Here is the 2016 list of books, which took us past 100 in total, and also saw the tenth anniversary of the group. Two original members remain (though we started small with only three of us).
98. Waiting for Sunrise by William Boyd
99. All the Light We Cannot See by Antony Doerr
100. Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee
101. Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks
102. A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James
103. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
104. The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler
105. Restoration by Rose Tremain
106. The Reader on the 6.27 by Jean-Paul Didierlaurent
107. The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton
108. Longbourn by Jo Baker
Year of Wonders was my personal favourite this year, but actually, what a list. Only one dud, and I'm not mentioning any names.
Tuesday 6 December 2016
December 2016 Longbourn by Jo Baker
This meeting was our tenth anniversary, and took place in Billingshurst with a celebratory Christmas meal.
Generally members enjoyed the connections with Pride and Prejudice, and felt that after a not very engaging start the plot picked up and added some interesting new dimensions to interpretations of Austen, particularly in relation to Mr and Mrs Bennett.
Generally members enjoyed the connections with Pride and Prejudice, and felt that after a not very engaging start the plot picked up and added some interesting new dimensions to interpretations of Austen, particularly in relation to Mr and Mrs Bennett.
November 2016: The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton
We all agreed that The Miniaturist lacked something and the plot became a bit preposterous – but we liked the setting in 17th century Amsterdam. Thanks to Dawn for hosting the November meeting.
Compiled by Jessie Burton and Francesca Main, Editorial Director at Picador
1. How would you describe the sense of place in The Miniaturist, and how
does the novel present seventeenth century Amsterdam?
2. What does the gift of the cabinet house symbolise to Nella in terms of her
marriage to Johannes and her own status?
3. The Brandt household is full of secrets. Which made the biggest
impression on you and why?
4. Did your attitude to the characters remain consistent throughout the
novel, or did your loyalties shift as you kept reading? Which character
provoked the strongest reaction from you?
5. How would you describe Nella’s relationship with Marin? In what ways do
they conlict, and are they more alike than they think?
6. What do you think was the most signiicant cause of the Brandt’s downfall?
7. Do you think the miniaturist is a magical force or a human one? What is
the most important thing that Nella learns from her?
8. To what extent do you think Nella was in control of her own fate, or was
she at the mercy of those around her?
9. How did seventeenth century Dutch society view women, and how
different is life for women today?
Compiled by Jessie Burton and Francesca Main, Editorial Director at Picador
1. How would you describe the sense of place in The Miniaturist, and how
does the novel present seventeenth century Amsterdam?
2. What does the gift of the cabinet house symbolise to Nella in terms of her
marriage to Johannes and her own status?
3. The Brandt household is full of secrets. Which made the biggest
impression on you and why?
4. Did your attitude to the characters remain consistent throughout the
novel, or did your loyalties shift as you kept reading? Which character
provoked the strongest reaction from you?
5. How would you describe Nella’s relationship with Marin? In what ways do
they conlict, and are they more alike than they think?
6. What do you think was the most signiicant cause of the Brandt’s downfall?
7. Do you think the miniaturist is a magical force or a human one? What is
the most important thing that Nella learns from her?
8. To what extent do you think Nella was in control of her own fate, or was
she at the mercy of those around her?
9. How did seventeenth century Dutch society view women, and how
different is life for women today?
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