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Bad Blood: A Memoir by: Lorna Sage

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Rating: - Bad Blood

Although there is much here that is interesting and often funny, the more I read the more I came to dislike the narrator. She writes about her family (and everyone else) with a complete lack of affection or empathy. This might have been understandable if she had been mistreated by them, but this doesn't seem to have been the case (beyond the physical punishment from her father that was usual for the time). There is something oddly chilling in the way she dwells on the failings of the people who seemed to love her, and you get no sense of her feeling anything for anyone other than a detached curiosity.

Rating: - a little disappointed also

like others, i read this, largely on the basis of the awards it won.

also like others, i found the first part of the book most entertaining and perceptive - it was amazing how she dissected her family and grandparents in particular - an extraordinary ability she must have had from an early age. she had an ability to paint a picture of that time historically and in terms of family dynamics.

on these subjects the writer had insight in spades, but i found the lack of emotion puzzling as the book continued ... perhaps it is a "writer's" standoffishness or objectivity, but it leaves one a little cold. Though it has its charm, i would definitely recommend more the brilliant, alive biography "Are you Somebody? The Life and Times of Nuala O'Faolain".

Rating: - Read it twice

The folks that don't like the book seem to be expecting a dramatic narrative, or a terrible tragedy. For me its magical wisdom is all in the minute observation of human weakness and opportunity. You can really learn a lot about life from this one.

Rating: - Too long and drawn out for me.

This book leaves nothing to the imagination as too-detailed-descriptions drag on. It`s good to know what places look like - but come on don`t kill it..
I was sooooo depressed with the constant harping on about the overgrown garden - reminded me of my childhhood in our overgrown garden - and i don`t need any reminders of that thank you very much..
While reading this i found my mind wandering to other things - and that`s not a good sign is it ? I didn`t enjoy this at all, but 3 for trying.

Rating: - Wonderful

I can almost understand why some reviewers thought this memoir boring but I have to say I enjoyed it from start to finish, but especially the opening chapters about the grandfather and grandmother - the descriptions of the grandmother's childhood home were marvellous. The writing is immediate and compelling, very good indeed, in fact.

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