The Industry of Souls by Martin Booth (Rowena Feb 190)

'The stupid neither forgive nor forget; the naive forgive and forget; the wise forgive but do not forget. And, if the years have taught me anything, it is a wisdom of sorts.'

 The Industry of Souls by Martin Booth is a poignant novel about resilience, identity, and the impact of history on individual lives. The story follows Alexander Bayliss, a British man who was arrested in the Soviet Union during the Cold War and sent to a gulag. After decades of imprisonment and forced labor, he is unexpectedly released but chooses to remain in a small Russian village rather than return to his homeland.

On the day of his 80th birthday, Alexander reflects on his past—his life before captivity, the brutal realities of the gulag, and the deep friendships he formed with fellow prisoners and villagers. As he contemplates his fate, a revelation about his true identity and an unexpected visitor challenge the peaceful existence he has built.

Blending history, philosophy, and human endurance, The Industry of Souls is a powerful meditation on survival, belonging, and the meaning of home, showcasing Booth’s masterful storytelling and emotional depth.

Words used to describe it: soulful, uncontrolable, philosophical, uplifting, friendship

Marks out of 10: highly marked between 7 - 10, a 10 most unusual.

 

Next Book

The Proof of My Innocence by Johnathan Coe

Next Meeting

20th March

At Anna's - 49a Bronsart Road

Orbital by Samantha Harvey (Cindy Jan 189)

 

Orbital by Samantha Harvey is a contemplative and poetic novel that follows six astronauts aboard the International Space Station over the course of a single day. As they orbit Earth, circling it every 92 minutes, 16 turns around the globe in 24 hours, they experience the vastness of space while reflecting on their lives, the fragility of the planet below, and the nature of human existence. Blending lyrical prose with scientific precision, the novel explores themes of isolation, wonder, and connection. Each astronaut grapples with personal memories, philosophical questions, and the contrast between the boundlessness of space and the intimate details of life on Earth.

With its meditative tone and immersive descriptions, Orbital offers a profound exploration of what it means to be human in the face of the infinite, making readers ponder both the grandeur of the universe and the small yet significant moments that shape our lives.

We discussed the minuteness of life, the lyricism of the writing and how difficult some of us had reading this book. Some felt the lack of science although the writing was gorgeous. 

Words used to describe it: human, poetic, shifted perspective, soperific, orbital, colourful, educational, elegaic

Marks out of 10: between 4 - 9 so widely differing 

Next Book 

Mortal Souls by Martin Booth (Rowena 190)

Next Meeting

Emma's - Thursday 27th February

The Snapper by Roddy Doyle (Moira Nov 189)

 The Snapper by Roddy Doyle is a humorous and heartfelt novel centered on the Rabbitte family, particularly 20-year-old Sharon Rabbitte, who becomes unexpectedly pregnant. Living in a working-class neighborhood in Dublin, Sharon refuses to reveal the father's identity, leading to gossip and speculation in the community.

As Sharon navigates the challenges of pregnancy, her father, Jimmy Sr., struggles between his old-fashioned views and his growing support for his daughter. Despite the initial shock, the Rabbitte family, with their lively banter and strong bond, gradually rally around Sharon.

Filled with Doyle’s trademark witty dialogue and warmth, The Snapper is a story of resilience, family, and acceptance, capturing both the struggles and joys of working-class Irish life.

When we discussed this book the themes of family, the lack of religion, how shadowy the mother was in her daughter's life. Although humerous, there were deeper levels - was it rape, how the child was concived. 

Words used to describe it: brazen, a laugh, nostaligic, jaunty effervecent, slippery

Marks out of 10: between 6 - 9

Next book 

Orbital by Samantha Harvey

Next Meeting 

January Rowena at Naila's

Abroad in Japan by Chris Broad (Naila Oct 188)

 

Abroad in Japan by Chris Broad is a travel memoir that chronicles the author’s journey from being an English teacher in rural Japan to becoming a successful YouTuber exploring the country's culture, history, and quirks. With humor and keen observation, Broad shares his experiences as a foreigner navigating life in Japan, from the challenges of cultural differences to the wonders of its food, landscapes, and traditions.

