The Welsh Girl
Registered by Safrolistics of Newbiggin-By-The-Sea, Northumberland United Kingdom on 1/15/2008
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
12 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by Safrolistics from Newbiggin-By-The-Sea, Northumberland United Kingdom on Tuesday, January 15, 2008
The Welsh Girl is set in the final months of WW2. There are three main threads to the story. Rotheram, a German refugee, assists British Intelligence by interviewing POWs, Karsten, a young patriotic German soldier, who surrenders in Northern France and Esther, the teenage daughter of a shepherd. All the threads come together in a small North Wales community.
At its heart is Esther, whose mother has died. She has few females to identify with or to be friends with and finds herself confused by the males that she comes into contact with. Rhys, a school friend, loves her but she has rejected him and as a result he joined the army. She is attracted to Colin, a soldier based locally, but he only has a short term relationship in mind. She is intrigued by Karsten and becomes attracted to him.
The book is well researched and beautifully written and the story flows well. Many themes are explored - patriotism, nationalism, racism, identity - but none are laboured. Another recurring theme is the sense of belonging - "cynefin" - passed down through the maternal line of sheep.
At its heart is Esther, whose mother has died. She has few females to identify with or to be friends with and finds herself confused by the males that she comes into contact with. Rhys, a school friend, loves her but she has rejected him and as a result he joined the army. She is attracted to Colin, a soldier based locally, but he only has a short term relationship in mind. She is intrigued by Karsten and becomes attracted to him.
The book is well researched and beautifully written and the story flows well. Many themes are explored - patriotism, nationalism, racism, identity - but none are laboured. Another recurring theme is the sense of belonging - "cynefin" - passed down through the maternal line of sheep.
Journal Entry 2 by Safrolistics from Newbiggin-By-The-Sea, Northumberland United Kingdom on Sunday, April 27, 2008
This is now going out on a ray, the list is as follows;
purplerosebud UK.......anywhere
laura0141 UK.......anywhere
ReetPetite UK.......anywhere
PussInBooks UK.......Europe
Megmac UK........Anywhere
katie1980 UK........Anywhere, surface
scotsbookie UK........Anywhere
jeniwren Australia.......Aus
jubby Australia.......overseas
lakelady2282 Australia.......Internationaly
bookbabe71 Canada
Bibliocrates US........US
If anyone in US joins and is willing to post overseas...
Mallary France........Anywhere But France
WormyOne UK........Last
purplerosebud UK.......anywhere
laura0141 UK.......anywhere
ReetPetite UK.......anywhere
PussInBooks UK.......Europe
Megmac UK........Anywhere
katie1980 UK........Anywhere, surface
scotsbookie UK........Anywhere
jeniwren Australia.......Aus
jubby Australia.......overseas
lakelady2282 Australia.......Internationaly
bookbabe71 Canada
Bibliocrates US........US
If anyone in US joins and is willing to post overseas...
Mallary France........Anywhere But France
WormyOne UK........Last
Journal Entry 3 by Safrolistics at Controlled Release in Controlled Release, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, May 4, 2008
Released 15 yrs ago (5/4/2008 UTC) at Controlled Release in Controlled Release, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Going out on a bookray, hope everyone enjoys it as much as I did.
Going out on a bookray, hope everyone enjoys it as much as I did.
Arrived today thanks very much! Looking forward to reading this one and will make it my next read after my current book.
Journal Entry 5 by purplerosebud from Petersfield, Hampshire United Kingdom on Saturday, June 7, 2008
What an enjoyable read! I've read reviews which say this book is slow and dull so I wasn't sure if I would enjoy it. I thought it was a gentle story about real people. Life isn't all about excitement and I could imagine these people living their war time lives. I'm sure the war brought them more than their fair share of 'excitment' or maybe they thought their lives were dull because of the restrictions placed on them. I read this book very quickly and by the time I finished it I had feelings for so many of the characters not only Esther, Kersten and Rotheram. I like reading books set in WW2 and this story will stay with me for quite some time I'm sure.
This book was on my wish list so thank you for sharing. It will be going off the laura0141 in a few days.
This book was on my wish list so thank you for sharing. It will be going off the laura0141 in a few days.
Many thanks for this - I'm looking forward to it :)
Title:
The Welsh Girl
Author:
Davies, Peter Ho
Publisher:
Sceptre
Format:
Paperback (BookRing)
BCID:
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/5795861
No. of pages:
343
First sentence:
Outside, the technicolor sunset is giving way to the silvery sweep of searchlights over distant Cardiff as a hand tugs the blackout curtain across the sky.
I read this book because I'm interested in the social history of the Second World War. I'm not sure that 'enjoy' is quite the right word to describe the reading experience. The book seemed dark and grey, sinister in parts. But the stories - of a German Jew, a German POW and a Welsh woman - all entwined in a captivating manner. I tend to enjoy female characters more than male and found that the case here - I wish the loose ends of Esther's story hadn't been gathered so swiftly at the end of the book.
