|
Post by Claire on Jan 18, 2017 23:03:45 GMT 1
Hi all our mid to late winter read will be The Last Baronet by Caroline Akrill, her first book for a long while and eagerly awaited! This is described as not a horse story as such but with some equine content. If Santa unfortunately did not bring you a copy, the book is available in print and e-book in the UK and USA (not sure about Australia - perhaps one of our Aussie members could advise?) As Garej reminded us, it's also available to read for free as part of the Amazon Prime membership package as long as you have a google e-reader or tablet. I also have a copy which I am happy to pass on to one to one or two folk after I have read it. We will start discussion in around 14 or so days time which will hopefully give most folk time to get hold of a copy and read it.
|
|
|
Post by brumby on Jan 19, 2017 8:47:39 GMT 1
Yes available for kindle in Australia $7.87. There is a 30day free trial of Kindle unlimited and you could read it for free!
|
|
|
Post by kunuma1 on Jan 19, 2017 17:46:33 GMT 1
This will be interesting as I'm one of the few people who doesn't like Caroline Akrill! I read a sort of bio that she wrote, can't remember what it was now, and it thoroughly put me off her overall. I did like aspects of her three day eventer series though so like I said, this is an interesting choice!
|
|
|
Post by Claire on Jan 19, 2017 23:57:50 GMT 1
Yes available for kindle in Australia $7.87. There is a 30day free trial of Kindle unlimited and you could read it for free! Thanks for the info Brumby. Good to know it's available there. Kunuma, was it Not Quite a Horsewoman you read? I read a bit of that one and I wasn't really a fan of it either but I do like her fiction, mainly because of the funny eccentric characters.
|
|
|
Post by Claire on Jan 19, 2017 23:59:50 GMT 1
Oh almost forgot to say, even if you don't have Amazon prime, there are usually 30 day free trials of it available which means if you have a kindle device (doesn't work with non-Kindle tablets unfortunately) and take out a free trial you could read the book for free. But if you don't want to continue with Amazon Prime, don't forget to cancel it before the 30 days are up!
|
|
|
Post by kunuma1 on Jan 20, 2017 20:54:39 GMT 1
Yes available for kindle in Australia $7.87. There is a 30day free trial of Kindle unlimited and you could read it for free! Thanks for the info Brumby. Good to know it's available there. Kunuma, was it Not Quite a Horsewoman you read? I read a bit of that one and I wasn't really a fan of it either but I do like her fiction, mainly because of the funny eccentric characters. Yes that was the one, sent my blood pressure through the roof I seem to remember!
|
|
|
Post by brumby on Jan 29, 2017 2:57:47 GMT 1
Anyone else started reading it yet? Must saying I'm enjoying it, as you say Claire the eccentric characters Akrill creates makes for an interesting read! Happy reading
|
|
|
Post by rallycairn on Jan 31, 2017 3:38:31 GMT 1
My copy arrived today -- I decided to get a physical book even though I love my Nook ereader tablet. Anyway -- LOVE the publishing "house" -- The FANE Press!! Is this Akrill's own imprint?
|
|
|
Post by Claire on Feb 1, 2017 23:58:26 GMT 1
Hi folks sorry haven't been around for a few days as have been away with only sketchy internet availability.
Rally, yes I think it is independantly published. I got a physical copy too, tho slightly regretted it when I saw the type was a bit small, as I do have poor eyesight.
Have started it, will reserve comment until I've finished, except to say I'm glad there is a main horsy character in it, just in case the fact it's not a horse story as such may put off anyone.
|
|
|
Post by kunuma1 on Feb 5, 2017 21:51:38 GMT 1
Claire let me know if you think I would like it. I'm def not in the mood for anything blood sports related - but if it's not I'll give it a go.
|
|
|
Post by rallycairn on Feb 8, 2017 16:08:30 GMT 1
I am up to chapter 8 and so far it is not really engaging me, but the stage is just getting set up I think.
|
|
|
Post by Claire on Feb 8, 2017 20:04:20 GMT 1
Kunuma, I'll let you know when I've finished it but no hunting so far.
