Living the dream or living a nightmare?

When you’re stuck in a bit of a rut and fancy a change some people like to go on holiday, others like to get a new haircut and some may like to blow a weeks wage on a shopping spree. As for Cassie, our main character in As Far As You Can Go by Lesley Glaister, she fancies a relocation and fresh start. Cassie is hoping to add a bit of ‘umpf’ to her tired relationship and decides to apply for a job in Australia in the hope that her partner will tag along and their relationship will hit new heights. Cassie applies for the job and is successful and her partner, Graham, decides to accept this new adventure and away they go. Cassie is to complete house duties for a couple who live on their own in a remote setting and Graham can chill out and enjoy the scenery which tempts him back into his painting. A dream job if ever there was one.

What could possibly go wrong?

Well, arriving at your accommodation and finding that there is no bathroom is a little unnerving to say the least, but our characters do not let this dampen their spirits and continue to sample the delights of the Australian outback. The tranquility, the scenery, the endless supply of good food and wine – oh, did I mention the wife who lives in a shed? No, I don’t think I did. Well the wife lives in a shed. Something I’d find a bit on the odd side but not Cassie and Graham. In fact, they very rarely seem to be unsettled by any of the odd goings on which start to happen on this desolate patch of land. As the story tootles along, as a reader we can see that there are some serious issues surrounding their employer and his disturbed wife. Cassie and Graham eventually start to understand that their life changing adventure may in fact cost them their lives. The unsettling events which begin to arise force them to make the decision to escape, but will they escape unharmed or will they be scared forever?

Interesting stuff, and I for one quite enjoyed this little novel. Yes, it was predictable in areas but the idea of the story did catch my attention and successfully managed to hold it for the whole 336 pages. As for our group, we had mixed views on this one. Apart from the odd one who really didn’t take a liking to it, the general feel was that it was an interesting read but nothing to get too excited about. The way in which it is written is simple enough and the intrigue of the storyline will keep you turning the page to a certain point. There are some disturbing and creepy aspects to the book which may unnerve you a little but it’s the psychological aspect to the book rather than gruesome goings on that will chill you to the bone.

We did manage to squeeze out a good discussion for this book and found that the author left us with more questions than answers but although this is a book we all managed to finish it wasn’t a book that we could easily recommended to a friend. Maybe to one who has a taste for the psychological thrillers but who doesn’t care too much for any twists and turns and ‘wow, I didn’t see that coming!’ bits in it! Like I say, I did enjoy this one and it certainly wasn’t a book to go on our ‘oh my god that was horrific’ list so I guess I can safely say give it a try and see what you think!

Our next book is A Simple Act of Violence by R.J.Ellory. Roger has kindly agreed to send the group some questions to help with our discussion and has agreed to answer several burning questions that may arise in our group meeting – so it should be a good one!

When God was a Rabbit – or maybe not . . .

When God was a Rabbit – a little bit ambiguous but we all generally thought that this would be quite a religious book. In some ways it was, but the general story is centered around a young girl and her family in the 1960s, (not actually about God when he was a rabbit. I’m pretty sure he wasn’t but I’d have loved to have read about it if he was!).

This is the blurb on the back of the book:

This is a book about a brother and a sister. It’s a book about childhood and growing up, friendships and families, triumph and tragedy and everything in between. More than anything, it’s a book about love in all it’s forms.

I was intrigued by this at first and couldn’t wait to find out about all of the above. You can imagine my disappointment when all of these were covered, but none at any great depth. As I prepared for book group I was excited about the meeting – it’s nearly Christmas and I was bringing mince pies – but shouldn’t I have been more excited about the book? Yes, I should have, BUT – I have to admit that during the meeting, once we’d chatted and discussed, I actually changed my mind and decided that I did quite enjoy some bits. More so than others, but nevertheless I can say that I did enjoy it.

The first half of the book covers the life of Elly – a young, naive little girl with a rather overly excited friend called Jenny Penny. We see Elly growing up and dealing with various struggles and life changing experiences. It was interesting to see those experiences through such young eyes but they were all things we are familiar with. There weren’t any new issues being brought to the table. As we trundle along we begin to see the bond between both her and her brother and also see the bond within her family. There are street parties and nativity plays but once again, nothing out of the ordinary. After a stroke of good fortune Elly is separated from her friend and is whisked off for a better life in Cornwall. In the second part we see Elly in her older years. Many of her worries and problems from her childhood have vanished but new ones seem to arise. Such is life. A majority of the group decided that the first half was much better than the second. Some of the events in the book were interesting as everyone could relate to them in some form, but sometimes it felt as though such events were ‘thrown in’ to ensure that the reader didn’t nod off. Take some bits out, add a few bits in and hey presto – a jolly good book.

