[books 2010] AS Byatt

55. The Children's Book by AS Byatt

I loved the first 3/4 of this - possibly even more than Possession, though it's been so long since I read that I'd had to re-read and compare to be fair.

It's a huge, rambling story of the many offspring of a Victorian lady author of children's stories and the children of her social circle (upper middle class but somewhat Bohemian), seeing actual historical events through their eyes, from the 1890s to the First World War.

I had to leave the last 100-odd pages while I went on holiday, but I don't think the break is the reason I didn't enjoy the last bit so much. It doesn't have that much of an ending and as it goes up to the War, it's obvious what's going to happen.

Still, highly recommended, and now I need to go spend some time in the Victoria and Albert Museum (some of the book takes place there, while it's still being built).

Oh yeah, the National Portrait Gallery started out in Bethnal Green. Who knew?

So, August books:

Books read: 5
Non-fiction: none

Having over-done a lot of things on holiday, I didn't have nearly as much time to read as projected.