Girl, Woman Other by Bernardine Evaristo | The Sykes & Savidge Book Club | April 2020

[@lyndataylor4327]

OMG!! read this whole book (loved it!) but didn’t realise there was not one full stop!!🤯🤯😳 too absorbed by the story, clearly

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahahahaha. I loved how Melanie said she was puzzled why someone would be put off by there not being dots in the book. Ha.

[@soniajohnson8878]

You two were great fun. Just started reading and am only on Chapter 2. Love the conversational writing style.

[@SavidgeReads]

Oooh beware of spoilers Sonia. Apologies if we didn’t give some warnings. Noted for next time.

[@soniajohnson8878]

@@SavidgeReads No you were fine - just made me look forward to what is to come.

[@SavidgeReads]

Sonia Johnson phew, phew, phew.

[@soniajohnson8878]

@@SavidgeReads Just finished it. Loved that although I have not had the experiences that the women have had many of their feelings are relatable. Agree that maybe the wrap-up party was not needed apart from the Shirley/Carole resolution. The ending made me cry. Favourite woman was Hattie - loved her and her family history. Looking forward to hearing about the Hunting Party - a genre that I enjoy dramatised, but don't read. Maybe you will convert me.

[@criselda.]

Love the book! Thank you Simon 🥰 I'm glad I got to join your first book club pick! 💜💜

[@lemonmiranda4233]

I finished this yesterday and absolutely adored it. Even though it's about some really dark things I found the love and acceptance that all the characters were written with really warm and joyful. Does that make sense?? I just felt like Bernadine Evaristo loved all her characters so much and wrote about them in a way that made me feel like I was getting introduced to a load of her best friends. And it's so funny! There's so much happiness and friendship and love in this book along with all the sadness and hurt of reality. A new favourite, thank you so much for recommending it!

[@SavidgeReads]

So pleased you love the book. What you say makes complete sense. I think you’re so right. She loves her characters, flaws and all.

[@KaylaChristine0]

I absolutely loved this book and this video. Look forward to the next book :)

[@ralphharris6374]

Well I’m loving the book club! I absolutely adore Girl woman other and have read it twice! The question regarding a whole novel on one character, my choice would be Shirley king. A black teacher with so much ambition that eventually gets quashed and eroded. What an exploration that novel would be! I have absolutely nothing in common with any of these characters and they (Bernardino) have taught me so much! Melanie, Simon great video and concept such fun but with a serious element (which I so enjoy)! Hunting party here I come but may have to be on the Kindle sorry!

[@SavidgeReads]

I just got a kindle so no judging from me. The aim Melanie and I really want with this book club is one that’s substance whilst fun. So this comment has made me proper chuffed. Thanks Ralph.

[@YourTrueShelf]

Fab discussion, I love this book v much, so it's great to hear you chat about it and all the characters again. Excited for the next choice as well 🙂

[@itchystitchy]

I'm in the middle of reading this. Loving it!! I'm learning so much. It's hard-hitting but I don't feel beaten down, or depressed as the characters all seem like survivors--not defeated. I love both your thoughts on the lack of punctuation. I rarely noticed the lack. It flowed.

[@SavidgeReads]

Oops. Hope we didn’t say ‘spoilers’ too late for you Tanya. Let us know how your overall thoughts once you’ve finished it.

[@itchystitchy]

@@SavidgeReads You weren't too spoilery. I liked that you both shared your fave characters-- read Winsome's chapter tonight and it did not dissapoint.

[@hlmorfei]

I loooved this book. I'm so glad I joined you for this and that I already had it on my TBR pile! This discussion was great. I'm really looking forward to reading The Hunting Party, too!

[@SavidgeReads]

I’m so glad you joined us too. Thank you Heather. Pleased you have The Hunting Party on your TBR and can join in with that. We’re trying to find books that people might already have or be able to get fairly easily.

[@judybrown1624]

I honestly did not even notice the lack of full stops. I think that's just how well it worked.

[@SavidgeReads]

It’s amazing isn’t it. You notice it at the start and then you just don’t notice

[@CharlieBrookReads]

I have never connected with a book that has so many characters in. It's just so clever how she makes you care so much about them ❤️ It's just so rich, moving and lyrical ❤️ Loved hearing both your thoughts on it and really diving into so many elements of it ... Just brilliant ❤️I will totally read The Hunting Party too 😄

[@SavidgeReads]

Hooray. I’m so pleased you enjoyed the book, and the video. Ha. Which were you’re favourite characters? I find it so hard to pick as I loved them all. Flaws and all. Hope we covered everything we could?!?

[@helenhickey3479]

I loved this book and thought it was written in a wonderful way. The lack of punctuation made me feel these women were actually talking to me. It actually made me read this slower and take so much in. My favourite character was Bummi and then ending had me in tears and that one full stop. I have The Hunting Party in my bookcase so looking forward to reading that.

