The Guide by RK Narayan (1958). This is our book from the 50’s as this year we are going to work through the decades of Queen Elizabeth’s reign. I chose that as I don’t think we’ve done an Indian author and it sounded a bit different. Plenty of used copies available. Discussion will start on Saturday 11 March.

Here’s the list we’re using.
https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/books/2022/04/22/big-jubilee-read-the-list-of-70-books-that-celebrate-queen-elizabeths-platinum-jubilee/

I hope you all get time to relax and enjoy yourselves over the holiday period. Be thinking about some titles we might read in 2023.

I’m a bit late kicking this off - apologies. I very much enjoyed reading this novel (though it reads more like a memoir) but I’m not quite sure why I enjoyed it. I think she’s a very good writer, though the story was rather bleak. I didn’t like any of the characters but felt I recognised the personality types. I wanted more of the back story; why was the daughter quite so harsh towards her mother? I felt the Dad was the most fully sketched out character and I could squirm at his behaviour. It was a sparse novel that left me wanting more.

What did others make of it? Where did your sympathies lie?

To be discussed from Saturday 10 December. I hope it’s okay - if not blame Radio 4!

Have any of you read anything by Gwendoline Riley? They were waxing lyrically about her this afternoon on the radio 4 book programme. She’s a new one on me but I’m intrigued.

I think this is a very powerful novel, with wonderful characters who I could readily picture. And their various traumas were well portrayed. I enjoyed reading it and wanted to know how it all turned out. I was pleased it had a proper ending which tied up all the loose ends, though I wasn’t sure life was that neat.

I found some of the bits where ‘the book’ is speaking a bit confusing and am not sure how much they added to the story, except length. Perhaps it could have benefited from a bit more stringent editing.

It was a mammoth read - only finished today! How have the rest of you got on?

As recommended by Claire’s sister! It’s a bit longer than our usual books so 7 weeks for this one. Hope lots of you will give it a go - it sounds interesting.

Discussion will start on Tuesday 18th October.

Sorry if you’ve already suggested a book and I’ve forgotten, suggest it again!

I have slightly mixed feelings about this book. I think it makes a very enjoyable read without ever truly convincing me of its 13th century setting. It has some good characterisation, except I didn’t feel Aisha was particularly well drawn. It has some very tender moments such as the illness and death of Jacopo but I felt the love affair was described in quite corny and clichéd ways.

Parts were very interesting- I found the effort that went into securing lapiz and ultramarine quite astonishing - I will lavish more love on it next time I pick up a paintbrush. So overall I was entertained, sometimes moved, and learned quite a lot - can’t be bad!

This has been suggested by @LizS3 and is another new author for me. Last month’s author, Kent Haruf turned out to be a real hit, so always good to try new people.

Discussion will start on 19 August.

NB I noticed more than one book with that title so make sure you get the James Runcie one.

Hi everyone, it’s great to have 54 members in the group but there are only half a dozen of us who actually read some, or all, of the recommended books and join in the discussions. It would be great to have more involvement from the rest of you. Please join in - if only occasionally. We’d love to hear from you!

A new author for me and a good discovery. It took me a little while to get into this story but I’m so glad I persevered.

I loved the blend of tenderness and grittiness. I like the characterisation and found the various people very believable. I thought some of the descriptive passages were wonderfully written. The description, for example, of the dead horse being dragged to the field was very easy to picture.

Liked it a lot! What did others think?

Oop, sorry folks, in a previous post I said discussion would start on 16th but I meant 18th June. I try to stick to Saturdays. Anyway the 18th is fast approaching so get stuck in.

Just a reminder that the next book is Plainsong by Kent Haruf. There is also Plainsong 2 (Eventide) - that’s not the one we’re reading!

Discussion starts 16th June.

Cutting it fine! I’ve just finished reading this at 5.20 am.

I think it’s a very satisfying novel, true to life, with entirely believable characters. She manages to portray the affair with total accuracy and sensitivity, the highs and lows, the waiting around - the wondering - and the inevitable spluttering end.

Although it’s set in the 1930’s, and in a social milieu completely at odds with today, somehow it remains relevant and timeless. I think that marks it out as a classic.

I think she’s a wonderful writer but I didn’t enjoy or understand everything. I don’t think I was ever clear about Simon, and Olivia’s relationship with him - was this ever made clear? And at times I got lost in who everyone was, lots of people drifting in and out of the story but remaining superficial characters. This didn’t bother me, I think they weren’t central to ‘the affair’ but I did get lost at times, especially in the part where she was describing Amanda Cunningham and her party.