The book blends personal anecdotes with insightful reflections on Japan’s unique aspects, including its work culture, social etiquette, and hidden gems beyond the usual tourist spots. Along the way, Broad encounters fascinating individuals, embarks on unexpected adventures, and overcomes personal struggles, making his journey both entertaining and inspiring.

The book generated an interesting discussion about living in another country, but divided us with its writing.

Words used to describe it:  informative, inconsistent, c'ava, endearing, sparky, a book of 2 halves, unfinishable, annoying, interesting

Marks out of 10:  between 6 - 8 

Next book

The Snapper by Roddy Doyle (Moira)

Next meeting

Wednesday 27th November at Cindy's

Christmas Do 19th December at Chelsea Arts Club

The Growing Summer by Noel Stretfield (Emma Sept 187)

 

The Growing Summer by Noel Streatfeild is a children's novel about the Gareth family—four siblings (Alex, Penny, Robin, and Naomi)—who are sent to stay with their eccentric Great-Aunt Dymphna in rural Ireland when their mother falls ill. Used to a comfortable life in London, the children struggle to adapt to their aunt’s unconventional ways and the challenges of the countryside.

Their summer takes an unexpected turn when they discover a mysterious boy hiding in their aunt’s house. The boy, whose name is Stephan, is on the run and refuses to reveal much about himself. The children decide to help him, leading to various adventures as they try to keep his presence a secret while uncovering the truth about his situation.

Through their experiences, the siblings grow in confidence, independence, and resourcefulness. The summer transforms them, teaching them valuable lessons about resilience, kindness, and the importance of family.

Next book

Abroad in Japan by Chris Broad 

Next meeting

Moira at Mandy's 30th October 

Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier (Jackie June 185)

 "Jamaica Inn" by Daphne du Maurier tells the story of Mary Yellan, a young woman who travels to the isolated Jamaica Inn on Bodmin Moor to live with her aunt and uncle after her mother's death, only to discover that her uncle, Joss Merlyn, is involved in a sinister smuggling ring that uses the inn as a cover, forcing Mary to navigate a dangerous world of violence and decieit as she uncovers the dark secrets of the inn and the treacherous moor surrounging it. 

This book was interesting in its brooding evocation of danger. The moors are an essential part of the story, goloming over the story. Generating an interesting discussion about shipwrecks, smuggling and the harsh necessities of life as a young woman in that era.

Words used to describe it: sinister, evocative, menacing, thrilling, dark and twisty, 

Marks out of 10: between 8 - 10 - highly marked and much enjoyed

Next book

The Growing Summer by Noel Stretfield (Emma)

Next Meeting

Naila's Wednesday 2nd October

The Picture of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde (Rowena 184 May)

The Picture of Dorian Gray, tells the story of a beautiful young man, Dorian Gray, who, after seeing his own portrait painted by artist Basil Hallward, makes a Faustian bargin, wishing that the portrait would age and bear the marks of his sins instead of him, allowing him to remain eternally youthful and handsome while indulging in a life of decadent pleasure; as Dorian's morality deteriortes, his portrait becomes increasingly hideous, ultimately leading to his self-destruction when he finally decides to destroy the painting, which symbolically represents his corrupted soul.

Having just seen the play in London, with the Australian actress Sarah Snook, a one woman show, where the interplay of modern social media and the obsession with self was used as a metaphor within the play. The difference between the play and the book was interesting. Wilde was a playwrite, this book seemed formulaic, where the play appears nuanced. Lord Henry comes across as a most unpleasant charachter. Every page a quote.

Words used to describe it:  complex, shallow, cruel, vain, selfish, emotionally draining, killed by his soul

Marks out of 10:  between 7 - 9

Next Book

Jamacia Inn by Daphne du Maurier

Next Meeting

Emma's 4th Sept

At the Table by Clare Powell (Mandy 185 Apr)

