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I'll Take You There
I'll Take You There: A Novel | Wally Lamb
New York Times bestselling author Wally Lamb weaves an evocative, deeply affecting tapestry of one Baby Boomer's lifeFelix Funicello, introduced in Wishin and Hopinand the trio of unforgettable women who have changed it, in this radiant homage to the resiliency, strength, and power of women. Ill Take You There centers on Felix, a film scholar who runs a Monday night movie club in what was once a vaudeville theater. One evening, while setting up a film in the projectionist booth, hes confronted by the ghost of Lois Weber, a trailblazing motion picture director from Hollywoods silent film era. Lois invites Felix to revisitand in some cases relivescenes from his past as they are projected onto the cinemas big screen. In these magical movies, the medium of film becomes the lens for Felix to reflect on the women who profoundly impacted his life. Theres his daughter Aliza, a Gen Y writer for New York Magazine who is trying to align her post-modern feminist beliefs with her lofty career ambitions; his sister, Frances, with whom he once shared a complicated bond of kindness and cruelty; and Verna, a fiery would-be contender for the 1951 Miss Rheingold competition, a beauty contest sponsored by a Brooklyn-based beer manufacturer that became a marketing phenomenon for two decades. At first unnerved by these ethereal apparitions, Felix comes to look forward to his encounters with Lois, who is later joined by the spirits of other celluloid muses. Against the backdrop of a kaleidoscopic convergence of politics and pop culture, family secrets, and Hollywood iconography, Felix gains an enlightened understanding of the pressures and trials of the women closest to him, and of the feminine ideals and feminist realities that all women, of every era, must face.
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GidgetsTreasures75
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5-16-21: My 49th finished book of 2021! Felix, a film scholar runs a Monday night movie club in an old vaudeville theater. One evening he‘s confronted by a ghost who was a director of silent films. She invites him to revisit scenes from his past. The films become the lens for Felix to reflect on the women who profoundly affected his life. Very interesting concept. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️👍🏼📖#️⃣4️⃣9️⃣ #illtakeyouthere #wallylamb

7 likes1 stack add
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GidgetsTreasures75
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5-15-21: Love this dedication! 📖💖

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Nikki_E

Finished the tagged book and Rich China Wife tonight. Trying to finish one more book before bed.

25 likes1 stack add
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rather_be_reading
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Mehso-so

Ehh not my favorite Lamb. The story didnt grab me and didnt pull at my emotions like his others. It had an interesting premise but didnt work out.

Dan_1988 Hi. Why do you stick sticky notes? 5y
rather_be_reading @Dan_1988 Hey! I mark things like the first line, last line, interesting quotes, mistakes and words I dont know. 5y
Dan_1988 Ahh sounds good. Why the first line and last line? 5y
lynneamch Agreed. But, but great quote though: "So what do I believe in? Equality. Forgiveness. Compassion. Social Justice. I believe in the value of family, whether you define it as your blood relatives or the people you draw to you--which is to say that I believe in love. I believe, too, that art--literature, painting, music, film -- has the power to illuminate the human condition." 5y
66 likes4 comments
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rather_be_reading
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Doing my fav thing...reading on the train ride home. It relaxes me so much & helps me let go of my work stress.

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rather_be_reading
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Andrew65 👏👏👏 5y
47 likes3 comments
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rather_be_reading
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Book 182 of 2019
#tbrlist
Its been awhile since Ive read Lamb

Linsy Sparkly ✨ 5y
52 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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TieDyeDude
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Mehso-so

A good story with some very odd narrative decisions. Starts off like a twist on A Christmas Carol, but for whatever reason the receiver of the ghosts is not the one whose story is being told. I spent a long time trying to figure out the point of the story, and by the time it became apparent, I kinda stopped caring as much...

bibliobliss Lamb is one of my favorite authors and yet this book did absolutely nothing for me. I bailed 😬 5y
21 likes2 comments
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mrozzz
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Mehso-so

My first read by Wally Lamb wasn't what I expected. I thought I misheard at the beginning when Felix saw ghosts showing him "films" of his past, into which he could jump & relive the scenes. I didn't buy it but went along anyway but was put off by the "twist" focusing on his sister. I wondered why the book wasn't just written from her POV. The more I asked myself that the more I thought using Felix as the container for HER story made no sense.

