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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
If I could add an extra half-star, I would, since it's not quite worthy of either 3 or 4 stars. It was a fun read and very much a paean to books, historical research, libraries, old English cathedrals and of course The Grail. The romantic thread in the story felt contrived, although while Bethany Davis was a central part of the plot, her and Arthur falling in love felt unnecessary. Although how that mixed in with the very ending I thought was nice. And I'm sure to some, the finger wagging on the differences between the digital and pre-digital world felt preachy at times.
After reading the incredibly brilliant and heavy "Sense Of An Ending" by Julian Barnes, this felt the right read after that, a sort of reset before taking on the next book.
I would definitely read another book by Charlie Lovett.
After reading the incredibly brilliant and heavy "Sense Of An Ending" by Julian Barnes, this felt the right read after that, a sort of reset before taking on the next book.
I would definitely read another book by Charlie Lovett.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Easy to read, good characters, well-structured, and true to its setting.
His rare-books background obviously figures into Mr. Lovett's writing. What a gifted storyteller.
His love of books is obviously woven through his tales. This was also journey through a couple falling in love. I enjoyed it so much. Highly recommend every book of his I've read. His writing just draws you and keeps you engaged into his story and characters from the beginning to end of his novels.
His love of books is obviously woven through his tales. This was also journey through a couple falling in love. I enjoyed it so much. Highly recommend every book of his I've read. His writing just draws you and keeps you engaged into his story and characters from the beginning to end of his novels.
I'm a geekish fan of novels to do with books, Britain, and Arthurian Legends, so when I saw this novel on the New Releases shelf in the library, I grabbed it, grasping at the hope it would be the hat trick to cure my The Beast Is An Animal hangover -- The Beast having been one of those books I so loved that finding something to read next was a real struggle; I had already started and discarded two books. Hmmm.
While I didn’t hate The Lost Book Of Grail, I was never really engaged by any of the stories from any of the many time periods in which the author put together the puzzle of the tale. I found the jumps in time somewhat confusing and difficult to follow, and, in particular, I found the modern-time plot line was so removed from the gothic-legend-located stories from the past, that the juxtapositioning and jumping was jarring. And the present day characters didn’t feel real to me, rather, they were somewhat stock: nerdy librarian, brilliant and beautiful love interest more emotionally mature than the protagonist, teaching him about love. It just didn’t work for me.
While I didn’t hate The Lost Book Of Grail, I was never really engaged by any of the stories from any of the many time periods in which the author put together the puzzle of the tale. I found the jumps in time somewhat confusing and difficult to follow, and, in particular, I found the modern-time plot line was so removed from the gothic-legend-located stories from the past, that the juxtapositioning and jumping was jarring. And the present day characters didn’t feel real to me, rather, they were somewhat stock: nerdy librarian, brilliant and beautiful love interest more emotionally mature than the protagonist, teaching him about love. It just didn’t work for me.
This was actually quite good, which I was not expecting. I remember I was disappointed in the Bookman's Tale, but this was good. Unusually for the genre, there are no pseudo-religious cults or sects bent on maintaining their centuries-old secrets. There really is just a lost manuscript, and the two main characters are searching for it. The only time pressure comes from the failing finances of the cathedral, which means that the library might need to be sold. I suspect there are lots of allusions to Trollope too, but I've never read him so they went over my head. Very enjoyable.
This ticked all my boxes: a book about books, England, history, a mystery, and a bonus preacher's daughter. I liked the narrative from the guidebook and the flashbacks as well.
It was a fun read, though predictable and eventually a bit vanilla. The actual literary and historical allusions were the best part. But the characters were flat.
Great read for...
Lovers of historical or modern fiction
Grail hunters
Anglophiles
Bookish sorts
A happy and enjoyable read!
Lovers of historical or modern fiction
Grail hunters
Anglophiles
Bookish sorts
A happy and enjoyable read!