Much of the book is written in the present tense (presumably to differentiate from the flash-back scenes) and I found this a little strange, perhaps the narrative is set so firmly in the 1940s and they are most certainly the past.
I would recommend the book to anyone with an interest in the Second World War whether they're interested in military or social history as both sides are covered.
7/10
PMing ReetPetite for addy.
The Welsh Girl
Author:
Davies, Peter Ho
Publisher:
Sceptre
Format:
Paperback (BookRing)
BCID:
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/5795861
No. of pages:
343
First sentence:
Outside, the technicolor sunset is giving way to the silvery sweep of searchlights over distant Cardiff as a hand tugs the blackout curtain across the sky.
I read this book because I'm interested in the social history of the Second World War. I'm not sure that 'enjoy' is quite the right word to describe the reading experience. The book seemed dark and grey, sinister in parts. But the stories - of a German Jew, a German POW and a Welsh woman - all entwined in a captivating manner. I tend to enjoy female characters more than male and found that the case here - I wish the loose ends of Esther's story hadn't been gathered so swiftly at the end of the book.
Much of the book is written in the present tense (presumably to differentiate from the flash-back scenes) and I found this a little strange, perhaps the narrative is set so firmly in the 1940s and they are most certainly the past.
I would recommend the book to anyone with an interest in the Second World War whether they're interested in military or social history as both sides are covered.
7/10
PMing ReetPetite for addy.
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
On way to ReetPetite.
On way to ReetPetite.
Journal Entry 9 by ReetPetite from Beeston, Nottinghamshire United Kingdom on Friday, August 29, 2008
Thanks laura0141, arrived today.
Journal Entry 10 by ReetPetite from Beeston, Nottinghamshire United Kingdom on Monday, September 8, 2008
I didn't know what to expect when I saw this ray. I heard it was good & wanted to find out. It was easy to read & I've just been to Snowdonia so I knew what the area is like. I'm not sure if Rotheram fitted in too well, I was really into Esther's story & when it went back to Rotheram I'd forgotten about him.
I'm not too interested in WW2 stories but this was all right.
Thanks for sharing safrolistics.
I've PMed PussInBooks
I'm not too interested in WW2 stories but this was all right.
Thanks for sharing safrolistics.
I've PMed PussInBooks
Journal Entry 11 by ReetPetite from Beeston, Nottinghamshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, September 9, 2008
PussInBooks has a copy & has asked to be missed.
I've PMed Megmac
Posted to Megmac on 13/9
I've PMed Megmac
Posted to Megmac on 13/9
Journal Entry 12 by Megmac from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Arrived today. I will read next. Thanks x
Journal Entry 13 by Megmac from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Sunday, October 12, 2008
I really liked this book, though it does sag a little bit towards the end. I genuinely cared about Esther and what happened to her and I wasn't expecting to like the ending but I found it quite satisfying. Also, I did a social history degree so I enjoyed the 'home front' aspect of the story but I can understand why some people may have found it slow. So, not a great book but a very good debut novel and one I would recommend.
Thanks for sharing :-)
have pm-ed katie1980
Thanks for sharing :-)
have pm-ed katie1980
Journal Entry 14 by Megmac at To the next participant, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Released 15 yrs ago (10/22/2008 UTC) at To the next participant, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
I am really sorry for the slight delay in sending this. In a hectic week at work I kept forgetting to buy Jiffy bags!! Will definitely be sent out today!
I am really sorry for the slight delay in sending this. In a hectic week at work I kept forgetting to buy Jiffy bags!! Will definitely be sent out today!
Journal Entry 15 by katie1980 from Basingstoke, Hampshire United Kingdom on Sunday, October 26, 2008
Arrived safely in the post yesterday. Thanks for sharing - I look forward to reading this.
Journal Entry 16 by katie1980 from Basingstoke, Hampshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, November 25, 2008
I finished this last week, but wasn't well so am only just journalling. Sorry!
It's definitely an interesting read, with a rollercoaster ride of emotions travelled with Esther. I liked the inter-play between the soldier, the boy and Esther, but was a touch confused as to how the Captain fitted into their story. Though his reaction to Hess, and to the films that he had to show people was very interesting. As was the fact that he was *so* defensive regarding his faith/ denomination in life.
Generally, I enjoyed the story, and appreciate the chance to read the book. thanks for sharing!
PMing Scotsbookie for an address now.
It's definitely an interesting read, with a rollercoaster ride of emotions travelled with Esther. I liked the inter-play between the soldier, the boy and Esther, but was a touch confused as to how the Captain fitted into their story. Though his reaction to Hess, and to the films that he had to show people was very interesting. As was the fact that he was *so* defensive regarding his faith/ denomination in life.
