Book Group listing
Book Group meetings
Each month we have an open meeting in a hall close to the bookshop. Read more about it here. We usually focus on modern fiction and the discussion regularly attracts around 20 people, men and women, of all ages.
Who would have thought a post-apocalyptic novel could be so beautiful and uplifting? Such a short book, sparsely written yet incredibly thought-provoking in the themes of survival, familial relationships, the power of language and literature. Appreciated by all. Stunning.
A few felt that this novel was sentimental and not true to accepted behaviours in the times it was set. But most loved this book for its humour, sense of family and acceptance, full of wonderful characters and sense of place in London and Florence, Italy.
Some people felt this was a light, summer read while others considered it dark and unsettling. The surreal and puzzling three stories met with a mixed response, and achieved a lively discussion.
All enjoyed the gems of observations and flashes of humour in this imagined memoir, but some felt it needed more plot. Some devoured it in a couple of sittings, others struggled to keep reading. A great discussion!
A fascinating insight to male friendship and behaviours which resonated with all age groups and genders! The second half of the book was agreed to be its triumph, but there was much here for a lively and thought-provoking discussion about a book which brought laughter and tears.
Almost everyone loved this book for the evocative 1950s setting, the gentle pace, the warm but flawed characters. The plot devices of a supposed virgin birth and train crash may have been inspired by real life, but some felt they were not necessary, and at times not well handled, for what was considered in the main a beautifully written, engrossing novel.
An extraordinary book - full of humour and amazing use of language with beautiful descriptions but also deeply tragic for the poor Janet. Resulted in a lively and wide-ranging discussion.