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

A Most Wanted Man by John le Carre

A disappointing book. The banker seemed to be an amalgam of standard PYO characteristics, the lawyer you just felt like shaking, with Issa the protagonist a shallow, complex and ultimately unlikeable character. There were touches of interest, the latent disavowal of Nazism with in Annabel's family, the complexity of private banking and the shading dealing behind it. The comparison between hiding Nazi money and Russian mafia money was interesting but not drawn out enough. Many of us had read other books by this author - Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy - The Constant Gardner and other and this book did not match these novels in either plot, character progression, or depth of intrigue. If this hadn't been a holiday novel not many of us would have finished it. Words used to describe it: weak, disappointing, boggling, below standard, predictable, hard summer read. Marks out of 10 - between 2 - 5.

Next Meeting
Thursday 14 October
at
Boo's - address to be confirmed

Next Book
Hawksmoor by Peter Ackroyd

Girl's Night Out
Saturday 13th November

Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky

This was an intense book - a harsh description of the French before and during the German occupation. Following the various families and their trials - it was difficult to warm to some of the characters, the bourgeoisies do not come out of this book well. Not an easy read, but worth it. Most felt that the end of the book showed it's 'unfinishedness' the fact that the author had not had time to complete it properly. The story behind of the author and her death in a concentration camp - the book lying and being carted around the world for the next 60 years, was almost more interesting than the book it's self.

Words used to describe it: visual, lyrical, insiders view, 'indictment of French manners' evening standard 9/2010. Marks out of 10 between 7 & 9 so very high for a book club book.

Next Book

A Most Wanted Man by John le Carre

Next Meeting
Tuesday 21th September
at
Nikki Clinton's new house
12 Hartismere Road, SW6

The Great Lover by Jill Dawson

We all need an Albert, what a wonderful man, can we poach him.........please! Thank you Rona for another wonderful evening in the shed. Delicious food, lovely butler, great company.
The book: written from two perspectives - about a period in time of the life of the poet Rupert Brookes. Many of us knew his poetry, not much was known about his life. This book although obviously full of factual details annoyed many with it's two person narration. The 'bright young things' of this period also grated. Where they really this annoying and shallow? The book didn't generate that much of a discussion, but there were very disparate views on the book.

Words used to describe it: poetic licence, interesting topic, bi-narration annoyance, cross between DH Lawrence - Sons & Lovers and Upstairs Downstairs. Marks out of 10: between 3 and 7.

Next meeting
Tuesday 27th July
at Carolyn's
12 Lysia Street

Next books: - sorry guys two books but one is very, very slim!
Love of Seven Dolls by Paul Gallico

you will have to get this off Abebooks (out of print)
this is quite expensive as it's out of print.
I have a couple of copies which I am prepared to lend out,
if you promise to be really careful with the books. Rowena

Main book
Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky

Other interesting books - nearly chosen
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson

Burying the Bones by Hilary Spurling

about Pearl Buck, infamous American's life in China
at the turn of the last century, and her life subsequently.

The Ghost by Robert Harris

Chrissie - what a fabulous kitchen, thank you for letting us christen it! A very noisy evening I do hope that our newest member, Alison, enjoyed it. Anyway, welcome to the Club.

As said before, a noisy and wide ranging debate, although most though the book of not great literary merit, most of us enjoyed the yarn and the twist in the tale! An entertaining tale with an interesting premise. Words used to describe it: easy read, mechanical, indifferent, good yarn, boyish, soulless, commercial, lazy, good thriller, nothing special, Dick lit (best comment - thanks Alison), entertaining.
Marks out of 10: between 5 - 8

Next Meeting

Wednesday 30 June 8.30
at
Basement Flat, 31A Pallister Road
London, W14

Next Book

The Great Lover by Jill Dawson

About the Author by John Colapinto

A clever entwined story of an aspiring author and his flatmate. Stuart dies in a cycle accident and Cal finds his files full of stories - made out of his recollections of his evenings out. Almost Like Suicide becomes his book and makes him a success. It all goes awfully wrong. Rather like 'Scary Movie' where each character does exactly what you shouldn't do (if you had ever seen a scary movie) Cal keeps making the situation worse. Everyone liked this book - so much so there was very little discussion, so a good book, but not a good Book Club Book!
Words used to describe it: movie material, intriguing, flowed, romping (non sexual), predictable - in a non derogatory way.
Marks - very high 6 - 9!

Next Book

The Ghost by Robert Harris

Next Meeting
Thursday 27th May

Venue not confirmed, but hopefully Chrissie if she hasn't killed the builder by then!

Property by Valerie Martin

Thank you to Mandy for the impromptu hosting of the meeting - Cindy still on a plane somewhere as she had forgotten!!!!! Brain definitely having a senior moment there!

