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Other books read
during 2007
Our man in Havana
by Graham Greene
A classic that hasn't
really dated-one suspects that MI5 is still as inept as this story
describes-very funny with dark humour and lovely characters.
The Girls
Lori Lansens
A really good read. Very unusual story set in America about
enjoined twin sisters.
Two Caravans
Marina Lewycka
Not as good as her first book, 'a Short History of Tractors in
Ukrainian'.
May's Book
Half of a Yellow Sun
by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
All group members felt somewhat ashamed that we didn't know more
about the Nigerian/Biafran civil war of the late 1960s, which
decimated the country. A well written story challenging our
pre-conceptions of Africa and its people. This book won this years
Orange Prize for fiction.
April's
Book
In the Company of the Courtesan
By Sarah Dunant
Set in Venice,
an historical novel with a difference about a high class
prostitute and her business partner, a dwarf. Great detail and if
you haven't been a great advert for a visit to Venice!
March's Book
The Secret River – Kate Grenville
Short listed for the Man Booker Prize 2006
Starting in London it tells the story of a waterman, William
Thornhill, who is sentenced to be transported to Australia along
with his family in 1806. The effect of this enforced emigration upon
the London family then raises issues concerning the interaction of,
and consequences for, the indigenous Aboriginal population. The
author doesn’t just show the brutal result of the clash of cultures
but ironically reflects through Sally, William’s wife, the
underlying similarities between both peoples: “Like you and me was
in London. Just the exact same way.” Although the ending is
pessimistic, “it did not feel like triumph”, the reading group felt
there was a suggestion of hope shown in Will’s conscience and the
attitude and actions of his younger son, Dick. However we were mixed
as to how satisfying a read this was. The characters were possibly
lacking in depth and it was generally felt that the book ran out of
steam and lacked any urgency of plot. It did create discussion
though about the effect of white colonialism and books such as Heart
of Darkness by Joseph Conrad and The English Passengers by Matthew
Kneale were recommended as further reads.
January's
Book
Fortune's Rock -
Anita Shreve
This one caused quite a debate. The nature of desire; the problems
of illegitimate children in all societies and different centuries; the
roll of women....Some of the group hadn't quite finished the book, so
no doubt there will be more discussion at next months meeting.
February's choice
The Mermaid Chair-Sue Kidd Monk
A good read, but not as good as her previous book, 'The Secret Life of
Bees'.
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