The group saw some comings and goings during 2018 but one thing remains the same ,some stimulating and enjoyable reads. We meet on the first Friday of the month, at 2.00 pm with each of the twelve members hosting the group in turn and choosing the read for that month.
he reads are varied with some classics such as “Remains of the day” by Kasuo Ishiguru and “My Antonia” by Willa Cather and a wide variety of others.
The meetings are friendly and all views are discussed and are usually divided. Within the group, there are usually some who will find the book choice for that month a “joy to behold” and some who find it “not to their taste” or even annoying – such are different tastes!
At the 2018 Christmas social we had a book of the year competition and voted for our favourite read of the year.
The joint winners were — “The Miniaturist ” by Jessie Burton and “Eleanor Oliphant” by Gail Honeyman – both excellent reads and highly recommended.
Happy reading!
The group is now full, being twelve at present, but there is a waiting list.
This groups’ coordinator is John Mann who can be contacted by email, or by telephone on 01629 584997 .
Old Filth by Jane Gardam
This is the first book of a trilogy recounting the story of Sir Edward Feathers, from his early years as a lawyer in Southeast Asia, where he earned the nickname Old Filth (FILTH being an acronym for Failed In London Try Hong Kong), to his final working days as a respected judge at the English bar. The novel moves back and forth in time, revisiting his childhood and formative years as well as focusing on his last attempts in the present to deal with the past after the death of his wife. Feathers spent an emotionally difficult childhood in Malaysia during the British Empire’s heyday, before being shipped off to Wales – a ‘Raj orphan’. Following an unmentionable incident he was transferred to a boarding school where for a time he became settled.
At the outbreak of war he evacuates back to Singapore at his father’s request. An ill-fated journey, but one which produces an unlikely friendship. All these episodes are revealed sporadically throughout the novel and retraces much of mid-twentieth century’s torrid and momentous history.
The book is filled with memorable scenes and interesting characters – well worth a read!