Letter to Daniel by Fergal Keane

Seven of our group enjoyed a deep, sometimes bordering on political, discussion over a glass of wine and nibbles kindly hosted by Felicity.

We all sat down with our books of matching covers, each representing the resourcefulness we share as the book is out of print and hard to come by. The efforts to search and secure our reading matter were well rewarded as we talked and talked about the book and more broadly about the world it is written about.

This is an honest account by and about the life Fergal Keane has had as a BBC news reporter - a life that took him from small town Ireland to the African and Asian continents and almost certainly many other parts of the world.

It is an infinitely depressing read, but it is though provoking, educational and gripping. It is (as you expect of such an eminent journalist) very well written. It brought back memories of a (totally different genre) past book group read: A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry - "how can something so awful be so beautifully written?"

We had many questions we would have liked to have asked Fergal. For example, how does he live his life when dealing with everything he reports? how does he cope with the horrors? We are 20 years on from when this book was written and the world has got no better - is it worth it? Do you distance yourself from the horrors?

The book is more than a catalogue of horror and disasters but only because Fergal brings each episode back to his reality and leaves a glimmer of hope here and there. Such as:

The Grandson who took a stand against his Prime Minister Grandfather - the architect of Apartheid.
AND
The Chicken School where 9000 children came to learn everyday and sat on old bus seats to do so.

For some of us the book highlighted our own limited knowledge of politics in other parts of the world. How much do we really know about the Middle East now, we wondered? Should we keep out of the situation? does it make anything better to get involved? This is a book group, we stopped short at full on politics, though the Daily Mail did get a mention (mainly for the crossword!)

After Africa it was hard to concentrate on Asia, but concentrate we must in order to get a little bit of knowledge about a very hard line world.

So, in summary this is a thought provoking, hard to read, book and we recommend it as a book that needs discussion - if you can find it!

Our next read is 'The Daughters of Mars by Thomas Keneally' and we will meet at The Hundred of Ashendon, 8pm on Thursday 25th May.

Book Choices - March 2017

Our next meeting is on Monday 27th March at 8pm when we will be discussing Letter to Daniel by Fergal Keane. We will be meeting at Felicity's house as the pub is closed on Mondays.

Here are the choices for our next (Spring!) read.

The Outsider by Albert Camus

In The Outsider (1942), his classic existentialist novel, Camus explores the alienation of an individual who refuses to conform to social norms. Meursault, his anti-hero, will not lie. When his mother dies, he refuses to show his emotions simply to satisfy the expectations of others. And when he commits a random act of violence on a sun-drenched beach near Algiers, his lack of remorse compounds his guilt in the eyes of society and the law. Yet he is as much a victim as a criminal.

Albert Camus' portrayal of a man confronting the absurd, and revolting against the injustice of society, depicts the paradox of man's joy in life when faced with the 'tender indifference' of the world.

Albert Camus (1913-1960), French novelist, essayist and playwright, is one of the most influential thinkers of the 20th century. His most famous works include The Myth of Sisyphus (1942), The Plague (1947), The Just (1949), The Rebel (1951) and The Fall (1956). He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1957, and his last novel, The First Man, unfinished at the time of his death, appeared in print for the first time in 1994, and was published in English soon after by Hamish Hamilton.

The Daughters of Mars by Thomas Keneally

From the acclaimed author of Schindler’s List, the epic, unforgettable story of two sisters from Australia, both trained nurses, whose lives are transformed by the cataclysm of the first World War. 

From the acclaimed author of Schindler’s List comes the epic, unforgettable story of two sisters whose lives are transformed by the cataclysm of the First World War.

IN 1915, Naomi and Sally Durance, two spirited Australian sisters, join the war effort as nurses, escaping the confines of their father’s farm and carrying a guilty secret with them. Though they are used to tending the sick, nothing could have prepared them for what they confront, first on a hospital ship near Gallipoli, then on the Western Front. 

