Of Human Bondage by Somerset Maughan

'Life has no meaning, better accept this than go on searching for it'

This book is generally accepted to be a semi autobiographical novel by Somerset Maughan. The slow meandering through a bleak childhood, boarding school and a search for a meaning full life, love and occupation.  Most  loved this book, finding in the story  and  prose meaning and elegance.  A certain amount of fingers over the eyes as the eponymous hero continues to miss his chances, love the wrong people and be beguiled into trying something new and wrong for him.  Others loathed it, finding it over written and boring.  But this dichotomy of opinions drew an excellent discussion as each side fought their corner. 

Words used to discribe it:  wretched, compelling little fucker, one of the great works of the 20th Century (not unanimous), frustrating, influencial, dramatic, compelling, under rated English treasure, the human story, loathsome.  Marked variedly between 2 & 9

Next Book

Babette's Feast by Ksak Dinesen (Karen Blixen)

Next Meeting

Wed 10th October @ 84 Kenyon St

High Tea in Mosul by Lynne O'Donnell

Last night (26th July), Lynne O'Donnell kindly came to speak to HSBClub about her book High Tea in Mosul

The book is an account of life in Iraq under Saddam through the lives of two English women who married Iraqi men in the 1970's and moved there.  Through their lives we see the changes in the country throughout Sadam Hussein's rule, the devastation and effects of the American invasion and the horrendous break down of law and order with the factional in-fighting.   Using the stories of Pauline and Margaret, Lynne manages to illustrate, in a human way, the ordinary lives of Iraqi's dealing with the food rationing, the police, anti West propaganda and the almost constant war.  It was moving, illuminating and in places difficult read.

We had many questions for Lynne, which she answered with great clarity - mostly not specific to the book!  What was also interesting was the process of publishing a book yourself.  The difficulty of getting it noticed, but also how much one can do ones self.  Lynne's knowledge of the area, the factions and internecine conflict in the Middle East was impressive - as were her stories of life as a war correspondent. It was also interesting to hear how the book was received by the women themselves and their families. 

I would like to thank Lynne for taking time out of her schedule to come and to talk to us.  We all found it fascinating and so interesting.  It brought the book and the area so much to life. 

Next Book

Of Human Bondage by Somerset Maughan

Date

Wednesday 5th September

Venue

130 Harbord St

The Coroner's Lunch by Collin Cotterill

Set in Laos, 1976, just after the Communist revolution Dr Siri Paiboun at 72 years of age was looking forward to retirement when the Ministry decrees that he is now the Coroner - he knows about what is wrong with living people, how different/difficult can it be to find out why/how people died?  With a sly and cynical sense of humour the light crime of the this drama is almost secondary to the enjoyable imagery and subversive characters that the author conjurers  up.  Dr Siri does work out who killed the wife of the party official and why two Vietnamese soldiers and civil servants were found dead in a lake apparently tortured.  The surreal supernatural thread is handled with care and does help move the story on.  Those of us who read the book enjoyed it and would recommend it to others. 

Have a look at Colin Cotterill's website:  Colin Cotterill

Marks out of 10 between 7 - 9

Words used to describe it:  interesting, subversive, enjoyable, dead pan!

Next Book

Of Human Bondage by Somerset Maughan

Next Meeting 

14 June 2012 - High Tea in Mosul with the Author Lynne O'Donnell at 126 Harbord St

5 July - to discuss Of Human Bondage venue to be confirmed.

Ask the Dust by John Fante

Set during the the Great Depression era in Los Angeles.  It is one of a sseries of novels featuring the character Arturo Bandini, a struggling writer,  much of it autobiographical in nature. Bandini falls in love with Camilla Lopez, who is in love with a bartender named Sam.  Bandini struggles with his poverty, Catholic guilt and his love for the unstable Camilla. Her mental state deteriorates and she is admitted to a mental hospital. She escapes, Bandini looks for her - finds her waiting for him in his apartment.  They move to the beach but when he returns he find that she has gone to Sam who is dying.  Before he arrives Sam throws her out and she wanders into the desert.  Bandini never finds her. 

