October book club - Cousins

I am sorry but this is the poorest book I have read this year. The story does not flow and the flitting backwards and forwards just makes for confusion.
When I realised it was partly set in an area near me I thought it would be interesting but sadly not.
I will not be seeking out any more of Sally Vicker's books.

Thank you for my copy! I think I will be in a minority here as I really enjoyed it! I found it interesting having the story unfold through three different narratives and, unlike many other members, I thought it was difficult to put down!! Still we can't all like the same thing!

I was looking forward to reading this book as I loved Cleaner of Chartres & Miss Garnet's Angel but to be honest I found this book very hard going. I did not find the family tree until I saw it mentioned on this page! I wish I had as I had trouble remembering who was who- maybe as I was reading it in bed at night.
I found the main characters very self obsessed - in fact the relationships between family members were rather odd altogether- hardly a normal family but then that would not make much of a story I know.
I think it was a rather too long book about people I could not warm to. Thank you for the opportunity to read it but I would not say I enjoyed it.

First of all, thank you to GN for the book and for the extra reading time. I found it a compelling read, very moving and quite disturbing in places. I kept finding that I had stopped reading to think about my own family and the relationships within it, which to me is the mark of a really good book. I had the same thoughts about the family tree as other people - I wanted one all through the story and didn't find the one in the back of the book until I'd finished. I don't seem to have any questions either, having read the Q&A at the back of the book, but I'd love to hear anything else that Salley Vickers has to say about it.

I did finish the book, but don`t really have any questions as I couldn`t get into it enough to make any questions necessary. Sorry.

Like Swanny I don't like giving up on books especially when they have been given free but I have given up on this I am sorry to say.
It has been sitting on a coffee table looking at me reproachfully but as others have given up on it I now don't feel guilty.

put down not 'out down', obviously.

Just finished reading my copy. I deliberately didn't look on gransnet to say Thank you for the surprise as I'd forgotten about the chance to receive one of the books so I didn't want to see what other faster readers might already have written, as I had been away when it arrived. I must start by saying for me the beginning seemed like forced drama done to capture me but not sustain my interest firmly. It took more concentration than I would have liked for an easy read. However, I do like diary entries as a quicker way round a story so when that did happen they were very welcome It hasn't put me off checking out my local library for any Salley Vickers books though. I would question, why was the decision made to put the family tree at the back of the book? I rarely flick to the back of books I am reading in case I glimpse something which spoils my imagination of what is coming so seeing it at the very end was a tad annoying. I liked the book overall as the print type was good for me along with the spacing and length of chapters for being able to out down. I hate it when I have to stop mid chapter!

I must apologise to Salley Vickers and to GN for not being able to review this book but I just could not get into it. I do try to finish every book I start (after all something about it must have attracted me), but in this case I felt life is just too short! I had to re-read the last pages I'd read before moving on, but fell asleep at the same point again! I will give it another go in a few month's time before passing it on to someone else, but at the moment it's a 'no' from me.

I have just finished Cousins and found the family tree inside the back cover too late!
Found it hard to get into but was glad that I persevered. The story is told in quiet personal detail from several perspectives and in different time frames. The differences in life at different times and the similarities running through a family throughout the generations are explored.
A lot is explained at the back of the book so I have no questions.

Another one here who is finding this book hard going.
I am getting a bit tired of reading about dysfunctional families, while accepting that normal families are boring to read about.
I am pleased that some readers are enjoying it, we do not all like the same thing, Thank goodness.

I have just finished reading Cousins and enjoyed it very much. It might be just me, but I could have used a family tree as I did get a bit confused as to who was who. I would say that I did think it was stretching it a bit to think that teenagers of the opposite sex would be sharing a bedroom! However a good read.

I have tried twice to read this book but have given up. Nothing to hold my interest, very slow and no sympathy with any characters.

I have to admit I'm not getting into this book. I read late at night and this one was sending me to sleep. I'm going to take it on holiday in December and give it a chance.

I have just finished Cousins, and although I didn't find it an easy read I am glad I have finished it, also very pleased to have been given a free copy as it made me read a book I probably wouldn't normally buy.

Most of the questions I would want to ask the author were covered in the Q&A at the back of the book, ie what influence her own parents and experience of the Communist Party had on the characters of Betsy and Fred and how her work as a psychologist has affected the novel. Particularly as the themes of guilt and unresolved and buried issues seem to run through the book. I would however like to ask her why she introduced the character of Syd. She seemed to me to be superfluous while the othet family members have a role and play a part in the narrative. Syd didn't really seem to be necessary. Was she there to provide a balance and be a character outside of the conflict? If so I think Hetta carried that part better.

I can see why the author did it but I think the number of characters and jumping around with time zones made it a bit harder to follow eg in Hettas's early narrative I found I had to constantly remind myself how old she was she seemed to be drinking cider in a pub when she was about 15 and travelling alone to London at a very young age.

I was intrigued by the relationship between Betsy and Fred and Will and Ceal as both in a way seemed to be in abusive relationships. The first time Fred and Betsy consummate their relationship is described as almost rape. Betsy does not object but it's not really consensual. And Will manipulate Ceal throughout and especially at the end.

I know the author is exploring families and the affect of past events on future generations but I would like to ask her how important she thinks it is that Will and Cecilia and Betsy and Fred are cousins. It does seem almost like incest as they were brought up to be as close as siblings. Was this intentional and how does it change or enhance the story?

Only just got the book so no chance of questions or review before October’s end. I have started to read it but am finding it hard going and not sure if I will persevere. Will let you know.

I`m coming up towards the end of the book now, and sadly, my opinion hasn`t changed, I just haven`t enjoyed this book, sorry GN.

I too am only half way through. I will try and speed up and post a full review soon. I haven't read anything by this author yet so didn't really know what to expect. So far I am intrigued by the relationships of the family and the similarities between Will/Ceal and Betsy/Fred, family, history repeating itself and the different perceptions of all the characters.. I haven't yet decided whether I like the book I don't feel that urge to keep reading as I do with a book I love but I do want to find out what really happened to Will and why.

I’ll be honest -I didn’t find the whole rationale of the book (“sins of the father’s” if that is it) either obvious or particularly convincing.
The reaction to having a Jewish mother seemed odd to me -who was Nat/Jack blaming? Or was it collective guilt? Or “survivor guilt”?
I found the selfish male behaviour in more than one character both annoying and irritating but most of all my simple brain got totally confused by people being called different names to the ones they were given. Granted, I am easily confused.
I will read this book again if only because there were elements (like the names) which complicated it for me, but deep down I am not sure the rotation of narrators worked or the jumping from one generation to another.
Even the end (I won’t spoil it for those still to reach it) was a bit of a damp squib - no revelations, dramatic denouement, just a bit of an anti climax.
Not vintage Salley Vickers for me

I`m about halfway through, and must admit to not liking this book as much as The Cleaner of Chartreause, the only other book of Salley Vickers that I`ve read. Maybe things will improve soon, I hope.

I am having the same thoughts as Mawbroon and am finding the early chapters slow going.

Have just finished reading "Cousins", which I thoroughly enjoyed. Thank you again for sending me a copy.

Being interested in my own family history, having researched it for some years now and being aware of family "secrets", which have come back to affect the current generation, how could I not "devour" this book.

So many quotes - "history repeating itself", "the sins of the father", "blood is thicker than water" etc all come to mind and all ring true.

Salley, do you have a favourite character in your book and, if so, why? Thank you.

Had a lovely surprise when I returned home from holiday today, a copy of Cousins. Thank you very much. (I hadn’t had an email, should I have?)