Generally, I enjoyed the story, and appreciate the chance to read the book. thanks for sharing!
PMing Scotsbookie for an address now.
Journal Entry 17 by katie1980 at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada on Monday, December 1, 2008
Released 15 yrs ago (12/1/2008 UTC) at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Put into the post today. Apologies for the delay, I was putting off finding an appropriate envelope! *blush*
Enjoy :o)
Put into the post today. Apologies for the delay, I was putting off finding an appropriate envelope! *blush*
Enjoy :o)
Arrived safely today, thank you katie1980. I will be starting to read it this evening.
Journal Entry 19 by scotsbookie from Peebles, Scotland United Kingdom on Saturday, December 27, 2008
First of all many apologies for holding on to this book for so long.
A great read, well researched & written which I really enjoyed.
Will PM jeniwren & get this on the its way asap after the New Year.
A great read, well researched & written which I really enjoyed.
Will PM jeniwren & get this on the its way asap after the New Year.
Journal Entry 20 by scotsbookie at By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, January 4, 2009
Released 15 yrs ago (1/5/2009 UTC) at By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Book has arrived today for the start of its visit to Australia. I will read after my current book and going by previous JE's I am looking forward to this one.
Special thanks to safrolistics for setting up this bookray =)
Special thanks to safrolistics for setting up this bookray =)
I found this a little slow to start but the latter sections of the novel improved and made for an enjoyable read. It is an interesting story about a group of characters living through war in a small Welsh community with themes explored about identity and patriotism. Esther's story was no doubt a common one during times of war for women left at home and the author has created a likeable and engaging character.
Overall a book I would recommend and an impressive debut.
Overall a book I would recommend and an impressive debut.
Jubby has asked to be missed so I have contacted lakelady2282 who is next. On its way soon......
Released 15 yrs ago (2/9/2009 UTC) at Greigs Flat, New South Wales Australia
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Posting today to the next recipient Lakelady2282.
Posting today to the next recipient Lakelady2282.
Journal Entry 25 by lakelady2282 from Lake Macquarie, New South Wales Australia on Thursday, February 12, 2009
Thanks jeniwren for posting the book out and safrolistics for organising the ring. I have Into the Forest booking book before this but will try and be as quick as I can.
Journal Entry 26 by lakelady2282 from Lake Macquarie, New South Wales Australia on Thursday, March 12, 2009
I was really dazzled by the writing in this book and can't help wondering why it wasn't shortlisted for the Booker instead of only longlisted. The description of Karsten's capture is one of the best pieces of war writing I've read and I've read a few.
I particularly enjoyed the deeper layers of the novel dealing with language and identity. I will definitely be seeking out his short story collections. Will pm bookbabe71. Thanks for sharing.
I particularly enjoyed the deeper layers of the novel dealing with language and identity. I will definitely be seeking out his short story collections. Will pm bookbabe71. Thanks for sharing.
Released 15 yrs ago (3/31/2009 UTC) at
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Sorry for the delay, guys. Just been scraping the postage together, lol. The book is now on its way!
Sorry for the delay, guys. Just been scraping the postage together, lol. The book is now on its way!
It took me a bit to get into this book - but once I did I was hooked. I apologize for the length of time it has taken me to pass this book on.....I had 5 books sent to me at once. I will be contacting the next person on the list and sending it out immediately. Thank you for including me in this ring!
Ok - this book has been on my shelf just a little too long. I didn't hear back from the next BCer on the list and I am sending the book off to France to Mallery. She is listed on RABCK.com and this will be a surprise for her....sorry that this book has been stuck here for so long. Thanks again for including me in the ring/ray. Happy travels.
Hi,
Sorry I have no idea when this book arrived with me.
I was recently in hospital for a serious operation and am now recuperating.
I haven't been well enough to keep up with my reading so I will post this straight to the last person in the ring.
My apologies for keeping it so long and thank you for including me!
Sorry I have no idea when this book arrived with me.
I was recently in hospital for a serious operation and am now recuperating.
I haven't been well enough to keep up with my reading so I will post this straight to the last person in the ring.
My apologies for keeping it so long and thank you for including me!
WormyOne is last in the ray and already has a copy of this book.
So may I hang onto this copy (as I haven't had chance to read it) and then release it afterwards? Would be grateful if I could.
So may I hang onto this copy (as I haven't had chance to read it) and then release it afterwards? Would be grateful if I could.
Rescued from being lost for ever
Journal Entry 33 by lephenix at Chez Julie British Shop in Canet-d'Aude, Languedoc-Roussillon France on Sunday, July 25, 2010
Released 13 yrs ago (7/26/2010 UTC) at Chez Julie British Shop in Canet-d'Aude, Languedoc-Roussillon France
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
a popular book
