😂😂 you defo need to get this one. Once I’ve finished Stoneyard and Headshot I’ll be pausing though, as I’m not interested enough in any of the others to spend actual real life money on them 😜
I’ve quite literally just finished this one. Like you I went in blind. I found it fairly predictable initially as I could see where it was going in terms of why Isabel was being hostile to Eva. But then the second twist RE: Eva’s history really made the book pickup in interest for me. I ended up liking how it tied everything together in the end, but I do worry that some people will be put off by the initial predictable, thriller vibes. Good review! Looking forward to seeing what you think of the rest.
Eva’s story was a brilliant twist - and an area of history I don’t think I’ve read about before. I think I’m really bad at predicting what will happen in books, so that came as a bit of a shock to me 😂
My favorite book of the year so far! I tell people it’s got the best plot twist of anything I’ve read since Fingersmith. Love this book. Can’t wait to see what she does next. 😊
I was completely surprised by the character development in this book. I went from not caring about any of the characters to feeling completely invested in all of them by the end. I quite enjoyed the audio version. I love "The 'Nightcrawling' of 2024." Thank you!
Oooh, this one might be for me. I really don't like WWII books, though. But you say there’s not much about the war? I often don't enjoy books that are about sad, historical or present day realities. Thank you for the review!!
There is very little of the book actually set in WWII, it’s very much focused on character and some of the after effects of the war. Would recommend giving it a whirl 😁
On paper, I should have loved this book. I think I would have liked it more if it were longer and I felt more connected to the characters. Pleased you enjoyed it though 😉
I’m not a big Booker person but I hadn’t heard of this one or the author so was interested. Good to hear it’s worth a read Gemma and you’re right, you do find some hidden gems when reading prize lists. 💎
Hmmm. Great Circle and Nightcrawling were both a bit meh for me, but the other things you had to say about The Safekeep make it sound appealing. I will definitely give it a try.
I did end up liking Snorbiral! It was 4☆, good not great. Like the scene with the postcard i think the central question is "what is the focus of it?", for me i think it was the inevitabuility of change and perhapse the abuility of small funtionally meaninlrss things to make a difference given time. It had some religous themes that were tedious for me.
I so confused by now, in the Netherlands (where the author is from) the critics haven't been all that positive, yet internationally the book is being received well. Because of these mixed reviews, I'm yet undecided whether I'm going to give the book a try.. I am also quite puzzeled why Yael van der Wouden choose to write the book in English (it was translated to Dutch, but the Dutch translation was published before the English edition), as Dutch (and I think Hebrew) are her mother tongue.. I should have asked her when I randomly bumped into her in a bookstore in Amsterdam (she wasn't there for a reading).
Maybe she thought there would be a bigger readership if it was written in English? I’m not sure why it’s getting better reviews outside of the Netherlands, but I would definitely recommend giving it a whirl 🤩
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so glad you loved this one, it’s definitely peaked my interest a little! ♥️
It was so good! Definitely one of the better ones from this years Booker list!
I keep dithering about reading this one but think you’ve convinced me!
Excellent!! Definitely worth a read!
Just finished it and need to discuss with someone! Watching your video helped a little! Thanks.
Quite unexpected wasn’t it!?
I absolutely loved this book. The setting was so interesting and the post WWII take was just great and new to me. Glad you enjoyed it as well.
Yes! We are definitely on the same wavelength with this one matey 🤩
Loved this book so pleased it's getting more readers now that's its on the Booker longlist
Me too!
Sounds interesting!! Thank you for the review!!xx
You’re welcome matey 🧡
Great review thanks
You’re welcome 🧡
Glad you enjoyed this one too! I was gonna recommend it to you if you hadn’t already read it!!
Definitely one we can agree on 🤩
glad you enjoyed. It's great when books surprise you
It really is 😄
This one has been hooked so far. I am enjoying being dragged into reading the longlist 😉
😂😂 you defo need to get this one. Once I’ve finished Stoneyard and Headshot I’ll be pausing though, as I’m not interested enough in any of the others to spend actual real life money on them 😜
@@GemofBooks 😂
Sounds great!
