Welcome to Litsy!

Thought this was a great read and verging on the very believable.
Felt very sad 😢 by the end.

A compulsive read. Chidgey takes a dystopian premise (I wont describe because spoilers) & carries it off in a completely fresh way. I think her strength is her ability to build multiple authentic, compelling characters - every interaction btwn them is interesting, you‘re awake to every clue as to who knows what about the mystery in the background. The blend of cheerful, domestic detail with an increasing creepy tension had me glued to the page.

I‘m not usually a fan of child narrators, but @squirrelbrain ‘s review convinced me to give this a go. Helen, you were right. The pacing and structure of this book are so good, pulling you in, letting you figure out what‘s happening before the characters do, then wondering how they‘re going to respond when they learn the truth. Just superb.

Best line I‘ve read in a while

Couldn‘t put this one down, the story of three triplet boys who live in an old deserted mansion in 1979 England, with only three shifts of caregivers to take care of them. Who are these boys I wondered as shades of Ishiguro‘s Never Let Me Go kept running through my thoughts. This one‘s really unforgettable, as was that one. I found myself so invested in all the characters, even the minor ones, a sign of a terrific book.

A fantastic read. Genuinely invested in the slowly unfolding story.

I was hoping to complete an entire grid of mystery/thriller/mystical October books mostly from my own physical shelves, and this is my result. Tagged my favorite but it was really a toss up between the two ‘The Book of …‘.

5 ⭐️= Loved It, would recommend to others. A+
4 ⭐️= Liked it, would love to discuss. Solid B
3.5 ⭐️ = Close to either pick or so-so
3 ⭐️= Meh, no need to discuss. Avg C
2 ⭐️=Nope D
1 ⭐️=DNF F

This story pulled me in from the very beginning and I had to know what was happening with these three boys and what Nancy had to do with their story? And those mothers what am I supposed to think about them? I was not expecting the story to go where it went. I‘m going to be thinking about this for a long time.

Visiting the lovely Bridge Books in Dromore, Co Down.

Squee!!! Yay!!! New mid-month #botm add-on from the author of Pet!!! Definitely in my box next month 😁💜👍🎉

Well that was weird but brilliant 🤩 to describe without any spoilers (I did guess quite early on but not confirmed until towards the end ) this novel is a mix of dystopian, sci fi , horror with a little real historical events thrown in. Right from the start you have a sense of forbidding a lingering unease at what‘s to unfold. I

This is going to be a So-So , light pick. I did feel the book was a compelling read , the writing was good , and there were some frightening scenes. But now that I‘m finished, I feel that I didn‘t really like it. Im left wanting something more from this compelling read. It feels too strange, I feel no connection to the characters , maybe that‘s the point. I did love Pet, but this is a very different book.

We are on a small break away. These are the books 🥰 I may not get much reading done, but I‘m loving the Catherine Chidgey so far ..

All the stars! 🤩

Vincent, William and Laurence are triplets growing up in the UK in 1979 in a (slightly) alternate history.

They are the only children left in a home, where the other kids have all gone away to the promised land of Margate. They are cared for by Mother Morning, Mother Afternoon and Mother Night. Their dreams are recorded in the Book of Dreams, their misdeeds in the Book of Guilt.

I shall say no more, other than read it!