 To Nicole and Jamie Maguire, their parents seem the ideal couple - a suburban double act, happily married for more than thirty years. So when Linda and Gerry announce that they've decided to separate, the news sends shockwaves through the siblings' lives, forcing them to confront their own expectations and desires. Hardworking - and hard-drinking - Nicole pursues the ex she unceremoniously dumped six years ago, while people-pleasing Jamie fears he's sleepwalking into a marriage he doesn't actually want. But as the siblings grapple with the pressures of thirtysomething life, their parents struggle to protect the fragile façade of their own relationship, and the secrets they've both been keeping. Set in 2018, Claire Powell's beautifully observed debut novel follows each member of the Maguire family over a tumultuous year of lunches, dinners and drinks, as old conflicts arise and relationships are re-evaluated. A gripping yet tender depiction of family dynamics, love and disillusionment, At the Table is about what it means to grow up - both as an individual, and as a family. *From  goodreads.com  Not many of our group finished it, finding it dull and uninteresting.

Marks out of 10 - between 3- 8

Words used to describe it:

Dull, drab, unfinished, absorbing, well observed

Next Book

The Picture of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde (Rowena 186)

Next Meeting

126 Harbord St

I am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes (183 Naila)

 A complex and thrilling read, although long most of us managed to nearly finish by the time of the meeting. With some of us completing shortly afterwards. Intricately plotted, weaving strands of many other stories along with the main plot line this book, about the spy Scott, who is the only person who can stop Saracen from destroying America through the distribution of contaminated vaccines. The descriptions of places, people, torture, casual cruelty and the complex life of the spy underworld was well drawn.

Words used to describe it: 

well exectuted, breathless, rip roaring read, beautifully interworven, compelling interesting, gripping.

Marks out of 10:  between 6 - 8.5

Next Book

Jean and Pierre by Guy de Monpassant 

Next Meeting

Wednesday 1st May at Mandy's 117 Harbord St

Jean & Pierre by Guy de Monpassant (Carolyn 184)

The story explores sibling rivalry, the effects of unexpected wealth on relationships and the tensions that jealousy creates within a family.  The story begins with a fishing trip where tensions between the brothers are apparent. When a family friend leaves his entire fortune to Jean, Pierre's jealousy and suspicions grow, and he begins to doubt his mother's loyalty and his brother's legitimacy. Pierre's thoughts become consumed by his brother's success, and he roams the seaport alone.

The discussion was wide ranging and interesting. It seemed that no one respected the father. The distructive nature of jealousy and familial relationships.

Marks out of 10 - between 4 - 8

Words used to describe it:

Lugubrious, dry, beautifully written, divisive, predictable, distructive jealousy

 

Next Book

At the Table by Clare Powell (Mandy)

Next Meeting 

126 Harbord St

A Spy Alone by Charles Beaumont (181 Emma)

An exciting and interesting spy thriller. Some of the time is spent trying to work out which character most closely represents which politician. The main protagonist, Simon Sharmon - recruited out of Oxford, now a freelancer, finds that the tentacles of spy industry wind their way through his alumni, Russian money, and corruption in high places (nothing new there then). Slow initially as the bones of the story are laid down, the pace picks up. A thriller in the true meaning of the word. This book generated great discussions about politics, how money corrupts and corruption in high places. 

Words used to describe it:  interesting, intriguing, clever, enjoyable, inciteful, compelling read, modern Le Carre

Marks out of 10: between 7 - 9 so highly rated by the group

Next Book

Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin (Cindy)

Next Meeting

29th February at Naila's

Gionvanni's Room by James Baldwin (182 Cindy)

The central protagonist of this novel is David, an American and Giovanni an Italian bartender. In the Guardian review, Garth Greenwell says 'the whole novel is a kind of anatomy of shame, of its roots and the myths that perpetuate it, of the damage it can do. And also of its arbitrariness, since as rebuttal to any claim that shame might be some natural accoutrements of queerness – the belief that lies at the heart of David’s malaise – the novel offers the fact of Giovanni, who seems immune to shame, or at least to the shame that plagues David. And it is this freedom that makes him available to the joy and love David finally believes men can’t share with one another.' This shame permeates the whole novel as it passes backwards and forward through time. A classic novel, James Baldwin writes eloquently about the psychological difficulities of being gay in a time when there was no acceptance. It discusses what it is to be white American abroad, and once you've left how you never feel quite so comfortable back in America - as Helga says  “Americans should never come to Europe,” she says. “It means they never can be happy again. What’s the good of an American who isn’t happy? Happiness was all we had.” An interesting book with layers.

