A Traveller at the Gates of Wisdom

A Traveller at the Gates of Wisdom | John Boyne

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Wow it‘s been so long since I visited Litsy. I‘ve been reading some wonderful books..two of my favourite authors John Boyne 5 🌟and Geraldine Brooks 4🌟. Also I loved Shy by Max Port and The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry. Missing from my picture is Wifedom by Anna Funder and Jaguar by Sarah Holland-Batt, both 5 🌟 reads for me.
Hope you‘ve been getting some reading time!!
#fiction #literature #greatbooks

Ruthiella Welcome back! 😀 2y

BarbaraBB Welcome back 🩷 2y

Freespirit Thanks @Ruthiella @BarbaraBB good to be sharing book-love again ❤️❤️ 2y

Jeg Good to see you again. Some great reads there 👏 2y

Freespirit Thanks @Jeg I‘ve missed my Litsy friends 2y

41 likes5 comments

squirrelbrain

A Traveller at the Gates of Wisdom | John Boyne

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One very tired puppy!

As for the book…I thought I might have to bail in the first 20% or so; just didn‘t want to pick it up. Then it suddenly grabbed me and I couldn‘t put it down! I‘m in awe that Boyne could come up with such an unusual structure.

I can see why some don‘t like it though, as it‘s definitely not the usual tear-jerking Boyne book.

Thanks for sending me this last year Katie! @youneverarrived

#authoramonth #aam

Soubhiville

BarbaraBB I remember @Cinfhen writing a similar review. I didn‘t make it that far unfortunately. Maybe one day I‘ll give it another try. 4y

KatieB It‘s a difficult book to get into but once I realized what he was doing, I was mesmerized! I‘m glad you enjoyed it too 4y

Cinfhen Yesssss, I loved this book once I saw the connections and story Boyne was creating!! It‘s not Boyne like at all, but I admire what he did. Glad you enjoyed, Helen. Maybe you‘ll try again @BarbaraBB ❤️ 4y

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AmyG Yes, it takes a while to get into. I also loved it. 4y

LeahBergen A dog‘s life is exhausting 😆 4y

youneverarrived Aw look at him ❤️ I‘m glad it was worth sticking with and you enjoyed it! 4y

Soubhiville He looks very comfortable. 💜 4y

Cathythoughts Henry knows how to relax 🥰 4y

Megabooks Interesting. I think I‘m going to stack! 4y

squirrelbrain Yes, it‘s definitely worth a go Meg; I think you‘d appreciate the cleverness. @Megabooks 4y

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marleed

A Traveller at the Gates of Wisdom | John Boyne

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This is creative storytelling - how in the world (past, present, and future) does this author have this unique ability to spin a story!? I thought I‘d struggle to read from AD 1 to 2080 but I was fascinated to read this unnamed traveler move through time and space to discover what changed, what stayed the same, and also what evolved as the story moved forward.

April #AuthorAMonth @Soubhiville
BookSpin #DoubleSpin number 1 @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 4y

Cathythoughts Great review 👍🏻❤️ 4y

Soubhiville That sounds really cool, and I love this photo! 4y

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marleed @Cathythoughts @Soubhiville Yea, I think I was in the right mood to absorb this one. And thanks! My late husband built an epic tree house for our son and a hobbit house for my daughter. Both houses were ceremoniously broken down before I sold the house, but we saved the doors to each. This is my daughter‘s hobbit house door. 4y

Cathythoughts What a beautiful memory to have ❤️ I love this hobbit house door ♥️ 4y

Soubhiville That‘s really sweet, love it! 4y

76 likes6 comments

squirrelbrain

A Traveller at the Gates of Wisdom | John Boyne

Thank you so much for my lovely gift Katie @youneverarrived ! 😘

I‘m very intrigued by this book, as I‘ve loved all of Boyne‘s other books that I‘ve read so really looking forward to this one.

