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My Phantoms by Gwendoline Riley - April 2023 Book Group thread

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Columba Apr 2023 9:23pm, 28 Apr 2023 22,175 posts	Quote Pin Columba Another one who feels she may have to buy it (having returned the library copy). And will look for other books by the same author.
Diogenes Apr 2023 9:33pm, 28 Apr 2023 78,539 posts	Quote Pin Diogenes I think maybe I ought to point Gwendoline in the direction of this thread.
McGoohan Apr 2023 9:36pm, 28 Apr 2023 52,702 posts	Quote Pin McGoohan This is possibly the most liked book of any we have yet had in the book group. When you next see her, ask casually about her best parkrun time and before you know it, she'll be signed up as a Fetchie...
LindsD Apr 2023 9:39pm, 28 Apr 2023 61,405 posts	Quote Pin LindsD
McGoohan Apr 2023 9:41pm, 28 Apr 2023 52,704 posts	Quote Pin McGoohan Of course it might be difficult for her to come on the book group and slag off her contemporaries/rivals (or to see us doing it...)
Little Nemo May 2023 5:13pm, 25 May 2023 13,589 posts	Quote Pin Little Nemo I'm a bit torn on this review. If I was going to be less subjective I would be able to admire the writing style, appreciate the hideous characters and situations and possibly see some very dark humour in it. But, I just can't set aside the horrible unease I felt reading this. Maybe this is how the book is supposed to work but I just hated reading it. It reminded me a bit too much about stuff in my family and made me think of how things might have turned out if different things had happened to us. The toxic nature of the mother was just unbearable but I also found the daughter deeply odd too. Reaching the end was a massive relief and I'm very glad it wasn't longer! Despite all that I'm guessing that bits of it will stay with me and maybe with a bit of distance I'll appreciate it more. I gave this book a 6 although it probably deserves more. I won't be going out of my way to read more by this author.
Little Nemo May 2023 5:19pm, 25 May 2023 13,590 posts	Quote Pin Little Nemo I see that I'm completely out of step with you all!
LindsD May 2023 5:30pm, 25 May 2023 61,900 posts	Quote Pin LindsD Not at all! I totally agree, but I liked the unease and the fact that it made me think about things in my own family and relationships. I think I felt similar to you, just reacted differently, if you see what I mean.
Serendippily May 2023 8:34pm, 25 May 2023 28,648 posts	Quote Pin Serendippily Me too. It was deliberately unsettling

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About This Thread

Maintained by McGoohan

If there's something strange
In your neighborhood
Who you gonna call?
Gwen Riley!

If there's something weird
And it don't look good
Who you gonna call?
Gwen Riley!

I ain't 'fraid of my phantoms
I ain't 'fraid of my phantoms

When you have read this spooo-oo-oo-ooky tale perhaps give your thoughts below. But remember: don't cross the streams!

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