Back to the book: Set in the south of America before the emancipation of the slaves. A suffocating look at life within a marriage and slave ownership on a plantation. An uncomfortable read. The book looks at property in many senses of the word: wife as property, the dowry property the wife brings into a marriage, slaves as property and home/farm/land ownership. At the outset of her marriage Manon hoped for much in her marriage, these hopes are subsumed as her slave Sarah becomes her husbands lover and usurps her in his affections. A triangle of hate emerges, with Sarah and Manon unable to do anything about their situation. Manon unable to cope with her husbands obsession with Sarah and their child together, Manon's money, and Sarah's hatred of her life as a slave. The characters were unsympathetic but intense. You begin to understand the dark, claustrophobic and intense life of plantation living.

Words used to describe the book: grim, suffocating, intense, dark, irritating characters, shackled.
Marks out of 10 - between 7 - 9 so highly marked.

Next Book
About the Author by John Colapinto

Next Meeting
127 Harbord Street
in Chrissie's new kitchen - it should be ready by then!
Thursday 22 April

Somebody at a Distance by Dorothy Whipple

A sharply observed novel of the seduction of a married man by a conniving younger woman. The characters of the protagonists were well drawn, our sympathy stayed with the loyal wife and our hackles rose with the arrival of the seductive and very french woman bent on improving her life - and if the only way possible is another woman's husband, so be it. He too weak to resist. An interesting read.
Phrases used:
We are the gardening hands! Famous Five on Viagra. What goes around comes around!
Pre-feminist. They all need a slap! Watch out for middle aged men and young women!
Marks out of ten between 7 and 9. So highly marked in comparison to some.

Next book:
Property by Valerie Martin

Next Meeting
Thursday 25 March
at
130 Harbord Street

Toast by Nigel Slater

An interesting book that generated a good discussion even if a lot of it was to compare our mother's skill at cooking and our childhood/school remembered foods - Deadman's leg, tapioca, Angle Delight - butterscotch flavour anyone? The bleakness of his upbringing, the lack of love and the neglect, in many respects, was upsetting. Cindy was unable to make the meeting but emailed the following:

'I was initially frustrated with the structure of the book; the short chapters that all seemed to have the same general composition. Boy finds something that makes him happy, parents find a way to make it less wonderful, boy finds way to triumph over adults. The sexual abuse that he treats in an accepting, cavalier way was shocking. As I read on, though, I found I was most interested in the things about 1970s Britain that are both different and the same as 1970s America. Most of the sweets he talks about are unfamiliar to me. The bare, cold, loveless home he grew up in was horrifying. The fact he came out of it with the will to do anything at all is amazing. I think the structure of the book was suited to a weekly newspaper column; don't know if it was or not. For me the most interesting aspect of the book is the insight into a Britain unfamiliar to me. I don't know how true this impression is, though. In the end, I'm glad I read it. I like Slater's recipes, but until last week, I'd never seen him on TV.   The show was very annoying to watch because they used an hand-held camera and hand-drawn titles which were irritating and contrived. But I've done two of the recipes he demonstrated and they both were VERY enthusiastically received by my family. (Lamb hotpot and stuffed butternut squash) I took all the credit, though.'

Words used to describe it: whimsical, nostalgic, honest, comforting, slight, enjoyable, aggravatingly inaccurate, bland, nostalgic, bleakly honest.
Marks out of 10 between 4 and 8, generally it has scored quite highly for a book club book with 5 votes over 7!

Next Book

Someone at a Distance by Dorothy Whipple

Next meeting

Thursday 25th February
at
53 Finlay Street

The Informers

As I wasn't at the meeting on Thursday night I haven't got full notes of what was discussed, so enclose some comments sent to me:
Mandy - Re The Informers - Interesting and atmospheric but in the end over long, suffering from being a translation.
Rona - didn't enjoy last book at all lost the entire plot several times doubt if it would make any more sense in Spanish, but willing to believe it might be , I am by nature an optimist!
Cindy: I agree with Mandy about The Informers. Intriguing at first, but I lost the plot, literally and figuratively, toward the end. I haven't managed to make it to the end yet.
Rowena: I also haven't made it to the end, not sure I have the will to make it there!
Boos: Sorry!
(No need to apologies - you haven't read some of the ones we've selected - much worse, Love of Stones anyone?)

Lovely Thai at 209 Munster Road - definitely one to recommend, love the owner! Mandy got on famously, I really want to try her version of bread sauce!

Next book based on the fact that 3 out of 5 voted for it:
Toast by Nigel Slater

Next Meeting
126 Harbord Street
(to be confirmed that Amanda and Peter can hold it)
on either
Friday 15 or 22 January.
Please advise.

