The Ballard of Sad Cafe by Carson Macullers (Mandy 185)

 

Carson McCullers’ novella is a masterclass in melancholy, with prose that feels both sparse and lyrical, she invites readers into a backwater town where emotional isolation is as tangible as the sweltering heat.

At its heart is Miss Amelia Evans—a towering, enigmatic figure who rules her store with grit and independence until the arrival of the peculiar Cousin Lymon. Their unlikely alliance briefly transforms the store into a bustling café and focal point for the community. Yet this glimmer of connection is fleeting. The return of Marvin Macy, Amelia’s cruel ex-husband, sets off a chain reaction that exposes the fragility of affection and the cruel asymmetries of love.

The book generated an interesting discussion about the sparce prose, the evocation of time and place. How unpleasant all the characters were and the possible duplicity of of Cousin Lymon and his probable alliance with Marvin Macy to bring about Amelia's downfall. It was a harsh book. 

Marks out of 10: TBC - between 6 - 10 so highly rated by this group.

Words used to describe it: effervecent, what's the point, unlikeable, cruel, condensed, complicated, intense

 

Next book

The Emperor of Scent: A True Story of Perfume and Obsession by Chandler Burr

Next meeting

18th September at 7 Lonsdayle Mews, TW9 3NH 

The House of Doors by Tan Twan Eng (Jackie 184)

Set in 1920s colonial Penang, The House of Doors follows Lesley Hamlyn, a British expatriate whose life is upended when the writer W. Somerset Maugham visits her and her husband. As Lesley confides in Maugham, she recounts two intertwined stories: the scandalous 1911 murder trial of her friend Ethel Proudlock, and her own secret affair with a Chinese revolutionary, Arthur Loh, linked to Dr. Sun Yat Sen.

The novel explores how personal histories are shaped—and sometimes exploited—by those who tell them. Maugham, struggling with his own identity and career, sees in Lesley’s confessions the material for his next literary success. Through layered storytelling, Tan Twan Eng examines themes of colonialism, gender, secrecy, and the ethics of storytelling, while reimagining real historical events and figures.

Unfortunately, we all enjoyed this book, when we all enjoy a book, the discussion is not as great.  All of us have decided to look more into the novels of Somerset Maugham. It was interesting to note the lack of autonomy women had, even at this time. The constraints of society and the life of a 'colonial'. 

 Marks out of 10 - highly marked by us all between 7 - 9

Words used of describing it:  facinating, inciteful, evocative, absorbing, remarkable.

Next Book

The Ballard of the Sad Cafe by Carson Maccullers

Next Meeting

Friday 25th at July at Naila 36 Lysia St

Sept at Cindy

Oct at Emma 

Nov at Rowena (hopefully)