10 Comments
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Janet van Eeden's avatar

I love this article. I also have the fear of dying before my proper work is done. And now I have to read Theo of (Boring)!

The GBAS Newsletter's avatar

Can you finish your proper work first, please. :) Also please don’t die.

Janet van Eeden's avatar

I'm trying my best! :) Thank you.

Suna Potgieter's avatar

I enjoyed Theo (because of the warm hug feeling) but will not rate it as one of thebest of the year... I agree that there are much better novels around.

I think it's success shows something of people's need for kindness in this crazy world we live in currently. To believe that there are people who will do good things without wanting to be recognised for it/ make the headlines/ go viral.

Somebody doing good just for the sake of it, gives us hope and make us feel better about our selves and the world.

The GBAS Newsletter's avatar

I really do think you’re right about why so many people have loved it. Also on the flip side, have been reading so many books with toxic characters, that maybe it just fills that gap for the opposite.

Martin Rollo's avatar

There are so many books with toxic characters no doubt because good is boring. Who wants to hear about the good convent girls? A character might be toxic or heartless, but they make us feel much better about ourselves than saintly characters do. Don't we all want to feel holier than thou rather than unholier than thou? And evil is simply more interesting and complicated. Give me Polyphemus over Polyanna any day.

The GBAS Newsletter's avatar

True story, maybe that’s why i found it boring, he was un-toxic. Have you read it?

Martin Rollo's avatar

No. I have been put off by the many negative reviews. It doesn't sound like something I'd ever read.

Talitha Bertelsmann-Scott's avatar

I wish Ian McEwan had stopped Atonement after the first part. It would have been the perfect novella imo.

The GBAS Newsletter's avatar

I just finished a 500 page novel that could have been a 300-er for sure. I remember loving Atonement, but can’t remember enough details to agree or disagree, but I like the sentiment.