There Were No Windows

pick

Like others, I was a little uncertain about this #persephoneclub pick, given the subject matter. But, I'm so glad everyone else's reviews convinced me to pick it up, albeit slightly belated. It was a delicate but fair portrait, which I thought rang very true. Wonderful details and I appreciate how the humor helped lighten what could've been very grim. I also appreciate that we got to experience the book through lots of different viewpoints.

quietjenn @rubyslippersreads @LeahBergen @CarolynM @elkeOriginal @Tamra @Gissy @Aimeesue @andrew61 @Cathythoughts @BarbaraBB @jlhammar 1y

Tamra I loved it - I‘m so glad you decided to read it too. 1y

Cathythoughts Great review 👍🏻♥️ it‘s so well worth the read. X 1y

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jlhammar Yes, it rang so true. Wonderful review! So glad you gave it a try. 1y

LeahBergen Great review! 1y

BarbaraBB Glad you decided to read it. Great review 1y

63 likes6 comments

andrew61

There Were No Windows | Norah Hoult

pick

#persephoneclub When I 1st picked this up, I was uncertain abt what the bk was but quickly found the character of Claire engaging, so while her memory is failing, she remains wickedly ascerbic in her encounters with friends whose pomposity she punctures. The memory loss is well done as is relations with cook + secretary
@rubyslippersreads @quietjenn @LeahBergen @Cathythoughts @CarolynM @BarbaraBB @elkeOriginal @Gissy @Aimeesue @Tamra @jlhammar ⬇️

andrew61 My only slight niggle was the finale of the bk which seemed a little hurried and I felt was entirely unexpected. Otherwise the portrayal of wartime London was well done. I liked the reference to writers and artists Claire had known. Kathleen the cook is a great character as is miss Jones. But the scenes with Francis maitland were priceless. Another very enjoyable persephone club read. 1y

jlhammar Wickedly acerbic - yes!! I agree, great characters and just really well done. Great review! I‘m loving our Persephone reads so far. 1y

Tamra This was a favorite selection for me, but yes “acerbic” is the perfect descriptor! 1y

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LeahBergen Nice review, Andrew! I really enjoyed the scenes with Francis Mailtaland, too (especially at the pub 😆). 1y

Aimeesue Nice review! You all are making me eager to get to this one this weekend! 1y

Cathythoughts Great review! Yes I agree memory loss is well done, and the other characters are well written too👍🏻 1y

44 likes6 comments

LeahBergen

There Were No Windows | Norah Hoult

pick

I was quite dreading this month‘s #PersephoneClub pick, a 1944 novel about a famed bluestocking facing her last years alone and suffering from dementia. It ended up being a quite delicately nuanced treatment with flashes of humour and something to say about the fate of women from several different classes during the London Blitz.

A pick for me!

rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, CarolynM, elkeOriginal, Gissy, Aimeesue, Tamra, andrew61, Cathythoughts, BarbaraBB, jlhammar

jlhammar Nice review - glad this ended up a pick for you! I really liked how the Blitz played into the story. Not only did it add another layer of confusion to exacerbate Claire's condition, but London as she knew and loved it was deteriorating along with her. 1y

LeahBergen @jlhammar That‘s a great way of putting it … the deterioration of the both of them. 👍 (edited) 1y

Cathythoughts Great review 👍🏻❤️ @jlhammar Yes , we‘ll put .. the deterioration of both. 1y

LeahBergen @Cathythoughts 😘😘 1y

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jlhammar

There Were No Windows | Norah Hoult

pick

“They were about to enter that world which is lit by the unstable moon.”

This was brutal, but not without its moments of humor and kindness. One of the most affecting and insightful depictions of dementia I‘ve ever read. Claire isn‘t a particularly likable character (quite the snob!) and yet I felt compassion for her. Another outstanding Persephone! Loved it.