Yet amid the carnage, the sisters become the friends they never were at home and find them­selves courageous in the face of extreme danger and also the hostility from some on their own side. There is great bravery, humour, and compassion, too, and the inspiring example of the remarkable women they serve alongside. In France, where Naomi nurses in a hospital set up by the eccen­tric Lady Tarlton while Sally works in a casualty clearing station, each meets an exceptional man: the kind of men for whom they might give up some of their newfound independence—if only they all survive

At once vast in scope and extraordinarily intimate, The Daughters of Mars brings World War I vividly to life from an uncommon perspec­tive. Thomas Keneally has written a remarkable novel about suffering and transcendence, despair and triumph, and the simple acts of decency that make us human even in a world gone mad.

My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout

Lucy Barton is recovering slowly from what should have been a simple operation. Her mother, to whom she hasn't spoken for many years, comes to see her. Gentle gossip about people from Lucy s childhood in Amgash, Illinois, seems to reconnect them, but just below the surface lie the tension and longing that have informed every aspect of Lucy s life: her escape from her troubled family, her desire to become a writer, her marriage, her love for her two daughters. Knitting this powerful narrative together is the brilliant storytelling voice of Lucy herself: keenly observant, deeply human, and truly unforgettable. 

A short novel about love, particularly the complicated love between mothers and daughters, but also simpler, more sudden bonds . . . It evokes these connections in a style so spare, so pure and so profound the book almost seems to be a kind of scripture or sutra, if a very down-to-earth and unpretentious one.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Nine members of our group met to discuss this short, intense story. We were looking forward to welcoming a new member to our group but a long term road closure is currently splitting our little community in two and, in the dark, she found the complex diversion along tiny, icy roads too nasty and confusing to tackle. So we have our next meeting to do that and we look forward to it and hope the weather in March is kinder. 

So, on to the book:

This classic book was written in 1926, so is an ‘in the time’ story of how the wealthy Americans behaved. We believe that it is a fair representation of life at the time and the overriding impression was of a society with "very few morals".

Nick, the narrator, perhaps had more of a conscience than the characters he portrays (some family, but none friends) but he doesn't give much insight into himself, his life and his motives for sharing the story.

The quality and style of the written word is outstanding. The descriptive phrases and subtle commentary command a second read to ensure nothing is missed nor misunderstood.

The observation of the narrator captures the humour, opulence and appalling behaviour of the set. We enjoyed sharing our narrative highlights: for example:

“Anyhow, he gives large parties,’ said Jordan….’And I like large parties. They’re so intimate. At small parties there isn’t any privacy.”

“Whenever he sees I’m having a good time he wants to go home.”

“Never heard anything so selfish in my life.”

“We’re always the first ones to leave.”

“So are we.”

‘He took out a pile of shirts and began throwing them, one by one, before us. Shirts of sheer linen and thick silk and fine flannel…Daisy bent her head into the shirts and began to cry stormily…”I’ve never seen such beautiful shirts,” she sobbed.

‘And the day before the wedding he gave her a string of pearls valued at three hundred and fifty thousand dollars.’ (Jordan about Daisy.)

As an all-female group we couldn’t help taking a few minutes to discuss the women and how they are seemed to be either ‘weak’ or ‘used’ – were we over sensitive?

Will we recommend it? Yes, definitely, as a good read that generates a lot of discussion, far more than has been shared here for fear of ‘spoiler’.

Our next read is: Letter to Daniel by Fergal Keane. As some members would like an alternative day due to other commitments we decided to ring the changes and will meet on MONDAY 27^th MARCH and, as the pub is closed on Mondays, Felicity has kindly offered to host. 

Book Choices - January 2017

Our next meeting is on Thursday 26th January at The Hundred of Ashendon. We will be discussing The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Blott on the Landscape by Tom Sharpe

The landscape is flawless, the trees majestic, the flora and the fauna are right and proper. All is picturesquely typical of rural England at its best. Sir Giles, an MP of few principles and curious tastes, plots to destroy all this by building a motorway smack through it, to line his own pocket and at the same time to dispose of his wife, the capacious Lady Maude. 

