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welcome to bookcrossing and happy reading!

off by mail to kim kerry as part of a package of items. will be interested to see what she thinks of this one. i am never quite sure of how i feel when i finish a book by joanne harris. the books are both entertaining and somehow always a little creepy.

Thank you, tempestsans! Can't wait to read it.

I almost gave up about 50 - 60 pages in the novel. But the writing style and the lure of the dark, the secrets, the unknown, and the hint of the supernatural -- things that draw me to books by King and Koontz, kept me reading. The main character is disturbed, creepy, and I longed to read about his ultimate demise. Effie was a bit creepy herself, but in spite of her typical Victorian era feminine weaknesses, I found the character fascinating.

The plot rambled off and sometimes seemed to shred at times, but there were some good twists and turns.

Will release to another Bookcrosser, and if no one is interested, I'll wild release the book.

Thanks, tempestsans!

Just received in the mail from KimKerry. Very much looking forward to reading. Will find someone to pass along to once read and journaled. Let's keep this one moving.

From page one, I was pulled into the murky, gothic depths of this book, as the first POV we meet, Henry Chester, begins to tell his side of the story. The web of narratives that unreavell the tale come from four POVs, a technique that, in this case, works extremely well. In each chapter, the character in the spotlight, with the exception of one, speaks as though the reader were judge and jury, hearing a narrative of what happened after the fact. The story unfolds like a silent-movie melodrama, complete with rogues, innocent maidens, not so innocent women of the night, betrayals, passion, repressed sexuality mixed with a smidge of pedophilia, ghosts…or maybe hallucinations, over-wrought emotions, and an overdose of drug-induced wild imaginings.

The setting is London in the 1800s, a time when women—wives—were property, and women in general were believed to be unstable and prone to hysterics. The running theme of the story is that men are always right, women are not to be trusted, and any wrong turn a man might take was at the hand of a scheming, evil-minded woman, and all women harbor evil in their hearts.

Our sanctimonious but lecherous male lead searches for female purity, but is blinded by a deep-seated, childhood sexual trauma and is conflicted by strict religious teachings. The supporting male lead is the consummate, irresponsible rogue, and the main female protagonist’s is the maiden-tied –to-the-railroad tracks, whose quest to be loved leads to her pathetic end. Even the actions of the heart-of-gold Madame are ultimately driven by a desperate need for revenge. The plot swirls like storm clouds and everyone ends up drenched.

Thoroughly enjoyed this one. If you are ready for a Victorian romp, this book is for you.

Sending this little gem on its way. Next stop, Spain.

Thank you so much for this book; I am really intrigued, and look forward to reading it.
Thanks for sharing, and sending it all the way from Tucson, Arizona! :)
It will continue its way to Icila, in France, once I read it. :)

Currently reading it, and enjoying it so far.
I have also enjoyed reading the previous journals... :)

Offered as a bookray, as Icila has already read it.
A novel which deserves to continue traveling.

I finished reading it last night... this an eerie, unclassifiable novel, which I have thoroughly enjoyed. I took so long because I have been very busy and tired lately, not because I was not interested...
The characters will stay with me for some time; partly Victorian novel, partly ghost story, and with a Pre-Raphaelite setting... brilliant!! :)
It is also frightening to see the role assigned to women at that time, as some previous readers have noted.
Thanks for sharing, Hotflash... this book will now start a well-deserved journey through Europe.

Now a mini-bookray.

1) Penelopewanders (Switzerland)
2) Abi-Gibby (UK)
3) Shahrun (UK)(The book is here!) (BOOKRAY COMPLETED!)

Off to see the world!! :)

Sent today to Penelopewanders, in order to kick-start this bookray.
Thanks for joining... and enjoy!! :)

This has arrived safely in the Swiss Alps, and has rolled into place behind another ring or two which will be read first. Thank you so much for sending and thanks for the lovely card!

This book is here as a ring, and was fairly interesting, although not one I would feel a pressing need to re-read. I think my favorite character was Fanny, the only one who seemed to have any strength of character and backbone of any sort. Interesting. I have the next address and hopefully will be able to get this out fairly soon.

This now leaves the sunny Swiss Alps and makes its way to the UK. Thank you so much for making this earlyish Harris available. Enjoy!

This book has arrived safely in soggy Cornwall :)

Compared to other books by this author I really didn't enjoy this one at all sorry. I just found that it totally lacked the humour, wit and sparkle from her other books. I found the plot really confusing, as it kept rambling off and sometimes seemed to loose track on really what was supposed to be going on I also found it confusing when the author goes more and more into the supernatural element which I don't think should of been in the book. I also thought the main character was really creepy and disturbing

Congratulations, you have picked up a travelling book!
If you have a moment, we'd love you to let us know you have the book as we're keen to follow its journey. You can even post a review when you've read it before passing it on to the next lucky person.
Happy reading!


Not sure what to do? Follow these steps!

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3) If you choose to read the book, please make another journal entry when you finish it to let us know what you thought!

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***Please Note***
When re-releasing this book please be aware that airports are not a good place to leave books unless they have a specific book exchange shelf or area, due to security problems, so they may well just be disposed of. Also charity shops may well discard books that have been labelled in any way and they mostly chose only the books in the very best condition
to place on their shelves and discard the rest-so another bad release option.

This has arrived safely in London. Thank you to everyone who helped get it this far. I shall read it (almost) next, then find it a new home.

Very random series of events staring 4 very different people each with their own agendas. Not sure I really liked this book. It's all rather weird and confusing. Just when I thought things were getting exciting and going some where, it didn't. Almost felt like I was on a drug when reading it.

Now to find this book its next reader...

Finally found this book a new home

How lovely to receive this book in the post today as a RABCK. Thank you very much, Shahrun! I've loved everything of Joanne Harris's that I've read so far, so I'm sure I'll enjoy this too. I particularly enjoy reading books set in Victorian London so I'm sure it'll be a hit with me, and I have someone in mind to pass it to after I've read it, so I hope it will continue to travel well after I've enjoyed it. Thanks again for sharing!