Out Stealing Horses

[Mz Pip]

by Per Petterson. Just finished it and would be interested in hearing other's impresssions.

It got such rave reviews and I just found myself waiting, waiting, waiting for something to happen. :shrug:

[truedelphi]

1. What a great title.

But you suggest that no horses were stolen?

Were any even ridden?

[Mz Pip]

2. Ridden

but not stolen. It was a 'pretend' steal. Probably the most interesting part of the book and it only lasts a few pages.

[abluelady]

3. I Agreed With All the Reviewers

I found it fascinating. I think he had a tremendous amount to say without anything "happening." I loved the book. I read it a few years ago when it first came out and then my book group read it last month and I had to present the book, so I reread it. I liked it even better the second time. Sometimes I find quiet books talk to me more than loud books.

[Mz Pip]

4. Our book club

meets on Monday to discuss this and I will be interested to hear what others have to say. We're a tough bunch.

I didn't hate the book. I just didn't get all the rave reviews. Yes, it was quiet. Too quiet, IMHO.

[abluelady]

5. Let Me Know What Your Book Group Says

Sometimes I find I like a book better after book group!

[truedelphi]

6. I'll see if local library will get it for me.

Some of these quiet stories don't appeal to me.

I also cannot handle so many literary and cinematic items wherein most of the action happening occurs in flash backs.

When the flashback technique was first adopted, it was supposed to be used for a purpose. "Ordinary People" handled flashbacks very well. But I don't care for a lot of movies where you cannot even tell where and when you are - one moment the person is on the elevated train platform, then they are inside a mugging - you don't know if it happening now or ten years earlier. Sloppy as far as I can tell.

Also, the movie 'The English Patient' drove me nuts, and has come to be synonymous (inside my tiny brain) for "bad movie."

[Mz Pip]

7. Lots of flashbacks

in this book and I often had to reread passages to try to figure out just where in the past a scene was occuring.

For what's it's worth I did not like "The English Patient" either. Though I do think the book was better than the movie.