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 8mo

Tamra I loved it - I‘m so glad you decided to read it too. 8mo

Cathythoughts Great review 👍🏻♥️ it‘s so well worth the read. X 8mo

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jlhammar Yes, it rang so true. Wonderful review! So glad you gave it a try. 8mo

LeahBergen Great review! 8mo

BarbaraBB Glad you decided to read it. Great review 8mo

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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. 9mo

jlhammar Wickedly acerbic - yes!! I agree, great characters and just really well done. Great review! I‘m loving our Persephone reads so far. 9mo

Tamra This was a favorite selection for me, but yes “acerbic” is the perfect descriptor! 9mo

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LeahBergen Nice review, Andrew! I really enjoyed the scenes with Francis Mailtaland, too (especially at the pub 😆). 9mo

Aimeesue Nice review! You all are making me eager to get to this one this weekend! 9mo

Cathythoughts Great review! Yes I agree memory loss is well done, and the other characters are well written too👍🏻 8mo

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. 9mo

LeahBergen @jlhammar That‘s a great way of putting it … the deterioration of the both of them. 👍 (edited) 9mo

Cathythoughts Great review 👍🏻❤️ @jlhammar Yes , we‘ll put .. the deterioration of both. 8mo

LeahBergen @Cathythoughts 😘😘 8mo

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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”😆 9mo

Tamra There was lots of humor, which can be overlooked given the overall serious nature! I appreciated Claire was not mono-dimensional. 9mo

Cathythoughts I love your moon quote 🤍. I agree , the descriptions of dementia were insightful. So we‘ll written on this subject. 9mo

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. 😆 9mo

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) 9mo

BarbaraBB @Librarybelle #192025 #1944 9mo

Tamra I thought it was painful, but I couldn‘t stop! Agreed it was repetitive, reflecting Claire‘s failing memory. 9mo

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Librarybelle Oh! A 1944 publication - awesome! 9mo

BarbaraBB @Tamra that was painful and what the author wanted I assume, but a bit annoying too - for me personally 🤷🏻‍♀️ 9mo

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. 9mo

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 9mo

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. 9mo

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 🤷🏻‍♀️ 9mo

Cathythoughts I hear you. Hopefully she will escape this. It‘s a fear as we get older. ❤️ 9mo

BarbaraBB @Cathythoughts 💕 9mo

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. 😆 9mo

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! 9mo

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. 😊 9mo

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 👍🏻 9mo

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. ❤️💔 9mo

Cathythoughts @TrishB ♥️ ThanksX 9mo

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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. 9mo

Tamra @Cathythoughts ♥️ that was a compassionate moment. 9mo

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. 9mo

Cathythoughts @Tamra Yes , I‘d like to read more of her too. She‘s good !! 9mo

Cathythoughts @jlhammar Oh enjoy! ❤️ 9mo

BarbaraBB I will be starting this soon! 9mo

Cathythoughts @BarbaraBB Enjoy ! 9mo

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! 9mo

Cathythoughts @quietjenn I really enjoyed it. I hope you do too Jenn x 9mo

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 . 9mo

Cathythoughts @andrew61 She has a sharp tongue for sure !! Quite a character 9mo

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. 9mo

Cathythoughts @LeahBergen It was really well done ! I agree 👍🏻❤️ 8mo

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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 9mo

IndoorDame She‘s so cute!!! 🐶😍 9mo

TrishB That‘s so cute 🐶 9mo

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Leftcoastzen Cutie pie! 9mo

DivineDiana ❤️ 9mo

dabbe Hello, Lovely Lisa! 🖤🐾🖤 9mo

Ruthiella Hi Lisa! ❤️🐶❤️🐶❤️ 9mo

Cathythoughts @Tamra @IndoorDame @TrishB @Leftcoastzen @DivineDiana @dabbe She‘s a lovely dog 🐶 ❤️ 9mo

Cathythoughts @Ruthiella Hi 👋🏻 🐶 9mo

LeahBergen I was thinking of YOUR Lisa every time Claire went in search of her cat. 😆 9mo

Cathythoughts @LeahBergen I know 😂 I got a great kick out of it 😁 8mo

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! 9mo

jlhammar Wonderful! Can‘t wait to get started. 9mo

Tamra @quietjenn @elkeOriginal @Gissy @rubyslipperreads @andrew61 @Cathythoughts @jlhammar @leahbergen @CarolynM (edited) 9mo

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Tamra @jlhammar it‘s riveting in a frustrating way. 😏 9mo

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 9mo

CarolynM Looking forward to this. It will be a couple of weeks before I can start. 9mo

Angeles Love the elegant, simple lines of your book‘s cover in this edition in the picture. 9mo

LeahBergen It was really well done. And frightening is right! 😬 9mo

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. 9mo

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) 9mo

quietjenn Agree about the bookmark! Hope I'll be able to start this one soon. 9mo

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Tamra @quietjenn absolutely loving it so far! I hope you do too. 9mo

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 🥰 🥰🥰 9mo

Bookbuyingaddict Will be joining in at some point 😆 9mo

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. 9mo

Tamra @Karons1 yay!! I raced through Part 1 because I couldn‘t put it down. 9mo

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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 9mo

Bookbuyingaddict Thank you ☺️ 9mo

LeahBergen Thanks for the repost! 😘 9mo

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. 😕 9mo

jlhammar Wonderful! Looking forward to it. 9mo

julieclair I will skip this month. The subject matter is a little too close to home for me right now. 9mo

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Liz_M @LitsyEvents 9mo

rubyslippersreads I‘m going to skip this one. Too sad for me. 9mo

CarolynM Just waiting for my copy to arrive🙂 Hope all is well with you, Leah 💕 9mo

Tamra Took my copy down off the TBR shelf. 😁 9mo

BarbaraBB I like to read along with you this month. I have the books on my shelves! 9mo

batsy Hope you're doing well, Leah! ❤️ 9mo

Cathythoughts Great Leah !! I must take my book down from its high shelf 👍🏻❤️ 9mo

Cathythoughts I may not get to start till mid-month this time. But I‘m looking forward to it. 9mo

CarolynM @BarbaraBB Great to have you along for this one🙂 9mo

BarbaraBB Thank you @CarolynM 🤍 looking forward to it 9mo

LeahBergen @willaful Oh, that‘s too bad. We‘ll see you for the next round! 😊 9mo

LeahBergen @julieclair @rubyslippersreads I was a bit worried about that myself. 😬 9mo

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. 9mo

Tamra @LeahBergen enjoy!! 9mo

CarolynM Sounds lovely. I'm envious. Enjoy💕 9mo

Cathythoughts Sounds like all is very well with you 😘 9mo

batsy That's great! Enjoy ❤️ 9mo

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 2y

BarbaraBB That sounds heartbreaking but I can‘t resist a good Persephone! #stacked 2y

catebutler I haven‘t found a Persephone I didn‘t like! And this one sounds extremely intriguing. 2y

elkeOriginal Nice #persephonebooks collection! (edited) 2y

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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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