July Books

The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 10th September, from 5.30pm at Costa Coffee, Longfield Centre.

Our books for July:

The ABC Murders by Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie's world-famous serial killer mystery. There's a serial killer on the loose, bent on working his way through the alphabet. And as a macabre calling card he leaves beside each victim's corpe the ABC Railway Guide open at the name of the town where the murder has taken place. Having begun with Andover, Bexhill and then Churston, there seems little chance of the murderer being caught - until he makes the crucial and vain mistake of challenging Hercule Poirot to frustrate his plans...

The Other Hand by Chris Cleave

We don't want to tell you what happens in this book. It is a truly special story and we don't want to spoil it. Nevertheless, you need to know enough to buy it so we will just say this: This is the story of two women. Their lives collide one fateful day, and one of them has to make a terrible choice. Two years later, they meet again -- the story starts there...Once you have read it, you'll want to tell your friends about it. When you do, please don't tell them what happens either. The magic is in how it unfolds.

 

Mist Over Pendle by Robert Neill

Seventeenth century England is a place of superstition and fear. Deep in the Forest of Pendle, people have been dying in mysterious circumstances. The locals whisper of witchcraft, but Squire Roger Nowell, in charge of investigating the deaths, dismisses the claims as ridiculous. Until a series of hideous desecrations forces Roger and his cousin Margery to look further into the rumours. And what they discover brings them face to face with the horrifying possibility that a coven of witches is assembling, preparing to unleash a campaign of evil and destruction...Robert Neill's novel is a classic tale of witchcraft set in a wild inaccessible corner of Lancashire and in a time when the ancient fear of demons and witches was still a part of life...and death.

June Books

The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 30th June, from 5.30pm at Costa Coffee, Longfield Centre.

Our books for June:

 

The Ragged Trousered Philanthropist by Robert Tressell

The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists is a classic of socialist literature, exploring the plight of a group of painters and decorators who are oppressed by their exploitative employers. Since its first publication, Robert Tressell's passionate and enlightened novel has had a perspective-changing, revelatory impact on generations of readers. The eye-opening spectacle of the workers, refusing to acknowledge that they are being ground down at the hands of their masters is brilliantly conceived. Notable for its humour, humanity and frankness The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists is a hugely meaningful and important novel.

The Review 

The story of this book took place in the early 1900’s, although the premise of the book is clear it was still shocking for readers to follow the story of children starving to death, due to the poor conditions under which their parents worked. That they would work hard all their life and still end up with nothing, but the impact of their employers making job as cheap as possible in order to make as much money as possible was significant. The workers were owned by the job, skills were not recognised and they weren’t even given enough materials to the job.

What frustrated all our readers was the inability (or perhaps apathy) to change the culture which at best was exploitation but bullying was also frequent. The men seemed to be content with being taken on the annual workers outing, although poor treatment continued, the trip was just another means of control, but the workers did not see through this.

Our discussion of the book did draw a contrast to today, although conditions are not as severe, there are still many example of worker being treated unfairly or not being able to afford to live reasonably on the pay they receive. An interesting read, but reading was made difficult by the sadness of the material.

The White Queen by Philippa Gregory

Internationally bestselling author Philippa Gregory brings the tumult and intrigue of The Wars of the Roses to vivid life through the women of the House of Lancaster and the House of York, beginning with the story of Elizabeth Woodville, the White Queen. A woman who won the love of a king and ascended to royalty by virtue of her beauty, Elizabeth fought tenaciously for the success of her family -- her daughter who would one day unite the warring dynasties, and her two sons whose eventual fate has confounded historians for centuries: the Princes in the Tower. An active player in the power struggles that surrounded her, she made hard and courageous choices, always trying to protect those whom she loved. Informed by impeccable research and framed by her inimitable storytelling skills, Philippa Gregory gives an unforgettable voice to an extraordinary woman at the heart of a devastating conflict.

The Review

Most of our readers enjoyed this book (and keen to read more in the series) as the idea of using the historical context to create the story was considered to be well executed. Although the use of magical powers is perhaps not so credible, we reflected on witchcraft being an accepted notion during this period in history.

The tenacity of the fight of the Woodville’s  was clear and perhaps even impressive given the lack of power women had in society during this period and length of time the fight for family success lasted.

It was recommended to the group that the story is further supported by the series of programmes with Philippa Gregory, that discuss the history and facts behind the story.

May Books

THE GREAT GATSBY - is showing at the Printworks Manchester on Tuesday 11th June at 17.25.

If anyone would like to come along either on the tram from Prestwich or meet at 5pm outside the Printworks, please contact either Jill or Vicki over the weekend.

