Offing, The
Myers, BenjaminYoung Robert Appleyard wants more from life than to end up with his father in a Durham coalmine, and with World War II now over, surely he can expect more? And just like that, with a swag on his back he heads off ... winding up on the North Yorkshire coast in the company of the delightfully eccentric Dulcie Piper. It is in their nascent friendship that Robert's horizons expand and Dulcie is able to reconcile with her past.
This is an inspirational story of intergenerational friendship distinguished by its lyrical descriptions of the natural world, its wit and wisdom and its appreciation of the life changing power of arts and culture. [Larger font]
Pages
258
258
Year
2019
2019
Reviews
25-06-2024
A charming book, easy to read, lyrical language, and so evocative of the English landscape. The two main characters were well drawn and appealing. A nice change in fact from a lot of the harsher modern novels. But still a powerful coming of age novel.
08-03-2024
Fabulous book, beautiful writing, lovely story.
27-02-2024
All enjoyed this book. Excellent holiday read.
28-11-2023
We all enjoyed reading this book. Decided it was right up there with 'Still Life'.
21-08-2023
A real gem of a book. We loved it - the beautiful language, the characters and the relationship between them. A wonderful read.
16-08-2023
Really enjoyed the light tone of this book, as well as the beautiful descriptive writing.
28-06-2023
We all loved it. It was a real tonic after some of the heavier reads we have had this year. The descriptive language was delightful. The title was apt.
01-06-2023
We thoroughly enjoyed this read, and although the descriptions seemed a little over the top initially, they ended up quite poetic and one could almost smell and taste the words. The title was very apt. One member found the character Dulcie a bit implausible. Overall a feel good tale of a young man whose life could have gone in another direction and he also inadvertently helped to heal Dulcie.
11-05-2023
A nice easy read. Pleasant to read a book free of violence and hate for a change. Beautifully written.
04-05-2023
This book got the 'thumbs up' from everyone. We particularly liked the wonderful, and at times unique, use of language, with many looking up new words. We are looking forward to the movie of the book, hoping it does it justice.
20-03-2023
All of our group liked the book, and some loved the descriptions, others thought there were, at times, an overuse of description, but the book gave us plenty to discuss. The story that ran through it was beautiful and heartwarming.
13-03-2023
We had high expectations after the rave reviews however only 3/8 members completed the book. All found the language to be overly descriptive and one described it "as dull as reading a shopping list".
02-03-2023
Every member scored this 10/10. A first for the group. A novel to read again and again.
02-03-2023
Universally enjoyed. Heartwarming. Beautifully written lyrical language and descriptions.
15-02-2023
Surprisingly, a very highly rated book! Very poetic writing. Loved the prose and the story - inspiring, with beautiful insights into people and our world.
25-11-2022
Everyone enjoyed the book very much.
10-08-2022
All thoroughly enjoyed this book - well written, refreshing and uplifting with positive outcomes. The developing relationship between Robert and Dulcie was well portrayed and several commented on the inclusion of nature throughout. Best book so far this year!
27-06-2022
A very enjoyable read - a gentle pastoral book with some wonderful descriptive writing. A hit with all members.
27-06-2022
Most of us loved this book, relishing the lyrical writing, and enjoying the relationship that developed. It was interesting to read that the author was motivated by a desire to write a positive and hopeful book for the times we live in, and he surely achieved that.
16-05-2022
We all loved this book! On many levels, very satisfying. The language, the narrative and the poetry.
11-05-2022
All enjoyed this book. A heart-warming story, a touch of history, and of mystery...Eccentric personages, beautiful countryside with nature observed, lots of interesting words to look up - what more would you want We discovered that Romy Landau was a real person, which the note-writer didn't mention. Plenty of good discussion.
22-04-2022
Poetry was beautiful. A bit predictable.
30-03-2022
Everyone simply loved this book. It was full of wisdom and surprise.
07-03-2022
We all agreed the language was just beautiful with the most wonderful vocabulary - like poetry. The relationship was so well depicted - showed a time when life was simpler - looking after the 'soul'. It reminded us to seek and cherish relationships with those special in our lives. We all agreed that it was just so well-written, beautiful yet sad - really captured the Midlands, growing old, and the state of the world. Very moving in parts and subtle in many ways... This would be one of our 'gem' reads, and we would recommend to all book clubs.
01-12-2021
Beautiful descriptions and writing. Most enjoyed the book although 2 did not. Easy to read with some great poetry.
07-11-2021
Many of us were initially a little underwhelmed at the start of this book, but all of us quickly fell in love with the characters and the way the story was built. Dulcie's suppressed love story and the poetry resulted in many tears - as well as many laughs at the ways Dulcie found to cope with her loss. A truly involving book, with a beautiful story told in an engaging way. A definite favourite.
05-11-2021
We all loved the book. Not our normal read, but perhaps should read more like it. Great writing, very descriptive. Could "feel" the heat and "knew" the characters. None guessed the surprise ending!
15-10-2021
So glad we read this, language a delight.
01-10-2021
Most members enjoyed 'The Offing'. Our discussion was sustained by following the discussion questions which led us on to the characteristics of Dulcie and Robert and how they developed their relationship and each other's personal growth.
06-08-2021
We all loved the descriptions in this book. The story was subtle and thought provoking. A great read.
02-08-2021
We all loved this book. Beautiful images of nature, and the encounter of a worldly-wise, non conformist lady with a youth just setting out in the world, create a colourful and very appealing story. A book re-affirming the values of life.
02-08-2021
Absolutely beautiful book - to be held close and enjoyed.
21-07-2021
Those that read the book all LOVED it. A positively enjoyable read.
14-04-2021
Everyone enjoyed the book, both for the story and the way it was written. People especially liked the author's descriptions of the natural world. A first for the group - in that everyone liked and enjoyed the book!
17-03-2021
We all loved this novel. Beautifully written, poetic and uplifting. Would highly recommend. Probably the best book we have read for some time.
31-08-2020
We all loved this book. The only criticism was that the protagonist at 16 was more skilled at renovation than would be expected in one so young, but those were different times. It was very much in the style of "Darling Buds of May", and Laurie Lee's books written post war.
31-08-2020
Our group had a rating range of 1-5! Comments included "lovely sensory imagery", "lovely story but overwritten", "immersive and beautifully written", and "there is no story".