Love Randoms too - and even the wrapping paper was beautiful!

youneverarrived Glad you got it ok 😘 I had no idea Boyne had wrote so many books! This one does sound interesting. 4y

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BarbaraBB

A Traveller at the Gates of Wisdom | John Boyne

pan

I‘m sorry to say this Boyne didn‘t work for me. The premise did sound interesting but it felt so repetitive. For now I‘m using this book for #SriLanka but I may change it for another one because it feels like cheating. I‘m sorry I can‘t be more enthusiastic about a book you so lovingly shared with me Cindy 🤷🏻‍♀️😘

#ReadingAsia2021 🇱🇰

Cinfhen, Librarybelle

AmyG It really took me a while to get the “hang” of this book. I can understand why some don‘t like it. 4y

BarbaraBB @AmyG I might have liked it if I‘d got the hang of it, but it mostly made me impatient (that‘s me, not the book) (edited) 4y

TrishB I gave it a so so, but it definitely wasn‘t my fave. 4y

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DavidDiamond I love Boyne and this book, but I know it‘s not for everyone! The Hearts Invisible Furies is still my all time fave! 4y

Librarybelle I have yet to read this, or any book, by Boyne, though I have a copy of The Hearts Invisible Furies waiting very patiently for me to pick up from my stack of books. 4y

BarbaraBB @TrishB I scrolled through the reviews and came across yours. I‘m glad it‘s not just me. 4y

BarbaraBB @DavidDiamond That‘s my favorite too and I was surprised I didn‘t enjoy this one. It is so different from his other works though! 4y

BarbaraBB @Librarybelle I love that you don‘t give in to peer pressure! The book has been all over Litsy for years 😀 (edited) 4y

StellaB I also found this my least favourite one of his of those that I‘ve read. I thought it was an interesting experiment, but I know what you mean about it being repetitive, and the ending didn‘t work at all for me. 4y

Cinfhen I‘m glad you tried it!! Like @AmyG it took me awhile to connect but once I found the thread and concept, it really created a beautiful tapestry for me. I totally get why others might not enjoy this book, especially if you were expecting a “Boyne” read. Feel free to pass the book along or donate, if you want💕 4y

BarbaraBB @Cinfhen I knew it would be different but I guess I just didn‘t open myself to it. I‘d like to read it again one day when I‘m in the mood for it - if you and @AmyG and @DavidDiamond love it there must be more to it than I got from it this time. 4y

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Amiable

A Traveller at the Gates of Wisdom | John Boyne

so-so

An intriguing premise - a vengeance quest told by an unnamed narrator living multiple lives - that wore thin when he became the Forrest Gump of Reincarnation, hanging with major historical figures. (At least he wasn't Napoleon or Cleopatra -- why does everyone who was “reincarnated” think they were famous? Somebody had to be Steve Buscemi's ancestors.) In the end, I was left with a "what the hell did I just read?” feeling. And not in a good way.

Scochrane26 🤣🤣 5y

GinaKButler Disappointing. I really liked the other books I read by this author. 5y

Amiable @GinaKButler Me too — I loved all the other books I‘ve read by him. 5y

59 likes3 comments

TrishB

A Traveller at the Gates of Wisdom | John Boyne

so-so

I was just a bit underwhelmed by this one. I admire his skill as an author to write in so many different styles and so many different types of stories. This one just didn‘t entertain me like some of his others and I found it slightly boring.
I look forward to his next one 😁

squirrelbrain There have been a lot of mixed reviews on this one.... I‘m not tempted yet. 5y

Eyejaybee I felt the same. I had loved the previous books of his that I had read, but found this one rather tedious. 5y

Cathythoughts He‘s hit and miss I think. .... 5y

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Kalalalatja I‘m with you, I wasn‘t moved by this as I have been by some of his other books 5y

TrishB @squirrelbrain @Eyejaybee @Cathythoughts @Kalalalatja I felt this one was hard work! 5y

Cinfhen It was hard work but I enjoyed the process / so CLEVER 5y

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TrishB

A Traveller at the Gates of Wisdom | John Boyne

#currentread
Just decided to read this and then this article was posted on Facebook :

https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/john-boyne-i-was-abused-at-terenure-col...
💔💔

BookishMarginalia Thank you for sharing. I would not have found this article on my own. It‘s very powerful. 5y

MicheleinPhilly Jesus. 💔 5y

TrishB @BookishMarginalia @MicheleinPhilly I hope talking about it is helping him. 💔 5y

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squirrelbrain Gosh that‘s devastating. 5y

batsy That makes me so angry and sad. 5y

Velvetfur God that is SO horrible, that poor darling man.... I am wishing very hard that he meets the most perfect man for him, and stays married this time, along with great therapy sessions of course. 💔 5y

tracey38 That is heartbreaking. 5y

Cathythoughts Heartbreaking 💔💔💔 5y

LeahBergen Ooph. 💔 5y

Kalalalatja 💔💔💔 5y

TrishB @squirrelbrain @batsy @Velvetfur @tracey38 @Cathythoughts @LeahBergen @Kalalalatja it‘s very sad 💔 5y