The discussion really centred around the hand over the eyes feeling of watching someone doing what is only going to work out badly for them.  Every step he takes is wrong - and he can't see it.  The sparse and concise writing evoking the harshness of the era.  It was a good lead on from reading Grapes of Wrath and many could see the influence it had had on other later American writers.  The book has been made into a film with Colin Farrell and Salma Hayek.

Words used to describe it:  cringe-worthy, evocative, off the wall, beat classic, roller coaster, harrowing, full of angst, enjoyed it
Marks out of 10 - between 7 - 10.

Next Book 

The Coroner's Lunch by Colin Cotterill

Next Meeting

31 May at 117 Harbord St

Important Note:  

I am also going to try and get the journalist Lynne O'Donnell

 to come to one of our meetings possibly
14 June at 126 Harbord St

So buy her book 

High Tea in Mosul.

The Woman In Silk by Reg Gadney

A brief synopsis of the book:  Hal Stirling a bomb disposal expert is suffering from post traumatic stress syndrome after an incident in Afghanistan.  He is recuperating back in the UK, when news come of the death of his mother.    Hal journeys back to the large, Gothic ancestral home via his married Japanese lovers house.  Here the story changes into either a  psychological thriller or a horror ghost story depending on how you understood it.  The mother and daughter team who had been caring for his mother are either completely lovely or completely psychotic!  The plot twists and turns with spectral manifestations, psychological intrigue and moody weather!  

Reg Gadney, author and excellent artist,  kindly came to the book club to discuss the book - below is a highly edited version of the evenings discussion.  Thank you Reg for so kindly answering our question and giving us some insight into the construction/thought that goes into the background of planning a book.

Q - Who was, in your mind, the intended audience for this story?

A - Not sure!  However all good books should have three memorable characters, an interesting plot and some intrigue where the reader has to do some of the work.    I had in mind Turn of the Screw, the psychological twists and turns.  Not sure that it is a horror or a psychological thriller.

I visit Broadmoor Prison as part of a charity that I  am involved in.  Part of the idea for the story came from an inmate there.  

Q - Do you believe in the Super Natural?

A - Umm maybe.  I used be a complete sceptic, but now, I'm not sure.  I think that people do leave behind an 'essence' of being once they have gone.  The universe is such a large concept how can we know whether this is 'it'!  I visited the Spiritualist Society in Belgrave Square once - went to a seance - it neither confirmed nor disproved that there isn't anything after this life.  As I grow older I begin to think that there maybe something.  Many people have had 'ghostly' experiences - experiences which don't have a completely logical explanation.

Q - Who scares you?

A - People who should be reliable.  Doctors, nurses, nannies, soldiers - people you can usually rely on but for some reason have become psychologically disturbed.  A friend of mine Patrick Wall, an eminent neuroscientist developed a theory of the threshold of pain and the TENS machine with Bill Sweet - the electro transmission of pain in the body and how by disrupting this you could alter perception of pain.

Q - The house, was it real?

A - Yes, it's a real house.  My father bought the large Gothic house and this was where I was born. You can see the large bell tower which plays its part in the story.  It's now a school. Behind on the Yorkshire moors was where the Brontes lived and where Wuthering Heights is set.

Link to Malis Hall history.

The discussion then turned general.

Words used to describe the book:  intriguing, a psychological thriller - not a ghost story, confusing, a book of two halves, 

Marks out of 10:  between 3 - 9  

The next meeting is at Amanda's and the book:  Ask the Dust by John Fante, 26th April.

I would like to thank Reg for taking time to come and talk to us about his book.  For answering our questions and showing us his paintings - which are excellent - we hope to come to his next exhibition!

Before I go to Sleep by S J Watson

     An excellent story - with a twist - which some of us guessed but it didn't spoil the story!  A woman wakes up each day with no memory of her life - just snippets and those memories that she does have are from 20 years ago!  She doesn't remember the man lying beside her, her own face, the house she is living in - until her husband explains that she had an accident 20 years ago that has damaged her brain, he is her husband, this is their new house as their other one burnt down (hence the few photo's).  She accepts this until the day Dr Nash rings and tells her to look in the bottom of the wardrobe for her journal - in which she writes all that she has learnt the previous days.  An interesting concept - how important are memories to our perception of ourselves.  Without memories what are we?  If you don't remember what happened the day before - does it actually exist?
      The round table discussion - although rather difficult to hold as we had an almost full quorum of book clubbers that night; was full and interesting.  Most of us enjoyed the book and the twist.  There were aspects of the novel that grated but the story was gripping.