Midaq Alley by Naquib Mahfouz

An intimate story of the various characters within a generic street in Cairo. With no sympathetic characters it was a difficult book to warm to. The characters seemed be symbolic of types rather than characters in themselves. It may have been the translation but the prose lacked some lyricism. Of those that finished the book it was liked, but generally rather a luke warm reception. Marks out of 10 between 3 - 7. Comments: a portrait rather than a story, good but didn't rock my world, post war Coronation Street on hashish, not as much fun as Twilight!

Next Book
The Informers by Juan Gabriel Vasquez

Next Meeting
Thursday 17th December

Meet at 234 Munster Road to talk about the book
and then out to a restuarant for a Christmas get together.

Grapes of Wrath

We finally managed to meet to discuss this book. It generated much discussion even if we didn't all enjoy the book. The three of us who saw the play, appreciated the shock of the ending - which on stage and on page caused a sharp intake of breath. Most enjoyed his prose but found the characters difficult. It was interesting seeing the beginnings of unionisation with the desciptions of man exploitation of an other's hardship. No quarter given, no charity handouts, a hard hard life.

Rona, was unable to make the meeting but saw the play and sent these comments "My comments for book club on Steinbeck's Nobel prize winning epic mmmmmmmmm, I loved reading it although it was at times a bit like eating sensible salad rather than delicious full fat cheese. What I mean is that the quality of writing and descriptions of such harrowing times were superlative, but not easy to read. I knew quite a bit about the Highland clearances which affected families in a similar way but we were not taught anything about American history when I was at school,so I feel informed and moved by the plight of the fictional family portrayed, my three words would be harrowing,epic,poetic.......particularly the last scene." Rona's precis encapsulates the discussion we had.

Words used to describe the book: beautifully descriptive, haunting, labouring, remarkable, bloody boring (Anneka). The book was marked highly between 7 - 9 out of 10.

Next Book

Midaq Alley by Naquib Mahfouz

Next Meeting

Thursday 19th November
at
234 Munster Road

(please let Boos know if you are coming as space is limited - no prams!)

The Other Hand

Thank you Mandy for holding the meeting at such short notice - Amanda we've volunteered you to hold the next one in September! No cricket matches then........... Thanks to Eloise for setting up all the delicious bits and fabulous table.

The book: an interesting premise; what would you do if cutting off a finger meant saving the life of an African child that you had never met before - would you do it? The rest of the book was concerned with the central character's life and the girl. How the main character and her husband had got to that point and the consequences of this event on their lives. Giles hated the book even though he hadn't read it, didn't know what it was about and wasn't going to try it. The rest of us were underwhelmed. It would have made the most amazing short story a taut, demanding and interesting moral story. We didn't really discuss the story although picked the construction of the book apart. Absent members (Amanda & Peter) critic "We both read the book. Can't say either of us liked it. The plot was implausible. Characters not well drawn. Unsure why anyone would call this book a thriller as it lacked the necessary pace". Words used to describe it: misrepresented, good not great, oversold, shoot the editor, interestingly divisive. Marks out of 10 between 4 - 7.

Next Book
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

Next meeting
Wednesday 16th September
at
128 Harbord Street

sWine Flu - symptoms!

I suffer from this quite often: I always knew it was a real disease, at last it has been recognised!. I went to Book Club a couple of nights ago, where I, and other guests, enjoyed copious amounts of alcohol. I awoke the other morning not feeling well, with what could be described as flu-like symptoms: headache, nausea, chills, sore eyes etc. I have unfortunately tested positive for what experts are now calling Wine Flu. This debilitating condition is very serious - and it appears that mine is not an isolated case. Reports are flooding in from all around the neighbourhood of others diagnosed with Wine Flu.

To anyone that starts to exhibit the aforementioned tell-tale signs, experts are recommending a cup of tea and a bit of a lie down. However, should your condition worsen, you should immediately hire a DVD and take some Nurofen (Nurofen seems to be the only drug available that has been proven to help combat this unusual type of flu). Other are reporting that a McDonald's Happy Meal can also help in some cases. Wine Flu does not need to be life threatening and, if treated early, can be eradicated within a 24-48 hour period. If not, then further application of the original liquid in similar quantities to the original dose has been shown to do the trick!

The Books of Rachel

Almost a full complement of the book club members! Including our youngest member and her parents, she was so lovely and well behaved - where does she get it from? Welcome also to our newest member Boos (Amanda) Meader, we do hope you enjoy our eclectic book club. A thin title for a gossipy evening!

The book - most of us found the book interesting historically as it flitted through time, at speed, with each change of Rachel and her turn with the diamond. As the book covered so much history characterisation was thin and story lines slightly contrived. As someone said - this book is definitely 'of it's time, you can feel the late 70's in the way it is written'. About half of us finished the book, with the other half struggling to finish.
Marks out of 10 - nothing higher than a 4, words to describe it: too Jewish, dated, shallow, lacking depth.

Next Book
The Other Hand by Chris Cleave

Next Meeting
As our new member cannot make 16th July let's see if we can find another date.
At
128 Harbord Street