The idea of perfection
2 journalers for this copy...
Winner of the Orange Prize for fiction 2001.
I loved this touching story about Harley Savage and Douglas Cheeseman, two middle-aged, physically unattractive outsiders who meet and unexpectedly, even unwillingly, fall in love in the small backwater town of Karakarook, New South Wales. Douglas is an engineer sent to demolish a historic bridge; Harley is a textiles expert and quilter who has come to help the locals create a rural museum. They are both socially awkward and lacking in confidence, but this adds to their appeal as characters. Harley is even reluctant to develop a relationship with the stray dog that attaches itself to her.
There is also a subplot about the perfectly attractive Felicity who is obsessed with her appearance and the local butcher.
This is a slow-paced gentle book in which not a great deal happens. I enjoyed the author's style, her use of italics for emphasis, and the descriptions of the small Australian town and its environs.
I loved this touching story about Harley Savage and Douglas Cheeseman, two middle-aged, physically unattractive outsiders who meet and unexpectedly, even unwillingly, fall in love in the small backwater town of Karakarook, New South Wales. Douglas is an engineer sent to demolish a historic bridge; Harley is a textiles expert and quilter who has come to help the locals create a rural museum. They are both socially awkward and lacking in confidence, but this adds to their appeal as characters. Harley is even reluctant to develop a relationship with the stray dog that attaches itself to her.
There is also a subplot about the perfectly attractive Felicity who is obsessed with her appearance and the local butcher.
This is a slow-paced gentle book in which not a great deal happens. I enjoyed the author's style, her use of italics for emphasis, and the descriptions of the small Australian town and its environs.
Journal Entry 3 by 
rem_CJL-230711
at Le Garage Cafe, 166 Provencher Blvd. in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada on Tuesday, March 13, 2007
rem_CJL-230711 at Le Garage Cafe, 166 Provencher Blvd. in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada on Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Released 17 yrs ago (3/13/2007 UTC) at Le Garage Cafe, 166 Provencher Blvd. in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
I'll be releasing this at the monthly Winnipeg Bookcrossing meet-up. The theme this month is "green". I'm bringing this book for contrast - it won the "Orange" prize for fiction in 2001 :)
I'll be releasing this at the monthly Winnipeg Bookcrossing meet-up. The theme this month is "green". I'm bringing this book for contrast - it won the "Orange" prize for fiction in 2001 :)
I've been tempted by Kate Grenville in many a bookstore, but never succumbed. So this will be my introduction to her. Thanks mrsgaskell!
