Welcome to Litsy!

Helen Dunmore writes beautifully so I had high hopes for this one. I‘m sad to give this a So-So rating but I just didn‘t care about the main character and what happened to her.

I‘m on holiday right now and have left it at the hotel for other readers. I was delighted that the sunset matches my book!

Set in late 1700s Bristol against the background of the French Revolution, and with the presence of main character Lizzie‘s husband who is always watching her, always there when she turns around, there is an undercurrent of menace that gradually builds throughout this book. It is beautifully written and enjoyable for the well drawn characters and sense of place, albeit overall it is slower and quieter than perhaps it needed to be.

Loving this sunshine cover ☀️

I really enjoyed The Birdcage Walk. There wasn‘t a huge amount of plot, but there was a steadily gathering simmering tension present throughout that kept it very interesting. I would have liked more about the French Revolution but as this was set far away from it I can understand why there wasn‘t

I finished this yesterday. This was Helen Dunmore‘s final novel, as she passed away last year. I wanted so badly to love it, but the story just wasn‘t there. That said, Dunmore‘s prose was beautiful, as always, and she included an afterward in the book that made it worth the read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #walterscottprize #prizelistreading

Right now I seem to be obsessed with Prize list reading. I‘m starting this tonight, which is on the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction longlist. I was sorry to hear that Helen Dunmore passed away last year. She was a fantastic writer, and I believe this was her last novel. #walterscottprize #prizelistreading

The 5 books for Q9 charity shop has struck again.

And one of them is #FolioSociety !

Reading this at the moment, bit dark in places, such a lovely writer, so sad that she has died at such a young age.

So hmmmm. This was odd and weird. Beautiful writing and it won‘t sway me away from trying more Dunmore‘s in the future, but what a weird mash up of storylines where nothing happens really? Really kind of dull and boring, actually.

Started this one late last night. My first Dumnore even though I have so many marked to read!

Our August Fiction Book of the Month is the outstanding Birdcage Walk. A beautifully written, historical, psychological thriller that is as poetic as it is haunting.

Working on this one from our last leg of flights from Chicago to laguardia. Plane is delayed a bit... and ready to be home after our 11 day Pacific Northwest vacation. Had a great time but ready for my own bed! #netgalley

This is my first foray into audio books, courtesy of radio 4. I walk 30 minutes each way for work and this is split into neat 15 segment. It's based in Bristol which is reasonably local. I'm a huge fan of Helen Dunmore and am really enthused to be listening to her :)