Bookzombie 💔💔 5y

78 likes12 comments

Kalalalatja

A Traveller at the Gates of Wisdom | John Boyne

so-so

It pains me to say, but this Boyne is #MoreMehThanYeah... every new chapter feels repetitive because the new scene has to be set, all the baddies are apparantly fat and ugly, and that trope got old very quickly. It feels like Boyne is trying to do too much with the setting, but in the process he forgets his character development. Too stereotypical, too flat, and not very interesting...

#Doublespin pick for November, just in time 😅

TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 5y

BarbaraBB Happy new year Katja 🤍🥂 5y

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suvata

A Traveller at the Gates of Wisdom | John Boyne

Read in December 2020 ...
#suvataStats #December Reads #Bookstagram

Nice way to round out the year!

SilversReviews You had a very good December of reading. 5y

suvata @SilversReviews Yes I did. I read a lot wonderful books. 5y

SilversReviews @suvata 😊 5y

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Kalalalatja

A Traveller at the Gates of Wisdom | John Boyne

I finally had some time to start the newest Boyne, but at around 50 pages in, I‘m not impressed, yet. The structure is pretty strange, and I‘m hoping I‘ll just have to find my rythm with it 🤞

#currentlyreading #doublespin from November

vivastory That's too bad. Hopefully it works for you. Did you hear about the mistake he made when he cited a video game? 5y

Kalalalatja @vivastory no, I haven‘t heard, do tell? 😅 5y

vivastory https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/aug/03/john-boyne-accidentally-includes-z... 5y

Kalalalatja @vivastory that is funny, I wouldn‘t have known, because I have never played Zelda, so thanks for telling me 😄 5y

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suvata

A Traveller at the Gates of Wisdom | John Boyne

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An artisan‘s soul repeats his story through several incarnations from A.D. 1 to 2080 — forever trying to gain his father‘s approval and save his sister, wife and child. Truly an epic, mythical journey through time and space that you don‘t want to miss. A literary history of major world events

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Lauren.Archer

A Traveller at the Gates of Wisdom | John Boyne

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My initial thoughts were what I am reading. But as the book develops I realized that Boyne is so brilliant. I have never read anything like this nor do I predict will I again.

44 likes

erzascarletbookgasm

A Traveller at the Gates of Wisdom | John Boyne

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This book is very different to Boyne‘s other books, told in a unique concept which is impressive & cleverly crafted. I was initially confused by the first few chapters, but very soon I was drawn in..very interested with where it was going & Boyne‘s writing style is brilliant. A novel that spans 2 millenniums, across the globe, with important historical events, it was an absorbing read with themes of family, love, values, ⬇️

#ReadingEurope2020

Librarybelle, BarbaraBB

erzascarletbookgasm ... women‘s place in society. It was also fun to come across brief appearances of some historical figures whom the unnamed narrator crosses path with. I didn‘t like the last chapter which I think spoiled the entire book but the ending (epilogue) is great. I think I got the message of the novel. 😅 This one didn‘t tug at my heartstrings like most of his other works, but a very enjoyable read. 👍 5y

BarbaraBB It sounds like an accomplishment finishing it. I don‘t think I am in a hurry to read it! 5y

erzascarletbookgasm @BarbaraBB It‘s a tad long-winded, but worth the read, I think. 🙂 5y

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AmyG Agree. Once you get the hang of it...it takes off. I really enjoyed it. 5y

Librarybelle Great review! 5y

Kalalalatja Interesting... I had a feeling it wouldn‘t be as heart breaking as some of his other books, it really sounds different! 5y

Nute John Boyne is on auto-purchase and auto-read (as soon as possible😆) for me. This awesome review helped solidify that projected determination! 5y

68 likes7 comments

erzascarletbookgasm

A Traveller at the Gates of Wisdom | John Boyne

Almost there. Didn‘t know the book is so long when I started it. It‘s taking me days to read it, not because it‘s not compelling, more of my stressful & distracted brain. Anyway, desperate times call for desperate measures - this book is helping me ✅ off a few more countries which I haven‘t covered #ReadingEurope2020 :
Armenia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czeh Rep, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Switzerland, UK, Vatican City.

