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Here we can discuss our thoughts

No set schedule for this one?

Would you like one? I thought because it is quite short that is wasn't really needed. But I still could set one if you would like.

Ange wrote: "Would you like one? I thought because it is quite short that is wasn't really needed. But I still could set one if you would like."

Oh don’t do it for just me! I just marked my book every 2 chapters. I love a checklisr. It’s keeps me honest., haha

Okie dokie :) 2 chapters a day sounds like a good reading pace.

Really loved reading this novel and look forward to discussing

Hello Quirkyreader,
I thought it was written with humour in most parts of the characters personalities, but there is a darker more haunting side to the story too.
I would of liked the author to discuss more of Mrs Appleyard's past.
What characters did you like/dislike?
I liked the the French teacher best, Dianne de Poitier

I find Mrs. Appleyard to be an intriguing character. I also like Dianne de Poitier.

And I agree there are some humorous parts to the story and it feels like quite a light read despite the darker side of the story.

I'm enjoying the descriptions of the Australian bush and nature and also all the Australian sayings.

Hello Ange,
I agree, the descriptions of the nature are wonderful and you can tell that the author has a great passion for Hanging Rock herself.

I have just started the book.

Berna wrote: "I have just started the book."

Me too! I’m going to avoid this feed until I finish as I don’t want to see any spoilers! It’s only August 7th and maybe we can hold off giving too much away until some of us get past chapter 2! Haha

I finished reading last night but I'll wait to discuss on here until more people have finished. But I really enjoyed it. I forgot a lot of the detail of this book. I guess it has been a good 18 years since I read it though.

Ange wrote: "I finished reading last night but I'll wait to discuss on here until more people have finished. But I really enjoyed it. I forgot a lot of the detail of this book. I guess it has been a good 18 yea..."
I enjoyed it too Ange and i've been loving the recent tv adaptation here in the U.K , with Natalie Dormer acting as Mrs Appleyard

I’m over half way now and I’m enjoying how Joan Lindsay mixes light-hearted sentiments with a darker undertone. I’m liking it very much.

Hello all. I'm only a few chapters in, but I have been watching the tv series. I'm interested to see how they'll differ from each other. I have mixed feelings about the tv show, I'm hoping I'll find the book a little less bizzare!

I read about 45% of the book but still could not get into the story. I unfortunately had to DNF it.I hope you enjoy the book much much more than I did.

Jennie wrote: "I’m over half way now and I’m enjoying how Joan Lindsay mixes light-hearted sentiments with a darker undertone. I’m liking it very much."
Hello Jennie, I agree, thats what i enjoyed too about the book

Emma wrote: "Hello all. I'm only a few chapters in, but I have been watching the tv series. I'm interested to see how they'll differ from each other. I have mixed feelings about the tv show, I'm hoping I'll fin..."
I would love to hear people's thoughts on the relationship between Mike and Albert.

Just finished today! Beautifully written book with memorable, even haunting, characters. There were Austen-like comments on society with Du Maurier creepiness.I think I will want to read it again to appreciate more of the writing and description. This first time, I just needed to find out what happened next. Definitely a slow boil. Albert was far and away my favorite character. I loved how Lindsay slowly revealed Mrs. Applegate.

Hi Karen! "I would love to hear people's thoughts on the relationship between Mike and Albert."

In the tv series it would suggest there is an attraction between them, particularly from Mike's side. I'm not far enough through the novel to know if this is something that is also in the book.

What are your thoughts?

Emma wrote: "Hi Karen! "I would love to hear people's thoughts on the relationship between Mike and Albert."

In the tv series it would suggest there is an attraction between them, particularly from Mike's sid..."
Hello Emma,
I agree, Mike does seem drawn to Albert.
Is this in a father figure way or something different, i'm not sure.
Will wait till you have finished before discussing further : )

Susan wrote: "Just finished today! Beautifully written book with memorable, even haunting, characters. There were Austen-like comments on society with Du Maurier creepiness.I think I will want to read it again t..."
Hello Susan,
I think i'd like to read through it again too.
I really enjoyed the story and the characters.
I love how Lindsay makes you think the story is real

This was fantastic! I loved the feeling that something was brewing under the surface.

