tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post1708769326084472693..comments2024-03-27T20:39:56.527+00:00Comments on Clothes In Books: The Skeleton in the Grass by Robert BarnardClothes In Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-375509273320073712022-11-11T09:29:01.683+00:002022-11-11T09:29:01.683+00:00I did read it again - and I think I concluded that...I did read it again - and I think I concluded that the other man in the ambulance is not anyone we know at all, it is a very strange scene and I can see why I was confused when I first read it, and I don't know why Barnard did it that way. But one thing I noticed was that throughout the book he mentions most of the characters in 'now' time, making it clear that they did all survive the war, so I don't know who it could be! There was one reference to Oliver that I didn't understand, as she seemed to suspect him for longer than she should? (I am risking spoilers here as no-one likely to have it spoiled by this conversation). She says in 'now' time that she wouldn't visit him because of what she thought, but the wartime conversation surely cleared him...<br />It is an excellent and very atmospheric book, but not sure it's crystal clear... Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-25744306494012899922022-11-04T16:12:04.911+00:002022-11-04T16:12:04.911+00:00OK, definitely going to have to read it again then...OK, definitely going to have to read it again then!|Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-2579307160801119782022-11-03T03:01:13.193+00:002022-11-03T03:01:13.193+00:00Thank you so much. However, I was wondering not ab...Thank you so much. However, I was wondering not about Will but the other man in the ambulance: the one who died. I wondered if that was some final twist. 🤔neerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01986509319841061021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-4795225680756850252022-11-02T16:26:09.299+00:002022-11-02T16:26:09.299+00:00But now I have found Sergio's email to me at t...But now I have found Sergio's email to me at the time this post went out!<br /><br />SLIGHT SPOILER<br /><br /><br /><br />He said to me: as I read it, it was definitely Will in the ambulance at the end, saying that although everyone assumed he was in Spain he was really there that night - which is, by any measure, a truly whopping coincidence ...Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-23510810058347108622022-11-02T10:19:47.171+00:002022-11-02T10:19:47.171+00:00Oh my goodness - I don't remember at all, but ...Oh my goodness - I don't remember at all, but I can see that I will have to read it again to see if I ever made sense of it! I will come back when I have something to offer, watch this space....Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-14599981492298664672022-11-01T05:15:58.454+00:002022-11-01T05:15:58.454+00:00I know it is years since you read the book but can...I know it is years since you read the book but can you reveal the identity of the man who died in the ambulance. It has been troubling me and as I saw you asked the same question to Sergio, could you plz tell the answer to me too?neerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01986509319841061021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-13093134462511118152015-10-02T23:03:54.050+01:002015-10-02T23:03:54.050+01:00Goddard is probably more up your street than Barna...Goddard is probably more up your street than Barnard, but you might enjoy them both...Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-88642744209790697612015-10-01T05:00:00.775+01:002015-10-01T05:00:00.775+01:00Barnard - Goddard which is which, I might try both...Barnard - Goddard which is which, I might try both at some point, but I'm not drawn to this one.col2910https://www.blogger.com/profile/06422138069939709043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-56734361756323835342015-09-29T11:37:34.275+01:002015-09-29T11:37:34.275+01:00It's an interesting question isn't it? I&#...It's an interesting question isn't it? I'm not wholly convinced... But it was still a great book, and am really grateful to you for introducing me to it.Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-17513717025359726002015-09-29T11:36:59.086+01:002015-09-29T11:36:59.086+01:00As I keep saying, they vary a lot! I really liked ...As I keep saying, they vary a lot! I really liked Death in a Cold Climate and Death of an Old Goat. Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-56260331289330026732015-09-29T11:36:38.184+01:002015-09-29T11:36:38.184+01:00I do recommend this one Prashant, and I know it...I do recommend this one Prashant, and I know it's a period you like to read about. Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-2900047727460170032015-09-29T11:36:15.192+01:002015-09-29T11:36:15.192+01:00Yes Margot, and it is superbly done in this one. I...Yes Margot, and it is superbly done in this one. I think Barnard is one of the authors I have the most varied reactions to. But as you say, when he was good....Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-2127604193782405472015-09-29T11:35:33.137+01:002015-09-29T11:35:33.137+01:00Exactly Sergio - and I think if it wasn't a &#...Exactly Sergio - and I think if it wasn't a 'murder story' it would have been taken seriously as a novel. It's such a thoughtful book.Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-57752927530055983422015-09-29T03:24:14.293+01:002015-09-29T03:24:14.293+01:00Thanks for linking to my post. I loved that party ...Thanks for linking to my post. I loved that party scene, and thought of you when I read it. And I also enjoyed the scene at the movie house. I admit I did wonder at the extreme reactions of the villagers; yet, having lived in the South, I guess it seemed fairly believable. A different kind of bias, for a different reason maybe, but still hard to understand.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-52251148463314575522015-09-28T15:03:39.148+01:002015-09-28T15:03:39.148+01:00I liked this one too, can't remember if I'...I liked this one too, can't remember if I've read any of his other books.Mac n' Janethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05732924562630675589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-23188720040127779672015-09-28T13:14:40.092+01:002015-09-28T13:14:40.092+01:00Moira, I have read just two books by Robert Barnar...Moira, I have read just two books by Robert Barnard and I found them too close to reality. Part of the reason, I think, is his "great piece of writing," as you rightly say. I must read this particular book.Prashant C. Trikannadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16079354501998741758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-65893243360938875592015-09-28T12:28:08.271+01:002015-09-28T12:28:08.271+01:00I'm so glad you enjoyed this one, Moira. When ...I'm so glad you enjoyed this one, Moira. When Barnard was good, he was very, very good. And even though the main point of the book isn't social commentary, I like the way it creeps into his writing. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-90224677141640644332015-09-28T11:18:19.198+01:002015-09-28T11:18:19.198+01:00Great review Moira - I agree, it 'aint perfect...Great review Moira - I agree, it 'aint perfect (there are, I suspect, a couple of verbal anachronisms too), but it is a very rich novel and I think repays close reading.Sergio (Tipping My Fedora)http://bloodymurder.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.com