Regeneration by Pat Barker

Due to loo problems at the shed the Book Club was held at Mandy's - Thank you Mandy. We are looking forward to squeezing into the shed once wc problems are sorted - next month perhaps?

The book was well received by those of us there. Most really liked it even if it took a little to get into and to remember who was who. A brilliantly evocative novel about the psycolocgical issues of the men who fought in WW1 - the begining of psychology as 'treatment' of the shellshocked warriors of horror.   The harrowing descriptions and use of factual material only made the restraint of the book more evocative.
Words used to describe the book were: guilt/survival, tragically valiant, poignantly brilliant, devastating.
Marks out of 10  8 - 9, one of the highest marks for any book we've read.

I recommend that those who did enjoy the book read the next two in the trilogy:
The Eye in the Door and The Ghost Road, both extremely interesting explorations of WWI and the psychological effects on those involved.

Next Book
The Thirteenth Tale
by
Diane Setterfield
(as recommended by gay best friend)

Next Meeting
Wednesday 23th April
at
The Shed
31A Palliser Road,

Cocaine Nights by JG Ballard

Book: Cocaine Nights by JG Ballard

This book generated completely different responses from the members of the club - with no general concensus. The distopian view of the coming 'leisure' society that we will enjoy. The mind numbing boredon, security paranoia and general insularity that will only be enlivened by crime, sex and drugs.
The words given to describe the book were: flacid, discriptive, shite, tennis whites not cocaine nights, disappointing, cynical, badly written, compelling and distopian.
Marks awarded between 2 and 7.

Next Book

Regeneration by Pat Barker

Next Meeting

The Shed
31A Palliser Road, W14
Thursday 20 March

Our Man in Havana by Grahame Green

Book: Our Man in Havana - Grahame Green

It was generally agreed that this was an excellent book and that we all enjoyed it. The farcical character and semi-prophetical nature of the hapless hero Mr Wormold created a stagy and interesting comment on the era of the cold war and the shallowness of the secret service.
Words given to describe the book: vacuum, farcical, unputdownable, incomplete, self fulfilling, entertaining, staged.
The book was generally marked high between 7 - 9.

Thank you to Carolyn for all the lovely food.

Next Book

J G Ballard - Cocaine Nights

Next Meeting

126 Harbord St

Wednesday 20 February

The Journal of Dora Damage by Belinda Starling

Wednesday 13th December

Book: The Journal of Dora Damage by Belinda Starling

• A first novel by Belinda Starling, who unfortunately died before the book was published.  This facinating and quirky book evokative and detailed about Victorian life, the book binding business and the restrictions around pornography in its infancy was a fascinating. A complete page turner that most of us read very quickly. 
•  Marks out of 10 - 9 was the norm. Single word descriptions:
• Giles - uniquely binding
• Mandy - liberating
• Rowena - spellbinding
• etc etc. After that things degenerated to a rather drunken level. I know that I didn't feel that good this morning!! Don't know about the others.

Next book:

• Our Man in Havana by Grahame Greene

Mandy also recommends:

• Amazing Disgrace by James Hamilton-Paterson

French Trip 8/9 March

• This has been tentatively booked for w/e 8/9 March. Could people please let Carolyn know ASAP if they are going and give her a cheque.

Next Meeting: Wednesday 23rd January
Venue: 12 Lysia St - Carolyn's house

Frenchman's Creek by Daphne du Maurier

A Frenchman's Creek by Daphne du Maurier

Was discussed briefly before the party. A bodice ripper, fun and entertaining but more suitable for the teenage girl market, which was when a number of us had originally read the book. Enjoyable, lightweight but entertaining - as is Jamaica Inn which one of us had read! Welcome to our new member Rona!

Next Meeting either

12th December - just under 3 weeks away or 17th January 2008
at Mandy's House, 119 Harbord St.

• There is some discussion as to which book we should read.

• Giles's book is
• The Diary of Dora Damage by Belinda Starling

• If we go on the weekend trip to Paris, the book suggested was
• Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell (Mandy's book)

Weekend away in Paris.

• It was suggested that the book club go on a weekend away to Paris at the end January, 26th, leaving early Sat and returning late on Sunday.
• Who might be interested in this? Please let me (Rowena) or Carolyn know ASAP as Carolyn wants to book Eurotrain and hotel ASASP.

• A few photo's of our wonderful evening at Giles's and Violetta's. Thank you to them and the juke box for hosting a great evening.

Shadow of the Wind by Carloz Ruiz Zafon

Shadow of the Wind
by Carloz Ruiz Zafon

As I wasn't there I cannot say whether people enjoyed the book or not, but the feedback that I have received it appears that most liked the book.

Next meeting Friday 23rd November
at Giles's 53 Finlay Street.

• Start 7.30 with friends and other halves coming at 8.30 for safari supper and dancing to the juke box. Early Christmas Party.

• Next books - two for the enthusiastic!

• Frenchman's Creek by Daphne du Maurier

• The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid

Many Masters, Many Lives by Dr Brian Wiess

Many Masters, Many Lives by Dr Brian Wiess

Sceptical, interested and varied discussion about the premise of this book. Even if people don't really believe in reincarnation it generated a good debate. Purporting to detail the many lives lived by one person, who under hypnosis was able to 'remember' them.  An interesting philosophical discussion ensued. The book most felt was badly written and shallow. Chrissie was unable to find out much about the author himself who is apparently still practicing as a psychiatrist? 

• The next book:

• The Shadow of the Wind by Carloz Ruiz Zafon

• Next meeting at Amanda & Peter's, 128 Harbord St: Wednesday 18th October 2007