Book Reviews

‘The best moments in reading are when you come across something - a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things - which you had thought special and particular to you. And now, here it is, set down by someone else, a person you have never met, someone even who is long dead. And it is as if a hand has come out, and taken yours.’ Alan Bennett

“Many a book is like a key to unknown chambers within the castle of one’s own self.” ― Franz Kafka

Thursday 27 February 2014

Book Beginnings - Gillespie and I - Jane Harris


Gilion at Rose City Reader hosts Book Beginnings on Fridays - The idea is 'to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires.' Hash tag #BookBeginnings for twitter and a master linky list on the host's blog.

I haven't managed to join in for a little while, and I'm not sure what week number I got to so I'll leave that out, but I do love this meme, and it's nice to be taking part again.


I'm reading Gillespie and I by Jane Harris, published by Faber and Faber.



Isn't the cover beautiful? 

(This is the UK paperback edition. The hardback also has a lovely cover design, different to this but incorporating some of the same elements.)


Here's the beginning...


Preface
Tuesday, 11 April 1933
London

It would appear that I am to be the first to write a book on Gillespie. Who, if not me, was dealt that hand? Indeed, one might say, who else is left to tell the tale? Ned Gillespie: artist, innovator, and forgotten genius; my dear friend and soul mate. I first became acquainted with Gillespie in the spring of 1888 and during the course of several years thereafter we were connected through the most intimate of friendships.

~~~~~

Have you read this novel? What did you think of it? 

I am so glad to finally be reading this book. In fact I've been reading it for the past few days and I'm very close to the end now - it's a brilliant read. The characters have me fascinated, none more so than Harriet herself, who is the narrator in the above excerpt from the start of the novel. 

I loved The Observations, the first novel by this writer, in fact that's one of my favourite books. I intended to read this second novel a long time before now. I'm not sure what stopped me, a combination of things, but it's an excellent book and here I am finally near to finishing it, hooray!

Here's the author's website if you're interested in finding out more.

Have a great weekend whatever you are reading!

~~~~~

About the book...

As she sits in her Bloomsbury home, with her two birds for company, elderly Harriet Baxter sets out to relate the story of her acquaintance, nearly four decades previously, with Ned Gillespie, a talented artist who never achieved the fame that she maintains he deserved.

Back in 1888, the young, art-loving Harriet arrives in Glasgow at the time of the International Exhibition. After a chance encounter, she befriends the Gillespie family and soon becomes a fixture in all of their lives. But when tragedy strikes - leading to a notorious criminal trial - the promise and certainties of this world all too rapidly disintegrate into mystery and deception.

Featuring a memorable cast of characters, infused with atmosphere and period detail, and shot through with wicked humour, Gillespie and I is a powerful and haunting second novel from one of today’s most striking new voices.


12 comments:

  1. I enjoyed it - she gave a very convincing picture of the Glasgow and he life of the household I thought. I have Observations yet to read

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    1. Glad you enjoyed it too. Do try The Observations it's brilliant.

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  2. Glad you're enjoying Gillespie and I- like you, I LOVED The Observations, and for me too it's one of my favourite books. As soon as Gillespie and I came out, I read it. It's a very clever book. Jane Harris does 'voice' so convincingly. I'd read anything she's written now after two such great books from her!

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    1. Thanks very much for the comment, Emma. The Observations is a real favourite, I hope to read it again one day. I agree about the convincing voice in both books.

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  3. I really like the first paragraph. The rhetorical questions at the opening of a book seem to work very well. The technique is creative helps create interest in what will come.

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    1. Thanks for the lovely comment, Brian. Good point about the questions creating interest.

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  4. Very intriguing. I would pick it up..

    Here is my Book Beginning post!

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    1. Thanks for your comment, off to visit your post too.

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  5. Interesting book. I am glad you are enjoying it. Mixed Book Bag

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    1. Thanks for your comment JC, off to see what you are reading.

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  6. The opening intrigued me -- both time and place. Sounds like I'd better read both THE OBSERVATIONS and GILLESPIE AND I.
    Here's the link to my Friday post: WILD.

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    1. Thanks for the comment Sandra, glad you liked the opening and caught your interest. Off to check your post.

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