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Seven Steeples
Seven Steeples | Sara Baume
17 posts | 13 read | 11 to read
For fans of Jenny Offill and Rachel Cusk: A stunning, powerful new novel about a couple that pushes against traditional expectations, moving with their dogs to the Irish countryside where they embed themselves in nature and learns truths about love, success versus failure, and what it means to restart our lives on our own terms.
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review
SnowEcho
Seven Steeples | Sara Baume
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Pickpick

A couple and their dogs move to a house in need of repair. It seems rather mundane, but we‘re shown the poetic nature of living life for this particular story set here at this time. That said, if it sounds a bit on the boring side, it is. Slowly moving along, the characters, or the house happens upon life and noted observations — commenting and taking it in as it comes and meanders through. (Continued in comments)

SnowEcho The book is comically easy to put down. But lyrical passages can sink and grab hold of the reader, to be read again and again. It is surely a different type of read, more evoking a feeling than anything else, at least for this reader. 6mo
2 likes1 comment
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MaCa
Seven Steeples | Sara Baume
Pickpick

a broke couple leave expensive Dublin for the countryside. opens with the multiple eyes of the creatures of the mountain under whose shadow they will live looking at them move in. a deep awareness of life that is not human throughout-have never read anything quite like it. a fitting style for our age. If you like human-centered novels this is not for you, but if you notice life on every scale when outdoors-and indoors-it is rewarding & original

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SnowEcho
Seven Steeples | Sara Baume
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Lapping up the poetic prose in this one! #saturdayreads #mountainliving #acoupleandtheirtwodogs #bellandsigh

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Kazzie
Seven Steeples | Sara Baume
Pickpick

Strange book. Explore the idea of really slowing down and receding. So much I enjoyed - the slower pace, the mindful interaction with nature. But the loss of family and connection and community would be too great. I don‘t think I liked the idea of the two becoming one: in a relationship the individuals still matter

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jlhammar
Seven Steeples | Sara Baume
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This was one strange yet beautiful little book. If you are in the mood for something quiet, lyrical and unconventional, I‘d definitely recommend.

Tamra Yes! 13mo
62 likes1 comment
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jlhammar
Seven Steeples | Sara Baume
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“The mountain was full of miniature eyes.”

#FirstLineFridays

Tamra This is a good one! 13mo
55 likes1 comment
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rmaclean4
Seven Steeples | Sara Baume
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jlhammar This is in my March TBR stack. Looking forward to it! 14mo
Librarybelle Nice! 14mo
BarbaraBB I had this stacked already. Sounds great 14mo
squirrelbrain Great review! I started this when it was rumoured for the Booker (I think) but put it to one side; I may try again some time. 14mo
29 likes1 stack add5 comments
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ashw21
Seven Steeples | Sara Baume
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Mehso-so

An introspective story of a young couple who chose to leave Dublin to quieter surroundings to find a home away from the busy world, family and friends.. content in their solace, it is a thought provoking read on what we truly need in life.. loved the writing but just felt distant to the characters .. maybe that was the point.. but a worthwhile read!

BarbaraBB Sounds like a book I‘d enjoy. Stacking. 14mo
ashw21 @BarbaraBB Beautiful writing and imagery .. 14mo
12 likes2 comments
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Tamra
Seven Steeples | Sara Baume
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The above quote sums this novel up. Nothing & everything happens and the mountain is an omnipresent witness to the inexorable passage of time.

Beautiful poetic prose! I am going to look at Baume‘s backlist.

andrew61 I loved, A line made by walking, so will definitely try and read this soon. 1y
Tamra @andrew61 I‘m putting all of her work on my TBR! 1y
jlhammar Lovely. Now I‘m looking forward to this even more. 1y
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Tamra @jlhammar I hope you enjoy it! Slow paced, but the writing is worth the journey. 1y
Cathythoughts Lovely! Stacked it already. 1y
39 likes1 stack add6 comments
blurb
Tamra
Seven Steeples | Sara Baume
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Leisurely morning to be followed by lunch with friends. For this particular set getting a date which works for everyone is akin to herding cats. 🐈 We all enjoy reading, but our conversations are frenetic because we see each other so infrequently, which means bookish conversation doesn‘t last nearly long enough.

