Greetings Bookworms!
When I’m confronted with a book that has a penguin on the cover, it’s almost a given that I will read it. Enter Bleaker House: Chasing My Novel to the End of the World
In this book, the author runs away to Falklands (on a school supported fellowship) in order to deprive herself of distractions so she can write her novel. She ends up finding that you can’t force the writing of a novel, even in utter isolation. Also she was bad about packing her food which made me as a reader anxious and hungry. Because her calorie count. So bleak. That was the bleakest bit, really, the lack of food. I wish I could blame this on the fact that I read this while pregnant, but no. I don’t like being hungry under any circumstances. There was a lot of useful self discovery and a bit of indulgent navel gazing (but really, who wouldn’t do that when isolated in such a manner?) I just wish there hadn’t been a penguin on the cover. While the author did see penguins on her frequent walks, they didn’t play a particularly integral role in the story. I mean, the author couldn’t have anticipated the level of penguin enthusiast who would be attracted to her book, but I was a bit disappointed when the penguin related capers and friendships I imagined never materialized.
Bottom line? If you’re interested in one writer’s process, definitely check out Bleaker House: Chasing My Novel to the End of the World.
Bookworms, I must know. Have any of you been hoodwinked by the cover art on a book?
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mwgerard
I adore penguins and I keep thinking I want to read this only because of it (like Mr Popper’s Penguins). I assumed it was a novel but based on your review it sounds like it’s nonfiction…?
wordsfor
It’s like memoir mixed with large sections of the fiction novel she was working on. I’d say mostly memoir/non fiction though.
Megan M.
She wrote a book about how she couldn’t manage to write a book?? Why didn’t *I* do that?
Andi (@estellasrevenge)
Ok, I needs it. I’m pretty sure Heather probably recommended this one to me too and I didn’t pay the attention I should’ve.
Jenny @ Reading the End
I have, yes, been hoodwinked by cover art, and I am often very bitter about it. You are to be admired for keeping your cool in the face of not nearly enough penguin content.
Michelle
I can’t blame you for thinking this would have been a much more penguin-filled book than it was based on that cover. Perhaps a strongly-worded letter to the publisher would help?
Heather
I was only doing my duty. *salute*
RR Gilmore
Penguin-themed reading list? This is relevant to my interests.
DoingDewey
Oh no! Misleading penguins are the worst, haha. I think I’d feel stressed about the main character;s lack of food too!