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Fayne
Fayne: A Novel | Ann-Marie MacDonald
29 posts | 10 read | 30 to read
A beloved writer returns with a tale of science, magyk, love and identity. In the late nineteenth century, Charlotte Bell is growing up at Fayne, a vast and lonely estate straddling the border between England and Scotland, where she has been kept from the world by her adoring father, Lord Henry Bell, owing to a mysterious condition. Charlotte, strong and insatiably curious, revels in the moorlands, and has learned the treacherous and healing ways of the bog from the old hired man, Byrn, whose own origins are shrouded in mystery. Her idyllic existence is shadowed by the magnificent portrait on the landing in Fayne House which depicts her mother, a beautiful Irish-American heiress, holding Charlottes brother, Charles Bell. Charlotte has grown up with the knowledge that her mother died in giving birth to her, and that her older brother, Charles, the long-awaited heir, died soon afterwards at the age of two. When Charlottes appetite for learning threatens to exceed the bounds of the estate, her father breaks with tradition and hires a tutor to teach his daughter as you would my son, had I one. But when Charlotte and her tutors explorations of the bog turn up an unexpected artefact, her father announces he has arranged for her to be cured of her condition, and her world is upended. Charlottes passion for knowledge and adventure will take her to the bottom of family secrets and to the heart of her own identity.
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review
LibraryCin
Fayne: A Novel | Ann-Marie MacDonald
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Mehso-so

This did not turn out as I‘d expected. It was very long and I‘m rating it ok. There were parts I liked, but whenever we switched perspectives, I felt like I was starting over, and wasn‘t interested for the first bit of every switch. It took time to get interested again, but just as that happened, we switched again. The end was a bit weird.

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Cathythoughts
Fayne: A Novel | Ann-Marie MacDonald
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Just starting this one and I love the whole idea of it, if not a bit worried about the page count. It‘s so long 🤞🏻🙈

TrishB I‘ll watch out for your review 👍🏻 6mo
Karisimo The description sounds good! 6mo
Tamra I hope you like it despite being a doorstop! 6mo
See All 15 Comments
Cathythoughts @TrishB 👍🏻❤️ 6mo
Cathythoughts @Karisimo It really does ❤️❤️❤️ 6mo
Cathythoughts @Tamra I love it already. 🤞🏻❤️ 6mo
batsy Love the photo 🌸 6mo
LeahBergen I‘ll be watching to see how you like it. You may inspire me to finally pull it off my shelf! 😆 6mo
Cathythoughts @LeahBergen I think I‘ll like it , I‘m just worried about the length of it. I have to be in a certain frame of mind to tackle these long books … 🤞🏻🤞🏻 ♥️ 6mo
LeahBergen @Cathythoughts So do I! 😬 6mo
sarahbarnes This one is on my list. 😊 6mo
Cathythoughts @sarahbarnes 👍🏻❤️ 6mo
Cathythoughts @LeahBergen 😬 I havnt got too far. I might be in a little slump… I‘ve set time aside for today , see what this slump is all about … 🤞🏻 6mo
LeahBergen I‘ve felt a little slumpy lately and then pulled myself out of it by reading really light books 😆 6mo
70 likes2 stack adds15 comments
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Cathythoughts
Fayne: A Novel | Ann-Marie MacDonald
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Two new books bought on trip to Dublin today. Both Litsy inspired. I‘m excited about the tagged book @Tamra 👍🏻❤️ It‘s very long. I can do it 😁