Just started this novel and I have high hopes! It appears nature is going to be a central theme. 😊

jlhammar Cute kitty. I'm hoping to get to this one next month. 1y
Ruthiella Enjoy your lunch! I liked by the same author 1y
LeahBergen That sounds lovely! Enjoy your lunch. ❤️ 1y
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Cathythoughts Sounds like a lovely day ♥️ book sounds good 👍🏻 1y
Tamra @Ruthiella stacked! 1y
Tamra @jlhammar it‘s one to sit & cozy up with. 1y
Tamra @LeahBergen @Cathythoughts it was fun and too short! 😉 1y
62 likes2 stack adds7 comments
review
Jas16
Seven Steeples | Sara Baume
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Pickpick

Couple Bell and Sigh move to an isolated cabin and withdraw into their own world with their two dogs. Not a lot of plot but plenty of gorgeous writing to keep you turning pages. Another #toblonglist selection that I preferred to many in the shortlist.

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blurb
Megabooks
Seven Steeples | Sara Baume
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I‘m going to go ahead and call my #doublespin a hibernate (possibly bail). It‘s a novel in prose verse, which is something I‘m not in the mood for right now. 🤷🏻‍♀️ This is on the #toblonglist. Unsure if anyone else attempted it??

Cinfhen Love the photo 😍but I‘ll be passing on this book. I don‘t remember seeing ANY REVIEWS yet 😬Hope you‘re feeling a bit better today xxx 1y
sarahbarnes I have it on my library pile right no but so far I haven‘t been inspired to pick it up, 1y
TheAromaofBooks Another lovely cover, but prose verse rarely works for me 1y
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merelybookish I read this back before it was a #tob pick. I liked it...listened to it on audio. It was kind of trance-like, life captured in small details, almost a novel about the passing of time. Totally my cuppa! But definitely not for everyone. 1y
Ruthiella I‘ve not yet tried it, but I did enjoy another one from her which was largely plotless and introspective and a lot about art 1y
squirrelbrain I tried this a little while ago, I think when it was rumoured for the Booker Longlist but I didn‘t get past the first few pages. I would have tried again if it had made the #ToB shortlist, but not as it was ‘only‘ on the longlist. 1y
Megabooks @squirrelbrain I‘m glad I‘m not the only one who struggled with it. 1y
Megabooks @Ruthiella yes, this seems very introspective about loneliness. I think I have to be in the right mood for her. 1y
Megabooks @merelybookish that‘s for the input. 👍🏻 I think I‘m going to have to be in the right mood. 1y
Megabooks @TheAromaofBooks yes! It is a fantastic cover. 1y
Megabooks @sarahbarnes I‘m interested to read what you think when you do. 👍🏻 1y
Megabooks @Cinfhen thanks friend! 🥰 still struggling with screens today, but I‘m hanging in. Thanks for the email! 💜 V excited that your trip is soon!! 🎉🎉 1y
82 likes1 stack add12 comments
review
HeatherBookNerd
Seven Steeples | Sara Baume
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A very unusual book. No plot really, just the poetic documentation of the passing of seven years in an unconventional couple‘s isolated existence. Sigh and Bell have chosen to retreat with their two dogs to a life away from the ties of society. This book charts their habits, the minutiae of their days, and the nature that surrounds them. Such gorgeous prose.

HeatherBookNerd @Ruthiella I haven‘t read that one yet but plan to. I loved 2y
31 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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ExuberantCrow
Seven Steeples | Sara Baume
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Pickpick

This is the life that I dream of. Quiet and mundane and rhythmic. Poetical. Simple.

Beautiful writing. Unique. Wonderful descriptive.

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merelybookish
Seven Steeples | Sara Baume
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This book about an idealistic couple who decamp to a remote cottage at the base of a mountain ticks a lot of my boxes:
-meandering plot where not much happens
-rich crackling language
-inventive structure & perspective
But my focus wandered while listening to it. Would be better in print!
Still it reminded me a bit of Claire-Louise Bennet's Pond (high praise!) And made me want to read more by this author.

jlhammar Great review. I was just trying to decide whether or not to include this one in my June book order so this was very helpful. I think I might! 2y
merelybookish @jlhammar Thank you! And yes, do read it. Would love to hear your thoughts. It's almost like a meditation on the passage of time and "how you spend your days is how you live your life." 2y
Tamra I loved it! 1y
merelybookish @Tamra Yay! She writes beautifully! 1y
55 likes4 comments