Overall, the general feel for the book was quite a positive one. We neither hated it, nor loved it, but rather thought it was quite a pleasant read. There were many issues and areas explored in the book – abuse, terrorism, amnesia, loyalty, love despair and hope – but having so many areas to cover in one book can take away the feel and direction and a few readers felt that there was just too much going on. Disjointed in areas, stories that drifted off with no answers and a large jump in the timeline seemed a little ‘off putting’ and took away the flow and intrigue of the story. As a group we felt that as a whole book it lacked consistency, but when we separate the different parts of the book and look at them more closely, we enjoyed the excellent one liners and quite frequent thought provoking scenes. There was even some humour thrown in there with the nativity scene a clear favourite.

It was a nice book to finish on for the year and I hope that 2012 can continue to bring some excellent people, books and discussions. Our next book is As Far as You Can Go by Lesley Glaister and we shall be meeting on Tuesday 3rd January.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Here’s to 2012!

Mr Chartwell – questions please!

“I don’t like standing near the edge of a platform when an express train is passing through. I like to stand right back and if possible get a pillar between me and the train. I don’t like to stand by the side of a ship and look down into the water. A second’s action would end everything. A few drops of desperation.” - Winston Churchill (1874-1965)

Mr Chartwell is based on the infamous ‘Black Dog’ which Winston Churchill mentioned on many occasion in reference to his depression – or a manifestation of it to be precise. Rebecca Hunt’s novel is based around Mr Chartwell (the Black Dog) and how he worms his way into the life of a young widow whilst relentlessly hounding (no pun intended) Winston Churchill.

Our group was a little mixed on this book. Some thoroughly enjoyed it, others despised it and some merely thought it was OK. One thing that we did all agree on was the lack of conversation we could drum up about the book. The story itself is pretty much based around the theme ‘depression’ and there is very little else to talk about. I even spent quite some time searching for suitable book group questions on the internet to find nothing but a few interviews with questions such as ‘If Maf the Dog and Mr Chartwell were to have a fight who do you think would win?’ Inspiring stuff, but not quite what I was looking for.

After finding little to talk about we found ourselves discussing previous books, potential books, films we’ve seen, films due out and had a nice cup of tea with some biscuits. That pretty much sums up the discussion of the book I’m afraid!

So, a bit of a short post this time, I just hope that we can have more to say about our next book – When God was a Rabbit by Sarah Winman – so until then, goodbye for now!

Gothic? I’ll let you decide . . .

I had the great pleasure of being able to attend a gothic tour of Durham recently which was quite fitting to our most recent book – The Possessions of Doctor Forrest by R.T.Kelly.

Gothic is the term originally used to describe things pertaining to the gothic people and then reused in a variety of contexts. The creation of literary works that employed such late medieval backdrops to explore dark aspects of human nature and the supernatural led to the creation of gothic fiction, which was the origin of the modern horror genre.

On my intriguing gothic tour I found that the true origins of the gothic culture are now more related to the disturbing and the macabre. The Possession of Doctor Forrest – for me – certainly covered both of these, but was it enough to keep the cover over my head and the lights on? I’m not too sure.

Richard.T.Kelly was a guest author at the Durham Book Festival this year and wrote this short piece about his novel:

Let me welcome you to ‘the dark side’ – the place, I daresay, from which my novel, The Possessions of Doctor Forrest, comes. 

It’s a tale of mystery and the supernatural, very influenced by the old literary style known as ‘gothic’, even though the story takes place in the present. But in writing the novel I wanted to see if that rather vintage style could still entertain modern-day readers – because it’s always delighted me.

When I was a boy first discovering books I had the child’s customary fascination with the uncanny and the macabre. Some of the first novels I loved were gothic classics of the 19th century – Frankenstein, Dracula, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. All of these stories – indeed, most ‘horror’ stories – are really about our (very natural) fear of death, and our common yearning for a life beyond the expiry date of our bodies: that date unknown and yet assured…

I wanted to transplant the themes of these books, and their eerie atmospheres, into a 21st century story set in London, about a successful cosmetic surgeon – Doctor Forrest – who goes missing in strange circumstances. He has two dear old friends, Doctors Lochran and Hartford. They had suspected Forrest was already

in a bad way and now fear something dreadful has happened to him. But as they attempt to investigate his disappearance for themselves they are drawn into a world of menace and threat, where they discover that their friend was not the man they thought.

A good gothic story should unnerve us by dint of its darkness. But there’s also something in the dark that can be enveloping, and alluring. So I hope this novel will give you a fright – but that you find pleasure in it too.

Richard T Kelly

Book group questions

Here are a few questions that the author thought might help with our discussion. How do you think you would answer these questions?

1) What does the term ‘gothic’ mean to you in describing a story? Is it a style that you recognise? Were there things about this novel that felt ‘gothic’ to you?