Words used to describe it:  tortured, melancholic, nuanced, tragic, painful

Words out of 10: between 6 - 9.5 so a mixed reception

Next Book

I am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes

Next Meeting

7th April Brighton Carolyn's

A Sting in the Tail by David Goulson (180 Olivia)

 A fascinating book full of interesting facts and details about bees; bumble bees, honey bees and the other 26 different variety of Bombus, UK bees. Many of whom are under threat of extinction. It details Professor Goulson interest in these intriguing and astounding insects - without whom our food chains would be completely f##ked. The facts and figures details are all amazing, the calorific intake of a bee - they are only 40 mins from starvation. They burn as much as a man running on Mars for 30 mins in 30 seconds. He writes clearly and concisely of the integral part they play in the pollination of plants, flowers and the general ecosystem.

This book generated an interesting discussion about ecology, conservation and bees. 

Words used to describe it:  inspiring, could have done better, informative, formidable, galvernising, eye opening.

Marks out of 10:  between 6 - 7

Next Book

A Spy Alone by Charles Beaumont

Next Meeting

Thursday 25 January at Cindy's

The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak (Rowena 179)

“To immigrants and exiles everywhere, the uprooted, the re-rooted, the rootless, And to the trees we left behind, rooted in our memories…" 

William Shakespeare

An intriguing book, where on of the protagonists is an fig tree, a cutting transplanted to London. Through various plot lines, a Romeo and Juliet love story, the fig tree at a taverna, the daughter of a Turkish Cypriot (Defne) and Greek Cypriot (Kostas) in London - the effects of war, division and religion intolerance, political opposition and prohibited sexual partnerships. The narrative flits back and forth between 1974 when Kostas and Defne were secretly dating, knowing their families would not approve of their relationship and 2010 a year after Defne's death, her daughter Ada, and the fig tree, and Kostas, who has retreated from life immersing himself in his academic life - ecology and biology. The fig tree serves as a metaphor and a narrative conceit weaving it's leaves, roots and story to link the two eras. 

The writing is lyrical and profound in places, but it takes time to get into the story. The book generated a good discussion about war, place and displacement from your roots.

 

Words used to describe it:  tangential, intriguing, contentious, evocative

Marks out of 10:  between 6 - 7

Next Meeting

Thursday 23 November at Emma's 67 Mendora St

Next Book

A Sting in the Tail by David Goulson

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (Mandy)

Lessons in Chemistry (2022) is a bestselling novel by Bonnie Garmus about women's lives, careers, and struggle for empowerment in the late 50s and early 60s. It follows the story of Elizabeth Zott, a brilliant chemist who is forced to become a television chef when she finds herself a young, single mother. It's clear, though never confirmed, that Elizabeth is on the autism spectrum, candid and artless, she's frustrated by the social conventions that attempt to constrain her both personally and professionally.

This book generated a good discussion about uncomfortable characters, with awkward social abilities, the relevance of home economics/cooking and how in a way nothing has changed. The chemistry behind cooking was interesting. Most agreed that the ending felt to neat, too many loose ends tide up when an element of untidiness would have been better.

Words used to describe it:  captivating, unputdownable, multi-faceted, feminine centered, trite/chick lit, frustrating.  

Marks out of 10:  between 6 & 8 so quite highly marked. 

Next Book

The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak (Rowena)

Next Meeting

Wednesday 18th October at Olivia's

Orlando by Virginia Woolf

 'The longest and most charming love letter in literature', playfully constructs the figure of Orlando as the fictional embodiment of Woolf's close friend and lover, Vita Sackville-West. Orlando flits between incarnations of either sex over 600 years of different lives. Orlando, a young man living in the Elizabethan age who is about to be transformed. The story also ends with Orlando, a woman writer living in the 20th century. The entire novel is a fictionalised history of Vita Sackville-West, of an imagined past life she lived under the guise of Orlando several centuries before she met Woolf. The prose is beautiful but the story disjointed. The exploration of self, identity within the framework of history is interesting. 

 “Different though the sexes are, they intermix. In every human being a vacillation from one sex to the other takes place, and often it is only the clothes that keep the male or female likeness.”

