When We Were Romans by Matthew Kneale

[fashion_piranha]

When We Were Romans
By Matthew Kneale
 

Comments

[ext_106285]

Seriously, I defend the spelling issue because I know for a fact, having a 9 year old whom I help with her writing and coming from a spelling-challenged family, that I accept Lawrence's varient spelling. I know I've done it and thought, "well at least I spelled it right once!" My spell checker always balks on a couple words I perpetually spell wrong (stupid words, too..)

I saw the book from a psychological point of view, and as a mother who's been a Hannah (okay, not a total paranoid schitzo, but crazy enough to have made my older two a bit insecure), and that aspect fascinated me. The effect of the mother's insane, self-centered actions on her children (particularly Lawrence, who's old enough to see it).

[juushika]

It's wonderful to see your book reviews on my flist—not just because it gives me more books to add to my TBR list (like here: I won't be checking out When We Were Romans, it just doesn't sound like my kind of book and the negative recommendation is convincing), but because you pick up quite a few books that I wouldn't discover on my own. That includes When We Were Romans—I like young adult fiction and some child narrators, but I rarely read family dramas from a child's POV and I would definitely avoid "authentic" child's writing/spelling. It's interesting to see an alternate taste in reading, and it may inspire some TBR additions I'd not find any other way.

[k00kaburra]

Heh, wait 'til I get to a book called Tan Lines. It's supposed to by "thriller beach read," and I know that isn't normally my thing, but I thought I'd give it a chance. Bad idea. It was the most vile trash I've touched in years.

[charismitaine]

Hmm, the premise is interesting enough that I might pick it up in the library to skim a chapter.

[innoittaa]

I love your icon! Stephenie Meyer is the bane of my existence, having chosen to read all of them and coming to the end with the urge to bludgeon her with hardcover copies of her own books...

[charismitaine]

Thanks! My friend faryfly made it, because she is awesome.

Dean > sparkly vampires.

[semi_hitokiri]

I don't think I'm one of the people that can stand misspellings or annoying characters (i.e. Lawrence) but it seems like an interesting read if not for the international settings. And I particularly love mysteries. Although your entry made me want to read Curious Incident more first before this book.

[moiread]

Book aside: That icon is terrifying and wonderful.

[fashion_piranha]

Isn't it great? I think it's from a Tower or a Virgin Records ad.