Tamra 👏🏾 Slow & steady! I‘ve been missing the world of Fayne every evening. I will be curious as to what you think of the end. 7mo
LeahBergen I‘ve been staring at Fayne on my shelves for ages. The chunkiness of it has deterred me. 😆 7mo
Cathythoughts @Tamra Yes your review inspired me. Sounds like a really good one. @LeahBergen I know ! I‘m all talk , I think it will be good but I‘m afraid of the length of it 😳♥️ 7mo
See All 17 Comments
Cathythoughts @Tamra I need to learn Slow & Steady ! 🙈😆 7mo
Tamra @Cathythoughts @LeahBergen I read a chapter in bed each night. I‘ve done that twice now with chunky monkeys and it doesn‘t feel burdensome at all. 😄 7mo
Cathythoughts @Tamra Good plan ❤️ 7mo
MicheleinPhilly Prima Facie is EXTRAORDINARY! 7mo
Cathythoughts @MicheleinPhilly Oh good. Your review and @squirrelbrain were the deciding factors 👍🏻👍🏻♥️♥️ 7mo
Cathythoughts @MicheleinPhilly I‘m always in bookshops looking up Litsy ♥️ 7mo
squirrelbrain I won‘t say ‘enjoy‘ because it‘s not that kind of book, but I think you‘ll love Prima Facie. 7mo
Cathythoughts @squirrelbrain Thanks Helen ♥️ 7mo
TrishB I have Fayne ready 😁 via the lovely @LeahBergen I‘m saving for Gladstone‘s this year! 6mo
LeahBergen @TrishB That will be a good place to read it! 6mo
Cathythoughts @TrishB Nice plan Trish 👍🏻❤️ I‘m going to finish Blaze Me A Sun by Christoffer Carlsson. Then maybe another by him and then tackle Fayne … that‘s the plan anyway 😁. 6mo
Suet624 I often think of MacDonald‘s earlier novel. I read it years ago. So atmospheric. I should check in on it again. 6mo
Cathythoughts @Suet624 Stacking that one now. Thankyou ❤️ 6mo
Suet624 I hope it still holds up! The first review on Goodreads is a 1 star review 6mo
72 likes17 comments
review
Tamra
Fayne: A Novel | Ann-Marie MacDonald
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Pickpick

I looked forward to reading a chapter of this chunkster each night. It is suspenseful, atmospheric, gothic, historical fiction with a couple of twists. It begs questions about what is “natural”, essential identity, and belonging.

Fayne lies within a disputed region between Scotland & England. Resolution either way will dissolve the title, which is central to the main idea.

I‘m a tad disappointed with the end, it was unnecessarily drawn out.

slategreyskies Wow, this looks amazing! I‘ve never heard of it before. Stacking! 7mo
Tamra @slategreyskies I don‘t know why it doesn‘t get more reader attention, maybe the length? 7mo
slategreyskies Maybe. I checked my library for it, and they don‘t have a copy at any of their branches. That surprised me, because it looks like something people would enjoy reading. I‘m considering putting in a request for a copy. 7mo
See All 16 Comments
Tamra @slategreyskies shoot! I‘d request it and keep an eye out for a second hand copy. 7mo
slategreyskies I think I will! Good idea! :) 7mo
batsy This really sounds intriguing! I remember adding it to my list after @merelybookish review and will bump it up 😊 7mo
sarahbarnes Great review! Like @batsy I was intrigued by the review of this from @merelybookish and this is a reminder that I still want to read it. 😊 7mo
LeahBergen I loved two of this author‘s previous books and have this one waiting on my shelves. It may not be so well known because the author‘s Canadian? 🤷🏻‍♀️ 7mo
Cathythoughts This is a great review X. I already have it stacked. @LeahBergen and previous books good too. I‘m more than curious now ❤️ 7mo
Tamra @batsy @sarahbarnes @Cathythoughts I hope you are immersed as well when you get to it. 😁 7mo
Tamra @batsy @sarahbarnes @Cathythoughts I hope you are immersed as well when you get to it. 😁 7mo
Tamra @LeahBergen crazy thing is I had Fall on Your Knees on my bookshelf for years and unhauled it. 🤦🏽‍♀️🤷🏾‍♀️🙇🏾‍♀️ (edited) 7mo
sarahbarnes I have Fall on your Knees on my shelf from a used bookstore. I haven‘t read it yet. 7mo
Tamra @sarahbarnes I bought another copy yesterday! 😆 7mo
merelybookish Great review and thanks for the tag @batsy! I think there are flaws to the book (length, cough cough) but the first half is SO good. 7mo
merelybookish @sarahbarnes Fall on Your Knees is wonderful and will break your heart 💔 7mo
54 likes3 stack adds16 comments
review
Twocougs
Fayne: A Novel | Ann-Marie MacDonald
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Pickpick

A 700+ page masterpiece. What a story!

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TrishB
Fayne: A Novel | Ann-Marie MacDonald
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Thank you Leah- this looks fantastic!! I‘ve never heard of it and I can‘t wait to read now.
Yours has not yet been dispatched and I think it will be addressed to me when it does 🤷‍♀️ but hopefully turn up at your address.

