Do you like Gillam‘s writing style at the beginning of the book "House of Eire" ?

Use this forum to discuss the March 2020 Book of the month, "House of Eire" by June Gillam.
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AntonelaMaria
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Re: Do you like Gillam‘s writing style at the beginning of the book "House of Eire" ?

Post by AntonelaMaria »

Nerea wrote: 29 Mar 2020, 15:40
AntonelaMaria wrote: 27 Mar 2020, 18:27
Nerea wrote: 27 Mar 2020, 01:31

Dry. That's the word. The writing at the beginning is not seasoned in a way that motivates the reader to keep on reading and connect with the story. I did not finish reading the book.
Sorry to hear that but I completely understand. I did have to "make" myself keep on reading. But the later on it did became better. Or I just got to used to it. Better luck with your next read.
Oooooh, that's great. I guess I gave up quickly. Thanks.
On the other hand, sometimes it's better to give up than to read a book that doesn't appeal to you. There are so many books out there that we can have the luxury to give up when a book is not working out for us.
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Post by AntonelaMaria »

raylenejanice wrote: 29 Mar 2020, 17:31
Nerea wrote: 27 Mar 2020, 01:31
AntonelaMaria wrote: 26 Mar 2020, 13:44

I feel the same. I haven't read the previous book either. I would say the writing is a bit dry. I don't know. It takes time to get into it.
Dry. That's the word. The writing at the beginning is not seasoned in a way that motivates the reader to keep on reading and connect with the story. I did not finish reading the book.
I was confused through most of the first half of the book. The author's transitions were sudden-- she didn't take the reader with her. There were three times in the book she described a character throwing their hands in the air and waving them, but she never says why. Just randomly they would wave their hands in the air for no discernable reason. In the very beginning when they are at the restaurant in the USA, the table suddenly stops talking and stares at Hilary. Again: WHY??? There are just no transitions Things happen, and the reader isn't given enough clues to understand why.
I think I just accepted that is her writing style. I haven't read any other books b the r so I can say too much but those seem like a mistakes that a novice writer would do. Which she is not. Soooo...yeah. To bad about it.
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Post by AntonelaMaria »

Larkspur wrote: 31 Mar 2020, 04:06 At first I almost stopped reading the story after I did not understand the first few pages. Later on I got used to it and actually liked the writer's style
I did the same thing. I thought of quitting too and then I got used to it. Only is that I wouldn't say I liked it but more of accepting it.
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Post by AntonelaMaria »

AJ_Drenda wrote: 30 Mar 2020, 09:39
Princepetr10 wrote: 26 Mar 2020, 06:49 At the beginning of the book, I had difficulties in understanding. The first few pages seemed heavy for me. As I struggled reading, I began to enjoy it and got the Rhythm of the book. The writer used this pattern and tools to capture the readers.
I like her cinematographic style of writing, like shots and scenes in a movie. It's fast-paced and submerges you in the story instantaneously. And you're right, very rhythmic.
"cinematographic style of writing" I never heard of it described like that but I do like how you said it.
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Post by Miraphery »

It was quite a drag and made the book appear boring at first
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Post by Nnlibby »

It was hard for me to get "into" the book at the beginning. Usually, I will just stop reading the book, but it is hard to write a review if you don't read it. Once the story took place in Ireland, it was easier for me to read. And as the story progressed, I actually enjoyed it.
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Post by AntonelaMaria »

Miraphery wrote: 31 Mar 2020, 09:46 It was quite a drag and made the book appear boring at first
Oh yes boring it is an adequate description for the first part.
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Post by Josephe-Anne »

Personally, I enjoyed the writing style at the beginning of the book. It introduces readers to Hillary and her family while giving off an air of mystery.
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Post by tsh1001 »

There's definitely a learning curve with the writing style. Something to get used to.
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Post by SunVixen »

AntonelaMaria wrote: 31 Mar 2020, 07:37
AJ_Drenda wrote: 30 Mar 2020, 09:39
Princepetr10 wrote: 26 Mar 2020, 06:49 At the beginning of the book, I had difficulties in understanding. The first few pages seemed heavy for me. As I struggled reading, I began to enjoy it and got the Rhythm of the book. The writer used this pattern and tools to capture the readers.
I like her cinematographic style of writing, like shots and scenes in a movie. It's fast-paced and submerges you in the story instantaneously. And you're right, very rhythmic.
"cinematographic style of writing" I never heard of it described like that but I do like how you said it.
"Сinematographic style of writing" is very well-chosen term to describe this style. :D
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Post by Elmaestro »

The author's writing style at the beginning was a bit complicated for me to understand.. The telling of the story left me in a limbo but I gradually understood it as the pages follewed.
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Post by María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda »

I had a bit of trouble catching up, especially when Bridget and Seamus appeared, but I think the author did a great job and the book can be read as a standalone. I enjoyed her style but, of course, we all have different tastes.
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Post by Queenyx »

Frankly, it took me all my reading strength not to drop the book because the first pages got me questioning if the book was worth the reading time. Only till I got to the end of the book did I get to understand the why's and how's around the book's storyline
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Post by Kevsona »

I felt confused at first. I had to start go over to the beginning, it is then i began to enjoy the book. It takes time to get used to this novel.
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Post by Nedbrian »

I am starting out with reading it and I am hesitating at dropping the book. The book's beginning sentences are sort of sloppy and not inviting enough to engage the reader. But I believe its worth a read so I will keep reading😀
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