The Reader on the 6.27: October 2016

Our October meeting took place in Horsham. The Reader on the 6.27 was enjoyed unanimously. Particularly, we agreed that the characterisation and ending were especially good. It had the surreal feeling of the film Amelie, and it was enjoyable to read something where, for most of the time, you are disarmed by not knowing in what direction it is headed next.

All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

February's book was by Anthony Doerr:

We unanimously loved All the Light We Cannot See and it provoked much discussion about the compelling narrative structure.  Definitely one we’ll all be recommending. 

Thanks to Rosanna for hosting.

Remember Me by Melvyn Bragg: December 2015

Unusually, not a single person had finished this book!

All agreed it was raw and compelling and an emotional read, and there was lots of discussion about the authenticity and accuracy of Bragg's 'autobiographical' story in the form of a novel.

Mrs Hemmingway by Naomi Wood: October 2015

We had a lovely evening at Jane’s on Monday 12th October – there was unanimous praise for Mrs Hemingway. Most liked Hadley the best but thought Fife the most interesting wife. Ernest got a big thumbs down! 

Some of us feeling quite inspired to read more about the Lost Generation and Hemingway.  The opening section in Paris/Antibes was particularly praised.

Miss Carter's War by Sheila Hancock

This month's meeting takes place in Crawley to discuss Miss Carter's War by Sheila Hancock.

I really enjoyed the dance through the decades, the Forrest Gump-like way that Marguerite seems to be at every major event of the twentieth century, and the teacher's 'reward' in the closing stages of the novel.

The flashbacks from the war years are also satisfyingly resolved and reflected in interesting ways in the contemporary narrative.  I found the early teaching descriptions a little naive and idealistic, but then I suppose that was intended to reflect the protagonist at that point in her life.

The whole novel was ambitious in its scope since as well as containing a 'life' in almost its entirety, the narrative also seemed to incorporate every major issue since the war - including AIDS, dementia, social injustice, 9-11, the education system, drugs, teenage pregnancy - as well as being a meditation on the ageing process and the meaning of life.

It was not what I expected at all; and it has made me want to rethink tomorrow's wardrobe as we return from the Easter holidays!