But Lady Maude enlists a surprising ally in her enigmatic gardener Blott, a naturalised Englishman in whom adopted patriotism burns bright. Lady Maude's dynamism and Blott's concealed talents enable them to meet pressure with mimicry, loaded tribunals with publicity and chilli powder, and requisition orders with wickedly spiked beer. 

This explosively comic novel will gladden the heart of everyone who has ever confronted a bureaucrat and spells out in riotous detail how the forces of virtue play an exceedingly dirty game when the issue is close to home.

A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle

A Study in Scarlet is a detective mystery novel written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, which was first published in 1887. It is the first story to feature the character of Sherlock Holmes, who would later become one of the most famous and iconic literary detective characters, with long-lasting interest and appeal. The book's title derives from a speech given by Holmes to his companion Doctor Watson on the nature of his work, in which he describes the story's murder investigation as his "study in scarlet": "There’s the scarlet thread of murder running through the colourless skein of life, and our duty is to unravel it, and isolate it, and expose every inch of it." Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle, DL (22 May 1859 – 7 July 1930) was a Scottish author most noted for his stories about the detective Sherlock Holmes, which are generally considered a major innovation in the field of crime fiction, and the adventures of Professor Challenger. He was a prolific writer whose other works include science fiction stories, historical novels, plays and romances, poetry, and non-fiction. Conan was originally a given name, but Doyle used it as part of his surname in his later years. 

Letter to Daniel by Fergal Keane

Fergal Keane is one of the BBC's best known foreign correspondents. His latest work for Radio 4 was "Letter to Daniel", an emotional message to his newborn son. This work contains a collection of his pieces and includes the "Letter to Daniel" and a similar despatch he wrote to his deceased father. The book also features many of his pieces for "From Our Own Correspondent" and articles written for the "Spectator", the "Guardian" and the "BBC Worldwide" magazine.

The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkes

This book was highly recommended to us by another all-female book group. Billed as a 'psychological thriller' this was a new genre for us as a group read and it got a unanimous, and enthusiastic, vote as our next read. 

So, did we enjoy it?  

It's clever (nothing is obvious and it twists and turns in unexpected directions) BUT it's drawn out and yes, we know she's an alcoholic and we didn't need constant reminding. 

The idea of the train and the view into the gardens is great. Most of us imagine we have been on the same train line and enjoyed the garden spotting opportunities it presents! And, the tiny bits of information that are just dropped in to make the reader 'wonder' are really clever. 

It's is a real page turner - even the slow readers among us found they read it in record time. 

We expected to get chilled by a thriller, to feel afraid of what would happen next, to be frightened when reading alone at night, and we didn't. That's the disappointing bit.

The characters - well they are all a bit far-fetched. 

The police are really badly portrayed. We would spoiler the book if we explained why but their behaviour is so questionable that we wondered if it would offend most self-respecting police. 

We loved Cathy - what a good friend. We wonder what happened to Cathy after. 

Megan's story is so sad. Tom, we were not surprised by. Scott is weak and questionable. Kamal is a genuinely nice bloke (we had to re-read the kiss, it caused great debate). Mac is unforgivable. 

But why are all the women portrayed as losers and victims? We are actually quite angry about that. It's so unnecessary to do that. 

We ended our discussion trying to work out why is this book so popular? Marketing, Richard & Judy, very readable, there's a film, the title is clever and one you can relate to.  It's hype. 

We won't recommend it (but you might want to give it a go anyway and see what you think!)

Our next read is a classic: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and we will meet to discuss that on Thursday 26th January 2017 at 8pm in The Hundred. 

Book Choices - November 2016

Our next meeting is at 8pm on Thursday 17th November at The Hundred of Ashendon. We will be discussing The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins. 

Here are choices for our next read: 

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Generally considered to be F. Scott Fitzgerald's finest novel, The Great Gatsby is a consummate summary of the "roaring twenties", and a devastating expose of the "Jazz Age".

