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The Crane Wife
The Crane Wife | Patrick Ness
A magical novel, based on a Japanese folk tale, that imagines how the life of a broken-hearted man is transformed when he rescues an injured white crane that has landed in his backyard.George Duncan is an American living and working in London. At forty-eight, he owns a small print shop, is divorced, and lonelier than he realizes. All of the women with whom he has relationships eventually leave him for being too nice. But one night he is woken by an astonishing sounda terrific keening, which is coming from somewhere in his garden. When he investigates he finds a great white crane, a bird taller than even himself. It has been shot through the wing with an arrow. Moved more than he can say, George struggles to take out the arrow from the bird's wing, saving its life before it flies away into the night sky.The next morning, a shaken George tries to go about his daily life, retreating to the back of his store and making cuttings from discarded booksa harmless, personal hobbywhen through the front door of the shop a woman walks in. Her name is Kumiko, and she asks George to help her with her own artwork. George is dumbstruck by her beauty and her enigmatic nature, and begins to fall desperately in love with her. She seems to hold the potential to change his entire life, if he could only get her to reveal the secret of who she is and why she has brought her artwork to him.Witty, magical, and romantic, The Crane Wife is a story of passion and sacrifice, that resonates on the level of dream and myth. It is a novel that celebrates the creative imagination, and the disruptive power of love.
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eol
The Crane Wife | Patrick Ness
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Mehso-so

Another look at the Japanese fairytale about marrying a crane, this time set in contemporary Great Britain.

Pretty, but it failed to capture me. For long stretches, I couldn‘t wait for it to be over. Part of it was two cheating subplots (my personal pet peeve: I hate cheating in books). The other issue was that—for some unfathomable reason—the plot took away from the characters…?

And it was all about characters. Or—it was supposed to be.

3/5

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Jas16
The Crane Wife | Patrick Ness
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Panpan

I hate being disappointed by a book I have been looking forward to reading for ages. It started strong but it went steadily down hill from there. I think I will stick to Ness‘s YA books.

Texreader Bummer. I feel the same way when that happens. So disappointed 3y
ChaoticMissAdventures Oh no what a bummer! I do enjoy their YA though. 3y
43 likes2 comments
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MelHopton
The Crane Wife | Patrick Ness
Pickpick

I absolutely loved this book! I was dimly aware of the crane folk story but I found the delicate descriptions of heartache and human relationships beautiful. The story of the crane and the volcano was entirely appropriate and the two stories folded together beautifully, like the extended metaphor of the art. A joyous read, a page-turner. Kumiko's inevitable fate and the gentle aftermath ensured this book was nourishing like a hearty meal.

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Jennaree3
The Crane Wife | Patrick Ness
Bailedbailed

Imagine you have a dream...and you‘re high. And there are a bunch of incoherent ideas and stream-of-consciousness thoughts, but none of them are related nor do they make any sense. That is this book. Don‘t bother. I gave it 200 pages, but knowing there were another 100 pages left of this total unintelligible nonsense, just forget it. Total, royal dud.

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Jennaree3
The Crane Wife | Patrick Ness
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Up next! 😎💕

5 likes1 stack add
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LiteraryinLawrence
The Crane Wife | Patrick Ness
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Mehso-so

I picked up this book because I loved Ness‘s book A Monster Calls. It turns out I just liked that individual book, not the author‘s overall style, I guess. This one was too dependent on magical realism. Weaving together the fable of a crane and a volcano along with what was going on in the plot didn‘t make sense to me. I was confused and didn‘t like all the surreal elements. If that is your thing, though, you might really connect to this book.

TracyReadsBooks If you like science fiction and haven‘t read his Chaos Walking trilogy (first book is The Knife of Never Letting Go), you may want to take a look. It‘s excellent. Very different from A Monster Calls but I think it‘s the best thing Ness has written. 4y
71 likes1 comment
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LiteraryinLawrence
The Crane Wife | Patrick Ness
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Calling all Britain-Littens! 💜

Pretty soon, @wanderer15 and I will be leaving for our honeymoon in England! There will be lots of time set aside for reading (I‘m tentatively packing 9 books) and we‘ll be staying in the Cotswolds and London. Do you have any must-see bookstores or other sites to recommend?

The forecast looks like it will be perfect for bundled-up spurts of exploring followed by cozying up inside with books and tea!! 💜

rockpools How lovely! Are you going to visit Bath? Toppings and Mr Bs Emporium are both absolute treasures! 4y
TrishB In London - Foyles and the British Library! 4y
Tanisha_A How lovely! 🙂 4y
See All 7 Comments
MrBook Awesome!!! I‘ll be giving rapt attention to the recs on this post! 😁 4y
AnneCecilie I absolutely loved this store when I visited London 4y
LeeRHarry I second Daunts Books, Waterstones is a good one too, it‘s a chain so they are everywhere, I also second Foyles. 4y
LiteraryinLawrence Thank you so much @RachelO @TrishB @AnneCecilie @LeeRHarry ! These are wonderful suggestions! 4y
58 likes7 comments
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Soubhiville
The Crane Wife | Patrick Ness
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I stopped by to visit a neighborhood Little Free Library on my morning walk with the dog. I left this book, and didn‘t plan to take anything with me, but a title grabbed my attention: The Thing About Jellyfish, so that came home with me 😊. #LFL