Marks out of 10 between 7 - 9 so highly rated.
Words used to describe it:  Clever, memorable, maintains momentum, intriguing, brilliant, implausible, compelling, gripping, unforgettable!

Next Book:

Ask the Dust  by John Fante

Next Meeting:

April 26th Thursday

128 Harbord St

NB

For those able to make it,

Reg Gadney will be at Mandy's to receive our opinions on his new book 

A Woman in Silk 

on 

12th April.

A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute

The story is written from the perspective of the solicitor who manages the inheritance of Jean Paget.  He writes her story in excerpts telling us about her experiences in Malaysia during the Second World War, force to walk from town to town  with a group of women and children, by the Japanese who did not want to put them into a camp.  While walking they meet up with two Australian men, who horrified at the state of the women and children supply then with fresh meat and medicines, illicitly gained from their Japanese captors.  The consequence of which is that Joe is crucified.   Jean believes him dead - until many years after the war she hears that he survives.

The second half of the book deals with her search for him, and her wish to build 'A town like Alice' in the outback where Joe's station is.  It is interesting and slightly shocking to read a story where casual racial apartheid is acceptable, where woman 'know there place'.  Jean was not thought to be sufficiently capable to manage her inheritance until she reaches the age of 35!  By which time she would be married and therefore her husband would be able to help her!  The last part of the books is definitely a paean to capitalist entrepreneurship!

We all enjoyed the book - some of us having gone on to buy others of Nevil Shutes novels, which we are enjoying as much.
Words used to describe it:  cracking solid storytelling, Oh my word!, spiffing yarn, I loved it, good first half.

Marks, between 7 - 9

I would like to finish this review with a big thank you to Albert the butler for superb food and butlering - I wish we could all have a man who does just like him! And of course honourable mention to the delicious cake and hostess with the butler - fab Thank you Rona.

 

Next book

Before I go to Sleep by S J Watson

Next meeting

Wednesday 21 March

at

53 Finlay Street

Jeff in Venice, Death in Varanasi by Geoff Dyer

This book starts out well, humorous, well written, cynical and ultimately disappointing.  Jeff in Venice  'the Biennial is in full swing, disillusioned hack writer Jeff Atman meets a beautiful woman and they embark on a passionate affair. In Varanasi, a man searching amid the chaos of India for something lost joins thousands of pilgrims on the banks of the Holy Ganges.  He intends to stay for a few days but ends up remaining for months, gradually letting go of everything he has known.'  Two very separate halves that do not connect - you expect the stories to interweave but they don't. 

Generally felt to be pretentious - we were sure that there were many literary allusions - but we missed most of them.   The sex scenes were well written - which isn't an easy thing to do.

Words used to describe it:  pretentious, boys wanking, noo (sic) beat, enjoyable but cobbled together, annoying, disjointed, lazy, cop out, too clever by half.   

Marks out of 10 between 3 - 7

Next book

A Town Like Alice by Nevile Shute

Next Meeting

Thursday 23 February

@ 

Rona's - 31A Pallister Road, W14 - In the super shed!

Subsequent meeting dates:  

22 March @ Giles's

April @ Amanda

May @ Mandy

                                             

Fear of Flying by Erica Jong

It was interesting to see how this book divided the group - those for whom it had been a book that showed the way in the 70's, free love, women's rights, sexual liberation, and those of us who were reading it for the first time and thought it dated, boring and not good enough to finish!  The character was shallow, the descriptions blah and the story line laughable.  We actually decided that it might be a book that would fare better as a work to be discussed by students of 'Women's Studies'!

