The FastDay Forum

Have just finished the book and found it ... well, neither one thing nor the other, really. I agree with those who said that Aaron appeared and acted much older than his years. But then, all the characters seemed to be like this really. It was a surprise to realise that they were still at an age where they could start families ... I can think of one person in particular who works in the same place as me who is just like Dorothy - however, she is a couple of decades (or three!) older at least ...

I do enjoy her writing style though. I may go back and read some of her earlier ones, as I feel that they might be more 'of their time' , none the worse for that.

Have started but got distracted so will probably finish over the weekend

Hi all,
Could I also nominate "Gone Girl" for November?

I've read Gone Girl, might not comment in case it's chosen.
Can I nominate The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton. It's set in NZ during the gold rush. Got a great review on radio. I'm reading it now and so far so good.

Just put my name down for the library copy. I will catch up with you all later

Hi all,
Could I also nominate "Gone Girl" for November?

Excellent choice Jazz..read it recently and found it absorbing

Gone Girl is only 99p for the Kindle

Can I nominate The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton. It's set in NZ during the gold rush. Got a great review on radio. I'm reading it now and so far so good.

@wineoclock and @gillymary - I'm just half way through a travel book on NZ, and just read the bit where he goes round the Haast / Hokitika bit on the west coast

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Land-Two-Halves ... 444&sr=1-1

(It's by Joe Bennett, an Englishman who's lived long on South Island and decided about 10 years ago to hitch round both islands to really find out what they were like ... Fascinating.)

So The Luminaries which is based on West coast of South Island (and is Booker nominated) sounds a good choice ... I will add it to the list

Humblest apologies for the late arrival of the tea trolley. But never fear it's worth the wait as my lovely ginger cake will make up for it.....so check your cupboard or head off to the shops because you're going to need....

100g soft brown sugar
125g butter
1 egg
225ml golden syrup
300g plain flour
1 1/2 tsp bicarb
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp salt
250ml hot water

Cream sugar and butter
Beat in the egg and mix in the syrup
In a separate bowl mix flour, bicarb, cinnamon, ginger and salt.
Slowly add the flour mix to the creamed mix
Stir in the hot water - do not panic - it will look like a gloppy sloppy mess - give it a mix and it will be a v runny mix - this is good, trust me
Pour into a lined loaf tin
Bake 1 1/2 hrs @ 180 ( as all ovens are different have a peek at about 1hr and take it from there)

Enjoy and again sorry it's late x

Ah bless!
And chomp!

Thank you Merlin, just downloaded it. I quite fancy 'The Luminaries' too, thank you wineoclock.

Thank you Minsmum for that recipe, looks delish. I think I will make that at the weekend.

@Gillymary I have just found out that some libraries in the UK offer a loan scheme for ebooks. I don't know if you have any schemes like that? I borrowed an audio book and a book, finished neither of them but at least at the end of the loan period they just disappear and I won't get any late return fees as usual when I am struggling to finish!

I almost felt as though I had read this book before, probably because the familiar Tyler themes were there, family ties, neighbours and work colleagues, ordinary day to day happenings.
The family business, printing beginner's guides to just about everything, reminded me of the travelogues conjured up in The Accidental Tourist, written by a man who was happier at home in the comfort of his own armchair.
Aaron was attracted to Dorothy by her matter of fact acceptance of his physical disabilities, in stark contrast to his smothering mum and fiercely protective sister. It seems that Dorothy was attracted to him primarily because he so obviously admired her, despite her plain appearance and frumpy way of dressing. When Dorothy is killed in a freak accident Aaron is overwhelmed with what he has lost...or so it seems at first. As the story continues we are allowed glimpses into the marriage and realise that they were in fact not well suited. Aaron, despite himself, does want to be nurtured, and Dorothy wants to be admired by Aaron, but not for her efficiency and dedication to her job and her no-nonsense appearance, and manner - she's longing to be romanced and I found her plea to having a white wedding dress instead of the shapeless blue suit she settled for very touching.
She was astute enough to realise that if her manner towards Aaron had been different, he would have run a mile. Feelings bottled up, things left unsaid and everyday irritations are themes Anne Tyler excels at and using Dorothy to reappear from time to time helps us to see the limitations of their marriage and the unhappiness they are causing each other.
I was left wondering if their relationship would have survived if Dorothy hadn't died, would they ever have had the courage to be honest with each other?
Aaron seemed to grow up and mature from the experience and not wanting to give away the ending I will just say I am confident he will live happily ever after so to speak.
A good read, not her best book, but quietly enjoyable.

I agree dhana..good book but not her best

My favourite is Patchwork Planet x

I love that one too, also Celestial Navigation and Breathing Lessons.

Disappointed, I'm afraid. I just think there's not much meat to her writing.

In my "live" book club, we start each meeting by going around the table and each ranking the book from 1 -worthless - to 10 extraordinary. We could do that here?!
I give this one a 4.