I think you would really like it 😄
I’ve quite literally just finished this one. Like you I went in blind. I found it fairly predictable initially as I could see where it was going in terms of why Isabel was being hostile to Eva. But then the second twist RE: Eva’s history really made the book pickup in interest for me. I ended up liking how it tied everything together in the end, but I do worry that some people will be put off by the initial predictable, thriller vibes. Good review! Looking forward to seeing what you think of the rest.
Eva’s story was a brilliant twist - and an area of history I don’t think I’ve read about before.
I think I’m really bad at predicting what will happen in books, so that came as a bit of a shock to me 😂
It sounds really good❤
So so good!
I read Stone Yard Devotional after this one. Loved both ❤ Enlightenment next
I’m about halfway through Stoneyard now, and I’m not sure I love it 😬
Have you started Enlightenment yet?
@@GemofBooks I’m not surprised . It’s not very plotty. I haven’t started Enlightenment yet. Needed a palate cleanser
I'm impatiently waiting for my hold to come through at the library!
Hurry up library!!
My favorite book of the year so far! I tell people it’s got the best plot twist of anything I’ve read since Fingersmith. Love this book. Can’t wait to see what she does next. 😊
I loved the twist too! I haven’t read Fingersmith yet though, so that’s now moved higher up my TBR!
I was completely surprised by the character development in this book. I went from not caring about any of the characters to feeling completely invested in all of them by the end. I quite enjoyed the audio version. I love "The 'Nightcrawling' of 2024." Thank you!
Yes - the characters really grew on me through the book too!!
Hoping my library gets a copy.
I hope it does too, defo worth a read 🤩
@@GemofBooksI finally got to read this and, for a change, we agree.
Oooh, this one might be for me. I really don't like WWII books, though. But you say there’s not much about the war? I often don't enjoy books that are about sad, historical or present day realities. Thank you for the review!!
There is very little of the book actually set in WWII, it’s very much focused on character and some of the after effects of the war. Would recommend giving it a whirl 😁
On paper, I should have loved this book. I think I would have liked it more if it were longer and I felt more connected to the characters. Pleased you enjoyed it though 😉
I think it could have been a bit longer too now you say that. I think the atmosphere was really well done though.
I’m not a big Booker person but I hadn’t heard of this one or the author so was interested. Good to hear it’s worth a read Gemma and you’re right, you do find some hidden gems when reading prize lists. 💎
There are always less gems in the Booker list than other prize lists for me, but this one is definitely worth a go mate 🧡
Hmmm. Great Circle and Nightcrawling were both a bit meh for me, but the other things you had to say about The Safekeep make it sound appealing. I will definitely give it a try.
Of the three, I definitely think The Safekeep is the most ‘Lindyish’ - I think you will like this one a lot!
@@GemofBooks That’s encouraging. Thanks!
I did end up liking Snorbiral!
It was 4☆, good not great.
Like the scene with the postcard i think the central question is "what is the focus of it?", for me i think it was the inevitabuility of change and perhapse the abuility of small funtionally meaninlrss things to make a difference given time. It had some religous themes that were tedious for me.
I’m glad you enjoyed it mate. Just not enough plot for me 🤷♀️
@@GemofBooks
I don't think it was supposed to have a plot, just various perspectives on things during the 17 orbits the ISS does every 24 hrs.
It’s good isn’t it :-) I also have doubts about it being shortlisted but I would smile if it was!
So good! We can live in hope for a shortlist nomination 🤞🏻
I so confused by now, in the Netherlands (where the author is from) the critics haven't been all that positive, yet internationally the book is being received well. Because of these mixed reviews, I'm yet undecided whether I'm going to give the book a try.. I am also quite puzzeled why Yael van der Wouden choose to write the book in English (it was translated to Dutch, but the Dutch translation was published before the English edition), as Dutch (and I think Hebrew) are her mother tongue.. I should have asked her when I randomly bumped into her in a bookstore in Amsterdam (she wasn't there for a reading).
Hi! I thought the NRC (one of the leading Dutch quality-newspapers) gave it four stars (actually four dots😉) but I may be wrong…
Maybe she thought there would be a bigger readership if it was written in English?
I’m not sure why it’s getting better reviews outside of the Netherlands, but I would definitely recommend giving it a whirl 🤩