , I don't feel so bad now! I am having a hard time getting into also.

For one, its confusing at times.  The part after the bombs have hit and she finds the boy and says she'll take him home. Then all of the sudden, its italicized and it was really confusing. Or when the Dr is helping Maggie, all of the sudden we're back with Iris.

But i'm still plugging away at it!

Natalie

[Sunltcloud]

Now that I look back, I was a bit confused in the beginning too. Once I wrote the names of the townspeople down and in a separate columns the names of the characters in London, it became easier. I assume that the author is giving us the slow pace in the small town in contrast to the hectic action of war. As the town becomes more aware and Frankie gets more settled, the pace evens out a bit. And still, we need the back and forth between the two places to understand how the war influences the town more and more and how the war becomes more personal because Will is over there.

To start a novel with fast paced action or the slow awakening? It must have been a big concern for the author. To accept short attention span or to be true to the overall picture? In my eyes she had to start with the town; it all comes back to the town in the end, short attention span or not. Sometimes one just can't compromise in order to sell a book. And so, in the long run, I am happily being confused in the beginning; I suppose I need to be, war is confusing; a new situation is unsettling, and as I read along I appreciate the setup; love the radio as connector. Sarah Blake gives me the feeling that I, as reader, am "rising above" the shockwaves and radiowaves and the waves of uncertainty and become part of the plight of war as well as the awakening of the small town. What more could I expect?

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[Zeal]

I agree with your thoughts!  Some of the best books that I have read began with a "slow" start.  In the end, I was so happy to have stuck with the novel. 

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Sunltcloud wrote:

Now that I look back, I was a bit confused in the beginning too. Once I wrote the names of the townspeople down and in a separate columns the names of the characters in London, it became easier. I assume that the author is giving us the slow pace in the small town in contrast to the hectic action of war. As the town becomes more aware and Frankie gets more settled, the pace evens out a bit. And still, we need the back and forth between the two places to understand how the war influences the town more and more and how the war becomes more personal because Will is over there.

To start a novel with fast paced action or the slow awakening? It must have been a big concern for the author. To accept short attention span or to be true to the overall picture? In my eyes she had to start with the town; it all comes back to the town in the end, short attention span or not. Sometimes one just can't compromise in order to sell a book. And so, in the long run, I am happily being confused in the beginning; I suppose I need to be, war is confusing; a new situation is unsettling, and as I read along I appreciate the setup; love the radio as connector. Sarah Blake gives me the feeling that I, as reader, am "rising above" the shockwaves and radiowaves and the waves of uncertainty and become part of the plight of war as well as the awakening of the small town. What more could I expect?

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[Immortal-Spirit]

I found it to be intriguing from the start.   I did find it funny that Iris had to get a letter stating that she was "intact".  But I guess in those times and at her age, it would seem the thing to do. 

[marciliogq]

I finally got time to discuss something. My first impressions of the book were good, but I confess the first part of chapter 1 was a bit confuse for me. I loved the presentation when the author presents the plot and the mix between reality and fiction. I immediately remembered Jorge Luis Borges in a short story called Borges and I.

I think it's too early to have a crystalized opinion about the book, but I think the name Iris can perhaps remember a woman who is a good observer. I liked explanations about how war was completely unknown in the school, a fact only in books and how it's so near at the same time. That's all for a while.

[wordlover88]

This story is beautifully written. I am struggling with the story developement though. I finding it hard to see a strong tie between the little east coast town and the War in London I'm hoping it becomes much stronger. I find myself being more drawn the the small town characters, wanting more of their story.  I love the characters in this book! I can really appreciate the developement of each character how real and vulnerable she has made them.  It is because of this I keep reading, wanting to follow each one to the end of their journey.

[bookloverKG]

I was struggling with the book at the beginning because like some other people have said, it was jumping around too much and im just not use to that but after i read a few chapters i figured out who everyone was and then i got really into it. Iv had to put the book on hold tho because i have midterms and an essay due for a class but i really love this book. I love that it takes place during WWII and right before pearl harbor comes. I just think that this book is wonderful. All the characters are beautifully written. And this book has made me cry more than once. 

[Sensitivemuse]

I agree, I don't really get Iris at all she's a kooky postwoman in my opinion

[JaneM]

Now that I have completed the book, I need to comment on the cover.  I think the rose has too prominent a place on the cover since it is not a significant item in the novel, and especially since it is not even a beach rose as others have poited out. 

[cmmn]

I've been having computed problems so I haven't been able to post anything.  I have to agree with some of the other readers.  I had a hard time getting into this book at the beginning.  I can't say exactly why, I just couldn't relate to the characters.

[cdehn]

I wasn't sure I would like this book. So far, I am thoroughly enjoying it. The writing is beautiful and intriguing. I'm halfway through and can hardly wait to read some more today.

[Peppermill]

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Coral50 wrote:

The certificate was a surprise to me but as I read, it was very serious to Iris and we do have to remember the times. It did bring a smile to my face, I think I might have even blushed for her. Can't imagine even asking a doctor for a certificate of being intact these days.

Cora

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Biblio_Sue wrote:

I've only read the first chapter so far, and Iris' visit to the doctor for the "certificate" just made me laugh out loud.

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Immortal-Spirit wrote:  I found it to be intriguing from the start.   I did find it funny that Iris had to get a letter stating that she was "intact".  But I guess in those times and at her age, it would seem the thing to do.

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Sarah has said the incident of the certificate was one she created.  She gave no evidence that she later encountered a case of such an incident actually happening.  How do you feel about that?

(I am finding myself feeling quite conflicted -- i.e., unsure how I feel -- from duped, to how stupid was this scenario, to this IS fiction -- what a dramatic way of communicating a sense of a character.)

Pepper

[Peppermill]

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SapphicKris wrote:

It took me several chapters to get into this book. I'm not sure why I found it so hard to follow at first, but 70 or so pages in I found the groove of the book and it is going well now. I expect there may have been external factors (a bad car accident) that made the first few chapters hard to concentrate on. Maybe I should give them another read. (emphasis added)

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Hope you and others are okay -- just saw this today as I try to catch up a bit with this board.

Pepper

[mandd85323]

I found that it was very hard to get into this book at first and for me that is never a good sign.  I figured since I liked the subject of the book and the description on the inside jacket, that it just had to get better.  I also was not sure if it was just one of those things that when you need to read a book, every other book under the sun looks better.  I put it aside for a couple of days and went back and plowed through, to find that I am truly enjoying the book. 

[katknit]

Finally had the time to get caught up here. I'd just like to say that this book hooked my from the first page. WWII has always been an intriguing topic for me, and the contrast between what was going on in London while America was dithering is compelling. The descriptions of the behavior of London citizens during air raids are so genuine and affecting.