Librarybelle, BarbaraBB

LeahBergen I have such ‘distracted brain‘ for reading lately; it‘s annoying!! 5y

squirrelbrain That‘s a lot of countries all in one go - you can do it! 👍😁 5y

BarbaraBB Very good! I hope you‘ll feel better soon. A distracted brain because of the state of the world? 5y

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Kalalalatja I can so relate to a distracted brain 🤯 this is my #doublespin pick this month, but I‘m pretty sure I won‘t get to it, so I‘m saving it for my Christmas holiday 5y

Cathythoughts Definitely distracting times ... good days & bad days with the concentration 👍🏻❤️ 5y

Librarybelle Feel better! 5y

batsy My brain is the same, I'm taking so long with Udolpho for that reason! Here's to some peace of mind soon ❤️ 5y

erzascarletbookgasm @LeahBergen @Kalalalatja @Cathythoughts @batsy @BarbaraBB @Librarybelle Litsy and immersing myself in books have kept me going all these months, but sometimes the reality is hard to ignore. ☹️ Hopefully there will be more good days for us❣️ 5y

erzascarletbookgasm @squirrelbrain This book covers some Asian countries as well, can read this for next year‘s challenge! 😉 5y

squirrelbrain Ooh thanks for the tip! 5y

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erzascarletbookgasm

A Traveller at the Gates of Wisdom | John Boyne

😳

BarbaraBB 😱 5y

TrishB Well ☹️ 5y

TalesandTexts Is this a fictional account or something based on real history? Because I know that in some ancient cultures the consummation of thr newly married couple was witnessed by the religious leader or was celebrated by them right outside the doors of thr bed chamber. 5y

erzascarletbookgasm @nishaagni This excerpt from the tagged book is about a family in Palestine back in A.D. 1. Looks like the author has done his research, since you said such practices do exist in ancient cultures. 5y

TalesandTexts Oh wow! 5y

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Tove_Reads

A Traveller at the Gates of Wisdom | John Boyne

Yes! Just got this one! 🥳🥰

44 likes

Eyejaybee

A Traveller at the Gates of Wisdom | John Boyne

A welcome haven from a fraught Saturday morning. #johnboyne #atravelleratthegatesofwisdom #book #books #fiction #bookish #bookphotography #irishfiction #bookcommunity #booklove #booksandcoffee #caffeine #coffee #coffeeandbooks #booknerd #booksbooksbooks #bookstagram #currentlyreading #i❤️books #verocaffe #dauntbooks #friernbarnet #n11

14 likes

britt_brooke

A Traveller at the Gates of Wisdom | John Boyne

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ An unnamed artist narrates this epic tale of vengeance. Both time and setting change over the course of 2000 years while the characters slightly shift, but remain the same. Very clever story building and structurally interesting. I liked this a lot but it feels like Boyne deliberately tried to write a Pulitzer-caliber book. Something felt forced. Idk. A worthwhile read, regardless.

DavidDiamond He‘s one of my favorite authors...I‘m 100 pages in and loving it! 5y

britt_brooke @DavidDiamond He‘s fantastic! 5y

britt_brooke @Cinfhen Tagging you in case you‘d like to see my review. 🙂 5y

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Cinfhen Exactly!! We were totally on the same page 💚👯‍♀️ I think @BarbaraBB might be interested in seeing your review as well xx 5y

britt_brooke @Cinfhen 🤗 5y

BarbaraBB Thanks for sharing @Cinfhen , I still have no clue what the book is about but am curious to find out after both your reviews! 5y

britt_brooke @BarbaraBB It‘s like nothing I‘ve ever read. Curious to hear your thoughts! 5y

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britt_brooke

A Traveller at the Gates of Wisdom | John Boyne

🎧🐾 Its so peaceful walking this guy first thing in the morning.

