tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post2933685249994200204..comments2024-03-24T13:45:25.132-05:00Comments on Bookfoolery : Everything Beautiful Began After by Simon Van BooyBookfoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08247136634069540446noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-4179541039167657492011-10-16T15:40:19.314-05:002011-10-16T15:40:19.314-05:00libbirk,
That's probably what I should have d...libbirk,<br /><br />That's probably what I should have done -- recorded quotes in a notebook! Good idea underlining, too. I actually have an extra copy that I can happily mark up. I'm one of those people who can't bear even a turned corner, but with an extra copy . . . well, that's different, isn't it? <br /><br />I love the way you put that, "the long lost brothers". They definitely stick with you. Hmm, I don't know who to beg, but I think you're right that EBBA in movie form would be cinematically beautiful. It has several amazing settings.Bookfoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08247136634069540446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-47676483147814953362011-10-16T15:11:31.374-05:002011-10-16T15:11:31.374-05:00I have just finished Everything Beautiful and foun...I have just finished Everything Beautiful and found your blog while googling Mr, Van Booy's other titles. I read it over three days and loved ever minute of it, had to keep a notebook to and to copy out some of his amazing prose, on my next read I will underline. I agree with what has been said previously, slog your way through the prologue if you gave, his language is beautiful even if a bit ponderous. I loved the long lost brothers, Henry and Simon, they will stay with me a very long time. Now, who are we going to persuade to do the movie? It would be stunning......libbirkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16817804958575622989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-44242325125209281762011-10-07T13:41:20.828-05:002011-10-07T13:41:20.828-05:00Trish,
Well, just go buy a Van Booy book and we w...Trish,<br /><br />Well, just go buy a Van Booy book and we won't make you go sit in the corner, this time. ;)Bookfoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08247136634069540446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-67578424201312528212011-10-07T13:23:47.540-05:002011-10-07T13:23:47.540-05:00I have no excuse. :( LOL!I have no excuse. :( LOL!Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17225576485797030511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-12799174915086012832011-10-07T13:22:11.621-05:002011-10-07T13:22:11.621-05:00Trish,
Oh, yes, you really must stop ignoring Sim...Trish,<br /><br />Oh, yes, you really must stop ignoring Simon. I've been talking about him for 4 years! Where ya been, lady?Bookfoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08247136634069540446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-743943474901182302011-10-07T13:05:01.567-05:002011-10-07T13:05:01.567-05:00Yes, I had never heard of this author until you an...Yes, I had never heard of this author until you and Carrie mentioned meeting him. Now I'm seeing his name all over the place. With such high praise I'm not sure I can ignore him much longer!Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17225576485797030511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-57722838008469805902011-10-05T18:11:04.210-05:002011-10-05T18:11:04.210-05:00Thanks, Michelle! I hope you will read it. I'...Thanks, Michelle! I hope you will read it. I'd love to hear your thoughts.Bookfoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08247136634069540446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-51906127324755231362011-10-05T16:30:16.775-05:002011-10-05T16:30:16.775-05:00Great review!! I really want to read this.Great review!! I really want to read this.Michelle @ 1morechapterhttp://www.1morechapter.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-61740538596528203882011-10-05T11:46:34.286-05:002011-10-05T11:46:34.286-05:00Anna,
I always end up rereading Simon's books...Anna,<br /><br />I always end up rereading Simon's books! His short stories . . . couldn't even count the number of times I've reread them, now. If you're patient with the beginning of Everything Beautiful Began After, you'll be rewarded in the end. Hope you love it as much as I do!Bookfoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08247136634069540446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-55805323094989981162011-10-05T11:30:41.475-05:002011-10-05T11:30:41.475-05:00It must be good if you read it twice! I bought th...It must be good if you read it twice! I bought this one a few weeks ago and can't wait to read it. Thanks for the heads-up about the beginning being a bit hard to read.Annahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08046635675540466183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-3577242087661067352011-10-05T11:23:32.377-05:002011-10-05T11:23:32.377-05:00Zibilee,
