Slaughterhouse 5 by Kurt Vonnegut

Prisoner of war, optometrist, time-traveller – these are the life roles of Billy Pilgrim, hero of this miraculously moving, bitter and funny story of innocence faced with apocalypse. “Slaughterhouse 5” is one of the world’s great anti-war books. Centring on the infamous fire-bombing of Dresden in the Second World War, Billy Pilgrim’s odyssey through time reflects the journey of our own fractured lives as we search for meaning in what we are afraid to know.

What the group thought:

Slaughterhouse 5 generated a great deal of discussion. Is it an anti-war novel? How can survivors talk about their war experiences? Some people questioned the science fiction elements and the general feeling was that the story stands up on its own without them. Vonnegut seems to be saying that the only way to deal with an atrocity like the fire bombing of Dresden is absurdity. Several people believed that the book is of its time – the late 1960s. This assessment was reflected in some of the comments: “Trippy,” “Classic,” “Hallucinatory,” “Trafalmadorgiastic.”

Runaway by Alice Munro

The matchless Munro makes art out of everyday lives in this dazzling new collection. At its centre are three stories connected into one marvellously rich narrative about Juliet – who escapes from teaching at a girls’ school and throws herself into a wild and passionate love match. Here are men and women of wildly different times and circumstances, their lives made vividly palpable by the nuance and empathy of Munro’s writing.

“Runaway” is about the power and betrayals of love, about lost children, lost chances. There is pain and desolation beneath the surface, like a needle in the heart, which makes these stories more powerful and compelling than anything she has written.

What the group thought:

This book was fairly unusual in that almost everyone in the group agreed on its merits. “Impressive,” “Outstanding,” “Deceptively simple,” and “Accomplished,” were just some of the comments. There was a discussion about the significance of the goat in the first story and some minor quibbling about the Shakespearean device used in another. But apart from that, it is self-evident that Munro is a great writer and all the group could do was stand in awe of her craftsmanship. In this respect, Munro’s work does not make for lively book club discussion.

The Solitude Of Prime Numbers by Giordano

He had learned his lesson. Choices are made in a few seconds and paid for in the time that remains. A prime number is inherently a solitary thing: it can only be divided by itself, or by one; it never truly fits with another.

Alice and Mattia also move on their own axes, alone with their personal tragedies. As a child Alice’s overbearing father drove her first to a terrible skiing accident, and then to anorexia. When she meets Mattia she recognises a kindred spirit, and Mattia reveals to Alice his terrible secret: that as a boy he abandoned his mentally-disabled twin sister in a park to go to a party, and when he returned, she was nowhere to be found.

These two irreversible episodes mark Alice and Mattia’s lives for ever, and as they grow into adulthood their destinies seem irrevocably intertwined. But then a chance sighting of a woman who could be Mattia’s sister forces a lifetime of secret emotion to the surface.

What the group thought:

On the whole the group liked this book. A plot driven by well-drawn characters, the strong first two chapters and the prime numbers metaphor running through novel were cited as positive aspects. On the other hand, people also found the story lightweight and forgettable. Intriguing themes like self-mutilation and anorexia aren’t dealt with in any depth. There was some discussion about whether this was a literary or a mainstream novel. The final verdict was that this is an easy read with a plot that zips along, making it ideal for people who pick up a book only once in a while.

On Chesil Beach by Mcewan

Opinion was sharply divided on this book. Some people loved it, finding the story insightful and magical with a good feel for early 60s attitudes. Others thought it lazy and boring with too few layers. Those who didn’t like it, expressed the opinion that it was a short story stretched beyond its limits. One person felt it was a direct rip-off of Joyce Carol Oates’ ‘The Falls’. Several people commented that the aftermath of the story was only seen from the male character’s perspective. The group made mostly unfavourable comparisons with McEwan’s earlier works like ‘Atonement’, ‘Enduring Love’ and ‘Saturday’. The only thing everyone agreed on was that McEwan is clearly a great writer. It was suggested though that he had fallen into a common trap for best selling authors: rushing a book out to meet public demand.

Man In The Dark by Auster

August Brill, 72 years old, is lying in bed recovering after an accident. Unable to sleep, he thinks up a story of a parallel America at war with itself ever since the controversial elections of 2000. His invented world reveals his own state of mind: here is a man literally and pyschologically in the dark as he battles grief and regret as well as insomnia. Sharing the same house, his daughter and granddaughter each have their own losses to cope with.

What the group thought:

A fiery discussion was held at the bookshop last Thursday evening. Most of us thoroughly enjoyed the book and admired Paul Auster’s masterful writing. The book’s reflections on grief and loss had an unexpected crescendo which left most of us stunned: Auster’s way of saying that some things cannot be made right, only endured. The group felt that the insomnia of the grandfather was well captured and the voice of Paul Auster came through bright and clear, as though he was talking to us and telling us the story directly. Some members of the club considered that ‘the story within a story’ was less convincing and found the multiple layers within the book disjointed and annoying. Overall, opinion was divided between those who saw the book as one of their personal ‘top five’ and those who wished that they had not read the book at all. So reader make up your own mind….

The Women by Boyle

Welcome to the troubled, tempestuous world of Frank Lloyd Wright. Scandalous affairs rage behind closed doors, broken hearts are tossed aside, fires rip through the wings of the house and paparazzi lie in wait outside the front door for the latest tragedy in this never-ending saga. This is the home of the great architect of the twentieth century, a man of extremes in both his work and his private life: at once a force of nature and an avalanche of need and emotion that sweeps aside everything in its path.

Sharp, savage and subtle in equal measure, “The Women” plumbs the chaos, horrors and uncontainable passions of a formidable American icon.

What the bookclub thought:

The group found the book unsatisfactory on several levels. The Japanese apprentice’s strange eyewitness account, the gimmicky use of footnotes and the reverse structure of the narrative. The grisly murders that climax the book were a shock for some. In the end, Frank Lloyd Wright remains an enigma. A couple of members noted that Boyle’s earlier book ‘The Inner Circle’ used a similar approach: a flawed intellectual giant seen through the eyes of an assistant. The book was redeemed by good writing and a story that was engaging at times. Several people enjoyed the passages on morphine addiction in which Wright’s third companion shoots herself up at every turn of fortune. The group was hard put to say who it would recommend the book to. Serious readers and writers perhaps.

Wise Children by Angela Carter

A richly comic tale of the tangled fortunes of two theatrical families, the Hazards and Chances, Angela Carter’s witty and bawdy new novel is populated with as many sets of twins, and mistaken identities as any Shakespeare comedy, and celebrates the magic of over a century of show business.

What the group thought:

The group loved this book, and almost all only had praise for the author. Some words that the group used were; “extraordinary writer”, “Brilliant”, “wonderfully naive” “funny” and many more words. Some scenes were considered completely exaggerated and therefore unbelievable but all was forgiven as the rest of the story was so spectacular. However it was noted that the reader would have to have an understanding of British culture with particular reference to London, Brixton to be able to understand the story. If you like the arts, theatre and culture you will without a doubt thoroughly enjoy this book. The discussion was wrapped up in 35minutes and a happy book group left the shop.

Descartes' Bones by Shorto

The book uses the intriguing story of the disappearance, reappearance and disputed authenticity of Descartes’ mortal remains as the backdrop to musings on Descartes’ metaphorical remains: the contested legacy of his thinking and the battle between faith and reason. Part history book, part detective story, Descartes’ Bones crosses genres in a very contemporary style.