LeahBergen Yay, it arrived! I thought I‘d send you some Canada Lit. Happy Birthday! And this parcel‘s tracking kept addressing me by your name. 😆 12mo
TrishB Lol! I think more sites should have a ‘is it a gift option!‘ 12mo
LeahBergen Exactly! 😆 12mo
TheKidUpstairs Loved this book! 12mo
68 likes4 comments
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JuniperWilde
Fayne: A Novel | Ann-Marie MacDonald
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Do you ever wish chunksters came in 2 part options. I‘m enjoying this 700+ page historical fiction but it‘s a beast to carry.

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Lindy
Fayne: A Novel | Ann-Marie MacDonald
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Pickpick

My 2023 Giller Prize Longlist Wishlist
https://youtu.be/XtpSlncgqqE

#shadowgiller2023 #CanLit

review
TheKidUpstairs
Fayne: A Novel | Ann-Marie MacDonald
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Pickpick

So good. It's just so freaking good. 700+ pages, and I would have happily stayed for more. Gothic, coming of age, historical fiction with a dusting of magical realism. It is about love, truth, family, friendship, loyalty, cowardice, the magic of nature, and the power of discovering one's true self and carving your own path in the world. It is messy and beautiful and imperfect in the most perfect way.

Tamra Really want to read this one! 1y
60 likes1 stack add1 comment
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TheKidUpstairs
Fayne: A Novel | Ann-Marie MacDonald
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Kids are exploring tide pools with the husband while I "make dinner." A.K.A: I've got some potatoes boiling, but I'm drinking wine and hanging with Charlotte Bell.

This book is FANTASTIC by the way. And that's not just the wine speaking.

ShelleyBooksie Good to know!!! It's on my list ♡ 1y
MicheleinPhilly I‘ve had my eye on this one for months but I don‘t think it has been published in the States. 😕 I may have to do some Canadian shopping. 1y
Tamra So want to read! 1y
Cinfhen Lovely photo 🥰 1y
56 likes4 comments
review
JacqMac
Fayne: A Novel | Ann-Marie MacDonald
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Pickpick

That was sooo good! A little long, yes. It took me forever to read it. But that‘s okay, I loved being lost in the story for a long while.

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JacqMac
Fayne: A Novel | Ann-Marie MacDonald
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This little guy just makes me happy. Steeping a cup of tea and hoping to get this book finished this weekend. It‘s a great book, but I haven‘t had a lot of time.

5feet.of.fury What a cute steeper! 1y
42 likes1 comment
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JacqMac
Fayne: A Novel | Ann-Marie MacDonald
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I have things to do. But this book is about to take a turn. I know you know what I mean. How can I stop now?!

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JacqMac
Fayne: A Novel | Ann-Marie MacDonald
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The hubby is working from home today. The cats and I are trying to be quiet while he has zoom meetings. It‘s such a struggle.

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Gleefulreader
Fayne: A Novel | Ann-Marie MacDonald
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Trying to get this finished for a book club but finding it difficult as it is making me so angry. I really struggle with books these days where the driving force seems to be how much one character can endure in unfairness and harshness. While I don‘t need my books to be all rainbows and butterflies, I find I have a limit these days to what *I* can endure.

Texreader I really understand the feeling! Lately I‘ve found some books just too much to bear. It always surprises me 2y
8 likes1 comment
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xicanti
Fayne: A Novel | Ann-Marie MacDonald
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I normally tuck up in bed late in the evening and read until I pass out, but FAYNE‘s so large I‘ve gotta stay up with it—and with Casey, who sleeps in the living room or the front hall as the mood takes him.

Even though the book‘s a literal pain to hold, I‘m flying through it. I‘m so worried about everyone, and so mad at late 19th century Scottish society, that I can‘t put it down. Ann-Marie MacDonald always does this to me.

dabbe Hello, Cuddliest Casey! ❣️🐾❣️ 2y
xicanti @dabbe Casey says hello back! 2y
BookNAround Casey is such a sweet love. 2y
xicanti @BookNAround he really is. 2y
44 likes1 stack add4 comments
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xicanti
Fayne: A Novel | Ann-Marie MacDonald
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I plunged into FAYNE last night, and while I‘m enchanted with the story (Charlotte is EXTREMELY! EXCITED! ABOUT! SCIENCE!), I‘m already frustrated with the sheer heft of the thing. It weighs a little less than 2.5 lbs and it‘s frickin hard to read in bed on this pain day. I wish Past Me had checked the page count right after it came out and haunted Libby to nab an ebook copy as soon as they licensed one instead of sticking with my hardcover hold.