Purrfectpages I hope you try another one because I love some Wally Lamb! 6y
mrozzz I have at least one or two of his books on my shelves... I‘ll probably pick up one or both eventually 😉 @Purrfectpages 6y
TieDyeDude I'm listening to the audio. I'm on the last disc, and I'm still trying to figure out what the point is. Very oddly structured. 5y
rather_be_reading I agree w the other comments. His others are much better! 5y
82 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Rissa1
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Mehso-so

It took me a until about halfway through the book to really feel a connection with it. I love this quote from the end.

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Rissa1
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It has been one of those days. I finally have a chance to sit and read. Due to the bad day, I am also indulging on twizzlers, and wine (notice the empty glass).

Reecaspieces I was about to say....it is EMPTY! 😳😢 6y
8 likes1 comment
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Rissa1
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My 6 year old was bored and decided to make me a bookmark. 😍💜📖💜

zzz Love it 👍 6y
13 likes2 comments
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Rissa1
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Trying to read, but Alabama doesn't care. #Alabamaslife #catsoflitsy

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Rissa1
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Jack has been added to The Shining section.

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Rissa1
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Added Belle to my Pops collection.

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Rissa1
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And because I always have more than one book going, this is up too.

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VioletBramble
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Pickpick

This is the 3rd Lamb novel I've read. It's the first one I've read from him that's written from a male POV. Lamb is one of the few male authors who I feel writes well from a female POV. Although this book centers on Felix and his childhood it is ultimately about the generations of women in his life, their strengths and resiliency, and what he learns from them. I thought the story lost some momentum near the end. I gave it 4/5 stars.

VioletBramble Just adding that I gave it 4/5 stars because the setting of New London, CT in the 1960s bumped it up a bit for me. My family lived there twice (1966-69, 1974-77) when my father was stationed at the Coast Guard Academy. 6y
BarbaraBB Thanks for bringing this on my radar, I didn‘t know about this one! 6y
DivineDiana My husband chose this for me for a Christmas gift. Still #TBR 🙁 (edited) 6y
37 likes1 stack add3 comments
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LDuffN
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"Men are men. Shapely girls like you just have to put up with stuff like that in the working world or else quit. Those are your choices ."

With all that is going on in our world these days this quote I thought was appropriate to share. A mom taking to her daughter about being harassed by her boss I the 60's

7 likes1 stack add
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bibliobliss

• guys, please help me decide. finish this book or let it go? i really enjoy Wally Lamb and have read most of his books; am actually reading one and re-reading another in addition to slogging my way through this one. for those who have read it, does it actually amount to something because right now it feels like a HUGE chore. as usual, i hesitate to DNF a book but right now this one is begging for dismissal •

Kaye I haven‘t read this so I have no clue. Some authors really nail certain books, while once in awhile they write a dud. If you‘re struggling, I‘d say move onto something else. Life is too short and there are millions of books waiting for you. 7y
NatalieR I haven‘t read this either. I too struggle with DNFing a book, but I‘m getting better at it. If it‘s not working for you then let it go and move on. 7y
bibliobliss @Kaye 👍🏼❤️ 7y
bibliobliss @NatalieR 👍🏼❤️ 7y
14 likes4 comments
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bibliobliss
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• pretty ambivalent about this one so far. we shall see. hour 10 of #readathon and pressing on with something else. variety is the spice of readathon life, so they say! •

#book #currentlyreading #bookselfie #hardcover #fiction #novel #authors #librarylends

Reviewsbylola Definitely save this for later if you‘re not feeling it! 7y
bibliobliss @Reviewsbylola I might do that 7y
22 likes2 comments
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bibliobliss
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• LIBRARY ADVENTURES WITH MOM TODAY. She finally renewed her library card services. We were hunting for the next Robert B. Parker (Jesse Stone) book for her but couldn't find it. I wanted to show her our state-of-the-art self-checkout kiosks so I grabbed the nearest book and showed her how it's done! Nothing on her brand new card for her so far, but dammit if I didn't grab something! Story of my life, can't leave the library empty-handed! Lol •

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MsLeah8417
Pickpick

Loved this book!

