Comments on: Curiosity, by Joan Thomas

By: Max Cairnduff

Max Cairnduff — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 02:43:48 +0000

For the right book club it’s a great idea Kevin.

Oddly, my knowledge of book clubs is largely taken from the complaints of people I know who belong to ones they’re unhappy with. I suspect I know people in perfectly successful ones without my realising it, but they don’t feel the need to talk about them so much as those who’re more frustrated.

By: KevinfromCanada

KevinfromCanada — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 15:29:28 +0000

Max: I agree that it is very much a taste issue (and don’t think you would want to spend time on the book). Thomas’ strength in this book is very much her ability to extend what is known about Mary Anning with some speculation — that’s why Austen came so readily to mind. And I would say that, like Austen, Thomas does use her straightforward story to explore some broader societal issues.

I didn’t know about Remarkable Creatures until it was mentioned in a number of comments. It does strike me that a number of book clubs would find a two book, fiction/non-fiction read of that and this novel to be a very interesting experience.

By: Max Cairnduff

Max Cairnduff — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 11:47:10 +0000

I have much the same taste for historical fiction as you do. It’s an interesting subject, but “there are no surprises in this book” coupled with a focus on clarity makes it sound like a book that simply tells a story.

Now, that’s a distinctly underrated quality and one I respect, but it’s not what I’m looking for as a rule. When I want that I read genre, which tends to do it better than quasi-literary fiction.

It sounds efficient rather than inspired, is that unkind do you think? It sounds fair that it didn’t make the shortlist, though admittedly your own biases (the same as mine) might mean that others would find strengths where you (and probably I) wouldn’t. As I suppose the comments here demonstrate.

By: KevinfromCanada

KevinfromCanada — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 03:54:45 +0000

Linda: I am not sure where you live, but copies are still available in Canada and a paperback edition is scheduled for March, 2011. I would suspect by then that it will have attracted some UK interest and would imagine that that edition would be available in the US. Alas, it cannot win the Giller since it did not advance to the shortlist.

By: Linda C

Linda C — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 02:18:34 +0000

Great review. I have been interesting in Mary Anning for a few years and did not know of this book. Unfortunately, copies of the book are “out of print,” “not available,” or frightfully expensive. Hopefully, it will win the Giller and become more widely available.

By: KevinfromCanada

KevinfromCanada — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 20:45:29 +0000

Fran: I have to believe that some UK publisher will be signing Joan Thomas up since both her style and story seem ideally suited for the market (and last year’s Death by Lightning would be an attractive addition to the package. As some who knows at least a little bit about “fossilizing”, I think you will find it an intriguing read when it gets there — that excitement of discovery that you describe is very much a part of the story.

By: Fran

Fran — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 19:54:19 +0000

Having been taken “fossilizing” by my mother, an amateur geologist. when a child I know of the excitement when you split open a rock and discover a perfect specimen. To realise you are seeing something which has not seen the light of day for maybe millons of years is a thrill.
Understanding the significance of the fossil creatures such as those Mary Anning uncovered, in an age which still believed the bible word for word has only recently dawned on me, prompted by my recent read of Remarkable Creatures. I look forward to this novel when it is more easily obtainable in GB.

By: KevinfromCanada

KevinfromCanada — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 16:27:34 +0000

Shelley: I did see it and am quite chuffed, I must admit.

By: Shelley

Shelley — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 15:44:51 +0000

Hi Kevin,

Just wanted to make sure that you know there’s an admiring reference to your blog on dovegreyreader!

By: KevinfromCanada

KevinfromCanada — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 14:56:46 +0000

Thanks for the comments, all. I’d say Wandering Coyote’s comment confirms my feeling that those who like historical fiction will find a lot to like in this book — I certainly enjoyed it, even if that really isn’t my genre.