2) Do you think Richard T Kelly’s style of writing was appropriate to the sort of story he was telling? Did the novel feel ‘old-fashioned’ to you in any way?

3) As you went along, were you reminded of any other horror stories or supernatural stories that you’ve read previously?

4) How soon did you guess ‘the secret’ of what had happened to Dr Forrest? Was there a specific point in the story where you were sure you had cottoned on? What were the main clues that helped you to guess?

5) Why do you think Doctor Forrest accepted the ‘bargain’ offered him by Dijana Vukovara?

6) To what extent do you believe that the way we look, our physical appearance, defines who we are as people? If your appearance changed very radically, could you still be the same person? Or would something essential about who ‘you’ are have changed, too?

7) The three doctors – Forrest, Lochran and Hartford – are markedly different from one another. What do the choices they’ve made in life (their wives, their homes, professions, hobbies, enthusiasms) tell us about the sort of men they are?

8) Did the novel remind you in any way of your own friendships, or friendships you used to have? Do you think we forgive our oldest friends for behaviour that we wouldn’t tolerate from other people? Or is it possible, as Hartford says of Forrest, for even one’s oldest friends to ‘lose the things we liked about them’?

9) Was the ending of the novel an appropriate, satisfying resolution to the story for you? Or would you rather it had ended differently?

10) Can you imagine what might happen next to Dr Forrest after the book’s final page?

11) Looking back, do you think there was a moral to this book? Dr Forrest says he has had ‘no end of a lesson.’ Do you agree? If so, what sort of a lesson was he taught?

The questions above moved our meeting on at a good pace and really fuelled our discussions to the very end. However, we did find that this book failed to deliver that fresh, new gothic novel we were all so hungry for. Frankenstein, Dracula, Dorian Grey, Doctor Faustus – they all seemed to be woven together to create a patchwork quilt rather than spinning a new yarn and creating a brand new sheet! We felt as though we had been there before which made it harder to get into the true bones of the story. The beginning and middle seemed more of a murder mystery and it wasn’t until the latter part that we really see the gothic genre coming to the front of the storyline, but by then – it’s just too late.

However, we did have an amazing book group discussion on this novel and for that I thank Richard.T.Kelly for this inventive gothic piece.

Art with bottle – How to Paint a Dead Man

Well, here is my first official post for Middlesbrough Book Group – hope it’s a good one!

Firstly, I’d like to say a big ‘Hello’ and ‘Welcome’ to everyone who attends the group. I hope I can continue the good work our previous book group leader has delivered.

Our September read was an interesting one. How to Paint a Dead Man delivers on many levels, although a few of our readers – including myself – found it a very hard read which was difficult to follow and seemed disjointed in areas.

We had mixed view points on the style, voice and plot of the novel and the general feel of the group was that this book would not be one they would recommend.

Having said that, we did have some great discussions on how the four stories of the book came together in their subtle ways, and also picked up on issues such as loneliness and coping with death.

Here is an interview with Sarah Hall which I found on the Man Booker Prize website: http://www.themanbookerprize.com/perspective/articles/1262

We did sift out a few questions in the meeting: Why is the title as it is and are the chapters named after paintings? I will endeavour to find out these answers!

The next meeting is on Tuesday 18th October and we will be discussing The Possessions of Doctor Forrest by Richard.T.Kelly.

See you all there!

Clocking Off

I  normally update this blog a few days after our meeting, to give me time to think about what to say. Tonight is different, as tonight was my last group as leader, and I thought it best to document it whilst it’s not a hazy memory.

We discussed ‘The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks’ . Some thought Henrietta’s family were unsympathetic, others wanted to learn more about the Nuremberg Trials and slavery. Some enjoyed the science, others got a bit lost but carried on and finished the book. Everyone had something to say.

The group of people there tonight were regulars – but as always, there was a new face there. Tonight we had Olivia from New Writing North – my boss- who complimented us on being a very interesting and solid group of people. I love that we have regulars now, and there is always a good welcome for new people, regardless of background, confidence levels, or opinion.

Although I originally said yes to running the group to give me somewhere to gabble on about my obsession with words, it’s also led me to meeting some lovely people, and tonight, some of them threw me a tea party, and gave me cards and presents which I didn’t expect and am very grateful for (especially the cards which made me a bit emotional in the safety of back home).

The group is one of the things (including my job as a journalist, my roller derby league,  my house, my friends and family) which I’m leaving behind to move away and study Midwifery down South, but I’m pretty good at staying in touch with people, be warned!

I have absolutely loved meeting up every month, and know that the new leader Stephanie (who will be blogging here soon) will carry on the laid-back feel of the group, and add her own touches just like I did. I think she’ll a grand job, and wish her lots of luck.

So yes, it’s nice to end on a high note, after 3 years of being chucked out of various venues, heated debates, numerous cups of tea and cocktails, and getting to meet a most excellent bunch of people.

