This video is outstanding! I watched it and later watched it again with my husband. We both want to read this book . Thanks for all the work you put into your channel. Impressive.
Thanks for this video Eric. I read My Friends a few months ago and consider it one of my favorites of the past year. We are very much alike because as I was reading it I would go to you tube and google maps to see the sections and specific places in London that the main character was describing. Your video clips of the London locations was way better than I was able to patch together from the internet, Living in London gave you a great advantage. Great to know there are other book nerds and lovers out there. 😍
Hi Eric, I really enjoyed this video, I enjoy links being made between visual art and literature, I recently visited the National portrait gallery while reading Young Queens to see the renaissance portraits there, and looking forward to re visiting the Dutch master paintings at The National gallery when I start reading Thunderclap in a few weeks time. I am a Londoner originaly, and feel so lucky that I still live near enough to enjoy so much wonderful art and culture regularly. My friends is currently near the top of my TBR stack and will be sure to pick it up soon, after your review and beautiful reading!
Thanks so much. I also read Thunderclap recently and also went to see the paintings described at the National Gallery while going to find the painting referenced in My Friends. Hope you enjoy Matar's novel.
Loved the video and have only read A Month in Siena by Matar, which was, just as you described regarding My Friends, very contemplative. I highly recommend it. I'll get My Friends this week definitely.
So glad you made a video about this terrific novel. What a rich book club discussion we had! I would love to see My Friends get some meaningful prize recognition.
You just sold me on this book with the “ tips you off to other books you should be reading” and “contains so many book recommendations”. I love when this happens. Ordering it now. Thank you!❤️
Oh, I've had this on hold from the library. (I have read The Return in the meantime.) I look forward to rewatching this video during and/or after I read My Friends! Excellent video.
Thank you, Eric!🌷I know this part of London very well. It’s been a joy being back there with you and looking at it through the eyes of Hisham Matar. My Friends has joined my birthday wishlist and, while researching the author’s backlist I’ve found another, for me, irresistible title: A Month in Siena.
I have to read this now after watching your video. One of my book clubs is reading The Return this summer. And - the video is perhaps one of your best ever. Thanks so much for doing it
I am close to the last chapter of this book and, having listened to your video, I must say that word for word you have echoed my sentiments about it. It is strikingly melancholic in a way that is simple and yet profound. I hope it wins the Booker.
Hi Eric, how are you? I loved this video so much! I've been to London for the first time last november and stayed very close to St. Pancras station. Your footages from there made me a bit nostalgic (in a good way). I'm also very intrigued about the book and I've just puchased it for my kindle. Have a great week! :)
Thank you for this video. I have been to some, but I live in Cornwall, the memories of the city is easily behind in the usual countryside scenery. Because I am a city girl , I miss London
Yes! A brilliant video. I just got the book from my library last week. Will begin soon. I've walked that same path before but now I know even more about it. NYRB interviewed Matar a few weeks ago, check it out as well.❤
I just read his memoir, The Return, a couple of months ago and I found it to me be excellent and fascinating. It won a Pulitzer Prize in the Bio/Auto-bio category in 2017.
I haven’t read this book but your video has really evoked the spirit of London and the political oppression we in the UK are lucky enough to not to experience. I look forward to immersing myself into the story.
I just read "My Friends" after watching your video. Thank you so much. 5 stars. Great character development and believeable characters who have faced oppression in a way I hope I never will. Humbling. There is no one right way of how to live life in the face of oppression. Matar has compassion for the different choices made by his characters. I was reminded of Thomas Moran's beautiful novel from 2000, "Water, Carry Me" the coming of age story of a young women that is ultimately upended by the strife in Northern Ireland. The protagonist's situation is different in Water, Carry Me, because she is surprised by the intrusion of the political reality into her life whereas Matar's characters are aware from an early age that they can never really be free from political context. Thanks again for the great recommendation.
Hi, I have read this book after watching your video, and I loved it. Also the video idea is so good. I was shocked to search the events from the book and to know they are real… Thanks for the book recommendation.
I was just looking at this book and wondering if I wanted to read it. Love this glowing review! I love when books intersect with other books and locations.
I wonder if you would love All The Colour of the World by C. S. Richardson, it was shortlisted for the Giller Prize last year and has a similar aspect of combining art and location with experience. It is set in Toronto and talks a lot about the history of the places the main character is. It follows a white character through the beginning of the 20th century so it doesn't have the same political resonance but if the style of reflection on art with story appeals you might love it.