Hooked_on_books That looks like an old newspaper vending machine. I love it when things are repurposed. 👍🏼 5y
Soubhiville @Hooked_on_books yes it is! There was one like this in Knoxville too. It‘s such a great use for them. 💙 5y
56 likes3 comments
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Buechersuechtling
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Bailedbailed

This book and I, we had a smooth start and in the beginning I was sure I would love it. But now I need to bail it before page 50 because I don‘t have any patience – either for that “poetic” writing style that I only find meandering nor for George‘s unbearable mother.

Additionally, not for Ness‘ erratic way of telling his story. What shall it be all about and where does Ness want to lead to his readers❓ Sorry, I‘m not in the mood to find out.

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Buechersuechtling
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“One night George is woken by a terrific keening. When he investigates he finds a great white crane. It has been shot through the wing with an arrow. George struggles to take it out from the bird's wing, saving its life. The next morning, he meets Kumiko, who might change his entire life … A story of passion and sacrifice, that resonates on the level of dream and myth that celebrates the creative imagination, and the disruptive power of love.”

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Buechersuechtling
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Started this one the evening day before yesterday. I am not very far in but I already like that the story is starting less weird than I expected from the marketing blurb.

Additionally I really like the beautiful cover. 😍 In colour it is way more beautiful than on my black and white e-book reader display.

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Buechersuechtling
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While talking with @Cathy_J and @Andrew65 – Cc @Cathythoughts – about Patrick Ness‘ “Chaos-Walking”-trilogy I searched for (more) Patrick Ness‘ books at my online library‘s stock.

“The Crane Wife” is what I found. 🧡 I put it on my wish list, so please note ➕1️⃣ for my #BookishGoal. 😊

Andrew65 Not heard of that one I will have to check it out. 5y
6 likes1 comment
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KetoReader
The Crane Wife | Patrick Ness
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Mehso-so

I hate that the first book I've read since joining was just so-so. I picked it up because I love PATRICK Ness' trilogy but this magical realism just isn't my cup of tea.

Chelleo Welcome! Check out the Litsy Tips by @RaimeyGallant : https://raimeygallant.com/2017/10/31/litsytips/ and Litsy Video tutorials here: https://youtu.be/mH6Xdr_CACI Hopefully they‘ll help you to get settled in here. 6y
Chelleo No worries....you‘ll #blamelitsy soon enough for all the new books you‘ll soon be reading 😂😊 (edited) 6y
RaimeyGallant Welcome from me too! #LitsyWelcomeWagon You'll soon be under the #Litfluence. ;) 6y
Jess7 Welcome!! 6y
TheWordJar Welcome to Litsy! Interesting concept for the book. I adore the original folk tale! 6y
10 likes5 comments
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Balibee146
The Crane Wife | Patrick Ness
Mehso-so

Wish there was a 'Hmmmm??' rating as So-so seems kind of unfair. This book had some truly beautiful passages and sentences and Patrick Ness's usual keen descriptions of those hard to articulate feelings and ideas....this had a deep seated dream like quality to the writing. Somehow it just didn't work as a novel though.... Perhaps a lack of characterisation??? I closed the book feeling moved but thinking 'what did I just read?' #read2017

TrishB That‘s like a lot of his for me! 6y
29 likes1 comment
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emmaturi
The Crane Wife | Patrick Ness
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Pickpick

This was an very interesting story, not sure I would have chosen it myself. So thanks to my book subscription! I also enjoyed Whispers Underground too! #books #bookcovers #bluebooks #booknerd #bookworm #booklover

14 likes1 stack add
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emmaturi
The Crane Wife | Patrick Ness
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I got these 3 books for free when I was at the book store on Friday! Nothing like getting books for free! #books #bookspines #bookcrazy #tbr #bookmad

SilversReviews Nice photo. Nice books. 6y
22 likes2 comments
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Balibee146
The Crane Wife | Patrick Ness
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"... the injustice that outraged the modern world above all others" ??

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Balibee146
The Crane Wife | Patrick Ness
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Next on Kindle...... reading this in the car....

TrishB I find his books one end of the spectrum (awesome) or completely the opposite! Will be interested to see your review. 6y
45 likes1 stack add1 comment
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emmaturi
The Crane Wife | Patrick Ness
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I decided to treat myself to a book subscription. This arrived today! #books #booksubscription #bookcovers #bluebooks #lovetoread

Cathythoughts We have to treat ourselves ❤️❤️ 6y
emmaturi Yes indeed, very true! @Cathythoughts 6y
19 likes2 comments
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The.Intentional.Reader
The Crane Wife | Patrick Ness
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I love this passage. I feel the exact same way!