[@SavidgeReads]

Helen I love how you’ve put that and you’re so right, it does make you feel like the narrative and the voices are even closer to you. Bummi is amazing isn’t she. I want a whole Bummi book. Ha. So pleased you’ll be back for more book club.

[@chockycake1]

Nice one guys. Looking forward to the next one. 👍

[@SavidgeReads]

So pleased you enjoyed it.

[@EN-tx9wn]

You were twinning with Melanie today! Coordinated tops! 😀 I just loaned the Hunting Party, starting to read it soon. So I'm looking forward your next bookclub video.

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahaha. Savidge, Sykes and Stripes. Looking forward to the next one, so pleased you’re joining in.

[@mpsensha]

Loved the video and how you made me want to read this book, but the sound was painful.

[@SavidgeReads]

So you loved the video but the sound was painful, I’m a little bit confused. Lol. I think Zoom quietened me down a bit. We can look at this next month. We’re just doing what we can to bring some joy during all this shenanigans.

[@mpsensha]

@@SavidgeReads Sorry, morning brain. The sound levels were different for both of you. Yours was really quiet and with Melanie's on a 'normal' level you weren't as audible. But yes, I did enjoy the video content. 😆

[@SavidgeReads]

Will work on this. When it was recording you can’t tell. Oops.

[@sueh3426]

I was almost put off when I saw the style of the writing on the page I have to admit. But, I’m so glad I decided to jump in. I loved it and fell in love with several of the characters along the way 💖. Now to “hunt out” a copy of the Hunting Party 👏.

[@SavidgeReads]

I’m so pleased you did jump right in. It’s just incredible isn’t it? I’m loving that the next pic is something so completely different.

[@CharlesHeathcote]

This is just as brilliant as I knew it would be. After seeing the both of you discuss the book, I want to revisit it once again. It's definitely turned into something of the contentious book for me - in that it hasn't become an immediate favourite like I anticipated, but I feel that upon a re-read I will begin to appreciate it more. Either way, I thought you had a great discussion here and look forward to hearing what you make of The Hunting Party.

[@SavidgeReads]

I am so pleased you enjoyed it. I haven’t laughed so much as I have in the hour this lunchtime that we filmed. It was just what I needed. Not every book is going to be for everyone but I’m thrilled that you’ve wanted to head back to it from this chat.

[@heathersbookshelves1372]

Really liked this. I didn’t actually notice the lack of punctuation in the book so nobody should let that out them off. Looking forward to the next discussion!

[@SavidgeReads]

I think people are sometimes daunted by the new or something different and this book is the perfect taster/tester for something more experimental and wonderful.

[@fayehuttonxxx]

Thanks for answering my question!! Loved this book so much.

[@SavidgeReads]

A pleasure. Thank you for joining on with our first book club. Hope you come back for the second.

[@KDbooks]

I’m going to record my take on this book today; after only now finishing it. Loved some of the points you make and completely agree with Bummi and LaTisha’s chapters - beautiful. What I’m curious about, and my issue with the novel, with all the melancholy and bleakness I found there was little joy and happiness to palate cleanse. The latter half became a chore and all that I loved it for I yearned for. Who else felt that way?

[@mkmccord50]

I enjoyed the connections between the characters, although I’m sure I missed some. I found the style quite flowing and lyrical. Simon, did you do a reread with the audio? I’m thinking that I would love to listen to this one. I can imagine it would be incredibly impactful.

[@SavidgeReads]

The audio is really good. With fiction I always think my focus is better on the physical book for me. I’m better with non fiction on audio but that’s just me 🤪

[@mickyboymick5210]

I thoroughly enjoyed your video and you both have whetted my appetite to read the book and also next month's choice, The Hunting Party. I do have one question and that is who chooses the book? Is it both of you or do you take turns in deciding the next book to read? In the meantime, happy reading.

[@SavidgeReads]

I chose this book. Melanie has chosen The Hunting Party. I’ll choose the next. Plans are loose as we’re just having fun reading and getting to know each other.

[@novellenovels]

I really enjoyed this book and definitely found it very interesting.. I loved the variety of characters and things it tackled 😊 Oh and I read the hunting party last Month and loved it so much. I hope you enjoyed it too

[@SavidgeReads]

I’m looking forward to The Hunting Party very much. I do love a good crime.

[@malaprop4156]

I found the book pretentious & contrived, & Evaristo's prose, basic at best.

[@SavidgeReads]

Fair enough. To call her prose basic I completely disagree with. I thought it was fantastic. We can’t all like the same things though, that would make for a very boring time.

[@SM26206]

Loved the book. Thank you for answering my question 😊

[@SavidgeReads]

A pleasure. Thank you for asking the question.