Hi burntsugar. Have to admit I got this book, looked at the cover and thought how ugly it was! I can't imagine what they were thinking of - were I to glimpse it in a bookshop I would imagine it was some self-help thing and avoid it like the plague!!! Saying that, I enjoyed the book a lot more than I expected to. I would definitely read more by this author, although I was a bit disappointed by the ending. I really like an ending that wraps everything up neatly and felt almost as confused by this as I did when I got to the end of Donna Tartt's "The Little Friend". Anyway, off on holiday this week, but will be back in time for the discussion at the end of the month. Look forward to chatting about this one - was Cynthia right to leave her kids? Was Richard right to leave his wife? Was the book about helping others, or about doing what is best for you? Cynthia may have needed to leave for her own sake, but it was not in her children's best interests at the time, although you could argue it could all work out for the best. I felt that Richard's sons feelings, mirrored in what happened to Cynthia's kids (although never explored deeply, which was interesting) was the pivotal theme of the book. Will Cynthia be having the relationship with her kids down the line that Richard had with his son now. Anyway, this is a long message! Will look forward to the discussion.

 Humz | Jul 8 2008, 08:24 am

Hi Humz - thanks for the message. Glad you enjoyed the book more than you originally thought when you saw the cover! (my son calls it the donut book - so it gets thumbs up in our house!) Yep - it definitely could be mistaken for a self-help book at first glance. I also avoid these (not that I don't need them! ha!)
Good point about whether this book is about helping yourself or helping others. I think ultimately everyone is pretty selfish in the book - perhaps that's the point Homes is making? The end was weird - still trying to figure it out!
Have a great holiday and I look forward to hearing more of your thoughts at the discussion at the end of the month.

 burntsugar | Jul 8 2008, 11:49 am

Hi burntsugar, great to hear from you! I liked Richard though and I kind of understood his motives. It was a good read and I enjoyed it. Made me remember how much I hate ordering anything in American restaurants though - it is so complicated! By the way, the lady who runs my baby daughters music group is a musician. Just out of interest I asked her what she played and - guess what? - she's a bassoon player! So I actually know 2 bassoon players now! How weird is that?!

 Humz | Jul 8 2008, 12:54 pm

Hi again, Humz. Sorry for the wee gap. How funny! I can't believe she's a bassoon player - no way! Although they do say 'truth is stranger than fiction.' Looking forward to the discussion!

 burntsugar | Jul 22 2008, 22:33 pm

Hi, as a new member I'd like to join in with the August book discussion. Am a little confused as the March discussion appeared to take place at one particular time. Perhaps the cover put a lot of people off in July! Am I just being slow this evening?

 Hedi | Jul 28 2008, 18:11 pm

Hi Hedi and welcome! You can add comments at any time, but we have a 'meeting' once a once, usually on the last Wed of every month. So you are in plenty of time to join in, as the meeting will be tomorrow at 9pm, when we go online. You just add a comment as you did yesterday, but you might need to refresh your page to keep up with comments being added. So hopefully you will come back on Wed as we would love to have your company. The meeting lasts for an hour, from 9 - 10 and I look forward to talking to you then.

 Humz | Jul 29 2008, 12:34 pm

Hi Hedi. Great to hear from you! Thanks for explaining how it all works, Humz. Couldn't have written a better explanation myself :-)
Hope we hear from you tomorrow Hedi - it's great fun and the hour zooms past. So make sure you have a think about any comments beforehand, so you're ready to fire away at 9pm! Look forward to hearing from you soon! Justine

 burntsugar | Jul 29 2008, 14:12 pm

Sorry both am out to see "Mama Mia" tomorrow, but thanks for the explanation, it is in my diary for August as Weds 26th. May be best to read the book too, not read July choice as only logged on yesterday! Have fun and see you next month.

 Hedi | Jul 29 2008, 16:48 pm

Hi Hedi, glad you logged back on. Yes, enjoy "The Forgotten Garden" (I've started it and it is brilliant!) and then feel free to make comments as you go along or join in with the meeting at the end of August. Have a great time tomorrow and remember to keep the last Wed of every month free if you can after that. I am sure you will enjoy it much more when you have read the book and can join in properly, so we will look forward to meeting you properly in August.

 Humz | Jul 30 2008, 10:45 am