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Jenny Kessell's avatar

Oh, loved that book, read that on a ship in Alaska when it first came out! The memories of it still stay with me x

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Rachael Johns Author's avatar

Jealous of the ship in Alaska! Would love to go there !x

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Jo's avatar

Loved this chat so much, as Evening Class is my favourite Maeve book also (and most re-read), have read most of Maeve's books and I love how she includes all characters perspectives in her stories. Perfect comfort reading! Love Tess too, The Venice Hotel was my favourite read last year. 🥰📚

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Taryn Hicks's avatar

A kiss 💋for me this time. I think the book was described perfectly as a series of short stories, that’s exactly how I felt about it and I’m not usually a short story fan but it was how the characters were all subtly linked that kept it interesting. I didn’t find it repetitive, I enjoyed the reminders of who was who, I felt it was kind of like the spider’s silk when weaving a web, it was the detail that helped complete the full story. While you discussed the likeness to The Venice Hotel (which I loved!) it reminded me of The Writing Class, how the female teacher was going through turmoil herself but the class she taught brought unlike characters together through a shared interest to learn the craft with different motivations. I’m enjoying my year of wider reading and am finding myself being more familiar with lots of the texts discussed because I’ve now read lots of them myself- Paper Palace, Bridges of Madison Country, The Wedding People etc. and my final comment on my long winded post, I’m mildly embarrassed that you read my recommendation at the end. Just a random side note you may find interesting - Bu means Mrs in Indonesian and I’m an Indonesian teacher so Bu Taryn, seemed kind of cute when I wrote it.

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Rachael Johns Author's avatar

Beautiful description re Spider's Silk - it's perfect!!! And I agree, very similar to The Writing Class. OH, you're Bu!! Thanks so much!!!! IT is a cute name ;)

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Rachael Johns Author's avatar

It was so fun talking about such a warm and lovely novel. I'm not surprised it's one of your faves too. x

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Elaine_NZ's avatar

Love your podcasts Rachael and Anthea. Look forward to hearing Tess as I so enjoyed The Venice Hotel. Also loved Maeve Binchy books long time ago and met her at a signing. She told us to write a book about conversations we had with others in the long queue 😄

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Rachael Johns Author's avatar

Thank you. And how special to have met Maeve. Great idea from her! X

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