Marks out of 10:  between 5 - 9

Words used to describe it:  fabulous, lonely, romp, raphsody, ahead of its time, bonkers, roller coaster/Alice in Wonderland feel

Next Book

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonny Garmus

Next Meeting

Monday 11th September at 126 Harbord St

How the World Really Work: A Scientists Guide to our Past, Present and Future by Vaclav Smil

A departure for this book club, a factual book which was extremely dense with information. Most of us have taken more than the month to read it, finding it easier to read in small digestible chunks rather than all in one go. Vaclav Smil, has written a book distilling so much information your head reels.  The book opens 'with the centrality of (fossil-based) energy to modern civilisation, turning to the production of food, plastics, steel, ammonia and cement as the drivers of globalisation and to a broad landscape of risks (viruses, diets, global warming and the ‘singularity’ of artificial intelligence).'  He outlines how intertwined our current lifestyle and economy are with fossil fuels and the difficulty we will have uncoupling ourselves. There are criticisms that some reviewers have made that Mr Smil does not give the new net zero push enough credence.  But if you would like to read an interesting book dense with information about the push towards a fossil fuel future this should be added to your book stand. 

Next Book  

Orlando by Virginia Woolf

A Fortunate Woman by Polly Morland (Emma 172)

 Taking the book A Fortunate Man (The Story of Country Doctor) by John Berger, written in 1966 about the English country GP, John Sassall.  This book is an update, like the previous book the stories and characters are an amalgam although the Doctor is real.  This doctor knows her patients, she lives in their valley and understands their lives.  It would be interesting to see how much country life has changed to compare this with the earlier book, even now the closeness of the doctor's relationship with her patience was difficult for some to appreciate living here in London, where since COVID appointments are often by phone not in person. However, it was interesting to see the NHS in action, to read how early interventions make such a difference in outcomes. How important it is for someone to understand the person and or the life they come from when making assessments on their health.

This book generated a discussion about the NHS, the slow decline in services, how it is changing and it became a little political.  Many thought the writing dull but worthy - not making the stories as interesting as they could be.

Words used to describe it:  inciteful, empathetic, dull, pleasant, worthy, interesting, useful

Marks out of 10:  between 6 - 8

Next Book

How the World Really Works by Vaclav Smil

Next Meeting

w/e 20/21 May

Brighton at Carolyn's

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

 A small book, a novella, a delight. Set in 1986 in Ireland, Bill Furlong a kind compassionate man with four daughters. The crux of the story is how different his life could have been had his unwed mother not been taken in by the lady at the big house when pregnant - how his and his mothers life would have been blighted by the way that society, church and small town attitude when a child is born out of wedlock. While working a shift near Christmas - delivering coal, Bill comes across a young and pregnant girl,hiding in the outhouse of the local convent. A lot is implied, and some is explained: the difficulty in going against what is expected and accepted is beautifully written.

This book generated a great discussion about the Magdalene Laundries, Ireland and small town attitudes.  Realistically written, and so well drawn in time. The tension in the writing is carefully crafted.

Words used to describe it:   lyrical, too short, punchy, gut wrenching, hypnotic, finely etched, heart breaking

Marks out of 10:  all gave this book either 8 or 9 so highly marked!

Next Book

A Fortunate Woman by Polly Morland (Emma)

Next Meeting

26th April - 36 Lysia St

East West Street by Phillip Sands

As many of us didn't read this over Christmas, not enough brain space, I will precis what one of us thought about the book.  A dry academic read, interesting once you get into it, but the legal mind behind the writing comes through with the details. Interesting to read about the two men, Hersch Lauterpacht and Rafael Lemkin and their involvement in the Nuremburg trials, Lauterpacht who came up with the term 'Crimes against Humanity', focusing on protecting the individual and Lemkin, 'Genocide' - protecting the group.  The academic snobbery against Lemkin, and how the Americans and British (and French) saw how the implementation of genocide could retrospectively implicate these countries in their vicious colonization of so many countries. 

Although many of us didn't complete reading the book, it did generate a good discussion.  

Next Book

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

Next Meeting

Moved to 8th March at Emma's