tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post7028091335497165386..comments2023-06-10T22:42:19.087+10:00Comments on Australasian Christian Writers: Book Review: The Painted Table by Suzanne FieldUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-15906032549959507402014-03-07T09:17:53.641+11:002014-03-07T09:17:53.641+11:00You have an understanding of writing that always m...You have an understanding of writing that always makes your reviews interesting, Iola. I'm not good at explaining why I enjoy or don't enjoy a story. So as I think back over this novel, I agree with everything you're saying, yet I loved it. I think the story just grabbed me emotionally, and then I loved the ending.Carolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02691366747122379190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-15339395327423683042014-03-06T17:28:50.718+11:002014-03-06T17:28:50.718+11:00Iola, thanks for your detailed and insightful revi...Iola, thanks for your detailed and insightful review. It's interesting that you've mentioned the theme has taken centre stage over the plot and character arcs. I don't read a lot of literary fiction, which tends to have a stronger emphasis on theme than genre fiction. Narellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07665380446283721576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-9203140223879887902014-03-06T16:43:35.461+11:002014-03-06T16:43:35.461+11:00This was a really interesting take on this novel, ...This was a really interesting take on this novel, Iola. It's also interesting that Thomas Nelson published it! They are super sensitive about sticking with the "rules". Maybe like you they thought a literary style might be a chance worth taking. Or maybe they just plain enjoyed the whole concept. Who knows what goes on in publishers' heads?Rita Galiehhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14586506137798711397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-78648874183990428152014-03-06T15:51:15.814+11:002014-03-06T15:51:15.814+11:00I'd love to read a novel that broke all the &#...I'd love to read a novel that broke all the 'rules', yet was still compelling reading. Part of the reason I selected this for review is I thought it might manage it. I know some reviewers have loved it - but I didn't.Iolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17199141868703826943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-15929920454898380862014-03-06T15:50:11.546+11:002014-03-06T15:50:11.546+11:00It took me a long time to work out why I wasn'...It took me a long time to work out why I wasn't enjoying it. The concept was intriguing, which is why I selected it for review. But the execution didn't work for me, partly because it became an epic (it covered from 1920 until the present day), and this wasn't indicated by the blurb. I prefer novels which take place over a shorter timeframe. Iolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17199141868703826943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-54041406344845566712014-03-06T15:44:14.323+11:002014-03-06T15:44:14.323+11:00This is her debut novel, Andrea. And while this no...This is her debut novel, Andrea. And while this novel didn't deliver for me, I'd certainly be interested in reading more of her work to see how she develops as a writer.Iolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17199141868703826943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-39145580847213986862014-03-06T15:43:21.728+11:002014-03-06T15:43:21.728+11:00I'm sure you would find it interesting, Carol....I'm sure you would find it interesting, Carol. Parts are quite awkward to read, as Joann and Saffee take family disfunction to a whole new level.Iolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17199141868703826943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-38775487559265955082014-03-06T13:53:05.188+11:002014-03-06T13:53:05.188+11:00An unusual book by the sound of things. Has the au...An unusual book by the sound of things. Has the author written anything else? Be interesting to find out what style she used if she has. Love the concept of the table being handed down, and it's significance. What a shame the book didn't deliver as well as you had hoped.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04449342827457837314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-42491816854415650492014-03-06T11:31:17.677+11:002014-03-06T11:31:17.677+11:00Thanks again for your informative review Iola. I c...Thanks again for your informative review Iola. I can see why you didn't like it but it does sound like an insightful book re mental illness and one I'd find interesting. Carol Preston https://www.blogger.com/profile/00306981583283008014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-75670890978690913142014-03-06T10:48:55.176+11:002014-03-06T10:48:55.176+11:00Interesting review, Iola. Especially about the tec...Interesting review, Iola. Especially about the techniques. I often think that the rules of modern fiction - especially the point of view rule and 'show don't tell' - are there to make it easier for the average author to write a satisfying story. Positively brilliant writers can make the story work while breaking the rules and writing from an omniscient perspective and even showing, rather than telling. Ultimately it's about what works... and clearly this didn't quite work for you.Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02264631051671432037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-22712590674198278512014-03-06T08:49:22.266+11:002014-03-06T08:49:22.266+11:00Thanks for the review Iola. Even though you didn&#...Thanks for the review Iola. Even though you didn't enjoy the book, I find your examination of its execution very interesting. Another reminder to ensure we use layering.Catherine Hudsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03947906623825971761noreply@blogger.com