What the group thought:

The group generally found Descartes’ Bones very readable and engaging. The book manages to convey complex ideas in a straightforward manner which does not put off the reader. Some members of the group did feel that Shorto occasionally lapsed into a pedagogical style which risked coming across as talking down to his readers. But mostly the group considered the book to be well-written, witty and entertaining. Several group members acknowledged that they would not normally have read this sort of book, but were glad that through the book group they did. Descartes’ Bones is for people with an enquiring mind, an interest in history and philosophy and an appetite for BBC documentaries. For people who prefer fiction, it represents an enjoyable break from the norm.

The Stone Gods by Winterson

The book is made up of 3 short stories, all with a common thread. The first short story is set in the future, and talks about a new “blue planet”, as society has destroyed the old planet. The 2nd story begins March 1777 and the protagonist, Billy, is a sailor on Captain Cook’s voyage to Easter Island. Shipwrecked and abandoned by his fellow seamen, he falls in love with an islander. The island is dying as the islanders have cut down all the trees. In the 3rd story the protagonist Billie has been adopted as a baby. Her birth heralds the start of a journey of separation from her mother.

What the group thought:

A nice discussion lasting about 1 1/2hours. Lots of opinions and debate but most of us were in agreement that the story was well researched and believable. The main thread of the story is destruction and our lack of ability to learn from past mistakes. As one of our members pointed out that this was a well researched scientific story. The three stories complemented each other well. However the main character Billie was a humorless hero, this is a character that none of us will probably remember. The content was identified as being somewhat “dated” – however, the group rated the book pretty well… Books that came to mind when reading this book were; “Oryx and Crake” by Atwood, “Cloud Atlas” by Mitchell, and “Galapagos” by Vonnegut. If you like to read books that question society and have a science fiction edge, then this might be a good read for you.

Testimony by Shreve

This is a story about five students who, after a night of drinking, are involved in a sex scandal that is filmed and posted on the internet. The backdrop is a private school in VermonAmerica. The film falls into the hands of the headmaster, and the consequences of the event have a far-reaching and devastating effect on the lives of the students and those around them.

We all agreed that this is a suitable Oprah book. Some of the characters were one-dimensional and idealized. The story has little ambiguity; the author told us what to think and how to feel. The sex scandal was meant to be shocking but none of us were shocked. The story was not badly written but not great either. We wrapped up the discussion in 30 minutes (a bad sign). The book was not a challenging read, and if you are looking for a good sex scandal then this is certainly not a book that we would recommend. However, if you are looking for a perfectly mindless holiday read then this might be a good book for you. t,

Family Matters by Mistry

Family Matters by This is an epic family drama set in Bombay (Mumbai), India in the 1990s. The grandfather is in mental decline as he suffers from Parkinson’s disease. One evening he goes for a walk only to be carried home with a broken ankle. As his increased dependence places additional pressures on his children the family’s fault lines begin to move.

What the group thought: The demands this book places on the reader, in terms of level of engagement and the emotional turbulence of the plot, is demonstrated by the physical turn out at the book club discussion. Those that had completed reading it made for an energetic discussion and scored the book 4 out of 5 – not bad! But the turnout was low with those could not get into it, or didn’t enjoy it, simply didn’t make it on the night. The book club has been divided before but never quite in this way. Those who did read Family Matters saw it as an epic drama of immense sweep and proportion, written in a calm matter-of-fact way depicting very real pressures on a family in difficulties and with, in turn, very human reactions to this situation. Criticisms were around its occasional slow-pace and long windedness which do at times require the reader to trust that the narrator is indeed leading the story somewhere. If you are looking for a rich, multi-layered story and can dedicate time and patience to this tale then you will be rewarded.

The Savage Garden by Mills

What the group thought:

The discussion was over in half an hour i.e. we didn’t have much to talk about. The book is a good page turner, suitable for a summer read and without a doubt a crowd pleaser. The story was well rounded, pleasant and all the answers came in the last three pages of the book. If you are looking for an Italian murder mystery then this might be a suitable book for you.

The Philosopher And The Wolf by Rowlands

‘Philosophy-Light with National Geographic moments’ can be dished up as a fitting description of Mark Rowlands’ memoir of his late pet-wolf Brenin, confirming the old wives’ wisdom that ‘One should not judge a book by the entrancing reviews on its cover’. Quite disappointing in its philosophical content (Rowlands is superficial, repetitive and lectures more like a secondary school teacher than a college professor) and deeply unsatisfactory when it comes to providing the reader with a lively portrait of its protagonist, the wolf Brenin, the book however serves as an entertaining summer holiday read. If one can stomach the philosopher’s deadly sin of coming up with the answers that suit him and his utilizing the wolf either as ‘babe magnet’ or ‘scare people’, the book surely gives interesting insights into the scheming nature of the simian species, the origin of morals and the misanthropic reminisces of a receding alcoholic.

The Book Club rated the book anywhere between ‘meandering, sentimental and indulgent’, concluding nonetheless that it does have ‘its moments’ and moreover contains ‘everything you always wanted to know about the sex live of wolves but were afraid to ask’.

Netherland by O'Neill

Netherland chronicles a strange period in the life of a rather ordinary Dutch man struggling with his personal life in post September 11 New York. The period is shaped not only by his separation from his wife, but also by his growing friendship with the charismatic Trinidadian, Chuck Ramkisson. Chuck and Hans both share a love of cricket, but slowly their relationship moves off the cricket field and into the seedier sides of New York. Years later, after Chuck’s body is mysteriously found in the Hudson River, Hans reflects back on his enigmatic relationship with Chuck.

What the group thought:

Almost all the group thoroughly enjoyed Netherland and rated it very highly for its beautifully crafted prose and dreamy style. However, there were a couple of people who found the book rather weak (“pretentiously written,” “boring and meandering”). Those members who liked the book found the language very evocative, and agreed that O’Neill captured the feel of both The Netherlands and New York very well. Indeed, some felt that the book could almost be described as a travel book, it was so deeply descriptive. The group felt also that the book was perhaps more an exploration of culture than characters, especially given it’s very limited plot. The main character’s narrative was rather hazy, as were descriptions of his wife and family, and indeed, Chuck Ramkissoon. Some of the group felt that O’Neill had failed to adequately sketch all his characters, others that this enigmatic Gatsbyesque quality mirrored the foggy, difficult nature of the main themes of this book: confusion of identity, lack of direction, loss of both personal relationships and self? If nothing else then, this book generated a thought-provoking discussion, which in book group terms is always a good thing. Even taking into consideration a couple of low “1” votes, the overall score from the group was 3.5 out of 5, one of our highest scores ever!

Blindness by Saramago

Originally published in 1995 in Portugese, this is a book about the degeneration of society given deprived conditions, physical and mental restrictions. Disaster strikes at this unnamed city whereby its in habitants go blind randomly. The authorities try to contain the widespread epidemic by herding the blind into a disused asylum centre and the reader witnesses the events through the eyes of the only character that can still see. The reader witnesses the inhabitants of the asylum centre experience degrees of social degeneration i.e. stealing, extortion, violence, rape and murder. The novel has many layers varying from the underlying beast in the human nature to the enslavement of self to an order regardless of whether it is tyranny or democracy. It is about losing control and losing dignity when confronted with the unspeakable. The novel is written in a “stream of consciousness” technique and contains many long, breathless sentences in which commas take the place of periods which makes the dialogues harder to follow. The narrator is completely omniscient and frequently reveals the inner thoughts and feelings of characters as well as providing frequent and heavy foreshadowing of significant developments. Since no names are given and no geographical references are made, the story becomes universal and timeless. It is a dystopian novel with predecessors such as We by Yevgeny Zamyatin, The Lord of the Flies by William Golding and Galapagos by Kurt Vonnegut.