Yes! I just finished the book and share in your enthusiasm! It is tender and loving and heartfelt as well as suspenseful and i just purchased all of the author's earlier books. I hope it wins The Booker. ❤📚
This was such a brilliant video. Very impactful with your video of key locations. Thank you for filming it 😊
Thanks so much! 😊
Your enthusiasm for this novel is contagious. I placed a hold at my library for it :).
Hope you love it as much as I do!
This video is outstanding! I watched it and later watched it again with my husband. We both want to read this book . Thanks for all the work you put into your channel. Impressive.
Thanks so much!
Wonderful video Eric . Makes me miss London 😢
Thanks! I feel very lucky to live here.
Thanks for this video Eric. I read My Friends a few months ago and consider it one of my favorites of the past year. We are very much alike because as I was reading it I would go to you tube and google maps to see the sections and specific places in London that the main character was describing. Your video clips of the London locations was way better than I was able to patch together from the internet, Living in London gave you a great advantage. Great to know there are other book nerds and lovers out there. 😍
I'm so glad you also found it such an evocative story. Happy I could help bring the novel alive a little more for you.
This is just so beautiful! I love the videos of locations and the prose!
Thanks! 😊
Hi Eric, I really enjoyed this video, I enjoy links being made between visual art and literature, I recently visited the National portrait gallery while reading Young Queens to see the renaissance portraits there, and looking forward to re visiting the Dutch master paintings at The National gallery when I start reading Thunderclap in a few weeks time. I am a Londoner originaly, and feel so lucky that I still live near enough to enjoy so much wonderful art and culture regularly.
My friends is currently near the top of my TBR stack and will be sure to pick it up soon, after your review and beautiful reading!
Thanks so much. I also read Thunderclap recently and also went to see the paintings described at the National Gallery while going to find the painting referenced in My Friends. Hope you enjoy Matar's novel.
You know I’m a sucker for a walking tour. This was wonderful thank you
Glad you enjoyed it!
Loved the video and have only read A Month in Siena by Matar, which was, just as you described regarding My Friends, very contemplative. I highly recommend it. I'll get My Friends this week definitely.
Thank you once again for bringing a book to my attention! I read a sample on Amazon and am hooked.❤
Love this (bought the book straight away of course) thank you Eric.....I'll say it again. Could listen to you all day ❤
Thanks! 😊 Hope you love it as much as I do.
Fabulous video. Thank you so much!
So glad you made a video about this terrific novel. What a rich book club discussion we had! I would love to see My Friends get some meaningful prize recognition.
Yes! Thanks for all your contributions. So much to say about this story.
Such a phenomenal video, Eric…the visual with the reading totally drew me in. I can’t wait to read this book! Thank you for introducing us to it!❤
Thanks for the walking tour. I read this book several weeks ago and was captivated by the relationships with family and friends.
I'm so glad you connected with the book!
Very insightful review. Checks off all my interests. Ty Eric. Your recommendations matter a lot
Hope you love it as much as I do!
You just sold me on this book with the “ tips you off to other books you should be reading” and “contains so many book recommendations”. I love when this happens. Ordering it now. Thank you!❤️
Fab! Hope you love it as much as I did.
Oh, I've had this on hold from the library. (I have read The Return in the meantime.) I look forward to rewatching this video during and/or after I read My Friends! Excellent video.
Thank you! I’ll be keen to hear what you think of it.
Brilliant video, thank you for taking us to those places while you read passages. London is so beautiful. I will absolutely be picking up this book.
Great book! Read it recently myself and have been recommending it to friends non-stop.
Reading it right now, and based on what I’ve read so far, I agree! (Will come back and watch the full video once I’ve finished…) 🎉🎉
Fab! I’ll be keen to hear what you think of the book.
Yep, it's great. I'm on chapter 42. I love short chapters! I'm reading it along with The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godley. Thank you!
Wow! Another book for the TBR! Thanks Eric 🙂
Thank you, Eric!🌷I know this part of London very well. It’s been a joy being back there with you and looking at it through the eyes of Hisham Matar. My Friends has joined my birthday wishlist and, while researching the author’s backlist I’ve found another, for me, irresistible title: A Month in Siena.
An early happy birthday to you! Hope you enjoy the novel. I’m keen on reading A Month in Siena as well.
I have to read this now after watching your video. One of my book clubs is reading The Return this summer. And - the video is perhaps one of your best ever. Thanks so much for doing it
Just finished reading this marvelous book last weekend! Appreciate your walking tour.