Isadora Wing, on a trip to Vienna to attend a psychoanalytic congress with her psychiatrist husband, she meets an uninhibited Laingian analyst who seems the embodiment of all her steamiest fantasies. He lures her away from her husband on an existential jaunt across Europe, sleeping by roadsides, changing partners with people met at camp-sites, re-evaluating her life in some painful and funny ways. But the trip proves to be a journey backward in time as well as a reshuffle of the present..We didn't see much of the humour but perhaps that is time and age?

Words used to describe it:  70's New York, psycho babble, Woody Allenish, 

Forgot to do the marks out of 10 - sorry folks. 

Next book

Jeff in Venice, Death in Varanasi by Geoff Dyer

Next Meeting

January 4 or 5th 2012 - venue to be confirmed.

Christmas Party

Friday 9th December (it does say on the post below 2 December, which I can't make, can people make the 9th?) - any suggestions for venue?  We may have to book near to Christmas.

The Waiting Years by Fumiko Enchi

Firstly, thank you to Jackie for delicious little eats - receipes for which will be put up on the blog later.  What a fabulous kitchen and we were very happy to christen it for you!

We did manage to discuss the book a bit!   The literal translation of the Japanese script of the title of this book is Woman Uphill - which we thought would better describe the struggle of Tomo's life.  None of the characters are particularly endearing, the claustrophobia of the life of a Japanese woman, the restrictions of the culture, the harshness and loneliness of her life.   Tomo's only control was the selection of the initial concubine for her husband.  There was a deep sadness and overwhelming feeling of defeat in the book.  It is hard for us to perhaps appreciate the pervasive feudalism and the paternalism of the type of society that Japan was and perhaps still is.  The book took the author 8 years to write.  She wanted to craft a carefully observed and skilfully written book.  The translation is good, but perhaps some of they lyricism of the phrasing is missing. Japanese life is carefully depicted and illustrated.  The suppressing of emotions and the saving of face apparent in everyone's actions. We found this an interesting and engaging book, even if not uplifting. 

Words used to describe it:   tragic, 'dump me in the water', Oriental, informative, subtle repression, different culture.  Marks out of 10 between 8 and one 10!!  So highly marked from all of us.

Next Book

Fear of Flying by Erica Jong (chosen by Chrissie)

Venue

73 Finaly St - Giles to chose the next book
Thursday 10th November

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games is set in some unspecified distopian future.  The world is dominated by a ruling cabal from city called the Capitol where they live in luxury.  The rest of the country live in 12 districts strictly cordoned off from the Capitol and each other.  Living, working and surviving in dismal conditions and not enough food (the Capitol controls the heaving masses - by restricting food).

Once a year each district submits two of it's children, selected by lottery, to the Hunger Games.  He/she who wins the games lives a life of luxury and celebrity and food for the whole district for a year.   The games are televised and take place within a large arena over weeks.  He/she who wins: is the last one standing - by fair means or foul.  Kill or be killed.  The main protagonist - Katniss, enters the games instead of her younger sister.  She has to kill whether she wants to or not.  The violence is explicit but 'fantastical' and therefore slightly unreal.  The book brings up interesting concepts of how far would you go to win, is it ethical to watch others kill for entertainment.  An easy read, but enjoyable was the consensus. 

Words used to describe it:  limited, interesting, absorbing, undemanding, interesting premise, quite enjoyable, harsh.

Marks out of 10 - between 5 - 7

Next Book

The Waiting Years by Fumiko Enchi

Next Meeting 

Thursday 13th October

at

115 Harbord St - Jackie

Date for the Diary 

 2nd December, Christmas Do, venue to be confirmed.

The Hare with Amber Eyes by Edmund de Waal

An elegant book. The ceramicist Edmund de Waal uses his Uncles collection of netsuki as an eccentric guide through the history of his family, wealthy Jewish bourgeoisies of many European capital cities. Their ostentatious homes, chattels and lives. This book divided those who read it - some loving the delicate descriptions and other hating the slightly clunky, slow and contrived narration.