What the group thought:

Most people started the discussion by having read and enjoyed the book. As the conversation progressed the opinion of some within the group wavered towards the negative. They gave their reasons in the sense that the story line was unbelievable, unrealistic and flat. However the imagery was very powerful and the story line worked. In conclusion the book club was divided because some thought the book to be a masterpiece and some thought it to be less of an achievement. Nevertheless the book remains a widely acclaimed literary accomplishment albeit a painful read.

The Master And Margarita by Bulgakov

Satan and his cohort of peculiar characters arrive in Stalin’s Moscow and run amok. Meanwhile, Margarita, who has been searching for her long-lost lover, falls into Satan’s good graces by selling her soul in exchange for having her lover back. The Master and Margarita is a multi-level novel, with three stories converging into one – Satan’s tear through Moscow, Margarita’s lost love, and a new take on the biblical account of Pontius Pilate. The novel boldly ventures into the absurd, with black séances, talking cats, and witches flying on broomsticks. But underneath this bizarre and complex veneer, it is an austere commentary on all the hot buttons – politics, God and love. So much so that Bulgakov’s work was banned in Moscow until 1973. Despite its dark nature, the book was comical and entertaining, and made Satan seem like quite a personable guy!

What the group thought:

The group really enjoyed this enigmatic book. We had many unanswered questions (maybe that is the idea?) and a lively and lengthy discussion. The book was a clear satire that truly captured the irony of the former Soviet Union in the 1920s, but is still relevant today. A strong Faust theme of mankind’s urge to understand the world and to know the unknowable is apparent. In all, it was a hilarious, weird and thought-provoking read, but the lack of a clear conclusion was somewhat confusing. It also should be noted the importance of reading a proper translation, as there are some Russian nuances that can be missed in some translations (i.e. the meaning of characters’ names).

The group rated this book a 4.5 out of 5, probably one of our highest scores!

Silk by Baricco

Silk by Alessandro Baricco

Artfully written, it’s the story of a man who leaves his wife in France to travel to Japan to buy silk worm eggs, and there falls in love (or becomes obsessed) with an unobtainable woman. It is elegantly told in 130 pages and 61 chapters leaving, if you choose to do so, plenty of reading to be done between its lines.

What the group thought I can safely say the group was divided on this book. For everyone who thought it a too-thin novel there was another who thought it the near perfect short story. A few saw a simple and superficial yarn, others a dark, deep, subtle, symbolic history. Perhaps like a silk kimono it just isn’t substantial enough for some, but the group did agree that there is much to admire in its elegance and craft.

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Hosseini

This is a story of two very different Afghanistani women whose lives become tragically interwined

Mariam grows up in Herat, the illegitimate daughter of a local businessman, who ultimately promises her in marriage to an older man. Powerless from an early age Mariam accepts her traditional role in Afghan society. In contrast, Laila grows up well-educated, confident and optimistic for her future in Kabul. Fate and war bring the two very women together in an unexpected and terrible way. Tracing the parallel lines of Mariam and Laila’s story, A Thousand Splendid Suns, offers a deeply personal glimpse into the changing circumstances of women’s lives in Afghanistan over the past 40 years.

What the bookclub thought: The group had a “nice” discussion which lasted almost 2 hours. We all agreed that the book is without question a good read, albeit with the slight feel of a Hollywood screenplay. The group also found the book to be informative and insightful– everyone felt they learned something about Afghanistan by reading it. In terms of its literary merits, the majority felt that the book was satisfyingly well executed. The narrative was clear and left few loose threads. The characters were well-described and believable. The author brought domestic relations in Kabul to life. That said, a number of us also felt that the book lacked the depth of truly great literature, and all agreed that not every character was fully explored. The average score was 3 out of 5… indicating a good read rather than a must read.

The Ministry Of Pain by Ugresic

This is a story set in Amsterdam and about a young women Tania Lucic who fled the violent break-up of her homeland, Yugoslavia. On reaching Amsterdam, Tania begins lecturing on the literature of the former-Yugoslavia at the University of Amsterdam. Tania befriends her students and initially her classes take the form of a collective reminiscence and coming-to-terms with their state of exile. After an anonymous student complains to her superior that her teaching style was inadequate, confrontation unfolds as all those involved struggle to come to terms with the painful effects of having had to flee their home. What the group thought: Either you liked this book or you didn’t. Some of the members felt that the story line was unclear, lacked meaning and “didn’t really lead anywhere”. Other members felt that the story was a well written and a delightful read. The author captured the “true to life scenes” extremely well. Tania, the lead character, was very believable and you could feel her pain as she struggled to adapt to life in Amsterdam. One of our members pointed out page 32 – the description “prematurely old and eternally young” really does sumarise how what it’s like to be a stranger in a strange land.

The White Tiger by Adiga

White Tiger by Aravind Adiga is the compelling story of Balram Halwai, an honest and hardworking boy born into a low caste, trying to break free of societal chains and expectations. Balram manages to escape his village and move to Delhi after being hired as a driver for a rich landlord. Telling his story in retrospect, the novel is a message from Balram to the premier of China, who is expected to visit India and whom Balram believes could learn a lesson or two about India’s “true” entrepreneurial underbelly. Balram is clever, which gains him the nickname White Tiger in his home town, but because of his family name and lack of education, he can expect nothing greater than being a virtual. Adiga’s existential and crude prose animates the battle between India’s wealthy and poor as Balram suffers degrading treatment at the hands of his employers. His personal fortunes and luck improve dramatically after he kills his boss and decamps for Bangalore.

What the bookclub thought:

The discussion was sharp and limited and most agreed that it was indeed a clever, grand and well written book. Some felt that the author went too far in criticising his own culture almost to the point that he was trashing his people. However, some credited the author for such a convincing account of a poor village boy who is filled with animosity at his situation when experiencing the grand wealth that is possible in his country by seeing how his masters live. The author is also very cynical and creates conflicting messages throughout the book – scorning his masters’ disregard for life while eventually turning into a murderer himself. The book is light in style but heavy in content i.e. if India is making so much money what is happening to the poor?

Scoop by Evelyn Waugh

This book is about a Journalist William Boot, a young naïve man who lives in genteel poverty far from the iniquities of London, and who writes a nature column for a national newspaper. Mistaken for a famous novelist who shares his surname, he is pulled into becoming a foreign correspondent and sent to the fictional African state of Ishmaelia where a civil war threatens to break out. There, despite his total ineptitude, he accidentally manages to get the ‘scoop’. The novel is partly based on Waugh’s own experience working for the Daily Mail, when he was sent to cover Mussolini’s expected invasion of Abyssinia, what was later known as the Second Italo-Abyssinian War.

Although the summary might not sound like it but this book is funny. Sometimes laugh-out-loud funny but mainly it is a parody about politics, society and sensational journalism. The book is clearly set in the time it was written (1938) but only exchange the words ‘newspaper’ with ‘TV’ and ‘Africa’ with ‘Near East’ and the story could be today. And still would be funny. The book was easy to read, enjoyable and we just liked it. Scoop was included in The Observer list of the 100 greatest novels of all time, and ranked 75th in the Modern Library list of best 20th-century novels.

Falling Man by Delillo

“Falling Man” begins in the smoke and ash of the burning twin towers, and traces the aftermath of this global tremor in the intimate lives of a fractured family. There is September 11 and then there are the days after, and finally the years. First there is Keith, walking out of the rubble into a life that he’d always imagined belonged to everyone but him. Then there is Lianne, his estranged wife, memory-haunted, trying to reconcile two versions of the same shadowy man. And their small son Justin, standing at the window, scanning the sky for more planes. These are lives choreographed by loss, grief and the enormous force of history.