Great!
Wow!!! Thank you, Eric!!! Marvelous video!!! 👏👏👏
Thank you!
I am close to the last chapter of this book and, having listened to your video, I must say that word for word you have echoed my sentiments about it. It is strikingly melancholic in a way that is simple and yet profound. I hope it wins the Booker.
Hi Eric, how are you?
I loved this video so much!
I've been to London for the first time last november and stayed very close to St. Pancras station. Your footages from there made me a bit nostalgic (in a good way). I'm also very intrigued about the book and I've just puchased it for my kindle.
Have a great week! :)
Thank you for this video. I have been to some, but I live in Cornwall, the memories of the city is easily behind in the usual countryside scenery. Because I am a city girl , I miss London
Sounds incredible, thank you for sharing this. I'll have to read this book!
Amazing! Made me nostalgic of London✨🌻
Thank you for this video. It has opened up a whole new world of reading - I'm excited to begin.
Sold. Buying it tomorrow, thank you as always Eric.
Hope you enjoy it!
That was brilliant. Thank you!
Yes! A brilliant video. I just got the book from my library last week. Will begin soon. I've walked that same path before but now I know even more about it. NYRB interviewed Matar a few weeks ago, check it out as well.❤
Thanks, I’ll look that up
I just read his memoir, The Return, a couple of months ago and I found it to me be excellent and fascinating. It won a Pulitzer Prize in the Bio/Auto-bio category in 2017.
I loved this book. Hope it wins.
Wonderful discussion. It was great to view the places mentioned in the novel. 🙏🏽
Loved your video and is my favourite book of the year so far. Think I read it after hearing you mention it on you channel. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Thank you! That’s great to hear.
I haven’t read this book but your video has really evoked the spirit of London and the political oppression we in the UK are lucky enough to not to experience. I look forward to immersing myself into the story.
Great video! Added this to my TBR :-)
Sold. Beautifully described.
Thanks! 😊
I just read "My Friends" after watching your video. Thank you so much. 5 stars. Great character development and believeable characters who have faced oppression in a way I hope I never will. Humbling. There is no one right way of how to live life in the face of oppression. Matar has compassion for the different choices made by his characters. I was reminded of Thomas Moran's beautiful novel from 2000, "Water, Carry Me" the coming of age story of a young women that is ultimately upended by the strife in Northern Ireland. The protagonist's situation is different in Water, Carry Me, because she is surprised by the intrusion of the political reality into her life whereas Matar's characters are aware from an early age that they can never really be free from political context. Thanks again for the great recommendation.
It's so good to hear this and I'm glad you connected with Matar's novel so strongly. I've not read Moran's book so thanks for the recommendation.
A wonderful video....thank you for the reading and the locations Eric.......James ❤
Hi, I have read this book after watching your video, and I loved it. Also the video idea is so good. I was shocked to search the events from the book and to know they are real… Thanks for the book recommendation.
I’m so glad you read it and loved it too! Such startling history.
Excellent video.
Great video. need to get this book.
Thanks!
I just bought this book today- before I even saw this video!
Fantastic! Hope you love it as much as I do.
I was just looking at this book and wondering if I wanted to read it. Love this glowing review! I love when books intersect with other books and locations.
I’m sure you’ll connect with it and I’d be keen to hear what you think if you get time to read it.
You’re the boss! 😊❤ this video is brilliant, no less.
😊📚
I wonder if you would love All The Colour of the World by C. S. Richardson, it was shortlisted for the Giller Prize last year and has a similar aspect of combining art and location with experience. It is set in Toronto and talks a lot about the history of the places the main character is. It follows a white character through the beginning of the 20th century so it doesn't have the same political resonance but if the style of reflection on art with story appeals you might love it.
I hope he wins the Orwell Prize!!!! It has a great list this year.
Yes! I just finished the book and share in your enthusiasm! It is tender and loving and heartfelt as well as suspenseful and i just purchased all of the author's earlier books. I hope it wins The Booker. ❤📚
I’m so glad you also found it so impactful!
I quite agree!
I m taking this one on holidays because of your video together with Age of Vice of Deepti Kapoor!
Great! Hope you enjoy them!
another book to get! oh no!
visa©thanks you!!
just finished my friends....what a joy. thanks
Unless it doesn't. Thanks for the video.
It sounds absolutely ghastly
Agreed
Does it tick all the boxes?
Wonderful video / review!