There only a few of us at this meeting: but words used to describe the book: intricate, difficult but enjoyable, shoot me now and carefully constructed. Marks out of ten between 4 - 8

Next Book

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The next meeting

8th September

Venue to be confirmed

Kiddnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson

A boys own adventure, told well, if at point overly long as it waded in wet heather being chased by red coats. Apparently the story is based on two well known and true events - the death of the Colin Campbel of Argyll (known as the Appin Murder - Alan Breck Stewart was tried and hanged for his murder, although protesting his innocence. And the kidnap and placing into indentured servitude of James Annesley by his Uncle. James eventually escaped from slavery in America made his way back to claim his estates off his Uncle - after a long court case he succeeded.

We all enjoyed the book. It was a fast read, not difficult and a jolly good yarn. It was interesting to read about the connections of the clans, the politics and the differences between the low land Scot and up land Scot. The prejudices and rivalries that probably exist to this day. The history and well depicted harshness of life in the Highlands 250 years ago.

Words to describe the book: damp x 2, Scottish, Braw Nicht, educational, Jacobite Odyssey
Marked between - 6 & 9

Next Book
The Hare with the Amber Eyes by Edmund van de Waal

Next Meeting
On Thursday 7 July at Cindy Hanegraaf
130 Harbord St

One Day by David Nicholls

Firstly welcome to Ewa, hope you enjoy our book club!

The book: set on one day over twenty years, the history of a relationship in snap shot. An entertaining light weight read, chick lit, a fluffy romance. Many felt that the book was written with a film in mind. Some thought it formulaic although others like it and thought the description of Dexter's meteoric rise and then fall into media land shadows, with the drugs, alcohol and shallow wife, was very realistic. Critics who couldn't make it: Alison - hated it! The promised HEA never happened and she felt cheated! Cindy - thought it started well, but it became clichéd, fluffy and disappointing. It was an entertaining read, but that doesn't necessarily make it a good book club read.

Words to describe it: funfair goldfish, tale of our times, strangely familiar, predictable, easy read/light, chick lit/flick, non- committal, enthralling.

Marks out of 10 - between 3 - 9: so a book that split the group in it's enjoyment levels and didn't generate much discussion.

Next book

Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson

Next Meeting
Thursday 9th June
at
128 Harbord Street (Amanda & Peter's)

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

Not an easy read. This book with sparse, elegant prose drew out the touching and harsh relationship between a father and treasured son, in a post apocalyptic American countryside. The novel illustrates the degradation of the human in times of survival. Lord of the Flies with attitude! The novel made me think about how I would survive in the same situation? Would I want to survive and the resilience of the human as a being/animal in times of amazing difficulty. There was some talk of the resonance of the book while the effects of the tsunami and earthquake on Japan were fresh in our mind. Of those who read the book (or could finish it) they 'enjoyed' (if that is the right word) it.

Words used to describe it: breathtakingly throat slitting, beautiful language, frightening prospect, depressing, unrelenting gloom, harrowing, ashen.
Marks out of 10 - between 7 & 9, so highly rated! Yay!

Next Book
One Day by David Nicholls

Next Meeting
12th May 2011
at
117 Harbord Street - Mandy's

We have also sorted out the next few meetings:

June - Amanda/Peter
July - Cindy
August or Sept - Nikki
Oct - Jackie
Nov - Carolyn

Animal Farm by George Orwell

Wow - what a great evening. Delicious food and great discussions. We all had so much to say on this book that it ended up with small discussions going on around the table rather than a group wide debate. The story is well known, although the language is simple. The book still has the power to inform, move and confirm the cynicism in many of us. Re reading this book was interesting - most of us had read it in our idealistic youth and coming back to it in our cynical middle age was revealing - especially with the revolutionary fever in the North Africa/Middle East at the moment. How much will these revolutions mirror the events of Animal Farm? The cynics say a lot, the idealists hope not much! It was good to read this book again - thanks Alison.

Words used to describe it: iconic, nostalgic (for the rebel I was), relevant, enduring, timeless, poignant, thoroughly enjoyable, human nature, dated, slightly irrelevant, cynical.
Marks out of 10 - most voted 9 with a couple of 8's!

On another note - there is a newish website called Read It Swap It, see link to the right, where you can swap your books with other readers. No money involved. Have a look. It might help keep that ever increasing pile of paperbacks down!