What the group thought:

This was an interesting but difficult and abstract book. The readers thought the book’s fragmented (rather than chronological) structure made it a complex book. It was also full of symbolism, which added to the complexity of the story. The characters were mostly unlikeable and displayed a great deal of violence. Nevertheless, the group felt that, especially at the beginning and end of the book, the imagery and description of the events of 9/11 were excellent. Despite the content, the style of the book made the book “easy to read” i.e. the book flowed well. In sum, this is a powerful and “high-brow” novel and suitable for those who enjoy a literary challenge.

The Ministry Of Special Cases by Englander

The novel is set in Buenos Aires in 1976, the first year of Argentina’s “Dirty War,” which began after a military coup. Kaddish Oznan and his wife, Lillian, view the militarization of their city with increasing unease. Their 19-year-old son, Pato, is a college student who expresses his resentment of the political crackdown by refusing to carry his identity card.

At night Kaddish continues to deface gravestones. One of Kaddish’s clients, a prominent but cash-strapped plastic surgeon, persuades him to accept two free nose jobs in exchange for such an assignment, with transforming consequences for Kaddish and a disastrous one for Lillian.

Both Lillian and Kaddish fear for Pato’s safety. Lillian spends a fortune on the installation of a steel door in their apartment, while Kaddish takes it upon himself to burn what he considers to be some of Pato’s more questionable books. In the end, neither measure succeeds, as the secret police raid the Poznans’ apartment and haul Pato away, converting him into one of the thousands of “disappeared”.

When Pato is seized, Lillian becomes obsessed with finding him. In the process Lilian moves between the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Special Cases two agency’s that appear to have a function but in reality do very little. The story continues as Lillian fights for the return of her son.

What the group thought:

This is probably the first time that the entire book club agreed that this book was excellent. The main characters were believable; well rounded and developed. The book is emotionally powerful, tragic and hilarious. The research was excellent and the level of detail in the book incredible. The dialogue was clear and natural with no cliques and only witty remarks. The only negative comment was that one of the members felt that the ending was unbelievable. However given probability I would probably conclude that the ending was accurate. The main theme of the book highlights a father son relationship.

The bookclub rated this book 4.7 / 5

The Bastard Of Istanbul by Shafak

A family drama that spans Arizona US and Istanbul, Turkey, The Bastard of Istanbul is the story of two intertwined families and at least one dark family secret. Asya, the 19 year old “bastard” of the story, leads a colourful life in Istanbul with her eccentric mother and her even more eccentric sisters. Armanoush, the cousin she has never met, lives more quietly in the US, caught between the conflicting demands of her own crazy mixed-up family – including an American mother, a Turkish step-father and a tight network of American-Armenian relatives on her father’s side. When Asya and Armanoush finally do meet up, the dark secrets that both bind and separate the girls finally come to light – exposing old family wounds and deep historic conflicts.

What the group thought:

This is a beautiful contemporary book, and a surprisingly easy read given that the author covers some difficult topics. The book was funny and mostly believable – even though some members thought that the ending of the book was a little unbelievable, and left too many loose ends and unanswered question. The style was excellent and poetic in parts, even though some felt the book was too long-winded and detailed. Indeed Shafak’s observations were many and acute. The female characters were particularly well developed: the author made it clear that she liked to write about women and not men. The group wonders if the intention of the book was to ultimately make it into a film – a sort of Turkish “Four Wedding and a Funeral”.

The group generally really enjoyed this book and gave it an average score of 3 ½ of 5. Buzz words (a single word given by each member used to describe the book

“Over done”, “Eye Opener”, “Happy Read” “Mish Mash” “Charming” “Colourful”.

The Story Of An African Farm by Schreiner

Written in the 1890’s, this is the story of an unusual group of individuals living on a Boer farm in the Karoo, South Africa. In the first half of the book Schreiner explores the actions and motivations of Tante Sanne, the “good boer woman”, spoiled, lusty and sometimes brutal, Lyndall, her beautiful and ambitious orphaned niece, Bonaparte the conman, and Waldo, the dreamy son of the German overseer. The first half of the book explores the limited social, intellectual and emotional milieu of 19th century South Africa.

The second half of the book follows the story of Lyndall, who leaves the isolated farm for boarding school in her early teens, seeking a more fulfilling intellectual and emotional life, only to return, disappointed and dying, four years later. Through the story of Lyndall, Schreiner explores a number of socio-political themes that were both controversial and confronting at the time: female sexuality, the growing demand for women’s emancipation, and the concept of the “sensitive new man.”

Here’s what the group thought:

The bookclub found this book a challenging and difficult read, but one that was worth the effort.

The book was challenging on a number of dimensions. First, written largely as a polemical tract espousing new feminist theory, the book is not an easy read – more sermon than story. Secondly, the narrative itself was disjointed, with two very separate story lines. In general, the group preferred the second story-line, that of Lyndall, to the earlier story of life on the farm.

In spite of the fact that many of the group did not “enjoy” reading this book (although some did), everyone agreed that there was much to learn from its pages, and that it represented a critical moment in the history of 19th century literature and feminist thought. Thus, although the group would probably only recommend this book to serious readers, they would indeed recommend it. The book was rated 3.5 out of 5, with the caveat that we all felt ill-equipped to judge a book that although now dated, at the time was considered a remarkable achievement for its daring treatment of controversial new political subjects. All in all then, the group considered Life on an African Farm to be an important book, and one worth taking the time to read.

Villages by Updike

John Updike has since the 1950s been the chronicler of the American mind. His twenty-one novels, poems, short stories, and essays have examined the American Dream and its vagaries, the inner and outer lives of the men and women living through the 20th century, the dichotomy between classes, ethics, sexual maturation, big business, politics as seen from both sides of the fence – name it and updike has explored it.

The Secret River by Kate Grenville

This is an easy historical fiction book to read. The first few chapters Kate Grenville captures Victorian London extremely well leaving us with a distinct impression of what it was like living in the Charles Dickens days. The story progresses to Australia and again the vivid imagery was well done. The characters were believable and story line interesting. Again this is a good read for the holiday season, but not much of a challenging read.

As I Lay Dying by Faulkner

This masterpiece of black humor is narrated by 15 different characters and spans 59 chapters. “As I Lay Dying” explores the death, and subsequent chaotic funeral arrangements, of Addie Bundren, Mississippi sharecropper wife and mother. It is Addie Bundren’s last wish to be buried among “her people” in Jefferson, Mississippi. This is no small request in 1920s Mississippi, and the Bundren family struggle to cart their mother’s coffin down from the hills, over broken bridges, and through flooded rivers. As he narrates their terrible and darkly hilarious journey, Falkner explores both the emotional and social contours of an almost foreign world of southern hillbilly culture. The story is rendered in the unique vernacular of the 1920s Deep South – making this book a challenging and provoking read.

Heres what the group thought:

This was a great book club choice, one that inspired discussion, debate and laughter. The group all found the book to be a challenging, worthwhile read. The plot-structure successfully connected all the different voices and the ending was strikingly apt and satisfying (a rare thing indeed). The reading experience was intense, given our limited understanding of southern 1920s vernacular, but nevertheless unique and rewarding. Although Faulker offers a less than sympathetic portrait of the American south, he does so with a sense of humor that will make you simultaneously laugh and cry. Apparently the book was inspired by Homers “Odessey.” Think Grecian tragic-comedy set in the 1920s Deep South. Yes… mind-boggling.

Buzz words (single word to describe the book).

