It is a very iterestung book. I was pleased to be notified so soon after I reserved it in our public library system that it was available for me to pick up. I love hard copies and turning the pages—transports me back to my childhood when I devoured our library’s fairytale section in chunks at a time.
I enjoyed the audiobook so much, I have requested other books of this author.
I’m enjoying the audiobook version as well. Walked the dog an extra mile this morning because I wanted to keep listening.
^^^ Wow! The dog benefits, you benefit from more exercise, and you benefit from listening. It’s a three-fer!
Finished the book—it’s excellent I think it would be a bit tougher for me to understand as an audiobook—perspectives shift around. When I have a paper book, I feel it’s a bit easier to remember who is who and in what situation.
It definitely required paying attention to pick up on the story changes between Wanda, Irina, and Miryam.
Sometimes even the boy narrates awhile.
Sergei was easier to discern quickly, something about the simplicity of the language.
Well, he is supposed to be a young, simple peasant. Irina’s nurse narrates a bit too. I can’t recall reading a book with so many different narrators each chapter before. Not complaining, just observing.
Exactly! The cadence and language of the servants was more noticeable than switching between Miryem and Irina and Wanda. I tend to be doing stuff, like cooking or cleaning or dog walking, whilst listening and would have to go back 15-30 seconds sometimes once i realised there was a character switch in the narration.
Wait – isn’t the discussion supposed to start December 1?
Yes…I just logged on to CC and saw the number of notifications and thought I slept through November! Let’s wait until December 1st, so everyone can join in. I am thrilled that so many of you are reading the book. I’m only about 100 pages in myself, but really enjoying it.
I also finished this book ahead of schedule and loved it. It was just what I needed.
The story moves quickly, so there’s still plenty of time for anyone who wants to jump in and read the book before our December discussion!
While we wait to discuss (and I’m #1 on the waiting list for my library!), here is the New York Times list of 100 notable books for 2018. I see The Great Believers and some of our other also-rans here!
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/11/19/books/review/100-notable-books.html
Borrowed and am loving “Uprooted” by the same author. Yay public libraries!
Finished! 
I just realized I’m going to be in Mainland China for the first week of December so I’ll be joining you all late. Rats. Loved the book!
Whoa. That’s quite a trip to have forgotten about, @mathmom!
I’ve been in Hong Kong since October 2, and have already had sidetrips to Taipei and Shanghai, so it’s not quite as much of a trip as it sounds. DH has been doing the booking and I’ve only vaguely been paying attention to dates, since I am pretty much in vacation mode. I’ve been doing some long distance work, but as little as possible.