Through the narration of Nick Carraway, the reader is taken into the superficially glittering world of the mansions which lined the Long Island shore in the 1920s, to encounter Nick's cousin Daisy, her brash but wealthy husband Tom Buchanan, Jay Gatsby and the mystery that surrounds him.

Crooked Heart by Lissa Evans

Eccentric, hilarious, and devilishly witty, this Wartime tale of an evacuee during the Blitz is like no other. Noel Bostock is a ten-year-old orphan sent, for safety, to live with 36-year-old Vera Sedge, in St Albans. Vera is a livewire, with money problems and a scheming mind – Noel provides the intelligence to her hair-brained ideas and together they make a great team. 

These explosive characters will have you in fits of laughter, as you fall head over heels for this book. All of which is less of a surprise when you learn that the author was a Former producer of Father Ted and a director of Have I Got News For You.

The Japanese Lover by Isabel Allende

In 1939, as Poland falls under the shadow of the Nazis and the world goes to war, young Alma Belasco's parents send her overseas to live with an aunt and uncle in their opulent San Francisco mansion. There she meets Ichimei Fukuda, the son of the family's Japanese gardener, and between them a tender love blossoms, but following Pearl Harbor the two are cruelly pulled apart. Throughout their lifetimes, Alma and Ichimei reunite again and again, but theirs is a love they are forever forced to hide from the world.

Decades later, Alma is nearing the end of her long and eventful life. Irina Bazili, a care worker struggling to reconcile her own troubled past, meets the older woman and her grandson, Seth, at Lark House nursing home. As Irina and Seth forge a friendship, they become intrigued by a series of mysterious gifts and letters sent to Alma, and learn about Ichimei and this extraordinary secret passion that has endured for nearly seventy years.

The Road to Little Dribbling by Bill Bryson

“I ‘lolled’” ”I enjoyed it “  “it was a good choice”

So that’s it, we did it again, we chose another successful read – but of course we have more to say.

Let’s start with The Bryson Line. What a great idea, Mr Bryson decided to find a line and follow it. Only, we don’t think he did. We think Mr Bryson is a little self-centred and just wanted to get his name on the map AND that he may have already written the book before he put the line in. The Bryson Line was a big disappointment.  But, we still enjoyed the book.

It’s quite educational. We learned a lot. Things like the categorisation of roads in Britain. Who’d have thought it?

And, it’s true to life: people are rude in shops and having read this book we are now so much more aware of the issue. Though in Cuddington Stores they are not rude, they are lovely, so go there.

Swearing doesn’t really add any interest to a book like this. Why does an author feel the need to choose swear words and use them badly? There isn’t really a good variety of words – just a few – and he doesn’t really use them well. While we are at it, we didn’t like the tendency of an old man to muse either. On the other hand, Bill is an author who can poke fun at himself and his own country and that we enjoyed.

So, the honest truth here is that we enjoyed the book overall BUT it annoyed us too. In fact, the start is quite boring and hard to get into. If this hadn’t been a book group book it may have been put down and not picked up again. Because it was a book group read we persevered and the perseverance paid off – it got better!

For a start you find yourself realising you have been there: “Devon Torcross is where we used to go with the children every year”;  “Wittenham Woods are a Sunday favourite” , “Aberystwyth is  actually a lovely place and he over rates Crickhowell”. Just one thing though: It's The Isles of Scilly (please: they are NOT The Scilly Isles they are The Isles of Scilly. You can say Scilly but The Scillies is incorrect too - just saying).  

That said, thank you for sharing so many new places to visit and new books to read (one by Gilbert White sounds fascinating) - we need to plan some book group outings.

In conclusion we thought this book was an exceptional read packed full of things we take for granted in Britain like: nature, countryside and walks with rights of way. It took a foreigner to point this out and he’s right. Not many countries offer the same access to the open land. Even in Ireland you need to take a piece of pipe on walks so that you can put it over barbed wire fences when walking,

Would we recommend this book? Yes!

Our next read is The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins, which we will discuss on Thursday 17^th November at The Hundred of Ashendon.

Quick Ad Break: don’t miss the Literary Festival in Thame over the weekend of 15^th October.