����� wrote: "This was fantastic! I loved the feeling that something was brewing under the surface."
Hello Noel, i agree too.What are you thoughts on the girls disappearing? Do you think they planned it in advance or they just lost their way on Hanging Rock?
I loved how the author makes you think the story is true

I read this book a few months ago and I really enjoyed it.

I think the question of it being a work of fiction is a really interesting one, Karen. Some people think the story is based on real events - for example, there are parallels to be drawn between the novel and some aspects of Lindsay's life.

Another thing I found out when researching the book is that when Lindsay sent the book to her publisher, the editor asked her to remove the final chapter, which resolves the mystery. However, it was published after her death (with her prior permission) under the title The Secret of Hanging Rock. I would be interested to hear people's thoughts if anyone decides to read it!

You can read more about some of the crossover between fact and fiction here, although I'll warn you that it contains spoilers about the contents of the (real) final chapter of the book:

There is a novella called “chapter 18�� that includes said chapter, plus publisher comemntary.

Ah, I haven't heard it called that. I've only come across it under the title "The Secret of Hanging Rock". Although it sounds like exactly the same edition - the ebook I downloaded also contains a publisher commentary

Lisa wrote: "I read this book a few months ago and I really enjoyed it.

I think the question of it being a work of fiction is a really interesting one, Karen. Some people think the story is based on real even..."
Hello Lisa,
Ooohhh , thanks for letting me know about this. I will look forward to reading it

It almost reads as something supernatural to me? I know there’s a “solution�� out there where Lindsay wrote a more definitive ending but I’m not sure I want to ruin the suspense.

Thanks so much for this information. I had no idea. Now, I definitely need to read that chapter :)

I finally finished it! I can't say I loved it, but it was an intriguing read. It felt as if I were seeing it all through a fog. There were so many secrets each of the chacters were carrying. I was watching the tv series at the same time so it all got a little mixed up for me! Has anyone else watched it? I thought Sara's story in particular was very tragic.

Emma wrote: "I finally finished it! I can't say I loved it, but it was an intriguing read. It felt as if I were seeing it all through a fog. There were so many secrets each of the chacters were carrying. I was ..." I thought the tv series was brilliant and i loved the book too.
I loved how the tv series created the spooky atmosphere.

I started watching the series, but I must say I wasn’t a fan. Also, didn’t they add many things that was not in the book? Did someone read the end chapter that’s not in the original book? And can you pls write it in a spoiler comment ot send me a PM to put me out of my misery? 😂😂 thanks guys, I really like these readalongs.

Well I finished the book this morning I have to be honest I have no idea what I just read! For sure it was mysterious and beautifully written but I just think the whole thing went over my head. It is blurbed about having some kind of homosexual or erotic overtone which for me just didn’t reveal itself.

I think much if then hype around this book was the unsolved ending and the speculation that turned it into cult classic/conspiracy theory obsession.

It sure has given me a lot to think about and I will be following up with her posthumously published chapter 18 and watching the movie. It is something that I do think I will read again.

I finished the book some days ago and it’s been an excellent reading.
It looks like a good example of the chaos theory. In the set of people who appear in the pages of the book, a change in the initial conditions, in this case, the unsolved mistery of Hanging Rock, causes a radical turn in the become of their lives.

I finished it some time ago and it still has stayed with me. I loved this story! It was eerie and dark but then I felt like the characters added lightness and humor to the story. I like how the story really doesn't tell in anything in the end about hanging rock and does leave it quite open. I feel like this is probably divides people, you either hate it or love it.

Jill wrote: "Well I finished the book this morning I have to be honest I have no idea what I just read! For sure it was mysterious and beautifully written but I just think the whole thing went over my head. It ..."

Sorry I just caught up on my August reading. I agree with Jill about not seeing the homosexual overtones. I have to say Albert was one of my favorite characters along with the french teacher. Anyway, I saw Mike and Albert as just good friends. I am still really curious why Mike didn't show up to the lunch?