#audiowalk #dogsoflitsy

Cathythoughts A lovely time for taking them out 👍🏻❤️ 🐶 5y

MsMelissa Look at him looking up at you with such love 🥰 Dogs truly are the best. 5y

AlaMich He‘s getting so big!! 5y

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wideeyedreader What a beautiful dog!! 5y

batsy Oh! He *is* getting big ❤️ 5y

Caroline2 Ahhhh, look at that face!! 😍 5y

Prairiegirl_reading I didn‘t realize the tagged book was out yet!!! 5y

Prairiegirl_reading Isn‘t it amazing how fast they grow!! 😍 5y

Books4Ever Beautiful dog 🐶 5y

britt_brooke @Cathythoughts For sure! 💚🐾 5y

britt_brooke @Book_Fiend_Melissa He‘s momma‘s boy for sure! 💚🐾 (edited) 5y

britt_brooke @AlaMich Over 30lbs now! 5y

britt_brooke @wideeyedreader Thank you! 💚🐾 5y

britt_brooke @batsy Over 30lbs now, it‘s crazy! 5y

britt_brooke @Caroline2 💚🐾 5y

britt_brooke @Prairiegirl_reading It came out last week! 5y

britt_brooke @Books4Ever Thank you! 💚🐾 5y

100 likes17 comments

LoveToReadLiveToRead

A Traveller at the Gates of Wisdom | John Boyne

WHOOPS!!
Apparently John Boyne‘s latest includes imaginary ingredients from a Zelda game. He‘d googled “how to dye a dress red” and used the first result in his book, not realising it was to, a game. 🤦🏼‍♀️

AmyG Oops 🤣 5y

wanderinglynn 😂😂😂 and his editor didn‘t catch it either?! 5y

LoveToReadLiveToRead @wanderinglynn I know! If you read the names of the ingredients too, they sound ridiculous and quite obviously fictional. My first thought was that an editor would have checked them out. It‘s not like he‘s a first time author or self published. Surely he‘s got a good team behind him? 5y

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erank58

A Traveller at the Gates of Wisdom | John Boyne

With everything going in the world, I haven't seen too much news about upcoming new releases...needless to say, I was ECSTATIC to learn about the new John Boyne on deck! I'm hoping to hear about some more good ones in the next few weeks. Anyone have other highly-anticipated releases slotted for this year or early 2021?

Andrew65 I‘m waiting for The Doors of Stone by Patrick Rothfuss, book 3 in the Kingkiller Chronicles. This is published next month and it‘s nine years since book 2 was published. 5y

swishandflick I'm so excited about Boyne's new book too! Also stoked to see there's a new Tana French on the way

The Searcher

heikemarie @Andrew65 Thanks for reminding me to preorder!! I had another one in mind but I changed it when I saw yours. What he said. 5y

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Bookboss I just received the new Jim Butcher, and I am looking forward to Simon Mayo‘s new book! 5y

erank58 @Andrew65 @heikemarie I've never started The Kingkiller Chronicles for that exact reason. I remember being in middle school waiting for the last Eragon book to be published, and by the time he got around to finishing, I had completely lost interest --though I've been revisiting some middle-grade favorites lately, so maybe I'll get to it one day! 5y

erank58 @swishandflick I just found out about French's new one too! That's going to be another preorder for me at some point! 5y

erank58 @Bookboss Nice!! It's always fun to get new stuff in 😁 Enjoy! 5y

53 likes7 comments

JennyM

A Traveller at the Gates of Wisdom | John Boyne

pick

I love Boyne, so I was super excited to get my hands on this #ARC. But this is nothing like anything I‘ve read of his before. Structurally it‘s ambitious and, after taking a bit of getting used to, I think he nails it. It is a mythical, old as time story. It‘s humanity through the ages. Yet, I found it a tad too long and I got a bit restless in the middle. Cont‘d ⬇️

JennyM Did I enjoy it? Yes, but it was good rather than great. And I think that a lot of Boyne fans will be divided over how they find it. It‘s out 23 July, and I can‘t wait to see what littens make of it! #netgalley (edited) 5y

erzascarletbookgasm Oh, a new Boyne! Real curious about this one. Can‘t wait to see the rest of Boyne‘s fans reactions. 5y

TrishB Can‘t wait 👍🏻 5y

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JennyM @erzascarletbookgasm @trishB I‘m desperate to see what everyone thinks!!! It‘s certainly very different from his usual style. (edited) 5y

swishandflick Wow, what an ARC score!! I can't wait, I hadn't realized he had something new on the way 👏🏽 5y

JennyM @swishandflick I know, I nearly fell over when I got the notification 😁 Hope you‘re doing ok in NYC. Thinking of you all over there xx 5y

swishandflick @JennyM Thank you so much! It has definitely been tough but I'm hanging in there 😊 5y

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