Hmm Rally, glad it's just not me. I was beginning to think I was getting too jaded as I just haven't got into the last few books which have been highly recommended to me by others. Although I am enjoying it to some extent, this one hasn't gripped me like her horse stories. It's well written and the humour and eccentric characters are there but I almost feel like the eccentricity has gone into overdrive, verging onto the bizarre! I can't say I really warm to any of the characters much yet either. I'm about half way through, hoping it's a slow burner. Anyway will reserve any more comments until I've finished but I will be VERY interested now to find out what other folk think.
|
|
|
Post by garej on Feb 10, 2017 15:38:47 GMT 1
I have started it but like other people it hasn't really grabbed me so I haven't got too far.
|
|
|
Post by darkhorse on Feb 10, 2017 20:15:27 GMT 1
I'm with every one else so far. Got somne way through and afraid I lost a bit of interest and left it for a while. But I will go back to it. I was hoping it was more about the horse breaking side of things and Nicola. I don't feel that interested in the restaurant side of things. I do however like the very dark humour which goes beyond anything in her children's books, if a bit weird at times.
|
|
|
Post by rallycairn on Feb 14, 2017 15:27:30 GMT 1
I'm now at ch. 11 or 12, 100+ pages in anyway, and STILL new characters are being introduced. Very odd pacing. I fear it is going to be all setup and then jump to the conclusion with little development in between. Such as having one or two token scenes of all the renovation and development and then BAM all these weird characters who have been set up will show up to be the guests and that will be it. I'd like to have the chance to get to know some of them but it is looking doubtful. Odd book. Also, major anachronisms unless the UK was far ahead of the rest of the world in mobile/cellular technology. I got my first personal and my first work/company-provided cell phones in 1994/95. The work phone had a PHYSICAL ANTENNA (!) you clamped to your car roof with this powerful magnetic base and ran the cord inside the car!! All this to say early cell phones were large, heavy, cumbersome affairs that I remember all too well. And they certainly weren't around in 1985-86 when this book is set. And the mobile phone stores were hardly in existence, much less every other block as is described in the book. Not really sure why Akrill chose the 1980s because I would bet there are still plenty of down-at-the-heel gentry who need financial help to save their houses even today, and there isn't anything particularly 1980s about anything else in the story that I can tell, so Correct me if I'm wrong but when I was in Great Britain for a summer at Oxford in 1987, I didn't see anyone with personal mobiles, nor did I see mobile stores around. Why choose the 1980s if it sets you up for anachronisms when there doesn't seem a story or character-driven need for the book to be set then??
|
|
|
Post by brumby on Feb 15, 2017 9:37:15 GMT 1
Looks like I'm going to be the odd one out (story of my life ) I enjoyed it, my criteria for a good book is whether or not I am looking to snatch 10 mins here and there (when I'm really busy) to go and read my book and this certainly happened as I got into The Last Baronet. The fact that there were weird characters being introduced well into the book was unusual and made it rather interesting, I found some of the quirky characters and descriptions rather amusing. My criteria for a great book is that it stays with me after I have finished reading or I want more about the characters of the book (probably why I love a series of books) this did not happen with The Last Baronet so I will probably vote for 'good'. Yes agree would have loved a bit more horsey content, but if I was really that fussed I could have read a book that was promoted as being about horses.
|
|
|
Post by Claire on Feb 15, 2017 19:44:09 GMT 1
Interesting comments on the book so far.
Rally - I didn't think it was set in the 1980s, I thought it was just set in the present day...? Have I missed something?
|
|
|
Post by rallycairn on Feb 18, 2017 4:00:15 GMT 1
Yes, there is definite date placing at the end, but it would be a major spoiler to say what it is! I truly am puzzled as to why because I agree it feels more contemporary other than the mention at the end and in the beginning when Sir Vivian is with the bank officer and then at the end.
|
|
|
Post by Claire on Feb 19, 2017 14:15:14 GMT 1
Thanks Rally. I remember something at the beginning about the 1980s being when the landed gentry started to go on a downward slide, but just assumed it was historical backdrop. I haven't got to the bit at the end yet as I'm plodding on with it quite slowly and reading another couple of books at the same time.
|
|
|
Post by rallycairn on Feb 20, 2017 3:55:37 GMT 1
I was the same, Claire -- I first read it as meaning "beginning in the 1980s and continuing to the present" but the exact wording did leave me wondering if it was meant to be set in the 80s, and it later became clear.