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Readingrobin
Pickpick

Wally Lamb is a master story teller. I really cared about Felix and his family. Only wish it had been longer!

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lynneamch
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Not my fav Wally Lamb, but love the 60s cultural references and his message. "So what do I believe in? Equality. Forgiveness. Compassion. Social Justice. I believe in the value of family, whether you define it as your blood relatives or the people you draw to you--which is to say that I believe in love. I believe, too, that art--literature, painting, music, film -- has the power to illuminate the human condition."#aintnobody #JuneTunz @Cinfhen

Cinfhen All the Hell Yeah's for this post 🙌🏻😍 8y
BarbaraTheBibliophage This is the reason I love Wally Lamb, although I haven't read this one yet. 8y
lynneamch @BarbaraTheBibliophage Indeed! This one is still worth reading. The plot just wasn't as complex as some others. 8y
BarbaraTheBibliophage Thanks - good to know! 8y
Talewaggingreads @lynneamch - just stumbled upon this as I try to decide whether to give this one another go. Bailed the first go round, but loved your review. ❤ 6y
44 likes1 stack add5 comments
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Readingrobin
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An unexpected surprise on the lawn at my folks' house. Listening to the audio as we drove there. Interesting twists and turns!

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Lisa3
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Pickpick

Highly recommend this book. Wally Lamb does a great job of mixing history, family issues and the feminist movement in a very entertaining way. A humorous, cleverly written surprise!

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kristina_with_a_k
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12 likes1 stack add
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violabrain
Mehso-so

I LOVE Wally Lamb, but this book was really disappointing. I felt like the story could've been told much more effectively without the need for ghosts and paranormal activity. I also felt like there were several different stories in here that weren't convincingly woven into an overarching whole. It all felt contrived to me. The idea for the book (as described on the jacket) is great in theory, but not in execution.

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MrBook
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#TBRtemptation post! Any Wally Lamb fans? His latest book has hints of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol". Baby-boomer, Felix Funicello, reflects on his life with the help of former Hollywood actress' ghosts after-hours in his weekly movie club. They focus on 3 women: successful feminist daughter, Aliza; kind and cruel sister, Frances; former beauty contest competitor, Verna. He comes to understand feminism & their pressures. #blameLitsy #blameMrBook ?

monkeygirlsmama I still haven't read anything by Wally Lamb. 8y
lynneamch Big fan! Looking forward to reading this one. ❤🐑 8y
Julsmarshall I love Wally Lamb and have been looking forward to reading this one. Thanks for the reminder! 8y
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Reviewsbylola I've enjoyed all of his books so I bought this one. 8y
Ange44 I love Wally Lamb and I'm looking forward to this one! 8y
Paula3 Love Wally Lamb!! 8y
96 likes15 stack adds6 comments
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Ramona_Quimby
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I can always rely on Wally, and Joyce [Carol Oates]) for that literary slice of Americana. This one centres around a sixty-year-old film professor who is visited by the ghost of a silent movie actress. I have a feeling I'll like it, especially given the dedication...

2/60

3 likes2 stack adds
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kedupre
This post contains spoilers
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Pickpick

It was good, but why not write it from Frances's perspective? That would have made it GREAT. Adoption, abandonment and self-worth, anorexia, sexual orientation and secrecy, finally self-love... Felix really only WATCHED those emotional processes, Frances LIVED them. Writing it from Felix's perspective was kind of the easy way out. Agree? Disagree?

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bookoflastpages
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Just started this one.

