Hello again, yesterday seen the first meeting of the Builth Wells Reading Group since December and we were all keen to get out our thoughts on our January read 'The Small Hand' by Susan Hill. OK keen maybe isn't the correct word as it actually had quite a lukewarm reception. As horror stories go this one wasn't particularly scary...in fact, not at all...but we did think it had the right spooky atmosphere. Unfortunately that was accompanied by a quite linear, predictable and almost dull story. The group aren't generally horror fans but even this didn't phase them (I did mention Radio 4 are doing a two part dramatisation of the exorcist but apparently that is the complete other end of the scale!). Several of the group weren't keen on the first person style writing although we did discuss it would be hard to do a ghost story in any other way.One of the group went on to read another short ghost story by Susan Hill called Dolly and said that was much scarier so that's what my plans are for the weekend...if I'm feeling brave!
So on to our next read which is staying with the dark but a bit more thriller than horror and we're reading Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (I have it from good authority its pronounced G-illian and not J-illian).
On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and
Amy’s fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and
reservations are being made when Nick Dunne’s clever and beautiful wife
disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River.
Husband-of-the-Year Nick Dunne isn’t doing himself any favors with
cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wife’s head,
but hearing from Amy through flashbacks in her diary reveal the perky
perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge. Under mounting
pressure from the police and the media—as well as Amy’s fiercely doting
parents—the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits,
and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he’s definitely
bitter—but is he really a killer? As the cops close in, every couple in
town is soon wondering how well they know the one that they love. With
his twin sister Margo at his side, Nick stands by his innocence. Trouble
is, if Nick didn’t do it, where is that beautiful wife? And what was
left in that silvery gift box hidden in the back of her bedroom closet? As usual feel free to leave your comments below or find us on Facebook as Builth Wells Reading Group otherwise we hope to see you at our next meeting Wednesday 5th March at 7pm, Builth Wells library.
