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