11 likes1 stack add
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kristina_with_a_k
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Went to pick up an intra-library loan (that mysteriously wasn't there) and walked out with this like I don't have 3 other books checked out. 🤣🤣🤣📚📚📚

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kedupre
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A new Wally Laaaaaaamb... singing my happy reading song 🎷🎤🎺

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lynneamch
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I know this much is true
she's come undone
The hour I first believed
we are water

This #spinepoetry (courtesy of my Wally Lamb shelf) reminds me of a certain night a few weeks ago when many of us (and she) came undone. All Wally Lamb titles are #spinelyrics though We Are Water is less well-known. Those lyrics can be found at http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/nashvillecast/wearewater.html 💔🎶💕 #stillwithher

readinginthedark Great spine poetry! Although I didn't like She's Come Undone at all. 😕 8y
MicheleinPhilly I ❤️ Wally Lamb. 8y
lynneamch @MicheleinPhilly Have you read I'll Take You There yet? I haven't. I got to hear him at his book launch in NYC for We Are Water. Love what he does to give incarcerated women a voice through writing, but I haven't read those yet either. 8y
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lynneamch @readinginthedark Thanks! It's been so long since I read that, but I think what I enjoyed was how real it felt. The 50s & 60s cultural references were spot on (I was there ?) and it was a good reminder that the "good old days " were not good for everyone. I wouldn't let it dissuade you from reading some of the others. I see you're reading The Eyre Affair ❤❤that! 8y
MicheleinPhilly @lynneamch I have not! Wally Lamb is one of my "I want to own the physical book" authors and this year I've tried to limit those purchases to just my BOTM selections. 8y
lynneamch I relate to that @MicheleinPhilly . Another of my "want to own physical/hardcover" authors is Barbara Kingsolver. 8y
MicheleinPhilly I think I have only ever read The Poisonwood Bible. 😬 My others are Zadie Smith, Sarah Waters, Emma Donoghue, Julia Glass, and Michael Cunningham. 8y
readinginthedark @lynneamch I don't remember much about it either, I guess; I just remember really disliking the main character, with whom I felt we were supposed to sympathize. It was a long time ago and my tastes have changed a bit; maybe I should try another one. 8y
38 likes8 comments
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HarperBooks
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Excited to see both #Moonglow by #Michael Chabon and #IllTakeYouThere by #WallyLamb get such great reviews in December's issue of #Bookpage!

MOONGLOW is "sparkling" and "richly satisfying," and Chabon's characters "still live with you long after you turn the final page."

I'LL TAKE YOU THERE is "a love letter to feminism and to trailblazing women." - We couldn't agree more!

14 likes1 stack add
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TocktheWatchdog
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I love working at the library. Wally Lamb is here tonight and I can't wait to read his new book!

lynneamch So lucky! I got to see him when he launched We Are Water at B&N in NYC. A down side was that I knew too much before reading the book and think I'd have enjoyed it even more if I hadn't known what was coming. Still, worth it to see him. 😊 8y
TocktheWatchdog @lynneamch He was so good! Funny and so nice. 8y
6 likes2 comments
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Mamashep
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Ghosts. Not my thing so this one is a bit of a struggle although I like the story of family.

celtichik Just finished it today...how are you doing with the ghosts? 8y
32 likes1 comment
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HarperBooks
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Putting these on display to give everyone a little Monday shelf envy. NYT-bestselling author #WallyLamb's new novel #IllTakeYouThere goes on sale tomorrow, 11/22!

16 likes1 comment
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HarperBooks
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Spotted both #MichaelChricton and #WallyLamb stacked close together on this magnificent bookshelf, which displayed all books without their dust jackets. Such a cool design concept, right? New books from both authors are pubbing soon! Wally Lamb's novel #IllTakeYouThere goes on sale on 11/22, while Michael Chricton's #DragonTeeth goes on sale in Summer!

KCorter Ooh! Let's display our books like this, @acorter. 8y
missjenniferlowe It's like book tetris! 8y
ApoptyGina69 Can't wait!!! Thanks for the info. Love Wally Lamb to bits. 8y
11 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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emilygatlin
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Don't make me regret this choice, Mr. Lamb.

15 likes4 stack adds
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Anniepie120
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Taking on vacation!

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TheJOMOreader
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Just got hold of this ARC. I love love loved Wally Lamb's earlier stuff, then bailed on We Are Water. Hoping to fall back in love with this one.

Reviewsbylola Sooooo jealous! 8y
18 likes2 comments