This group is for people who like to read a book and discuss it with others. We will choose a book each month from titles suggested by members of the group. We will then return for an on-line discussion at a pre selected date which will be 6 weeks later. Important that we suggest books which are readily available, not too expensive, and not too long. ** Please note that this is a book discussion group. Business posts will not be accepted and members posting these will be removed from the group. SO PLEASE NO ADVERTISING.
Open Loop 86
Disgrace by JM Coetzee : Discussion
I really enjoyed this one. I thought it was an interesting and disturbing story, full of complicated characters who challenge you to like them.
I thought it was a very pessimistic view of S. Africa and its struggles. I don’t know whether things are any better now.
I know there was a lot of symbolism attached to the dogs in the book but never quite got my head round it.
I can see why it won The Booker prize. What did you think?
We’re up to the 90’s now. I’ve already read a few of the books on the list but am wondering about Disgrace by J M Coetzee. I’ve never read anything by him (it is a him isn’t it?!) but I know he is an extremely well regarded author. What do you think?
Oh dear, what can I say? I really didn’t take to Cloudstreet and have no idea why it was picked as one of the books of the decade. Perhaps you need to be an Australian to really get it. I found it very monotonous and I’m afraid I didn’t get very far at all - perhaps only a third of the way through - and somebody else will have to tell me whether or not it improves over time. I just felt the pace was so slow, the characters didn’t really engage me, the story took too long to develop. Seems some people really love it, but not me!
Next Book is Cloudstreet by Tim Winton (Edited)
And discussion starts on Saturday 9th December. Hope it’s a good one.
We’re up to the 80’s now and I’m thinking of Cloudstreet by Tim Winton. It gets good reviews - a saga of two families - it’s supposed to be a funny book (though I never think they are). I think he’s a new author for me and I don’t think we’ve read an Australian author. It’s available on Kindle and there are second hand copies at reasonable prices. Shall we give it a go?
.
I don’t quite know what I thought of this novel. I read it with ease - it flowed along smoothly enough and I enjoyed lots of individual scenes but I’m not sure whether it held together as a coherent narrative. I found some humour, bit forced at times, but think the danger is that the characterisation suffers… they became a bit ‘cartoonish’ on occasion.
It did make me curious about the history and culture of the Parsis (Parsees?) but again I felt they were sometimes caricatured. An aside - Freddie Mercury was a Parsi apparently.
How did others find it?
This should have commenced today but I haven’t quite finished the book. Can I have a couple of days grace please?
Next Book The Crow Eaters by Bapsi Sadhwa
This is my suggestion for a novel from the 1970’s. I chose it for several reasons. It’s a comic novel and we can sure do with humour in our lives, and it’s by a Pakistani author and I don’t think we’ve read anything from Pakistan. It’s on kindle, and there seem to be a few cheap copies going.
Discussion starts on 16th September.
One Moonlit Night: Discussion.
Having reminded people that we are discussing book on 1st July I forgot the date so apologies - a senior moment!
Anyway, I do hope people liked this book. I think it might be a marmite book. I really enjoyed it and once I’d got into the style, I looked forward to reading it.
I was reminded of my Welsh Mum and Gran referring to people as Jones the Butcher etc. My mum always used to talk about walking over The Bwlch, so when the narrator (did we know his name) goes over the Bwlch with his mum and gets left there, it felt very familiar. I thought Prichard managed to capture the perspective of the child but in such a way that the adult world was always well in the picture. And, boy, was that world grim.
I thought some of the scenes were immensely touching, for example the visit to the young friend dying of TB, and the admission of the mum to psychiatric care.
The ending left me puzzled. I presume he plummeted into madness and perhaps took his own life but it was a bit confusing, reflecting his state of mind I presume.
A sad ending to an usual book. It was described on the cover of mine as ‘lyrical and visceral’. I think that’s a good description.
Hi all, hope you’ve been relaxing with a good book on these lovely sunny days. We’ll be discussing One Moonlit Night next Saturday.
Looking forward to hearing your views.
Next book is One Moonlit Night by Caradog Prichard : discussion 1/7/23 Please read comments beliw r (Edited)
We’ve had a bit of a break so hope you’re ready to read something new. We’re working through the decades and so it’s the 60’s. I’m really keen to read One Moonlit Night by Caradog Prichard (1961). He wrote it in Welsh - one translation is by Philip Mitchell. I’m learning Welsh (it’s hard!) so that’s why I’m keen to sample some Welsh literature and people heap a lot of praise on this novel. What do you think? BEWARE there are other novels out there with the same name, so make sure you look at the Prichard/Mitchell one. There are other translations as well and I’ve got one of those.
I did enjoy this even though I found it a little bit densely written, if you know what I mean. I found Raju an interesting, complex character and found his gradual unravelling quite believable.
It didn’t seem that dated and I thought the writing was generally accessible.
It said in the intro that Naipaul, Narayan’s harshest critic, said that it did not prepare me ‘for the distress of India’. I agree but wondered whether every Indian novel has to portray squalor and misery.
How did others get on.?
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.
My Phantoms: Discussion (Edited)
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?
Next book is My Phantoms by Gwendoline Riley
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.
The Book of Form and Emptiness- Discussion.
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?
Next book: The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki
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!
Discussion of The Colour of Heaven by James Runcie
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!
Next book is The Colour of Heaven by James Runcie
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!
Discussion of Plainsong by Kent Haruf (Edited)
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?
Next Book is Plainsong and discussion will start on 18th June.
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.
Discussion of The Weather in the Street by Rosamond Lehmann (Edited)
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?!
Next book is The Weather in the Streets by Rosamond Lehmann. (Edited)
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!
Next Book: The Maidens by Alex Michaelides
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?
Discussion of ‘Exit’ by Belinda Bauer.
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…
Reminder! (Edited)
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!
Our next book is The Exit by Belinda Bauer
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
Discussion: A Gentleman in Moscow
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.
New Members - hello! (Edited)
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.!
The Next book is : A Gentleman in Moscow Edit: And after that it’s ‘Exit’ by Belinda Bauer. (Edited)
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.
The Mermaid of Black Conch: Discussion
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…
Discussion starts tomorrow (Saturday) (Edited)
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.
An excellent read - recommended
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.
