Wednesday 10 April 2013

The Friday Night Knitting Club

I received The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs as a gift at Christmas. It was on my wish list, so it was a book I knew about and one which I wanted to read. I thought with it's knitting theme, it's a book I'd enjoy. It should really be an easy read, but it's actually taken me ages to finish it.


In the first place, I didn't get on with any of the characters. The author seemed to introduce some of them at the beginning of the book, then forget about them until much later, by which time, I'd forgotten who they were and didn't particularly care. The main plot was predictable, with a bit of a sad twist near the end, which in my opinion, was rushed and should have been given more time as it would have made the book marginally more interesting.

There's more books in the same series but I shall be giving them a miss.


I don't think two books could be any more different than the one I've just finished and Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier which I've just started. I'm only a few chapters in, but already, I'm gripped. I usually prefer to read a book before watching the film, but even though I'm familiar with the film, It's not spoiling the book for me on this occasion. Rebecca is very well written and it's definitely holding my interest, even though I know what's coming next, something which doesn't often happen when I know the story.

I don't think this book will be sitting by my bed for as long as The Friday Night Knitting Club did.

Do you like my bookmark?


Mick's auntie bought me it for Christmas. The doggy looks just like Archie.

35 comments:

  1. I hate it when a book isn't very good and sometimes I just can't finish them. As for Rebecca, I've actually read it three times, first as a teenager and still love it. An author I really like is Marcia Willett. Love your bookmark.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was a struggle to finish this one, I nearly gave up on more than one occasion. I'm not familiar with Marcia Willett, I shall look out for one of her books.

      Delete
  2. Love the bookmark.
    I'm a classics kind of girl and the one you're reading now Rebecca is timeless. After that one try Frenchman's Creek... Dame Du Maurier does not disappoint.
    Susan x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I loved the film of Rebecca so I thought I'd enjoy the book too. I shall definitely read Frenchman's Creek, I've heard good reviews of that before.

      Delete
    2. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    3. I've written a review (of sorts) of Frenchman's Creek on my blog - it's a fairly predictable plot, but enjoyable nonetheless, and quite humorous in places. I'd also recommend Rebecca's Tale by Sally Beauman - it's a kind of 'prequel', although it needs to be read after Rebecca. I believe it was written with the blessing of the du Maurier family/estate. As others have said, Jamaica Inn is great too, very atmospheric from what I can remember...

      Delete
    4. Hi Michelle. Funny you should comment as I've just been catching up on your blog. I shall look our for Rebecca's Tale once I've finished Rebecca.

      Delete
  3. I went through a phase of reading Daphne du Maurier novels as she's such a good writer. The bookmark is very pretty. I have quite a collection of them - all favourites that are often the first thing I buy as a souvenir of a place we've been to or given as a gift because I'm a 'book person'. Your Archie reminds me of our daughter-in-law's dog, Rupert. He's a miniature King Charles and very sweet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I only have this bookmark, though I remember having lots when I was younger and an avid reader. I wonder what happened to them all. King Charles are really lovely dogs.

      Delete
  4. I've read all of Daphne du Maurier's novels and Rebecca is a particular favorite, I reread it every few years.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've never read any Daphne du Maurier novels before. I think I shall make a point of reading more after Rebecca.

      Delete
  5. I thought the bookmark was Archie! It's lovely.

    I'm not familar with the first book, like the cover.

    Rebecca is one book I have re-read a number of times. It is different to the film in some ways which will be nice for you. It's a brilliant novel!

    Sft x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The picture on the bookmark is very like Archie. I shall be looking for differences in Rebecca to what's shown in the film. I'm always intrigued to know what her name is, though of course, you never find out.

      Delete
  6. I've never read any Daphne du Maurier, though I have vague recollections of having watched an old film of Rebecca. It's a shame you didn't enjoy the other book, particularly as it was on your wish list.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I haven't read any Daphne du Maurier before, but I've heard many good reviews of Frenchman's Creek so I'd like to read that. It's disappointing when a book doesn't live up to expectations, but at least I managed to finish it.

      Delete
  7. I've re read all my Daphne Du Maurier books lots of times - the Kings General, Frenchmans Creek and Jamaca Inn are very good too - shame about the other book though xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for the recommendations, I shall look out for the ones you suggest. It's a shame to come across books which aren't very good when there's so many great ones out there to read.

      Delete
  8. Some books are a struggle and we wonder why we're reading them and some are unputtable down able. I'll keep a look out for Daphne du Maurier books.
    Love from Mum
    xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I try to take recommendations and have read some really good books since I started my reading challenge at the start of 2012. The Friday Night Knitting Club was just a book I fancied based on the title, big mistake.

      Delete
  9. Hi Jo, I bet you were so disappointed. I like to get gripped in the first couple of chapters of a book.If I'm not I struggle to go any further.I have just given up reading one of the books I bought in a charity shop in Leicester, I just cant get into it at all. I love your little book mark, I've never seen one like that before.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like a book to grip me too, it's great when you're really absorbed in the story. I hadn't seen a bookmark like this before either, I love it.

      Delete
  10. I'm a bit like you - if I do get a book I don't get on with I tend to persevere reading it and then think why did I bother! Daphne du Maurier is in another league altogether - her books are fabulous, so well written. I think you'll be readin another of hers soon. Frenchman's Creek is brilliant.
    June
    PS - Love the bookmark.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hate to give up on a book once I've started it, but sometimes it's so hard to continue that you just have to. I think my next Daphne du Maurier will be Frenchman's Creek.

      Delete
  11. What a shame that the book didn't meet your expectations. I hate when that happens. The bookmark is fabulous but then, as you know, I also am a wee bit partial to KCCs. :o)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I thought you'd like the bookmark. I was thrilled with the gift, I couldn't have chosen better myself.

      Delete
  12. Replies
    1. It's so like him. I think that most Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have that look though.

      Delete
  13. Such a shame when you have really high hopes for a book and it doesn't live up to them. It looks like just the sort of book I'd pick up, just my sort of thing.

    I haven't read Rebecca and I really must. I read Jamaica Inn a while back and was totally gripped by it! x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I thought it would be a really easy read, something I wouldn't have to concentrate on, but that doesn't mean to say that it has to be dull. Jamaica Inn is another Daphne du Maurier book that I fancy.

      Delete
  14. I'm glad you managed to finish the book, though it is a shame it wasn't as good as you were hoping.
    I really thought that was a photo of Archie made into a book mark it is so much like him!
    Lisa x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was a real effort getting to the end of the book, but at least I managed it. The bookmark is so like Archie, it could be his twin.

      Delete
  15. It's well worth reading Jamaica Inn, and indeed other books by her. I like the bookmark! Flighty xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm sure I'll read more by Daphne du Maurier. The bookmark is really cute, it's the only one I have so it will be well used.

      Delete
  16. Hi Jo, the bookmark is so cute, it really does look like Archie. I use a piece of wool for a bookmark, typical me! I felt the same about The Friday Night Knitting Club, it wasn't very good. There's rumours that Julia Roberts is making the film so that might be good. Have you read The Knitting Circle by Ann Hood? That is very good, I've read it a few times now. And I've just read A Kind Man by Susan Hill, I really enjoyed that one too. Lots of love xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I thought it was Archie when I first opened it, it looks so like him. I'm glad it isn't just me who thought this about The Friday Night Knitting Club. It would make sense Julia Roberts being in the film as I believe she is a knitter. I haven't read The Knitting Circle, I'll have to look out for it.

      Delete