I do like the characters and the setting of restoring the great house and so on, and I love the family of spaniels! It is just a differently paced book. I need to get back into it, it is certainly worth finishing, I've just been into other things at the moment.
|
|
|
Post by garej on Feb 20, 2017 16:02:46 GMT 1
I must be stupid because I didn't pick up that it was based in the 1980s. Although I have picked it up since I still haven't finished it. Unless it becomes a real stinker I probably will read it again judging from what I read so far.
|
|
|
Post by Claire on Feb 21, 2017 20:04:34 GMT 1
It is just a differently paced book. I need to get back into it, it is certainly worth finishing, I've just been into other things at the moment. Yes I do find it too slow paced, that may be one of the reasons I'm struggling with it a bit. I must admit though I am a bit of an impatient reader. I preferred the faster pace of her YA books. In a way the book almost feels like a series of vignettes, very well drawn characters (if too many) and dialogue but it's lacking (so far) a sense of cohesion to pull it all together. And just too many viewpoints for a novel of this size, that only seems to work in huge epic type novels. I keep picking it up and reading bits here and there and quite enjoying what I read but there is no sense of urgency to finish the book or find out what happens next.
|
|
|
Post by darkhorse on Mar 3, 2017 23:20:19 GMT 1
Has anyone, other than Brumby, managed to finish it? I'm still stuck.
|
|
|
Post by garej on Mar 4, 2017 2:08:10 GMT 1
No I haven't finished it either. I haven't had the impotence to finish it. If it really grabbed me then I would have been more eager to read more.
|
|
|
Post by kunuma1 on Mar 4, 2017 22:39:17 GMT 1
Now come on everyone! If I can plough through a book bringing together quantum physics and general relativity ( and I hate equations) then this one can't be that bad!
|
|
|
Post by Claire on Mar 5, 2017 0:54:52 GMT 1
Kunuma - I'll send it to you and see if you can get through it! Acrually I'm still plodding on with it. I probably would have given up if I wasn't the bloomin organiser of the group read and the one who chose it!!! I might make a concerted effort to finish it this week as it's just about time for the next book/Spring read...
|
|
|
Post by kunuma1 on Mar 5, 2017 14:11:02 GMT 1
Kunuma - I'll send it to you and see if you can get through it! Acrually I'm still plodding on with it. I probably would have given up if I wasn't the bloomin organiser of the group read and the one who chose it!!! I might make a concerted effort to finish it this week as it's just about time for the next book/Spring read... Well I asked for that! It must be pretty dire, all of you giving up on it!! Right - I'll give it a shot - just read the whole series of Terry Pratchett's Discworld books, I took a while to get into them, but was quite sad when I finished them!
|
|
|
Post by rallycairn on Mar 5, 2017 23:35:08 GMT 1
Ok, everyone has lit a fire under my tail, so I, too, will make a commitment to picking it up again this week.
|
|
|
Post by Claire on Mar 7, 2017 22:30:04 GMT 1
It really is a strange one, I certainly wouldn't say it's dire, in fact there's good stuff in it, there's just something about the damn thing than doesn't motivate me to keep reading. Normally if I found it this hard to get through a book I'd give it a bad rating but I just don't feel like I could rate it poor. Like I said, a really odd one! What do other folk think?
Kunuma - I love the Discworld books. Which are your favs - I love the Witches and the Death books best.
|
|
|
Post by kunuma1 on Mar 8, 2017 11:30:22 GMT 1
It really is a strange one, I certainly wouldn't say it's dire, in fact there's good stuff in it, there's just something about the damn thing than doesn't motivate me to keep reading. Normally if I found it this hard to get through a book I'd give it a bad rating but I just don't feel like I could rate it poor. Like I said, a really odd one! What do other folk think? Kunuma - I love the Discworld books. Which are your favs - I love the Witches and the Death books best. I'm a real latecomer to the Discworld - and yes I love the witch ones too and I also really got into the through running story about the 'policemen' which included a werewolf and a vampire!One book involving them that sticks in my mind was 'Thud', which is so much better than it's title suggests! I'm now on the hunt for another new (to me) author!
|
|