Comments on: Top Five Novels of 2011

By: sandybarker

sandybarker — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:32:22 +0000

Now this is a cliche, but I read the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and the subsequent 2 books back to back to back. He is an exceptional writer. I was completely invested.

By: Victoria

Victoria — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 22:16:51 +0000

I’m afraid I couldn’t finish The Stranger’s Child. I don’t know what went wrong for me and suspect it was all to do with my mood. I loved the first pre-war section, but the second section dulled my enthusiasm and I gave up 20 pages into the third. I really should revisit it. But I loved the Ali Smith and Jennifer Egan this year too. And I Capture the Castle when I read it a while ago.

Which leaves To the End of the Land. I’ve downloaded a sample to my Kindle already.

By: litlove

litlove — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 11:00:11 +0000

Oh lovely list! So delighted Ali Smith made it on as she’s a favourite of mine. And I loved I Capture the Castle when I read it a while back – time for a reread, I think. Very interested now to check out the books that are new to me, particularly the David Grossman.

By: DoctorDi

DoctorDi — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 03:48:00 +0000

Mmmm… a tasty list of treats, thanks, Charlotte! I also enjoyed I Capture the Castle, but I am intrigued by the others on your list – particularly the Egan, to see how she gets away without a clearly discernible narrative arc. Why did NO ONE ask me what I wanted for Christmas??!!

By: Kid In The Front Row

Kid In The Front Row — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 09:48:15 +0000

I don’t think I read any brand new fiction this year. Don’t shoot me!

By: Susan

Susan — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 07:07:05 +0000

As always, i find a book to read from you – I’ve just added To The End of Land to my-buy list (I hope for Christmas, if I can find it). It sounds fascinating, and as a parent in this time of war and with two brothers’-in-law in the military, the potential for loss is always hovering around the corner. Good list, Charlotte! you read some challenging books this year.

By: Lokesh

Lokesh — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 17:58:17 +0000

Completely agree about ‘To the End of the Land’. It really is a novel that stays with you. – I liked Charlies Rose’s interview with David Grossman too. Well worth seeing http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/11241

By: charlotteotter

charlotteotter — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 13:13:22 +0000

Jo, you are a shining light of individuality! Meanwhile, I also loved The Long Song – it is Levy at her triumphant best.

By: Jo Carroll

Jo Carroll — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 09:14:37 +0000

I must be the only person in the world who couldn’t get on with the Goon Squad.

In it’s place I’d like to offer Andrea Levy’s The Long Song – set in the West Indies, a prequel to Small Island, and somehow writing about the failing colonial system without being judgemental.