Next Meeting Tuesday 18th June from 5.30pm at Costa Coffee, Longfield Centre

Our Books for May 

 

Baking Cakes in Kigali by Gaile Parkin

Meet Angel Tungaraza, professional cake-baker, amateur matchmaker, an ear to listen and a shoulder to cry on. A uniquely charming, funny and touching novel of life, life and food set in Rwanda, a country recovers from unimaginable terror and violence. Angel Tungazara has recently moved to Rwanda from her native Tanzania. With her husband, Pius, and the five orphaned children of their late son and daughter, she is hardly short of things to do. But she still finds time to pursue her hobby and her passion, her small but increasingly successful business, baking individually-designed cakes for the parties and celebrations of her neighbours and their friends. Angel is entirely aware that many of the Rwandans around her have witnessed and survived horrors she can barely imagine. But she also knows that their lives continue, that they also have reasons to celebrate, to be joyous and to be happy. As she gets to know her neighbours and as they tell her their stories, she comes to realise how much each of them has to mourn as well as how much they have to celebrate. And, finally, she comes to accept how much that is true of her too.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Jay Gatsby is the man who has everything. But one thing will always be out of his reach...Everybody who is anybody is seen at his glittering parties. Day and night his Long Island mansion buzzes with bright young things drinking, dancing and debating his mysterious character. For Gatsby - young, handsome, fabulously rich - always seems alone in the crowd, watching and waiting, though no one knows what for. Beneath the shimmering surface of his life he is hiding a secret: a silent longing that can never be fulfilled. And soon this destructive obsession will force his world to unravel.

Review of Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K Jerome and Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

Both of the books for this month provided a split opinion of the group. Firstly to three men in a boat, mostly we were all glad to have read the book and we enjoyed some of the observations and description of the trip. However, some felt it was not as funny as they were expecting commenting that this was just a jolly trip for three men who had too much money and time on their hands. The tangent stories didn't add to the book and in some cases only served to confuse. The book was originally intended to be a travel book, perhaps the resultant in between story we see, along with the passage of time, has led to the split view.

Moving on to Cutting for Stone, this was a dense book which contained a great deal of medical language and several story threads, upsetting in places which meant that some of our readers did not enjoy the book. We all agreed that this is perhaps a book we would not normally read, but the opportunity to review it was welcomed. Those in the group that enjoyed the book found the story compelling and very sad in many places, but once past the first section of the book you wanted to follow the life of the Stone twins and their extended family and connections.

April Books

Next Meeting Tuesday 7th May from 5.30pm at Costa Coffee, Longfield Centre

Our Books for April

 

Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese - We are continuing to read this book

 

Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K Jerome

The classic tale of three men and a boat…and a dog. Not much more to say other than it will make you laugh……a lot. What could be more relaxing than a refreshing holiday on the river with your two best friends and faithful canine companion, Montmorency? However, as J. discovers, there is more to life on the waves than meets the eye – including navigational challenges, culinary disasters, and heroic battles with swans, kettles and tins of pineapple.

Review of the Mayor of Casterbridge By Thomas Hardy

The group enjoyed the book, which is especially good news since at least one member did not have enjoyable memories of having to read Hardy at school. It was agreed that Hardy had created some engaging characters and scenes, with a story full of twists and emotional turmoil resulting from the actions and secrets they kept from one another. We don’t know if this is the case but we like the idea of the title of Mayor of Caster bridge being interchangeable between Henchard and Farfrae.

Henchard’s out of control bullying left little sympathy from the group when his fall from Mayor came about by conspiracy, as it considered to be his own fault. He didn’t learn from his mistakes to become a nicer person or more sympathetic.

We also explored the issues of the lack of status for women at this time and what was the cause of Elizabeth not asking questions of about her father, was conditioning of her upbringing, the lack of status or just innocence of the times?

February Books

Next Meeting Tuesday 2nd April from 5.30pm at Costa Coffee, Longfield Centre

Our Books for February 

Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

Marion and Shiva Stone, born in a mission hospital in Ethiopia in the 1950s, are twin sons of an illicit union between an Indian nun and British doctor. Bound by birth but with widely different temperaments they grow up together, in a country on the brink of revolution, until a betrayal splits them apart. But fate has not finished with them - they will be brought together once more, in the sterile surroundings of a hospital theatre. From the 1940s to the present, from a convent in India to a cargo ship bound for the Yemen, from a tiny operating theatre in Ethiopia to a hospital in the Bronx, this is both a richly visceral epic and a riveting family story.

The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy

Though he achieved more popular success for works such as Far From the Madding Crowd and Tess of the d'Urbervilles, most critics now see The Mayor of Casterbridge as Harding's crowning accomplishment. This novel traces the ascension of Michael Henchard from a hardscrabble manual labourer to a pillar of his community. But will the shameful secret that haunts him come to light and undermine his new-found prominence?

