Comments on: Book Club Breakdown: The Believers by Zoe Heller

By: Ruth Seeley

Ruth Seeley — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 21:25:59 +0000

I loved The Believers and found most of the characters true to life. Perhaps you had to have lived through the 60s and 70s and seen the way some people really did run amok in terms of their commitment to some form of socialism and the opportunities of ‘free love’ at the expense of their families to find them believable though. For me, the eternal conflict between being part of a family and part of the world at large was an important thing to explore.

As for American characters talking Britishisms – doesn’t seem inconceivable to me that having an English mother means expressions and habits of speech would rub off on her spouse, children and close friends. That may just be me though – I find they tend to rub off on me the more BritLit I read and the more British folks I follow on Twitter.
.-= Ruth Seeley´s last blog ..Solar: Ian McEwan’s new novel proves he’s still one to watch =-.

By: Gen Trench

Gen Trench — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 19:49:28 +0000

One aspect of the book that seems to be neglected is that of characters who live in the past. Their beliefs all seem to stem from a 60′s mindset in a post-9/11 world. One continually wants to tell them to let go of the past and live in the present. I don’t think any of them really achieves this.

By: Book Club Breakdown: Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen by Susan Gregg Gilmore « The Book Lady’s Blog

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:41:02 +0000

[...] else slow to recommend selections, so I chose our first three—The Help, The Gargoyle, and The Believers—and the other ladies decided it was time to read something that wasn’t such a thinker. [...]

By: 100+ Reading Challenge « The Book Lady’s Blog

100+ Reading Challenge « The Book Lady’s Blog — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 18:56:13 +0000

[...] Book Club Breakdown: The Believers by Zoe Heller [...]

By: Rebecca @ The Book Lady's Blog

Rebecca @ The Book Lady's Blog — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 14:05:25 +0000

I feel lucky! And we’re having our next meeting at an ice cream parlor (in honor of Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen). Doesn’t get much better than that!

By: Lisa

Lisa — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 13:27:11 +0000

We’ve learned that lesson in my book club as well. We’ve read several books that almost no one liked, but they gave us a lot to talk about which is a good piece of the reason we get together.

As far as overreaching, I felt the same way about Jennifer Haigh’s “The Condition” which everyone else seemed to love. I always find it hard to get into books where everyone is massively screwed up!

By: Heather

Heather — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 13:14:08 +0000

Oh how I wish I had a book club. It sounds like so much fun. All the discussion, the opinions, the food! You’re so lucky!!!

By: Rebecca @ The Book Lady's Blog

Rebecca @ The Book Lady's Blog — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 12:30:03 +0000

Do it, Tanya! Take the plunge. The book blogging community is great.

By: caite

caite — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 11:54:00 +0000

I read The Believers back when it came out and reviewed it. I, oddly enough, quite liked the book, but for the life of me could not really pin down why. As unlikable as the characters were, there was still something I found very appealing about their story.

It was interesting, from the comments, and from what I read about it elsewhere, that people seemed quite divided about it and either loved or hated it.

By: Staci

Staci — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 04:06:34 +0000

I saw the movie Notes on a Scandal and loved it so from there I’ve been interested to read one of her books. I would’ve like to have been part of your book group for this one!!