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xicanti
Fayne: A Novel | Ann-Marie MacDonald
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And here‘s this week‘s library haul! I‘m especially excited for FAYNE. I‘ve had it on suspension for the last couple months, since it‘s 700 pages in hardcover and I didn‘t want to haul it around with me while I was petsitting. Now I‘m home for long enough to read it in as convenient a manner as one CAN read a book in an inconvenient format.

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BookishTrish
Fayne: A Novel | Ann-Marie MacDonald
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Pickpick

25 hours exceptionally well spent. I was so invested in the characters and setting and story.

mcctrish I have this in my pile 2y
LeahBergen I have this one waiting for me. 👍 2y
45 likes1 stack add2 comments
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shawnmooney
Fayne: A Novel | Ann-Marie MacDonald
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https://youtu.be/Z1DzE2E6zWI

Chat #1: with Mikiko in Ireland

Fayne by Ann-Marie MacDonald

Adult Onset by Ann-Marie MacDonald

Fall on Your Knees by Ann-Marie MacDonald

The Way the Crow Flies by Ann-Marie MacDonald

Chat #2: with Kevvie of C‘est Kevvie - from Chicago

Little Blue Encyclopedia (for Vivian) by Hazel Jane Plante

shawnmooney Chat #3: with Reggie from Española, New Mexico
@reggie

Pew by Catherine Lacey

Chat #4: with Charlie from the South of France

Maame by Jessica George
2y
LeahBergen @Reggie ! 👏👏 2y
Centique Thank you for the shout out @Reggie I just watched and you were a star as always! So true that everyone sees this book through a different lens. And thank you Shawn for all your great videos 😘 2y
Reggie Thanks Shawn for the chance to talk books as always. @LeahBergen @Centique thanks, ladies. It‘s always fun getting to talk books. 2y
Megabooks Well now I‘ve got to watch @Reggie !! Plus I really want to read that book. (edited) 2y
32 likes5 comments
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JuniperWilde
Fayne: A Novel | Ann-Marie MacDonald
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Up next, FAYNE by Anne Marie McDonald. I loved Fall On Your Knees and can‘t wait to see what the author has cooked up in her latest novel.

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merelybookish
Fayne: A Novel | Ann-Marie MacDonald
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Pickpick

Wow, this book enchanted me, led me on, surprised me, made me squirm, broke my heart, tried my patience, and then AND THEN ended with such wonder & beauty, I cried. It is (too) long, and it isn't perfect, but who cares because it's an enthralling, misty, boggy, topsy-turvy emotional experience. What more could a reader want?

vivastory If I wasn't already 100% sold on this book, your review would have def done so. Looking forward to this one! 2y
merelybookish @vivastory Thanks Scott! I know @Lindy is a big fan. She chose it as her fave novel of 2022! 2y
TheKidUpstairs I have to read this soon, just need to prepare for such a chunkster! It's been sitting on my shelf since I saw her read in October. She's one of my absolute favourites. 2y
See All 20 Comments
JamieArc I went to read what it was about but then thought, “I don‘t even care what it‘s about” because your review is enough to stack it! 2y
LeahBergen Well, now I‘m even more excited to get to this! Great review. 2y
batsy Excellent review! 2y
jlhammar Sounds great. You're inspiring me to finally get around to reading Fall on Your Knees this year. It has been on my shelves for ages. 2y
Tamra Can‘t wait to read! 2y
merelybookish @TheKidUpstairs If you love her, I'm confident you'll be into this book! 2y
merelybookish @JamieArc Haha! Thank you! It gives "all the feels" as they say! ? 2y
merelybookish @jlhammar Thank you! I read that years ago. It's wonderful & heartbreaking! ❤️💔 2y
merelybookish @Tamra It's the kind of novel that sweeps you up and away! 2y
Lindy Margot, I‘m so pleased that you mentioned the ending. I wasn‘t expecting it to hit my emotions so deeply. 💚 2y
merelybookish @Lindy It started to go downhill for me around the time C landed at Miss Gourley's and I was starting to think I would be disappointed. But that final return to Fayne was brilliant! I love it when an ending not only satisifies but elevates a novel! 2y
Cathythoughts Great review 👍🏻♥️ I have it stacked already ! 2y
Centique Great review! I am sold 😍 There‘s something about a book that‘s emotionally engaging but a little over long and baggy - it‘s like the writer couldn‘t bear to cut any of it out and the reader feels the same. 2y
sarahbarnes Wow, great review! I will now be adding this to my TBR. (edited) 2y
kspenmoll Love your review! 2y
71 likes6 stack adds20 comments
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merelybookish
Fayne: A Novel | Ann-Marie MacDonald
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Reading at the arcade, as you do. 🤷