#PersephoneClub

rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, CarolynM, LeahBergen, elkeOriginal, Gissy, Aimeesue, Tamra, andrew61, Cathythoughts, BarbaraBB, Bookbuyingaddict

jlhammar I loved when Claire remarked “There‘s an extreme lack of spirituous comfort in this house”😆 1y

Tamra There was lots of humor, which can be overlooked given the overall serious nature! I appreciated Claire was not mono-dimensional. 1y

Cathythoughts I love your moon quote 🤍. I agree , the descriptions of dementia were insightful. So we‘ll written on this subject. 1y

LeahBergen Great review! And yes, I loved that “spirituous comfort” bit. I think I‘ll use it when I need the husband to pop out for a bottle of wine. 😆 1y

65 likes4 comments

BarbaraBB

There Were No Windows | Norah Hoult

so-so

Claire Temple is a former society lady and writer who is losing her memory. She is paranoid, delusional, confused and often a pain in the ass to the few people who can stand still being with her. Meanwhile London is in the grip of the Blitz, but Claire mostly forgets the War is going on as she is lamenting her loneliness.
The book was funny at times but also very repetitive - which fitted the main character but wasn‘t really enjoyable for me.

BarbaraBB #PersephoneClub thanks for letting me join for this month‘s read! @Cathythoughts @rubyslippersreads @quietjenn @Tamra @LeahBergen @CarolynM @elkeOriginal @Gissy @Aimeesue @andrew61 @jlhammar @Karons1 (edited) 1y

BarbaraBB @Librarybelle #192025 #1944 1y

Tamra I thought it was painful, but I couldn‘t stop! Agreed it was repetitive, reflecting Claire‘s failing memory. 1y

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Librarybelle Oh! A 1944 publication - awesome! 1y

BarbaraBB @Tamra that was painful and what the author wanted I assume, but a bit annoying too - for me personally 🤷🏻‍♀️ 1y

jlhammar Darn, sorry this didn‘t work for you. It felt so real, so true to me. @Tamra - yes, painful! I loved that it kind of felt like I was watching/reading a play. 1y

BarbaraBB @jlhammar I read your review and I can totally see why you loved it. I probably would have to in another state of mind. I know felt a bit too impatient for the repetitiveness of it - even though it is an indispensable part of the book 1y

Cathythoughts I‘m sorry you didn‘t enjoy it. I thought it was a memorable book. Dementia is a scary place. I liked the way Nora Hoult wrote about it. 1y

BarbaraBB @Cathythoughts It might have hit home a bit too much as well. My mother is detoriating and I am scared of her heading this way 🤷🏻‍♀️ 1y

Cathythoughts I hear you. Hopefully she will escape this. It‘s a fear as we get older. ❤️ 1y

BarbaraBB @Cathythoughts 💕 1y

LeahBergen I‘m so glad you read along with us this month! And yes, it hit a bit close to home for me, too, with how my Mom died. This aging thing sucks. 😆 1y

BarbaraBB @LeahBergen It does. I am sorry to hear about your mother. It feels so unfair to end life this way. I hope you‘ve had wonderful traveling! 1y

LeahBergen I‘ve been having a wonderful summer and we‘re heading off again next week, too! It looks like you‘ve been having some lovely travels yourself. 😊 1y

71 likes14 comments

Cathythoughts

There Were No Windows | Norah Hoult

pick

‘What scars of the heart, what hidden wounds of the mind, do not the dreams of even those who feel that their lives have run to a placid and conventional measure, reveal ! ‘

What a beautiful wild story of old age. I feel the years catching up with me, so I was a little afraid of this book at first… but I loved it. I loved the dynamic of the women in the house , fascinating and heart wrenching. #PersephoneClub I think we have another winner here !

rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, CarolynM, LeahBergen, elkeOriginal, Gissy, Aimeesue, Tamra, andrew61, Cathythoughts, jlhammar, Bookbuyingaddict

TrishB Great review Cathy 👍🏻 1y

Cathythoughts I loved Dr Fairfax too. When Claire was dying he made a note to send some flowers to Mrs Temple. There were so few friends left to perform this last offering from the living to the dying. ❤️💔 1y

Cathythoughts @TrishB ♥️ ThanksX 1y

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Tamra Awesome review and I agree with the trepidation! ☺️ Definitely a winner. I am on there lookout for more of her work. 1y

Tamra @Cathythoughts ♥️ that was a compassionate moment. 1y

jlhammar Wonderful review! I just finished part 1 last night and I agree, definitely a winner. Heart-wrenching for sure, but so good. Look forward to reading more this evening. 1y

