February 2009: Needle in the Blood by Sarah Bower

diamondlil · Post by **diamondlil** » Fri January 30th, 2009, 10:17 pm

ellenjane · Post by **ellenjane** » Wed February 4th, 2009, 7:22 pm

I've just started - is anyone else reading this?

The first couple of chapters are are rather disorienting. I suspect that they're meant to be, but it took me a little bit to shake myself out and figure out who's who. There are two Ediths (queen, mistress) and two Gythas (protagonist, king Harold's mother), correct?

Leo62 · Post by **Leo62** » Wed February 4th, 2009, 8:34 pm

It does settle down pretty quickly ellenjane

The second Ediths and Gythas disappear after the first couple of chapters as I recall...

I read this last month. It's a funny one - well written, good characterisation - but...something was lacking for me...

I don't want to say too much & put anyone off - it's certainly worth a read - but will be interested to hear what y'all think.

EC2 · Post by **EC2** » Wed February 4th, 2009, 10:11 pm

[quote=""Leo62""]It does settle down pretty quickly ellenjane

I don't want to say too much & put anyone off - it's certainly worth a read - but will be interested to hear what y'all think.

[/quote]

I read this one last year, so I'm interested too - and not saying anything at the moment!

Misfit · Post by **Misfit** » Wed February 4th, 2009, 10:17 pm

[quote=""EC2""]I read this one last year, so I'm interested too - and not saying anything at the moment![/quote]

I started it last year and I'm not saying anything quite yet either

Susan · Post by **Susan** » Wed February 4th, 2009, 11:38 pm

I did like the exposition of the plot, but I thought the book got weaker as it went on. I did like the Bayeux Tapestry part, but the romance (actually the lust) of Odo and Gytha bored me. I wanted to know more about the embroiderers and was upset when their stories were put on the back burner. There was way too much of Odo and Gytha rolling around in bed and not enough substance to their romance. I didn't dislike the book, but I was somewhat disappointed.

Carine · Post by **Carine** » Thu February 5th, 2009, 7:18 am

I started it last week but I'm not very far yet. I'm at the point where Gytha is on her way to Canterbury with Agatha, Odo's sister.

Very special way of writing this book, you really need to concentrate.

EC2 · Post by **EC2** » Thu February 5th, 2009, 10:19 am

[quote=""Carine""]

Very special way of writing this book, you really need to concentrate.[/quote]

You certainly do. It took me the best part of a month to read this one.

enelya · Post by **enelya** » Thu February 5th, 2009, 7:40 pm

ok, sounds good...I will order it asap

LCW · Post by **LCW** » Thu February 5th, 2009, 9:26 pm

I'm goona wait and see what everyone thinks before I read this. From what I know now it seems a bit too "much" for me.