All in all, a rich work and I’m glad I’ve read it. I wonder if others agree?!

Better get my skates on.

Am sorry I keep confusing people by dithering about the next book but this is definitely it!

Discussion kicks off on 30th April

My next suggestion is Rosamond Lehmann’s The Weather in the Streets.

This is supposed to be a classic romance. It’s from 1936 but seems to appeal to modern day readers. I think I have read her before but my memory defeats me. Shall we give it a go? Plenty of inexpensive copies out there.

I think I’ll choose the next book if that’s okay with folks. I’m thinking of Olive Again by Elizabeth Strout. It’s a follow up to Olive Kitteridge which was very popular. I can’t remember whether we read that in this group or whether it was in my other book group.

Has anyone already read Olive Again?

And can we have ideas for the book after next please?

I came to The Maidens having just read The Inheritors by William Golding. Rest assured I will not be subjecting this book group to that particular torture. It’s about the first meeting of Neanderthals with Homo Sapiens and is a hard, hard slog…picture many pages of description of logs.

So basically I was desperate for something light and easy. The Maidens completely met my need. I picked it up with enthusiasm each evening, curious about the next twist or turn, never getting down hearted by the death of yet another young woman. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

But I also, sadly, think it was a dreadful book! I’ll not say more for now - over to you!

We will be discussing The Maidens from next Saturday (12/3) so hope some of you have read it. There is still time if not!

People seem keen to carry on with the group so here’s the next book. This was suggested by Viv some months ago but was rather expensive. Prices have come down now and there are several copies in Amazon Marketplace, if you don’t mind second hand.
Discussion will start on Saturday 12 March. Would be lovely if some members who don’t normally join in would give it a go - we’d love to hear from you.

So few people are contributing these days I’m wondering whether this group needs closing, revamping, or anything else that would put some sparkle into it? Thoughts and suggestions please?

Oh dear, where to start? It’s always good to read an unfamiliar author but Belinda Bauer hasn’t inspired me to seek out more of her work. I didn’t hate this book, it jogged along quite nicely because it’s a bit quirky, undemanding, and potentially humorous. It’s an easy read and sometimes that’s enough. But I’m afraid that on this occasion I found it distinctly lacking. The whole story was utterly far-fetched, the characters had potential but were undeveloped. I just couldn’t take it seriously and the humour didn’t reach me either. But always good to try a new author! Bauer is extremely popular and has won literary prizes so maybe I’m just hard to please. Over to you…

I will kick off discussion of The Exit next Saturday 22nd - hope some of you have read it and if not there’s still time!

Wishing you all a Happy Christmas and may 2022 bring lots of great reads.

We will discuss this from 22nd January 2022. Happy reading over the holiday folks.

In case anyone is interested, the Mermaid of Black Conch is the subject of this month's World Book Club on the BBC World Service (https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p003jhsk). I found it interesting to hear the author talking and answering questions about the book

A day later than promised, sorry!

I didn’t think I was going to like this book but I loved it. I found the characters were well drawn, though the precocity of the two young girls was a little hard to believe at times. I thought the Count was charming and he kept my interest. I could readily picture the grandeur of the hotel. I’m not sure how accurately Soviet history and Soviet culture are portrayed, but that didn’t bother me. I liked the pace of the novel, the fact that time moved quite quickly so I never got bored once.

I’ll shut up there. Looking forward to hearing other’s impressions.

We are due to discuss the ‘Gentleman in Moscow’ from next Saturday 27th. I’ve nearly finished it and will be ready but how are others doing? Would you like more time?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elmore_Leonard
In case you've not come across Elmore Leonard, look out for this great writer.
Re-reading "Comfort to the Enemy" at present...time well spent.

We have a few new members who have joined us recently. Welcome all. I hope you will be able to join us in reading ‘A gentleman in Moscow’ which we will be discussing from 27th November.

I love horror/psycho books and am currently obsessing over The Folly by David Anne. I was totally engrossed from page one but if you're squeamish, eat separately from reading as he goes into some graphic details about innards etc.!

By Amor Towles - recommended by Joss - it gets good reviews. Discussion will start on Saturday 27 November.

After that I am hoping that Viv’s suggestion of The Maidens by Alex Michaelides will have come down in price a little. It would be good to give it a go as it gets very good reviews but it’s a little expensive at the moment at around £9-£12 for a second hand paperback.

