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How It All Began (2012)

by Penelope Lively(Favorite Author)

3.45 of 5 Votes: 4

ISBN

0670023442 (ISBN13: 9780670023448)

languge

English

genre

Fiction

publisher

Viking Adult

review 1: I don't think I've read any Lively before, so maybe this is the only one of her books like this, but I found it too precious. It was interesting and she does lovely things with words, but I think she knows she does lovely things with words. I'm not really a huge fan of most postcolonial or contemporary British writing because it so often seems so withholding. I don't mind withholding characters, but I prefer for the author to be invested.
review 2: I don't remember putting this on my wish list but it popped up as available from Paperback Swap. I agreed to accept it, read it, and loved it. The book is set in present day England and chronicles the domino effects of the unfortunate mugging of a certain mature lady on the lives of others, most of whom she never m... moreeets. The characters are interesting and many faceted. I cared what happened to each one, even though some would never be my friends. The writing is crisp and clever. I loved the mention of the story "The Demon Lover" which I had done with my AP Lit kids for many years. I found the book "lively" and I will be reading more. less

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