Challenging, Universal / Bitter / Obnoxious / Jewel / Crafted

The book group was reminded of the following books:

The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood

The group felt that Atwood wrote this story with wit. There are a couple of hilarious moments in the story where we all laughted out loud. However most of us felt that hte storyline was insubstantial and certainly not worht re-reading. The group did feel that the author displayed her remarkable talent by the way she transmutes Homer’s Odyssey into a playful and honest character.

Atomised by Michel Houellebecq

Half-brothers Michel and Bruno have a mother in common but little else. Michel is a molecular biologist, a thinker and idealist, a man with no erotic life to speak of and little in the way of human society. Bruno, by contrast, is a libertine, though more in theory than in practice, his endless lust is all too rarely reciprocated.

Both brothers are symptomatic members of our atomised society, where religion has given way to shallow ‘new age’ philosophies and love to meaningless sexual connections. Houellebecq asks important questions throughout the book but the real subject of the novel is in its dismantling of our contemporary society and its assumptions. Here’s what the group thought: The bookclub really liked the book, and we had a very good discussion. It was a truly thought-provoking book. Most members voted with a 4 or 4 ½! The characters were well developed and the story believable. The desperation and emptiness of the brothers was cleverly highlighted. As Michel and Bruno, our whole atomized society becomes more and more focused on the pursuit of our own individual happiness. This leads to the loss of connection with others and a new search for the meaning of our life. The lack of emotion in the story was clear. The central theme was identified i.e. are we making choices only to suit ourselves and in the process destroying ourselves? Are we dismantling society? This is a book which will leave you thinking. On a more serious note: as one of the group members pointed out, this is a book that you shouldn’t read if you are feeling depressed. Houellebecq cleverly starts and ends the book of with a science fiction theme. With his solution to the decline of society he asks you to re-examine your beliefs.

Bad Dirt by Proulx

The bookclub really enjoyed these short stories. We all remarked on how well the author managed to capture the atmosphere of each short story i.e. we could all visualize the scenes within each story and you almost felt as though you were part of the story. The stories were easy to read.

The Gathering by Enright

The Gathering weaves through the grieving reflections of Veronica Hegarty, a mother of two in her late thirties whose alcoholic brother, Liam, recently drowned himself off the beach at Brighton. Although the drink certainly contributed towards Liam’s death, Veronica fears that Liam was haunted by something that happened to him as a boy in his grandmother’s house, in the winter of 1968. As she prepares for her brother’s funeral, and the gathering of the large Hegarty clan for that event, Veronica struggles both to recall past events and to make sense of her relationships with her brother, her parents, her surviving siblings, her own children and her husband.

The “Gathering” is a family drama which traces a line of hurt and redemption through three generations; grandmother, mother and daughter. This book shows how memories warp and family secrets fester. This is a novel about love, disappointment, lust and intense grief..

Here’s what the group had to say:

The group thought that this book was a classic Irish story and the author captured the Irish atmosphere really well. The beginning of the book was truly captivating and the author wrote beautiful and poetic sentences. However the group felt that this book would have made an excellent short story.

The group really struggled with the perceived “selfishness” of Veronique. The blurriness of the narrator, Veronique, telling us a story, that remains unclear. Veronique is grief struck or perhaps feeling guilty? As Veronique knew what happened at Grandmother Ada’s house. Veronique and Liam were great friends and the only character that could identify with him. Veronique was one of the only characters that the group thought was well developed as the rest of the family remained somewhat of an enigma. Grandmother Ada was identified by the group as the most interesting and most mysterious character. The brother was identified by the group as the only “nice guy” and felt that he would have been an interesting character to have met in the book.

We had so many lose ends in the book which led to unanswered questions. The one question that we all had for Anna Enright is, was this autobiographical book? The voice of the author is clearly coming through the main character.

Middlesex by Eugenides

“Middlesex” tells the captivating story of one girl’s awkward and unusual coming of age and realizing that she is not like other girls. Summoning a colorful cast of characters, Calliope Stephanides narrates her story, beginning when her grandparents craft a sly escape from war-torn Smyrna in 1922 to the family’s subsequent exploits in the city of Detroit to their eventual residence in suburban Michigan. After a complete family history, Callie begins her story, of growing up a girl only to find at fourteen that she actually has male genitals. Where Callie’s story ends, Cal’s story begins. Cal/Callie walks us through those difficult times of retrospection, of finding out who he really was all along and trying to determine who he will be from now on, of turning from Callie to Cal, the man he has now become.

Here’s what the group had to say:

Overall, the group really enjoyed this book. The characters were well developed and likeable, and retained their unique personalities throughout the book’s complex sequence of events. The story was heart-warming and convincing, and there are several “laugh out loud” parts. We all thought that the Stephanides home would be an interesting one to visit.

The group liked the history in the book, and many of those who were unfamiliar with American events in the past century got a bit of a history lesson while reading. The story was a typical immigrant story, and its undertones were very American. The images that Eugenides evoked of Greece and Detroit were superb.

The group didn’t really feel that the book was trying to push the issue of intersexuality to the forefront by shocking the audience. It did a good job of telling a love story, only with a twist.

Some felt that the book was too long at nearly 600 pages, and often seemed as if it should have been two books. The combination of the stories of Callie’s ancestors and her own story seemed disjointed and sometimes forced.

Buzz words (one word that the group identifies that summarizes the book, from their perspective).

“A nice story”, “a great read”, “hilarious”, “gargantuan”, “puzzling”, “intricate”, “modern mythology”, “American”, “grandiose”

Shalimar the Clown by Salman Rushdie

Summary:

The novel begins with an assassination, and then circles back through time before ending near its beginning. The book is divided into five movements, each named after one of the main characters. The story begins in Los Angeles in 1991, where we meet the glamorous and brilliant student India Ophuls and her father, Max Ophuls a man of movie-star good looks’. Max Ophuls was the World War II Resistance hero, the philosopher prince, the billionaire power-broker’, escaped from Occupied France and then served for years as the US ‘counterterrorism chief’. Along the way, Ophuls found time to go to India as the US ambassador, and conceived his daughter there. He told her nothing about her mother. Maximilian Ophuls is knifed to death, slaughtered by his Kashmiri driver, a mysterious figure who calls himself Shalimar, the Clown.

The murder looks at first like a political assassination but turns out to be passionately personal. This is the story of Max, his killer, and his daughter – and of a fourth character, the woman who links them all. The story of a deep love gone fatally wrong, destroyed by a shallow affair, it is an epic narrative that moves from California to France, England, and above all, Kashmir: a ruined paradise, not so much lost as smashed.

Here’s what the group had to say:

The bookclub really enjoyed this vivid and elaborate book.

They felt that Salman Rushdie wove the various strands of the book together very well and that no loose ends were left hanging. The sentences were beautifully constructed and had a poetic and melodic lilt to the words. The story had tremendous depth, was highly believable and greatly symbolic. The book is interwoven with continual reference to personal and national mythologies which sometimes overlap and often blur. For example, could each of the main the characters represent different cultures? It was suggested that the character of Max might represent American foreign policy, for example, and some even compared his assassination to 11th September.

There are further parallels in the novel which cross time and geographies. The idyllic cities of Kashmir and Strausburg being destroyed. Shalimar the clown’s real name is Noman, or is it Noman (?) and Max Ophuls life ends and India Ophuls life begins. Rushdie cleverly creates circles within circles throughout the book and the sliding scale from happy people and idyllic country to destroyed villages and people, is expertly done. The group also felt that the main characters were well developed

However on the negative side, there were a few issues which the group identified; that certain details within the book were not plausible i.e. the witness for Shalimar the clown and the part in the book when he escapes jail and is seen flying through the air! Rushdie is clearly very sarcastic sometimes, especially women coming from the Eastern Block.