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The.Intentional.Reader
The Crane Wife | Patrick Ness
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Started this last night and so far it is really good. Seems to be based loosely on a fairly tale from what I can gather. Looks good!

9 likes1 stack add
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readingallthetime
The Crane Wife | Patrick Ness
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"In her dreams , she flies ". I guess this wasn't the book for me.

3 likes1 stack add
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MrBook
The Crane Wife | Patrick Ness
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#TheOmnivorousBookClub is currently wrapping up! A 2-hour discussion tonight 😁👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻! Books centered around animals. Anything stand out to you? @BookBabe

LuLeeBelle Dogs of Babel was soooooo goooooood 7y
huntersmom1977 Wow!! You are in heaven everyday!! So jealous 😊😊😁 7y
huntersmom1977 Me & Marley, Art of racing in the Rain and the Dali Lama's Cat should be added to that pile Jay. 🙊😊 7y
See All 8 Comments
ApoptyGina69 On Thursday we are going to see The Decembrists in Oakland, CA. One of my fave CDs by them is called The Crane Wife! I have not read it. #stacked! 😍📚 7y
PacingTheCage The Lost Dogs - I started fostering dogs after reading that one. 7y
Zelma I absolutely loved The Dog Master. It was like a soap opera with early hominids. And wolves. 7y
LeahBergen The Lost Dogs! 7y
117 likes7 stack adds8 comments
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readingallthetime
The Crane Wife | Patrick Ness
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I'm intrigued by Patrick Ness. I picked this up at the library tonight.

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Readasaurus_rex
The Crane Wife | Patrick Ness
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He would picture himself there, decades and an ocean...away, under a beautiful blue sky, in the impossible silence of being pushed along the road...under the watchful, terrified eyes of dozens of co-tellers, and because he could see it, and because they could, too, in all their different versions, as their lives crossed each other and bound together in what George could only describe as a mutual embrace, that moment...was always still happening.

15 likes2 stack adds
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EmilyChristine
The Crane Wife | Patrick Ness
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Managed twelve books this month.

5 were recommended to me by friends or for a bookclub
1 audiobook
1 ARC
1 nonfiction

Pretty good mix overall. Loved Man called Ove and Waking Gods, but I did like all of them, but those two were definitely favs.

tpixie Loved Ove. @litsybookclub is doing Handmades tail for March 19 Conference call on Zoom app. Join us! 7y
EmilyChristine @tpixie Oooo! I might have to! 7y
Faibka Wow, nice! 👍📚 7y
22 likes3 comments
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EmilyChristine
The Crane Wife | Patrick Ness
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Pickpick

"In her dreams, she flies."

An interesting story and well written. George saves a crane and then meets Kumiko, a mysterious woman who George needs but doesn't know why and Kumiko needs him.

Allietaylor16 I picked this up at a used bookstore last week and am excited to read it!! 7y
EmilyChristine @Allietaylor16 I hope you like it! 7y
22 likes2 comments
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EmilyChristine
The Crane Wife | Patrick Ness
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"A story never ends at the end."

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EmilyChristine
The Crane Wife | Patrick Ness
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"What was more perfect an object than a book?"

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EmilyChristine
The Crane Wife | Patrick Ness
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Saturday reading and snack.

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EmilyChristine
The Crane Wife | Patrick Ness
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These two books are up next on the reading list. Friend rec and bookclub book. Might have to throw in something light and happy between or during. #bookclub

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mrsbatman85
The Crane Wife | Patrick Ness
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Next book. I adore Patrick Ness. Cried my eyes/heart/soul out at 'A Monster Calls' and did not want the Chaos Walking trilogy to ever end! Next up is this one ❤️📚

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andireja
The Crane Wife | Patrick Ness
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Patrick Ness' first lines never fail to pull me right into the story :)

On the previous page he writes "In her dreams, she flies." - love that quote!

#greatfirstlines #booktober
(I'm not that good with photochallenges, because I travel around too much without the proper books, but I just had to join in on this one!)

18 likes1 stack add
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fueledbyrobert
The Crane Wife | Patrick Ness
Pickpick

Purdy

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SealedWithInk
The Crane Wife | Patrick Ness
Mehso-so

A bit of a strange one I have to say, but I did enjoy it.

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SealedWithInk
The Crane Wife | Patrick Ness

Another audio read from the library :)

4 likes1 stack add
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Babybean
The Crane Wife | Patrick Ness
Pickpick

Beautiful affecting book

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AnnieSmith
The Crane Wife | Patrick Ness
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Pickpick

Amazing novel about a lonely man who blunders into a folk tale. George's life is turned upside down after he rescues a crane. By the end, he will discover art, love, betrayal, and sacrifice.

5 likes1 stack add
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Weakwarm
The Crane Wife | Patrick Ness
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But what good is being smart when you speak words and no one hears the ones you mean?

1 like2 stack adds
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Anna_Snufkin
The Crane Wife | Patrick Ness
Mehso-so

⭐️⭐️ oh I don't even know. It was okay I guess. But nothing more than okay.