Cathythoughts @Tamra Yes , I‘d like to read more of her too. She‘s good !! 1y

Cathythoughts @jlhammar Oh enjoy! ❤️ 1y

BarbaraBB I will be starting this soon! 1y

Cathythoughts @BarbaraBB Enjoy ! 1y

quietjenn I was a little nervous about this one as well, but the enthusiasm y'all have for it have reassured me *and* made me really excited about it! 1y

Cathythoughts @quietjenn I really enjoyed it. I hope you do too Jenn x 1y

andrew61 Enjoying it so far Cathy. Claire is such a great character. I love the spikiness and cutting comments amid the memory loss. Not sure I would enjoy being her friend however . 1y

Cathythoughts @andrew61 She has a sharp tongue for sure !! Quite a character 1y

LeahBergen Great review, Cathy! Yes, I was a bit afraid of this book, too, to begin with but I thought it was really well done. 1y

Cathythoughts @LeahBergen It was really well done ! I agree 👍🏻❤️ 1y

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Cathythoughts

There Were No Windows | Norah Hoult

Just started. #PersephoneClub
I can‘t believe the cats name is Lisa. There‘s our Lisa ! Our dog , still , I see it as a happy coincidence 😁♥️

Tamra 🐶 Love it! Happy reading Cathy 1y

IndoorDame She‘s so cute!!! 🐶😍 1y

TrishB That‘s so cute 🐶 1y

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Leftcoastzen Cutie pie! 1y

DivineDiana ❤️ 1y

dabbe Hello, Lovely Lisa! 🖤🐾🖤 1y

Ruthiella Hi Lisa! ❤️🐶❤️🐶❤️ 1y

Cathythoughts @Tamra @IndoorDame @TrishB @Leftcoastzen @DivineDiana @dabbe She‘s a lovely dog 🐶 ❤️ 1y

Cathythoughts @Ruthiella Hi 👋🏻 🐶 1y

LeahBergen I was thinking of YOUR Lisa every time Claire went in search of her cat. 😆 1y

Cathythoughts @LeahBergen I know 😂 I got a great kick out of it 😁 1y

69 likes11 comments

Tamra

There Were No Windows | Norah Hoult

pick

Claire discovers herself abandoned in the desert of old age, trapped within her own failing and lonely mind.

Frightening and maddeningly realistic writing. I loved every reading moment and could not put it down. Fantastic choice @Cathythoughts 😘

#PersephoneClub

Tamra Definitely going on the hunt for more Hoult! 1y

jlhammar Wonderful! Can‘t wait to get started. 1y

Tamra @quietjenn @elkeOriginal @Gissy @rubyslipperreads @andrew61 @Cathythoughts @jlhammar @leahbergen @CarolynM (edited) 1y

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Tamra @jlhammar it‘s riveting in a frustrating way. 😏 1y

Cathythoughts Great review 👍🏻 I‘m excited. I‘m nearly finished Covenant of Water … another day or two I should be done. Then I‘ll start No Windows 1y

CarolynM Looking forward to this. It will be a couple of weeks before I can start. 1y

Angeles Love the elegant, simple lines of your book‘s cover in this edition in the picture. 1y

LeahBergen It was really well done. And frightening is right! 😬 1y

66 likes8 comments

Tamra

There Were No Windows | Norah Hoult

Straight away I had to look up a word - “monad.” This is a good sign I hope!

#PersephoneClub

jlhammar I hope so! Cool bookmark. 1y

Tamra @jlhammar thank you - I bought it at a really cool art center which features the arts & crafts of people with disabilities in Rapid City, SD. It was a super visit! (edited) 1y

quietjenn Agree about the bookmark! Hope I'll be able to start this one soon. 1y

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Tamra @quietjenn absolutely loving it so far! I hope you do too. 1y

Cathythoughts I‘m dying to start our Persephone. But I‘m half way through Covenant of Water , I‘m afraid if I stop I won‘t get back to it. So Persephone will have to wait another week or two … and your absolutely loving it 🥰 🥰🥰 1y

Bookbuyingaddict Will be joining in at some point 😆 1y

Tamra @Cathythoughts definitely keep your momentum with Covenant! 💚 I better push that one to the top of the list because the fall term starts too soon. 1y

Tamra @Karons1 yay!! I raced through Part 1 because I couldn‘t put it down. 1y

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LitsyEvents

There Were No Windows | Norah Hoult

Repost for @LeahBergen

It‘s now August so that means it‘s time for one of our #PersephoneClub reads!

