And Then There Were Six: Reading Notes

Happily the pile is slowly dwindling.  I am hoping to finish two of these books in the coming week, two more in the next two weeks and Armadale by the end of the year.  I think I may have to let D.H. Lawrence's The Rainbow flow over into 2008 as it is the sort of book that really needs to be read straight through not read in bits and pieces.  Armadale is the same sort of book and is getting most of my attention lately.  So that's how things stand at the moment.  I've been so intent on these books that I am actually sort of finding it difficult to pick up a new book without a guilty conscience.  Don't worry, that won't last.

Armadale.  Now let's see, at last count there were at least five Allan Armadales populating the novel--though several are now deceased.  There was the original in Britain who had a son, but he disowned him.  Instead he willed his estate to his godson in Barbadoes with the proviso that he take his name.  Now the original Allan Armadale's son, yes, that would also be Allan Armadale came to Barbardoes under an assumed name to take his revenge.  He essentially stole away Allan Armadale's (that would be the godson's) fiance.  Things get a bit tangled and one of them will be murdered.  Alas, don't worry, they will both have issue.  Eventually the murderer will also pass away, leaving, yes, only two Allan Armadales.  Sound confusing?  Actually it was a bit at first, but after you get into the flow of the story it all makes perfect sense.  This is exactly the sort of book you can apply the word "delicious" to.  It is delicious, because you can't get enough of it.  Collins is a master of stringing you along and making you want more.  The famous Lydia Gwilt is found in this novel, but she has only peripherally made her appearance.  I can't wait until she has a proper voice as well.

Not Yet Drown'd.  Okay.  I've renewed this book four times now from the library.  I'm on my last renewal, so it is now or never.  Luckily I am on the last 150 pages or so, so I am feeling pretty confident.  I like it......but.....well, there are some slowish places.  I do love the detail, but once or twice I've thought to myself that it would be nice for the story to speed up a bit.  It starts out in Scotland, and then there is a lengthy sea voyage.  And finally, 250 pages in we have arrived.  India at last.  I was wondering if we would ever get there.  Part of the interest in this book was the mystery aspect of it.  The main character's twin brother is said to have drowned in India during the monsoons.  Perhaps now I'll find out what's what.  Don't get me wrong.  I am enjoying it, but it can be very thoughtful at times. 

Devices and Desires.  I've been picking at this one.  It's not your usual police procedural.  Adam Dalgliesh is on vacation in any case.  He's not even meant to be getting involved in any murder business.  P.D. James is most excellent at character development.  I am almost as curious about these people's lives as I am about the murder mystery aspect of the story. 

On the horizon:

Miss Marjoribanks.  The Dovegreybooks group started reading this past weekend.  Chapters 1-4.  I have it sitting on my nightstand in anticipation.

All Passion Spent.  The Cornflower Book Group is reading this.  I have been wanting to read Vita and this one is awaiting me also.         

And am pondering the question of books for the upcoming holidays--two weeks away from work and nowhere to go!  But more on that later.

Comments

[LK]

Oh, wish I could join you Miss M. I will have to just enjoy vicariously for now.

[Dorothy W.]

I'd forgotten that you are reading Devices and Desires -- but perhaps part of me remembered and that's why I pulled it off the library shelves over the weekend! I've read about 50 pages of it, and am enjoying it a lot. It's interesting how slowly the pace moves -- she's still introducing people.

[Sam Houston]

You're really making good progress and, I suspect, putting most of the rest of us to shame as we stare at out huge TBR stacks of books. :-)

[Carl V.]

The Collins book sounds so great. I'm so glad you got me turned on to him during the first R.I.P. Challenge.

[Jaimie]

You always read the most interesting things! And everytime I come here I always see the biography of Du Maurier and think I have to get that!

[Danielle]

LK--It's impossible to read all the books that sound appealing--the bad thing about reading blogs. Although I end up with a nice long TBR list.
Dorothy--I am only about 150 pages in and the mystery/murder aspect is really still secondary. I'm not sure if all her books are like this or it's due to the fact Dalgliesh is meant to be on holiday. It is interesting reading about the characters and now their relationships to each other are being revealed--a few surprises in there.
Sam--It won't last. No doubt by the end of January the stack will have grown again to twice its size, but the goal was to whittle it down and keep it manageable!
Carl--I've loved everything I've read by him. My favorite is The Woman in White, but Armadale is rivaling it at the moment.
Jaimie--Poor Daphne--I had planned on picking her up again this week, but as I have a library book that is also a hardcover--I can't drag two hardcovers around with me. Soon, though. I get lots of my reading ideas from other bloggers by the way.

[tara]

Well done! This stack is so much smaller and you are accomplishing your goal. I picked up Not Yet Drown'd and read the first few pages. I guess I'm getting pickier and pickier because it just didn't grab me right away and I put it down. I look forward to your final thoughts.

[iliana]

Woo-hoo, look at you! Does your library have a limit on how often you can renew books? Mine is three times, unless there's a hold on the book. In a way I'm kind of glad because I'm sure I'd just keep renewing some books :)

[Beth]

Has anyone read Speaks the Nightbird by Robert McCammon? It seems like something everyone here would enjoy. Here is what the Library Journal had to say about it:
After a ten-year absence from publishing, McCammon (Boy's Life) returns with this historical novel of colonial Carolina. In 1699, legal clerk Matthew Corbett accompanies magistrate Isaac Woodward to Fount Royal, where he has been summoned to decide whether a witch is living in the newly established settlement. The two are immediately thrown into danger, even before they reach the town. And once there, they must deal with the inhabitants, some of whom stand to gain if Rachel, the accused, is executed. Soon it becomes obvious to Matthew that everyone has secrets, even the magistrate. In the end, he alone must try to unravel the mysteries. While many of McCammon's prior novels dealt with the supernatural, his latest contains horrors that are more real. McCammon also provides extensive historical detail, re-creating the legal procedures, medical practices, and everyday existence of the time. The language and situations are often disturbing, especially because many of the accusations against Rachel are sexual in nature, but McCammon tells a compelling story that should find a wide readership. Highly recommended for popular fiction collections.

[Danielle]

Tara--I am ambivalent right now about the book. There are many things I like, but there are a few things I don't. The pace is quite slow, and I sometimes wish things would move forward a bit quicker. The detail is very well done, though.
Iliana--We can renew four times unless there are people waiting for the book. I tend to get new books, which have lines, so I don't often get to renew them. Four times is pretty bad, but I will finish it! :)
Beth--I am not familiar with this author. It certainly sounds tempting. I will have to see if the library is getting it. I don't read as many books set in the US--not sure why, but I should give this one a try! Thanks for the heads up.