The Earth Hums in B-Flat - first thoughts

[Minxminnie]

Has anyone else started?

I've read a good chunk today. The setting is very well realised - I'm assuming, not knowing 1950s Wales very well! But it does come to life well.
I'm enjoying the variety of characters and the way they are seen through the narrator's eyes. The mum is quite an intriguing character - she's hypers-sensitive to what people think, and I'm guessing that this is going to be important.

The story is told in the voice of Gwenni, and this is starting to grate a wee bit. She's meant - I think, without looking back - to be thirteen, but she comes across as younger. Her voice comes across effectively, but I can only take so much of the thoughts of a child - reading it is a bit like babysitting an annoyingly whimsical child who wants to ask you lots of questions.

It reminds me a lot of What Was Lost by Catherine O'Flynn, who is quoted on the cover.

[megustaleer]

Just a thought, which might not be relevant as I'm not reading the book:

"What people will think" was very important back in the fifties, and thirteen year-old girls were much less mature then than 21st century thirteen year-olds.

[Minxminnie]

"What people will think" was very important back in the fifties, and thirteen year-old girls were much less mature then than 21st century thirteen year-olds.

Yes, both of these occurred to me.

The mum, though, is far more concerned with other people's opinions than anyone else, and it's very much a feature of her character. There are already hints that she has reason to fear the judgement of others.
It's very possible that Gwenni is a realistic 1950s 13 yr old. I know that I was less mature at that age than the kids I teach now.

[Adrian]

I've read a good chunk. My first impression is the sheer Welsh-ness of the characters. The names are wonderful.

Gwenni isn't growing on me so far but it's still very early days. The author hasn't yet convinced me that this is a child we're hearing. The character's 'voice' just isn't there yet.

[Calliope]

I'm quite enjoying it so far. It has an interesting sort of narrative suspense and an otherworldly feel - I'm not sure if that comes from the Wales-in-the-50's thing, or the constant Alice in Wonderland references. Happy to go along with it and find out, though.

I imagine I'll be disappointed if the flying turns out not to mean anything.