The main theme of the book was identified as survival it is clear throughout the book how each of the 5 main characters managed to survive their own personal living hell. This is not a positive book on human beings rather a reflection on the darker side of their relationships that they hold with each other, the dark underbelly of the “paradise” that they live in and indeed love.

We all laughed at the 35 course meal and how food was also a very important theme throughout the book, brilliant !

Buzz words (one word that the group identifies that summarizes the book, from their perspective).

“loops”, “scared”, “story telling”, “human nature”, “faded destiny”, “tragedy”, “introduction”

Jack Maggs by Peter Carey

Summary:

A bizarre novel that reinterprets Charles Dicken’s Great Expectations, Jack Maggs is set in London in 1837. The anti-hero of the novel, Jack Maggs, is a foundling who has been trained as a small child to rob wealthy houses. As a teenager Maggs is caught, sentenced to transportation and imprisonment in Australia, and forbidden to return to England on pain of execution. On his way to Australia the vulnerable young man is surprised when a 4-year-old orphan shows him kindness by feeding him from his own meager food supply. The boy’s generosity is never forgotten; from Australia, Jack manages to locate him in an English orphanage, arranges for his education and support, and comes to think of the lad as his son. After many years, he decides to return to London in secret and at great risk to search for the boy, now a young man living the life of a gentleman. Back home Maggs encounters Tobias Oates, a famous writer fascinated with the criminal mind, amateur hypnotist who wants to probe his subconscious and fellow burglar – in this case of people’s minds. In return, Tobias promises to help him find his “son.” Needless to say, not all goes to plan. This story has as many twists and turns as the streets of London, but in the end justice is served.

What the group thought:

The majority of the group enjoyed the book, and found it to be very readable, however some readers also felt that there were many characters involved and that the plot was complicated. The group gave the book an average score of 3/12 out of 5.

Here’s what the group had to say:

The group thought that the book had a very Dickens-esque – that is to say, English – atmosphere but in fact our Australian member pointed out that Peter Careys intention was to recreate the story from a particularly Australian perspective (that of the convict) and reverse the traditions of colonial fiction that cast the Australian convict as a rough-hewn, desperate, and ultimately doomed creature.

Peter Carey very cleverly wove human issues into his portraits of the main characters. Humiliation was a strong thread throughout the book, as Percy Buckle, Mercy and Tobias Oates, desperately struggled to save face and keep up appearances of success in the face of both bitter humiliation and circumstances that were not quite what the world perceived them to be. The struggle for survival that each character experienced was also a strong theme of the book. The story was visual and evocative: as one member pointed out, he felt like he was “walking with Jack Maggs”. London was well described with its smog, neglect and impoverished working class population. The class structure and social divide was apparent, throughout the book. Humor was also much evident and indeed some of the scenes were hilarious.

The group also felt that the ending was disappointing and weak. Some of the members felt that the book was predictable and some incidents unbelievable. Is Peter Carey playing with us? Having a laugh? Some clichés were identified as were a number of rather far-fetched coincidences that occurred throughout the book. The question is, do they add up to literary weakness, or an ironic nod to the master, Dickens.

Buzz words (one word that the group identifies that summarizes the book, from their perspective).

“challenging”, “hypocritical”, “complicated”, ”humiliation”, “Australian”, “clever”, “anti hero”, “survival”.

Snow by Orhan Pamuk

Summary:

After twelve years of political exile in Germany, the poet Ka returns to Turkey with a journalistic commission to report on strange events in the small city of Kars near the Russian border. On the eve of municipal elections a worrying number of “headscarf” girls have been committing suicide. During the course of his investigation into both the deaths and the elections Ka becomes increasingly aware of the dangerous undercurrents that lie beneath the surface of this otherwise nondescript and poor Turkish town: tensions are running high between the political Islamists and the ‘enlightened, pro-Western’ Turkish military. The novel details Ka’s developing tragic-comic relationship with various members of both these groups. Much of the novel takes place over a three-day period following a set-piece military coup. Pamuk’s novel explores such themes as politics, love, ethics, religion and poetry, as it gradually exposes some bitter emotional truths concerning the poet and the snow covered old-world city of Kars.

What the group thought:

I think that this book has been our most controversial book. When I asked each person to vote, some voted 1 out of 5, and others 5 out of 5. So the general figure doesn’t truly reflect the opinions of some. I have to say that we discussed the book for almost 2 hours; in conclusion this is a good book club book.

Here’s what the group has to say:

The writing style was identified as Latin American magical realism, and the words used to construct the story were simple. Humor and absurdity were also identified by the group. We were very much impressed by his talent; he is a great novelist and his arrogance was evident in his writing.

In general the characters were not liked by the group, and he tends to go into much depth about the female characters. The protagonist was identified as being weak, jealous and tries to be noble but somehow he never succeeds.

However the group also felt that Pamuk really does deal with some interesting topics e.g. East meets West, political problems within Turkey and Pamuk view on violence.

Did he write this book with a Western audience in mind? Who was he inspired by? Was this Rushdie? or is this another trendy Martin Amis, who deals with dark issues so well ? Is he being ironic? Is this autobiographical?

One of our book group member identified that Pamuk uses symbolism throughout the book, I agreed with her and thought it was cleverly identified.

Conclusion:

All taken into account the group enjoyed the book, and rated it 3 ½ out of 5!

The Sandcastle by Murdoch

Summary:

Mor is an ageing school teacher, and married to a strong and powerful wife. Mor’s is determined despite his wife’s resistance to enter the world of politics as a local MP. The headmaster of the school is retiring and a portrait has been commissioned, Rain Carter, daughter of a famous painter, arrives to paint the portrait. A relationship develops between Rain Carter and Mor. Mor’s obsession, with the young women, leads Mor’s teenage children and their mother to fight discreetly and ruthlessly against the invader. The Headmaster, himself enchanted, advises Mor to seize the girl and run. The final decision rests with Rain.

What the group thought:

The group identified 3 layers within the story; a simple love story progressing to a magical novel and then perhaps a psychological novel. Iris Murdoch constructed this novel well, everything was well planned, the main characters were well developed and the dialogue was realistic. Parts of the book were hilarious as she cleverly wove humor into the story.

The group also felt that Iris Murdoch managed very well, to weave a small amount of Magic into the story with the appearance of the Gypsy, the daughter Felicity’s interest in Magic, and the symbolic tower that Donald tried to climb. This contributed to tension within the book.

The title of the book was of interest to the group i.e. sandcastles break down, and are an illusion, does Iris Murdock associate the title with the main characters? Also the ending was a little bit of a “sandcastle” i.e. Donald running away from home and his mother being suitably fit to give a famous speech whilst their son was missing – is this plausible ? Donald’s safe arrival back home, his sister says “everything will be ok” – is this denial?

Is this story based on a Greek Tragedy? The construction was visible; wife crying, impact on children, outsider leaves and family comes back together again – is this possible?

Conclusion:

All taken into account the group enjoyed the book, and rated it … 3 ½ out of 5!

Miss Webster and Cherif by Patricia Duncker

Summary:

Elizabeth Webster is a spinster pushing seventy. Forced out of her teaching job, she unleashes her sharp tongue and dogmatic opinions on everyone in the English village of Little Blessington. Miss Webster is very independent, having always lived alone. Suddenly she suffers a near fatal illness, after which her doctor sends her on a journey to North Africa where she ventures into the desert and experiences a brush with terrorism – not that Miss Webster has ever cared about politics. Soon after her return, she gets a ring on her doorbell and finds standing before her a young beautiful Arab man carrying a large suitcase. Cerif is the son of a woman, Saida, whom Miss Webster befriended on her holiday. Cerif is apparently about to begin university in a nearby town. Before she knows it Miss Webster finds herself with an unexpected lodger. Miss Webster and Cerif couldn’t be more different: a gentle, shy, well-mannered young man, a bit bewildered by the strange new world he finds himself in, and the sharp yet vulnerable spinster.