Next book
The Road by Cormac McCarthy

Next Meeting

Wednesday 6th April

at
126 Harbord Street (Rowena's)

More Than Just Coincidence

Everyone enjoyed reading this book - although there were a few criticisms but that is the nature of a Book Club: the story of a teenage pregnancy, a child given for adoption, and the amazing series of coincidences that led to their meeting again. The early years of Julie's childhood were well drawn and interesting - the claustrophobic nature of living above your landlord and the tension of having to be quiet all the time, beholden to their good will of the people below. Julie's mother was a fascinating person whose character we would have liked to have known more. It was commented that Julie's life appears to have been on hold until she met her daughter again. Although she did things, travelled, studied, worked - she never settled into a mature relationship after that first one with her teenage boyfriend. The series of coincidences that led to her meeting with her daughter was amazing - but felt like it was meant to be. A happy ending.

Words to describe it: sincere, solid, story telling, pedestrian writing, interesting, easy read, loved it, engaging story, long winded, intriguing, impressive
Marks out of 10 - between 5 and 8 so quite high.

To read Julie's answers to some of the questions posed click on the link on the right. This should take you straight to the letter.

Also a link to the Christmas dinner pictures at 209 Munster Road - sorry they aren't very good! Must have been the alcohol!

Next Book

Animal Farm by George Orwell

Next Meeting
3 March 2011
At
Alison Davis - Downe House, 10 Dike St, London SW3 4JE

Auntie Mame by Patrick Dennis

An excellent light weight book, hilariously describing the life of shy young heir Patrick - deposited with his eccentric Aunt Mame. Published in 1955 and something of a camp escapade through the 20's to the 40's. Humorously illustrating the life of a person with money. The class divide, evident in the US at this time, the hilarious escapades of Aunt Mame as the wife of a Southern heir, the put downs and repartee are all brilliant described. However, this is a light book, of no particular substance and should be enjoyed for the dry martini that it is!

Words used to describe it:
Frustrating, romp, dated, US Mitford, shallow, eerily familiar, light frothy cocktail.

Marks out of 10 - between 5 and 8 so well received in the Mame! Pun intended.

Next Book

More than just Coincidence by Julie Wasmer

Date:

27th January at 127 Harbord Street
possibly the author in attendance!

Party for Chrissie's birthday 15th January - venue to be confirmed.

Is this quick enough for you folks??? Half an hour after the dinner finished and the blog is updated - obviously didn't drink enough?

Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

An excellent read - with an Ethiopian of Indian/American decent, this medically based epic novel binds the reoccurring themes of suppressed emotions, medical procedures and twin ship. The author has an lyrical use of language and evokes an Ethiopia beyond the famines and dire human situation we see on the news. The country and it's people are brought to life and the religious and historical depth of this entrancing country are beautifully drawn out. Slow to start this novel pulls you in eventually, as you begin to care about the twins and their adoptive parents.

Words to describe this book: epic, bloody good, Dickensianly over written, laboured, liverish, too long, cleverly sewn together. Marks between 6 & 9 so highly marked for this year!

Next Book
Auntie Mame by Patrick Dennis

Next Meeting
16th December 2010
at Thai Restaurant 209 Munster Road!
Christmas get together,
perhaps partners would like to come too,
if so please let us know so that we can book the table in the restaurant.

Hawksmoor by Peter Ackroyd

No one appeared to like this book. We had such high hopes, the reviews were excellent, it had won prizes - but ............ The book is written with two protagonists one from the 1600 an apprentice architect to Wren and the other more modern detective trying to find the culprit behind a number of murders in Spitalfields. It could have been so good, mixing the ages, metaphysical dimensions, time, serial murders and demon worship - and yet it was just confusing and over written. The end is extremely disappointing - in fact it's not an end more an abdication by the author to give us (the readers) an explanation to anything. VERY annoying.
Words used to describe the book: pile of wank, promising but ultimately disappointing, shit - threw book against the wall, gratuitous misery, annoying end, should have been better. Scored 1 - 4 so not very high.

Next Book
Cutting for Stone
Abraham Verghese

Next Meeting
18th November at 128 Harbord Street

Date for the diary:
Christmas Dinner at 209 Munster Road, Thai Restaurant BYO!
16th December