Review of The Woman Who Stayed in Bed for a Year by Sue Townsend

The group has a polarised view of the book, finding the central character Eva quite irritating but wanting to finish the book. Overall there was agreement that the book was good but Eva wasn't likable, she treated those who tried to help (her mother and mother in law and several others) very badly. Some sympathy was given for the mental breakdown Eva was experiencing as a result of being badly treated by her husband and children, but this diminished as the character became increasingly irrational only crossing the room by walking on a white sheet and having the windows boarded up. Thought provoking, it reminded some readers of the film Forrest Gump, who like Eva, ended up with several followers, that appeared for no real reason, in the street outside her home. Perhaps they were looking for answers to the twists and turns of life too?

Review of Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier

Considered a very enjoyable book by the group, which are keen to read other works from the author. We saw Rebecca as the young lady's companion was seemingly experiencing many awkward situations in which she struggled to managed, having no adviser to guide and confide in. This was all set within society and environment where keeping up appearances is the 'done thing' and structure and formality is considered to be the only way of life. Wonderful story telling, it was refreshing to read a book where we were not sure of how it would end.

Book group additional reading links

The following links and resouces may be of interest...

Prestwich has it very book festival and it takes place from 12th May to 16th June 2013. There are many events taking place, tickets are on sale now. 

www.prestwichbookfestival.net

It is world book night on April 23rd 2013, this link will take you to all the details and the list of this years books.

http://www.worldbooknight.org/books/2013

http://www.greenmetropolis.com/

This is an online charity bookstore, with a great range of books to choose from, this might be useful when the library does stock our choosen book club read.

 

January Books

Next Meeting: Tuesday 19th February 2013, from 5.30pm at Costa Coffee, Longfield Centre 

 

Our Books For January

The Woman Who Stayed in Bed for a Year by Sue Townsend

The day her children leave home, Eva climbs into bed and stays there. She's had enough - of her kids' carelessness, her husband's thoughtlessness and of the world's general indifference. Brian can't believe his wife is doing this. Who is going to make dinner? Taking it badly, he rings Eva's mother - but she's busy having her hair done. So he rings his mother - she isn't surprised. Eva, she says, is probably drunk. Let her sleep it off. But Eva won't budge. She makes new friends - Mark the window cleaner and Alexander, a very sexy handyman. She discovers Brian's been having an affair. And Eva realises to her horror that everyone has been taking her for granted - including herself. Though Eva's refusal to behave like a dutiful wife and mother soon upsets everyone from medical authorities to her neighbours she insists on staying in bed. And from this odd but comforting place she begins to see both the world and herself very, very differently...

 

Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier

Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again…
Working as a lady's companion, the heroine of Rebecca learns her place. Her future looks bleak until, on a trip to the South of France, she meets Max de Winter, a handsome widower whose sudden proposal of marriage takes her by surprise. She accepts, but whisked from glamorous Monte Carlo to the ominous and brooding Manderley, the new Mrs de Winter finds Max a changed man. And the memory of his dead wife Rebecca is forever kept alive by the forbidding housekeeper, Mrs Danvers…
Not since Jane Eyre has a heroine faced such difficulty with the Other Woman. An international bestseller that has never gone out of print, Rebecca is the haunting story of a young girl consumed by love and the struggle to find her identity.

 

Review of Toast by Nigel Slater

Overall we enjoyed this book, although it was felt that there was an overall sadness throughout, that was not just associated with the death of his mother when the author was very young. Although Nigel Slater has siblings, they are not often mentioned in the book, as we realised with at least a 15 year age gap, his brothers would have not shared the same experiences or memories. With this in mind its seemed like a lonely childhood with food becoming a comfort and focus in life.

It was thought that although his TV programmes are enjoyable there is an air of melancholy about him, which is also felt about the book. We do like that fact that he appears not as a larger than life 'celebrity chef' but rather describes himself as a cook, with a love of food that clearly stems from his childhood experiences. On TV there are scenes of him pottering around in the garden, we wondered if this has resulted from the influence of his father and his own love of the greenhouse and garden, which is often referred to in the story.

As an autobiography, we liked the idea of using specific food stuffs to prompt the story telling, a format not seen by readers before and it did provide a nice thread to the story. Although there was an element of nostalgia, which we all associated with (and enjoyed), it did drive the story which felt genuine. There was a consensus that perhaps he may have been prompted by editors or publishers to spice things up, leading to some references to sexual experiences but only inferences to sexuality, which we agreed was wholly reasonable.