Over and Out.

xx

Weird Science

Here in Middlesbrough we like to push boundaries, explore new worlds and adventure into the unknown – and that is just on Southfield Road on a weekend. Book-wise we have never read a science fiction novel, until June, when the members of the group took one giant leap and read Iain M Banks – ‘Consider Phlebas’.

I say read, but most of the group, even the ones who enjoy sci-fi in film and books struggled to get half way through it. Tiny writing, made-up words by the bucketload, and unsympathetic characters led to an interesting discussion, but a lot of books heading to the charity shop, post-meeting.

I think this is one of the exciting elements of a book group – it’s a gamble every time whether you choose the right book for the group, and also whether or not people actually can read it, never mind enjoy it.

Our next book is ‘The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks‘ – chosen by one of our members for the Summer book group before our break in August). As a science nerd and a feminist, this was one on my list of books to read, and I’m REALLY excited to discuss it in July (which will be my last book group before our new leader Stephanie takes over.

Like Henrietta’s cells….’To infinity and beyond!”

Lucky Dip for July

One of the things I love about book group, is meeting new people and finding what makes them tick. Over the past few years I’ve met people from all sorts of backgrounds age groups, jobs and places and it never gets boring. No matter what our interests, we all share a love of books, which makes for an easy atmosphere, for outgoing and shy people alike.

‘The Hand that First Held Mine’ provoked passionate discussions about motherhood, morals, the role of men and the perils of changing a baby in a tiny en-suite. Whilst some members found the writing “well written, but light”, others were in tears at pivotal moments in the dual stories of Lexie in the 1950s and Elina in present day.

One thing we agreed on was that it would make a good film, and someone has already probably bought the rights.

We also chose July’s book – each member (inluding absent ones) sent titles and we picked ‘The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks’ by Rebecca Skloot.

The rest of the books (which I said I would paste up as a record) were:

The Group – Mary McCarthy

Started Early Took My Dog – Kate Atkinson

How to paint a dead man – Sarah Hall

Blue Eyed Boy – Joanne Harris

Slaughterhouse 5 – Kurt Vonnegut

Less Than Zero – Bret Easton Ellis

The elegance of the Hedgehog – Muriel Barbary

The Lieutenant’s Lover – Harry Bingham

Our next book is Consider Phlebas by Iain M Banks on Tuesday 7th June, and we’ll be introducing your new new book group leader who will co-host the July group with me.

See you there.

A change is as good as a rest yes?

hello all

Hope you’re enjoying the MJ Hyland book for April book group.

Did you know we have now been going for three whole years? Good going for a book group isn’t it? I can honestly say I have had a most wonderful time hosting it, meeting lovely people and reading a massive  stack of interesting  books.

So, it seems a good time to announce that the July group will be my last one as I’m moving to another city to retrain as a midwife (this is not an April fool, although it would be a good one).  If I could move the group I would but I don’t think even our members  are that loyal (ha), but thankfully, it will go on without me hosting, and I’ll be introducing you to your new host soon.

A few other bits of news…

I have free copies of ‘Stuart a life backwards’ for you all to give out at April group on Tuesday 5th April at 6.30pm. It’s very good and was made into a rather brilliant BBC TV show with Tom Hardy and Benedict Cumberbatch  - which you can see after you’ve read the book of course!

The list of books for Summer is now up here (and I want you guys to pick July’s book).

And a cheeky bit of promo, I’m selling my house, so if you know anyone who wants to buy a lovely 2 bed terrace in a nice bit of Boro, send them this link please.

See you at the next group (new members ALWAYS welcome)

Natalie

x

Symmetry Backwards

So, how is everyone getting on with our book for March - Her Fearful Symmetry?

I’m looking forward to hearing what the group think about it, as it’s quite different from the Time Travellers Wife (IMO),  and I’m a sucker for books set in London – there’s something about the old buildings and historical aspects of areas like Highgate that give me the creeps, in a good way.

I shall have free copies of ‘Stuart – A Life Backwards‘ to give to group members (old and new) this month as I’ve been chosen as a World Book Night giver. (EDIT – I may not get them in time for this month’s group so will bring them to April’s group).

Free books are always exciting, but even better when you get to choose from a list of awesome ones.

If you’re interested in getting involved with World Book Night on 5th March 2011, there are lots of events going on in the North East – if you know of one happening on Teesside, please post it below and let us know what’s occurring! 

Also, thanks to group member Liz Cole who visited Highgate Cemetery recently, where ‘Her Fearful Symmetry’ is set.

She sent in some most excellent photos from her trip, which you can see here

See you all on March 1st, and remember, new members are ALWAYS welcome, so feel free to pop in if you haven’t before and grab a free book (in April if the books don’t arrive in time for March group!)