What the group thought:

The main characters were well developed; Miss Webster taking on the sardonic Miss Marple figure, and Cherif, the gentle, sweet exotic Arab. However as the story progressed the group felt that the events leading up to the ending were somewhat unbelievable. Some members of the group also felt that the author was playing with us and our prejudices, as the events during the book led us to feel suspicious about Cherif’s intentions. However Miss Webster’s trust in Cherif never faltered, and the group felt that this was an admiral strength, given the circumstances. Patricia Duncker captured the very different atmospheres and world-views of Little Blessington and North Africa brilliantly.

The ending was felt by the group to be rather disappointing and unconvincing, leaving too many threads.

Buzz Words:

“Romantic”, “Dissatisfied”, “Amazing and likeable”, “Parallels”, “Fun characters”, “Not very realistic”, “Sardonic Miss Marple”.

Rating:

3 ½ out of 5.

Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson

Housekeeping is the story of Ruth and Lucille, orphan sisters growing up in the small desolate town of Fingerbone in the vast northwest of America. The book relates the experience of being by a series of strange characters: first a dysfunctional mother, then a competent but unemotional grandmother, then two comically fumbling great-aunts, and finally by Sylvie, a transient and eccentric aunt.

What the bookclub thought:

The plot was described as a “rolling echo” – with a cycle of familial dysfunction repeating over and over, right down to the final and very different life-choices made by Ruth and Lucille. The protagonist, Ruth struggles to develop emotionally and socially and, as the book develops, begins to mirror her aunt’s eccentric behaviour. Her sister Lucille, on the other hand, clearly craves family stability. The growing divide between the girls raises questions about the meaning of normalcy and family life in post-WWII America. The way in which the author captured both the cold wintery scenery and the small town mentality of this time and place was admired by all, although some found the book too dreary and meandering for their tastes.

Buzz Words: A Single word, used to describe the book.

“Drifting”, “vague”, “Depression”, “Superb”, “Poetic”, “Isolation”, “Coldness” “Solitude”, “Drifting”, “growing-up”

Rating – 31/2 out of 5

Cloudstreet by Winton

This work by a contemporary Australian writer was enjoyed by all. The story takes place in a small town outside of Perth and involves two families who share a house but have totally separate lives. The Pickles and the Lambs come at life from very different directions, with the one being a hardworking family with strong ideals, and the other living on luck and circumstance. The lives and times of this story go along with the history and scenery of this part of Australia.

What the bookclub thought:

Book club readers said this was a great story with characters that surprised you. Many liked the writing style and others found that it took a while to get used to that. Also mentioned was that it was good to have an Australian present to explain some of the expressions. Overall, a great read!

Indecision by Benjamin Kunkel

Dwight Wilmerding is in his late twenties and he can’t make up his mind about anything. He has a job that he doesn’t like, a girlfriend he isn’t in love with and still lives in student accommodation. A friend offers him a drug designed to cure indecision Dwight accepts the drug. Dwight then decides to visit an old class friend in Ecuador. The moment he arrives the class friend disappears and he is left with her friend Brigit. A romance develops as Dwight suddenly seems struck by a new decisiveness.

What the group thought.

“The only thing that I liked about the book was the cover”, “Post ironic”, “Repitious”, “MTV Philosophy”, “This is not chic lit, it’s dick lit !”.

The book started off with a promising beginning; Dwight’s paralysing indecision and aimless life are well described. However half way through, the book seems to lose direction.

The group felt that the main character was self-centered, detached, and disengaged. One of our bookclub members felt that the author was at pains to point out that “at least he, Dwight, was genetically smart”. The plot didn’t develop at all, and was really about very little if anything. Another bookclub member pointed out that the book is similar to “Bridget Jones diary”. The witty dialogue and style appealed to some but the majority of the group felt that the story was shallow and empty.

However I still have the feeling that the author is not being serious, and that if you do not take the book too seriously and if you appreciate a cynical take on life then I do feel that you will enjoy reading the book

We forgot to rate the book, however my guess is a low score, about 2/10?

Suite Francasie by Nemirovsky

The story is set in 1940 and 1941, during the occupation of France. It is not a typical WWII book, focusing more on how the war changed everyday life than the horrors of war itself (although those lurk ominously in every corner of the book). The first part of the book follows a group of Parisians as they flee the invasion and make their way through France and the second part of book hones in on the inhabitants of a rural community who find themselves thrown together in ways they never expected.

The group generally found this book to be excellent; some said it was a “must read”, others “very readable”. The group found that the author gave good insight into the ordinary lives of people living during the war, and captured the “fall of France” magnificently. The author manages to capture the tension amongst characters – both the invaders and the invaded – very well.

The book was given a 4/5 rating.

Austerlitz by Sebald

We all sympathised with the main character because he was a product of a traumatic youth. It was fascinating how Austerlitz goes about creating a mental map of his world which seemed to be ruled by architectural phenomena described meticulously. In the end we agreed that the book is a monumental work of art writen by an outstanding author who shows a profound knowledge of an immense feeling for architecture and recent history.

Money by Amis

Many thought that the book was very funny e.g. when John explains to the young Hollywood brat pack movie actor Spunk Davis that it might be helpful for the British market if he changed his first name. The book is self consciously clever and brilliant. It was a good to read a serious book that actually dealing directly with our times rather than sometime in the past.

The Human Stain by Philip Roth

This is an excellent read. The group was astounded by the magic and charm of his writing.. The text was indeed incredibly dense, but it was clear that the author is a true master. The unexpected twist at the end was captivating. This is clearly not a read for those looking for a page turner. If you are up for a challenge then this is a must have.

Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee

We all agreed that this book was a fantastic read. This conclusion seldom happens. Coetzee is indeed a true master at story writing. The storyline was very well developed. Coetzee cleverly left us with much to think about whilst we were reading the book and after we had finished it. The group felt that this was a chilling read. An excellent read, but not for those looking for a light book.

The Line Of Beauty by Hollinghurst

We has a clear divide within our group as some of our members viewed this book as complicated, arrogant and long winded. Some of our other bookclub member viewed the book as richly textured and emotionally charged. However one thing we all agreed on was, that Hollinghurst is a talented author. He captured London under the reign of Thatcher, homosexuality in the 80’s and the fear of aids extemely well.

A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka

This is a light beach read and everyone enjoyed reading the book. The book is about family relationships something that the group could all identify with. The balance between parent and child, relationship between two sisters and a new entrant (2nd wife) into an already dysfunctional family. The group viewed the book at times to be comical and at other times to be a tragic.

The Grass is Singing by Doris Lessing

We all agreed that this book is compelling and timeless work of literature, one that would appeal to most serious book lovers. The story follows the slow mental decline of a white woman who fails to come to terms with rural life in pre-WW11 South Africa. Beautifully written, the book offers both intimate portrait of a blighted life and a provacative insight into the social, political and geographical realities of a beautiful but troubled country.

The Accidental by Ali Smith

Reactions to the book were quite diverse. Some could not be bothered to finish the story. The other members of the bookgroup were impressed by Smmith’s craftsmanship with which she composed the different third person voices that narrated the story. If you like abstract reading then you will enjoy this book enormously.

