Discussion: 2015-07-01 - 2015-07-31: A Place of Greater Safety - Hilary Mantel • More Historical than Fiction • BookLikes

#48 by: Themis-Athena's Garden of Books date: 9 years ago discussions stats

It's common to many dictatorships, regardless of underlying political theory. The Nazis did the same thing -- brainwashing taken to the nth degree. Frightening, isn't it?

Will be looking forward to your review.

#49 by: Carpe Librum date: 9 years ago discussions stats

I'm going to get back to this today. You are all far ahead of me & I had to take the time to read my local book club selection since I'm hosting this month!

#52 by: Carpe Librum date: 9 years ago discussions stats

Are others still reading? We could keep this book for another month, but not just for me.

#53 by: SusannaG - Confessions of a Crazy Cat Lady date: 9 years ago discussions stats

Still haven't been able to get a copy!

I would be in favor of extending it another month, myself.

#55 by: Carpe Librum date: 9 years ago discussions stats

I know that a couple of people are finished with this book, but I went ahead and extended this discussion through August. My hope is that more of us can get through it and have more great conversation. This is by far the most discussion we have had in this club so far, so let's keep it going!

Welcome to the several new members! I think everyone gets notifications when I post, but if you haven't, you can recommend future books here.

#56 by: Carpe Librum date: 9 years ago discussions stats

Alright, I need some encouragement. I love the moments of snarky humor that remind me so much of the Cromwell series, but I feel like I don't know what the heck is going on! How much did you know about the French Revolution before reading this. My knowledge is pretty much limited to Les Miserables and The Scarlet Pimpernel.

#57 by: LunaLuss date: 9 years ago discussions stats

My knowledge on the French revolution is pretty limited as well. It is true that sometimes I cant follow the events but I dont let that bother me much. I just try to glue the pieces together as accurately as I can. Investigating further through websites etc helps but that's time consuming and it breaks my attention on the historical novel, so I just keep reading and add notes to make sense of them later.

#58 by: Carpe Librum date: 9 years ago discussions stats

Glad I'm not alone! I've been trying to read without Googling to avoid learning more than I want to know about the main characters, but I may have to give in. I know about the fate of Robespierre but not the others. Are you still in the process of reading this one too?

#59 by: SusannaG - Confessions of a Crazy Cat Lady date: 9 years ago discussions stats

Still working on getting a copy.

#62 by: Carpe Librum date: 9 years ago discussions stats

Oh, thank you! I was feeling like a dunderhead! Mantel is so far above me but I love her.

#63 by: Lillelara date: 9 years ago discussions stats

I did some extensive background reading on the french revolution while reading this one, otherwise I would have been lost. And ultimately I learned more reading this book than in any history class in school.

#64 by: LunaLuss date: 9 years ago discussions stats

Reply to post #58 (show post):

Yes I am!

#65 by: Carpe Librum date: 9 years ago discussions stats

I'm feeling much better about this now and think I will give in and do a little bit of background reading. I am just a few pages into Part Four. Thanks everyone!

#66 by: SusannaG - Confessions of a Crazy Cat Lady date: 9 years ago discussions stats

Reply to post #61 (show post):

Thank you very much for the offer; but I think ILL will work for me. (I would have done it last time we were at the library, but it was a very brief visit.)