Hi, did I miss it or the next book hasn't been announced yet?

A memorable book. I usually hate magical realism but I think Monique Roffey pulls it off. I set my scepticism to one side and just enjoyed the story, the characters, the setting, the writing. I think she handles the structure very well shifting fairly effortlessly from the 1970’s to 2015. A very talented writer I think, and that’s certainly reflected in all the prizes and plaudits she’s received.

It’s packed with weighty themes which I can come back to but am keen to know if others enjoyed it …or not…

Sorry forgot to give you a bit of a reminder but I’ll be kicking off discussion of The Mermaid of Black Conch tomorrow. Hopefully we can have a lively discussion.

REVIEW:
"A Gentleman in Moscow immerses us in another elegantly drawn era with the story of Count Alexander Rostov.

When, in 1922, he is deemed an unrepentant aristocrat by a Bolshevik tribunal, the count is sentenced to house arrest in the Metropol, a grand hotel across the street from the Kremlin.
Rostov, an indomitable man of erudition and wit, has never worked a day in his life, and must now live in an attic room …"
AUTHOR: Amor Towles
Fine writing that draws you directly into a different world a hundred years ago.

Hope you’ll find some books to enjoy and will join us in the very informal discussions.

The next book is The Mermaid of Black Conch by Monique Roffey. I’ll kick off the discussion on Saturday 9th October.

This is by Monique Roffey. It gets good reviews and I have read this author before and enjoyed her, so am hopeful!

Discussion will commence on 9th October.

Could you remind me please- what is the next book?

I’ll start with apologies.
Am afraid that I just haven’t got anywhere with this book. I did try. I had two attempts at reading it and both times gave up as I just couldn’t engage with it…too young for me I think and I can’t be doing with deathshrieks and their ilk. Found it all very off putting. Sorry, it’s just not my cup of tea. Very unlike me to give up. How did the rest of you get on?

This is Ray’s suggestion and discussion will begin on Saturday 21st August.

After that we will read The Mermaid of Black Conch by Monique Roffey.

I’m just wondering whether you’d like to read this as our next book? ‘The Mermaid of Black Conch’ by Monique Roffey. It was strongly recommended by a friend who said everyone in her book group had loved it. This book is the ‘Winner of the Costa Prize for Best Book and for Best Novel, Goldsmiths Prize shortlisted, shortlisted for the Rathbones Folio Prize, shortlisted for the Novel section of the OCM Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature, shortlisted for the Republic of Consciousness Prize, longlisted for the RSL Ondaatje Prize and longlisted for the Orwell Prize for Political Fiction’ It’s a bit more magical realism but hey ho maybe I can be converted.

I’ve read another book by her which was very enjoyable.

I also wondered how much of the blame ( assuming you didnt like the book!) and the length could be layed at the feet of the translator- Does anyone know anything about them? are they an author in their own right?

This was a novel that felt to me as if it needed a good editor. Just a bit too long.

I don’t really know what I thought - I’m on the fence - I’m not a great fan of magical realism so couldn’t quite get my head around those bees and their affinity with Simonopio. My other concern was ‘time’ - I felt as though it was all wrong. I felt Simonopio grew up too quickly, one minute being suckled at the breast, then he was a youth, but at the same time the daughter’s wedding preparations were still ongoing. Am I alone in thinking the author messed up her timelines a bit, and I’m not referring to the zigzagging backwards and forwards?

Having been negative so far, I did actually quite enjoy the book. The bits about the Spanish Flu were horribly relevant to today! I enjoyed the Mexican historical setting and quite liked the style of writing.

I’ll be very interested in what others think. Maybe I’ll be swayed off the fence.

Hope you’re all buzzing having read ‘The Murmur of Bees’. I’ll be kicking off the discussion on Saturday 3rd July.

I will kick off the discussion on Saturday 3rd July. It’s quite a long book so best not to leave it until the last minute.

Happy reading!

Has anyone got any suggestions for our next read? Preferably something new to us all.

Crow Lake held my interest throughout. I thought it was written ‘quietly’ but powerfully - a proper family saga which brings out all the characters very clearly and realistically. I could really feel their individual struggles and they all rang true.

I thought the role education plays as both an enabler and a divider was very well portrayed. It’s something that I can relate to quite strongly in my own family.

I liked the remote setting and could feel the atmosphere, mosquitoes and all. I liked this book a lot. It’s her first novel. I wonder whether her later ones are as good - has anyone read her work before?