Yellow Dog by Amis

The majority of the group agreed that Martin Amis has a difficult style to read, either you love it or you hate it. The book is abstract and involved much concentration. The main character was true to Amis style, well developed but typically “not a nice guy”. The scenery was excellent and the events taking place within the book well described. All considered a good read, but for those readers looking for a challenge.

Oryx And Crake by Atwood

Atwood at her best – dark, dry witty and yet moving. Her gloriously inventive brave new world is all the more chilling because of the mirror it holds up to our own. Her carefully calibrated sentences are formulated to hook and paralyse the reader. Oryx and Crake is a parable an imaginative text for the antiglobalisation movement. This book looks ahead to warn us about the results of human short-sightedness and selfishness.

The Dark Room by Seiffert

The group really enjoyed this book and it made for a really excellent discussion book. The author has a very simple and readable style. The book is well constructed and story believable. The score rating was high (4) and the discussion intense. The book is divided into 3 stories, each story discusses the ordinary lives of 3 German people. The last story was fascinating and prompted much coment and criticism.

The Mermaid Chair by Kidd

The novel has all the ingredients for a heart-warming and inspiring romance and yet, we were not thrilled. The main character remained unconvincing and the rest of the characters stayed flat. Monk Kidd’s style bothered us as she spelt out everything for her readers. We missed depth in the plot and the characters. We did enjoy the landscape descriptions, we were able to “see” the island. The book would make a nice movie and beach read.

We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver

In crisply crafted sentences that cut to the bone of her feelings about motherhood, career, family, and what it is about American culture that produces child killers, Shriver yanks the reader back and forth between blame and empahty, retribution and forgiveness. Never letting up on the tension, Shriver ensures that, like Eva, the reader grapples with unhealed wounds. If you are looking for a book on society or human behaviour this might be a good read for you.

Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf

We were all impressed with Virginia Woolf and her ability to write such incredible literature. Woolf has a gift to see behind people’s social masks and to reveal in a very beautiful way how people live, how they love and hate, fear and long, and cope with the pleasures as well as the difficulties of everyday existence. There is very little dialogue the author uses stream of consciousness.

The Sea by John Banville

The group was divided with regards to this book. Some members loved the story others found the author to be arrogant and self obssessed. the main character, not a likeable man, rather moody and miserable, however given the story-line, was not surprising. The style is magical and almost poetic, a book that is truly well composed. If you are looking for a literary challenge then this will be a great read.

Saturday by Mcewan

We could not help but to make a comparison with James Joyce’s”Ulysses”. MeEwan is a master in drawing you into the protagonist’s mind and life. But others did not agree: they would have preferred a little more action and less surgical observation.

The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoyevsky

Based in late-Czarist Russia, this is a drama of family intrigue involving a brutal father and his (mostly) upwardly mobile sons that ends in murder. It is full of strongly developed characters and the social situations they occupy. And it is at its best in the clashing personalities of brothers – the sensual & volatile, the intellectual & tortured, the spiritual & sensitive, and the shadowy & sinister respectively. There are some big fans of this in the Book Club – take your time, it is a novel well worth getting into.

On Beauty by Zadie Smith

This is a classic family drama and an impressive novel. She gives a wonderful voice to the different characters within the book and sturdy enough to keep the narrative from falling into a babel of incompatible registers. The family Beseys comprises of its own little compact clashing cultures; the father a white English academic, mother a black Floridian hospital administrator, and the children ranging from religious freak to a daughter who becomes a specimen of US Student culture. If you liked “White Teeth” you will love this book.

The Inheritance Of Loss by Desai

This was a good bookclub choice, the discussion was intense and full of debate. The author manages to describe and capture the scenery in India well – this was agreed unanimously by the goup. The immigration issues surrounding both main characters were well highlighted. However the grop did feel, at times, that the book was drawn out, a “typical booker prize winner”.

Cloud Atlas by Mitchell

This book gave us insight as to the talent of David Mitchell. The book contains five short stories, each individual story is written in a completely different style from the other stories. The group loved this book, and therefore the discussion lasted 2 hours, so good choice.

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

Controversial and compelling, In Cold Blood reconstructs the murder in 1959 of a Kansas farmer, his wife and both their children. Truman Capote’s comprehensive study of the killings and subsequent investigation explores the circumstances surrounding this terrible crime and the effect it had on those involved. At the centre of his study are the amoral young killers Perry Smith and Dick Hickcock, who, vividly drawn by Capote, are shown to be reprehensible yet entirely and frighteningly human. The book that made Capote’s name, In Cold Blood is a seminal work of modern prose, a remarkable synthesis of journalistic skill and powerfully evocative narrative.

What the group thought:

The book club raved about this book, what a classic! At all levels Capote excelled himself; the personalities of the murders, small town America and a court room drama that would make Perry Mason weep. Almost no negative comments were given in the discussion. A high score was given 4 ½ !! If you are looking for a brilliant crime story then we can certainly recommend this book to you.

The Corrections by Franzen

The Lamberts - Enid and Alfred and their three grown-up children – are a troubled family living in a troubled age. Alfred is ill and as his condition worsens the whole family must face the failures, secrets and long-buried hurts that haunt them if they are to make the corrections that each desperately needs.

What the group thought:

This is a story of an extremely dysfunctional family. A family that is confront with; Parkinson’s disease, denial, job loss and more. The mother decides to bring the entire family together for one last Christmas meal… In this book Franzen excel in all three areas; suspense, postmodern verbal acrobats, and complex-character pointillists. If you like sarcasm you will love this book.

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Safran Foer

Synopsis Nine-year-old Oskar Schell is an inventor, amateur entomologist, Francophile, letter writer, pacifist, natural historian, percussionist, romantic, Great Explorer, jeweller, detective, vegan, and collector of butterflies. When his father is killed in the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Centre, Oskar sets out to solve the mystery of a key he discovers in his father’s closet. It is a search which leads him into the lives of strangers, through the five boroughs of New York, into history, to the bombings of Dresden and Hiroshima, and on an inward journey which brings him ever closer to some kind of peace.

What the group thought:

What affected us most in this novel is the maturity of the boy. His “inventions” are brilliant and extreme at times. Most members were enthusiastic about the book and labelled it a “feel-good” novel even though it deals with an unthinkable theme. We found it genuinely funny and original.

Small Island by Levy

The book group loved this book. It’s a well written and wonderful page turner. At times the book was hilarious and at other times very serious i.e. the author dealt with serious issues very well. The author captured the Jamaican “click” well. The characters were well defined and believable, we all sympathized with the plight of Hortensia. This book is suitable for most readers.

Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

What the group thought:

A typical coming of age book. It was nice to read something about Nigeria. The story left nothing to our imagination, all endings were nicely tied up and story belivable. The book was indeed a good page turner.

Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert

Emma Bovary is beautiful and bored, trapped in her marriage to a mediocre doctor and stifled by the banality of provincial life. An ardent reader of sentimental novels, she longs for passion and seeks escape in fantasies of high romance, in voracious spending and, eventually, in adultery. But even her affairs bring her disappointment and the consequences are devastating.

Flaubert’s erotically charged and psychologically acute portrayal of Emma Bovary caused a moral outcry on its publication in 1857. It was deemed so lifelike that many women claimed they were the model for his heroine; but Flaubert insisted: ‘Madame Bovary, c’est moi’.

What the group thought:

The group enjoyed this book for all those qualities that made it a classic. Romance meets harsh reality in an idyllic 19th century French rural setting. The discussion centered upon the character of Emma Bovary – is she merely a vain and selfish cretaure or a free spirit crushed by the stifling mores of her time? Love or Loathe Emma Bovary – this is a Must Read. Recommended for lovers of 19th Century Fiction, Women’s History, and fine writing.