vivastory Waiting for your turn for Donkey Kong? 2y
merelybookish @vivastory Well I might make an exception for DK! Or Pac-Man 2y
Aims42 Direct me to the Tetris 👍😆 2y
merelybookish @Aims42 A classic! 2y
76 likes4 comments
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Lindy
Fayne: A Novel | Ann-Marie MacDonald
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Fiction Favourites of 2022
https://youtu.be/VpK0lollNp0

#booktube

sarahbarnes Elena Knows and The Colony were two of my favorites as well. 2y
Lindy @sarahbarnes 😁👍 2y
37 likes1 stack add2 comments
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merelybookish
Fayne: A Novel | Ann-Marie MacDonald
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Starting this chunkster. Just a few pages in and I'm already bewitched by the description of the Scottish moors. #Canlit

Readergrrl This looks great! 2y
LeahBergen I received this for Christmas, too. 👍 2y
Cathythoughts Sounds great. Stacked. 2y
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batsy Not heard of it before. Sounds really good! 2y
merelybookish @Readergrrl @Cathythoughts @batsy A Canadian book so not sure how much press it gets outside of here. It is captivating so far! And @Lindy loved it! 2y
merelybookish @LeahBergen My next book club book so have to get cracking! It is long! 2y
Readergrrl I‘m actually in New Brunswick right now for the holidays and was just up in Saint John at an Indigo yesterday! Wish I had seen your post before that!! I‘m friendly with my local indie store down home in CT. I‘m going to try to get them to order it for me as I can‘t find it on Amazon yet (I try to avoid Amzn when I can anyway). 2y
merelybookish @Readergrrl Where are you staying in NB? I'm near Saint John. I would suggest Book. Depository but its owned by Amazon too. Hopefully you can get a copy! 2y
Readergrrl @merelybookish My family is from Deer Island. I have a home here that I recently inherited from my mother, but I‘ve been coming up to the island my whole life. I‘m a “summer girl” 😂 My aunt lives in Rothesay, so I try to get to SJ at least once during the Christmas break. I‘m up all summer, though, so I‘ll definitely check back in at Indigo at least. Maybe by then I can find it down my way too! 2y
merelybookish @Readergrrl Im sure Deer Island is much nicer in the summer! 2y
vivastory I added this to my TBR after the enthusiastic endorsement by @lindy on her recent video. It sounds wonderful. 2y
merelybookish @vivastory It's really good so far!! 2y
59 likes2 stack adds12 comments
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Lindy
Fayne: A Novel | Ann-Marie MacDonald
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Friday Reads December 23: great books that‘ll knock your holiday slippers off!
https://youtu.be/w6yJf4e_cOk
#booktube

vivastory Your video absolutely sold me on Fayne!! 2y
Lindy @vivastory Thanks for watching! And I‘m sure that we will see Fayne on award lists in 2023. 😊 2y
29 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
Fayne: A Novel | Ann-Marie MacDonald
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Ann-Marie MacDonald last night at the Book Drunkard festival. So excited for this book!

MicheleinPhilly I just heard about this book within the last week. I‘m very intrigued but haven‘t been able to find a U.S. publishing date yet. 2y
LeahBergen I‘m looking forward to this one! 👍 2y
59 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
Fayne: A Novel | Ann-Marie MacDonald
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A new book is coming from Ann-Marie MacDonald!! And it sounds GOOOOOD!

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/592620/fayne-by-ann-marie-macdonald/9780...

ShelleyBooksie What!! Yay!! I've met her and she is a wonderful and very gracious woman. 3y
TheKidUpstairs @ShelleyBooksie it is always nice to hear that your favourite authors are good people! I love her writing, can't wait for this one! 3y
59 likes1 stack add2 comments