@Cathythoughts ‘ pick for us this month is There Were No Windows by Norah Hoult. This is a casual buddy read; read and comment on each other‘s posts and reviews as you see them. We usually aim to finish by the middle of the month but that‘s not written in stone. 😉 And anyone is welcome to read along with us, of course!

LitsyEvents Original post: https://litsy.com/p/ZXZoTjM3Q2Ns 1y

Bookbuyingaddict Thank you ☺️ 1y

LeahBergen Thanks for the repost! 😘 1y

29 likes3 comments

LeahBergen

There Were No Windows | Norah Hoult

It‘s now August so that means it‘s time for one of our #PersephoneClub reads!

@Cathythoughts ‘ pick for us this month is There Were No Windows by Norah Hoult. This is a casual buddy read; read and comment on each other‘s posts and reviews as you see them. We usually aim to finish by the middle of the month but that‘s not written in stone. 😉 And anyone is welcome to read along with us, of course!

rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, CarolynM, LeahBergen, elkeOriginal, Gissy, Aimeesue, andrew61, jlhammar

willaful Couldn't get a library copy so I'm afraid I'm out this month. 😕 1y

jlhammar Wonderful! Looking forward to it. 1y

julieclair I will skip this month. The subject matter is a little too close to home for me right now. 1y

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Liz_M @LitsyEvents 1y

rubyslippersreads I‘m going to skip this one. Too sad for me. 1y

CarolynM Just waiting for my copy to arrive🙂 Hope all is well with you, Leah 💕 1y

Tamra Took my copy down off the TBR shelf. 😁 1y

BarbaraBB I like to read along with you this month. I have the books on my shelves! 1y

batsy Hope you're doing well, Leah! ❤️ 1y

Cathythoughts Great Leah !! I must take my book down from its high shelf 👍🏻❤️ 1y

Cathythoughts I may not get to start till mid-month this time. But I‘m looking forward to it. 1y

CarolynM @BarbaraBB Great to have you along for this one🙂 1y

BarbaraBB Thank you @CarolynM 🤍 looking forward to it 1y

LeahBergen @willaful Oh, that‘s too bad. We‘ll see you for the next round! 😊 1y

LeahBergen @julieclair @rubyslippersreads I was a bit worried about that myself. 😬 1y

LeahBergen @jlhammar @CarolynM @Tamra @BarbaraBB @batsy @Cathythoughts Sorry for the late reply! I‘ve been travelling around again for the last couple of weeks and not checking into Litsy. I‘ve even been having too much fun to read a lot. 😆😆 I‘m home again for a few weeks and just starting the book today. 1y

Tamra @LeahBergen enjoy!! 1y

CarolynM Sounds lovely. I'm envious. Enjoy💕 1y

Cathythoughts Sounds like all is very well with you 😘 1y

batsy That's great! Enjoy ❤️ 1y

48 likes20 comments

Andrea313

There Were No Windows | Norah Hoult

pick

This was a pick for me, mostly for the incredibly vivid writing, but beware- its a heartbreaking, gut-punching portrait of aging, decline, and dementia. We get the POV of our MC, who succumbs to memory loss, mood swings, and paranoia, as well as that of her cook, her live-in companion, old friends, and a doctor. Nobody gets off easily; there is suffering all around. But there's also real wit and an up-close look at humanity at its most vulnerable.

Andrea313 #PersephonePick 3y

BarbaraBB That sounds heartbreaking but I can‘t resist a good Persephone! #stacked 3y

catebutler I haven‘t found a Persephone I didn‘t like! And this one sounds extremely intriguing. 3y

elkeOriginal Nice #persephonebooks collection! (edited) 3y

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Andrea313

There Were No Windows | Norah Hoult

Beginning my final #PersephonePick of the year! It's been so much fun to read through these selections this year; I have definitely encountered rollicking stories, sobering history, and absolutely gorgeous writing. I still have a few unread in my collection to get me through the early months of next year, but then I guess I'll just have to buy a few more for '22. 😉 #CurrentlyReading #PersephoneBooks

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