If you enjoyed Love Begins in Winter, I&...Zibilee,<br /><br />If you enjoyed Love Begins in Winter, I'm sure you'll like Everything Beautiful Began After. And, you definitely should get a copy of The Secret Lives of People in Love, as well. Thank you! :)<br /><br />Jenclair,<br /><br />Yes, you definitely need to check out Simon's work. It's exciting to see that he's getting the recognition he deserves. He's a very gifted writer.Bookfoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08247136634069540446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-58148826305096095062011-10-05T10:15:44.035-05:002011-10-05T10:15:44.035-05:00I have got to check Simon out. Everything I'v...I have got to check Simon out. Everything I've read about his work is positive!jenclairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06046532245054911248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-38034498637421512502011-10-05T09:19:43.465-05:002011-10-05T09:19:43.465-05:00I read Love Begins in Winter and loved it, and hav...I read Love Begins in Winter and loved it, and have been hearing so much about this book! I want so much to read it and see what I make of it, but knowing Van Booy's skill with the pen, I am sure that I will really love it, like so many others do. Great review on this one!Zibileehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07443338685890187334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-71619187712123437272011-10-04T21:14:38.579-05:002011-10-04T21:14:38.579-05:00Cupcake,
I have trouble seeing the overuse of met...Cupcake,<br /><br />I have trouble seeing the overuse of metaphor as self-important or pretentious (the word I've seen most repeatedly used by those who disliked the heavy use of metaphor) because of the fact that I've known Simon for 4 years and know he is about as unpretentious as a guy can be. But, yeah . . . a bit dense at the beginning, though once the characters have been fully introduced, it becomes quite a joy to read.<br /><br />Rebecca is definitely my least favorite of the three. I think I found it a little difficult seeing what the two men found so entrancing about her, but Henry and George are both magnetic, fascinating characters. There are bits of Simon in both of them. I just love that. <br /><br />Wendy,<br /><br />Thank you! I missed your review when you wrote it and actually found it by doing a google search. It is excellent and well worth sharing. I remember seeing the BEA post in which you mentioned meeting Simon. I'm always excited to find that other bloggers are meeting him and discovering his work. He's such a terrific fellow that you can't help but wish him the best. <br /><br />Alyce,<br /><br />Maybe even a bit farther than page 20. Once the characters have been fully introduced and you get to the meat of the story, the use of metaphor drops off. I think you'll like it once you get past those bits; our taste tends to be pretty similar. I actually set the book aside, when I first opened it up. The prologue did stop me, briefly. But I talked to Simon when he finished the book and, knowing how much he put into it, there was no way I was <i>not</i> going to finish that book. It was kind of a relief when the prose became less flowery and a thrill to find that I did, in fact, love the story. I've been conquered by friends' books, in the past, and it's a miserable feeling. I absolutely cannot wait to see what he comes up with, next. <br /><br />Kathy,<br /><br />I really do love Simon's writing. His two volumes of short stories have become my comfort reads. I'll sometimes just pick one up off the shelf and reread a favorite story or flip through and randomly read a passage. I like his writing that much. So, it's not too surprising that I've already reread his first novel! :)<br /><br />Kelly,<br /><br />I'm looking forward to you reading more, too! Maybe we can buddy read one of the other books, when you get your mitts on it. I'm always up for another reading of Simon's short stories!Bookfoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08247136634069540446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-85335883337672776472011-10-04T18:37:22.641-05:002011-10-04T18:37:22.641-05:00I really enjoyed this book. I am looking forward t...I really enjoyed this book. I am looking forward to reading more from him!Kailanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11136262232046813471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-75839220414083931622011-10-04T18:35:43.687-05:002011-10-04T18:35:43.687-05:00The fact that you've read this twice already s...The fact that you've read this twice already speaks volumes to me.bermudaonionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10726401178972099557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-41000310108721286342011-10-04T17:45:57.046-05:002011-10-04T17:45:57.046-05:00Okay, so I at least need to give it past page 20. ...Okay, so I at least need to give it past page 20. I stalled out at page 14, and was wondering what I was missing because almost everyone else seems to love this book. I promise to give it another chance at some point - I'm just not sure when that will be.Alycehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10919057159829023714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-51647612077714959932011-10-04T17:36:39.434-05:002011-10-04T17:36:39.434-05:00Wonderful review - and I agree, having met and cha...Wonderful review - and I agree, having met and chatted with Simon during the BEA/Harper party in 2010, that he is a delightful, very engaging person! Thanks for the link up to my review as well :)Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14332796775305098552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-13563632935415816562011-10-04T17:13:58.547-05:002011-10-04T17:13:58.547-05:00I really enjoyed this book too. Like you, some of...I really enjoyed this book too. Like you, some of it frustrated me with its sort of self-importance, but I liked both of the men. Rebecca occasionally aggravated me, but I liked George and Henry and thought that their evolution was pretty good. Not a fun read, but a good read.cupcakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01116838567343233668noreply@blogger.com