Moopy Book Club (the return) - November 2018: 'Milkman' by Anna Burns

but let's not rush each other, everyone, people read at very different paces, someone like Kala who's out there VIP'ing most of his spare time will inevitably be a little longer x

 

Yeah, I like that we're all doing it at our own pace. We want to keep this one going more than two rounds, ideally.

 

Absolutely agreed but please let's not discuss until we all finish & decide to start discussing!!

 

I'm half way through. There's no way I'm finishing for Waterstones tomorrow.

It's good though. Intense. I feel like I need to reread and reread sentences to take it all in.

 

I’m halfway through chapter 2 and I’m struggling. I think it’s because I always read before bed as it helps me to get to sleep but it’s not really the kind of book for that, it’s quite a difficult read with the style of writing. I’m also finding that I’m not taking in everything because it’s a bit rambling and she could have cut down things drastically. I’ll persevere though.

 

I had 20% to go on this and my digital loan expired what a load of BEALLUCS

 

OMG! So now what?!

(I finished on Sunday)

 

I'm still in line for a physical copy through the library, I hope I'll get it shortly

 

I must admit I haven’t read anymore since last time I posted in this thread. That’s not a good sign.

 

I’ve been sick but I’m hoping to finish it by this weekend.

 

that’s fine, let it go. no one should force themself through a book

 

I'm also stuck on chapter 3 Finding it a bit of a slog. I usually finish books pretty quickly so agreed that it's not a good sign!

 

I found Chapter 3 was where I found my groove with it. But, as Mats says, if it doesn't speak to you, don't feel pressured to keep at it.

 

Shall we schedule a date for discussion then? Maybe next week?

 

hold out, McSomebodies! I am moving up on the waiting list

but aren't you a few who have already finished it? @Suedey, @jivafox, @Beverley, @Chlammy? get dissecting

 

So I still haven't finished this unfortunately.

 

I’ve still got the last bit to finish, but I won’t be home until Friday the 28th to do so

 

Oh.

 

ANYWAY I'M JUST GONNA REVIEW IT

I really liked it. I found it such a slog in the first three chapters - the elliptical way in which she talks, the endless digressions, it requires a HUGE amount of concentration, and that's quite hard if you're reading in a loud place or if you're sensitive to noise. I read best when I'm stuck on a plane. But but chapter three, I feel like I 'got' it. I got the rhythm of the sentences and the humour and the explicit politics, and knowing nothing about the everyday politics of Northern Ireland back then (aside from my teacher telling me that you can tell in Belfast what side a person is on by their names, their schools, their addresses), that sort of stuff really blew my mind. I found the sexual politics of it fascinating and super relevant, the NI politics super relevant to Brexit, and I enjoyed being challenged by the prose.

 

I was going to post a separate thread for discussion and add a poll but as Bev has posted, I will also review here.

I really enjoyed this book. I, too, found the initial few chapters a bit of a struggle - but it was more a case of getting used to the language and the style of writing. I loved the narrator and really empathised and identified with her. The entire thing was like a weird 1984-style set-up, except it actually did happen. As Bev said, given the current Brexit/Irish backstop situation as well, it did feel rather topical. Obviously NI politics was a huge part of the book, but the feminist angle was also interesting.

3.5/5 from the Suedey JURY.

 

BROKEN DENMARK. I finally got it last week

can only reiterate the above two posts. loved the rhythm, loved the depersonalized style which made the everpresent feeling of being surveilled even creepier. in particular I liked the bit about the French class and 'wee sisters' and their affinity for hardcore lit. I read a rather critical review that found it highbrow, especially because of the words used throughout, which had me facepalming because a) it's awesome to learn while reading* and b) it was clearly, or at least in my view, a narrative technique rather than a matter of snobby style. it was clear that the narrator was alien to her own community, even her own family. what better way to establish distance in a setting that only spans a few blocks? the feels someone from Northern Ireland must get reading this! anyway, I'm on a 3.5/5 like @Suedey. THANKS GUYS

*I mean, how hot are FUGACIOUS and CREPUSCULAR?

 

This is the only book in the past, probably about 15 years that I couldn't finish. It was one of the worst written books I have ever read. I'm sure it's a great book for some people but it was not for me. 0/5

 

On reflection it's not one of the worst written books I have ever read. I have read some real shit self-published crap that was free on Amazon which had obviously not been proof read and was worse than GCSE English short story level. I just thought the style of writing of Milkman was very different and I just couldn't get to grips with it.