“Clear Light of Day” by Anita Desai (India) Review Interestingly, there was a clear divide between readers whose first language is English and those for whom it is a foreign language. The native English speakers loved the book, whereas the non-native speakers did not enjoy it overall. This was largely due to the style of writing, choice of words and sentence structure (long complex sentences). … Continue reading Clear Light of Day
“The Woman in the Dunes” by Kobo Abe (Japan) Review The first impressions of members of the Book Club were very mixed: some liked the book, whereas some did not like it all! They found the situation the protagonist finds himself in very depressing. The repetitive shovelling of sand daily made them think about the absurdity and seeming futility of life. His acceptance of the … Continue reading The Woman in the Dunes
“Beyond Illusions” by Duong Thu Huong (Vietnam) Synopsis and Review “Beyond Illusions”: where life twists and turns to reveal fresh new blossoms Linh, a beautiful young woman, married her professor because she so admired his idealism. When he sells out everything he believes in so as to support her and their daughter, her love goes. The book follows Linh and Nguyen through Hanoi society after … Continue reading Beyond Illusions
“Autobiography of a Geisha” by Sayo Masuda (Japan) Extract and Comment That child will be grown up by now, and if he hasn’t forgotten me, whenever he sees a crying child he’ll want to say a kind word and wipe the kid’s nose. And when that kid grows up, he’ll do the same. To do something kind for another is never a bad feeling; it … Continue reading Autobiography of a Geisha
“Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress” by Dai Sijie (China) Favourite Quote We were beside ourselves. My head reeled, as if I’d had too much to drink. I took the novels out of the suitcase one by one, opened them, studied the portraits of the authors, and passed them on to Luo. Brushing them with the tips of my fingers made me feel as if … Continue reading Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress
“Broken Verses” by Kamila Shamsie (Pakistan) Synopsis and Review “Broken Verses”: needed more editing to mend Fourteen years ago, Aasmaani’s mother, Samina, a political activist admired also for her grazia, walked out of their house and was never seen again. Aasmaani has always refused to believe she is dead and still dreams of her glorious return. Now in her 30s and living in Karachi, Aasmaani … Continue reading Broken Verses
“Some Prefer Nettles” by Junichiro Tanizaki (Japan) Synopsis and Review “Some Prefer Nettles”: each to their own taste Written in 1929 and generally considered one of Tanizaki’s finest works, “Some Prefer Nettles” deals with the ramifications of a collapsing marriage. Within this context, which seems to be autobiographical, it also examines the conflict between traditional and modern (i.e. Westernised) culture in Japan. The protagonist, Kaname, … Continue reading Some Prefer Nettles
“Empress Orchid” by Anchee Min (China) Book Club Favourite of Season 1 Synopsis To rescue her family from poverty and avoid marrying her slope-shouldered cousin, seventeen-year-old Orchid competes to be one of the Emperor’s wives. When she is chosen as a lower-ranking concubine she enters the erotically charged and ritualised Forbidden City. But beneath its immaculate facade lie whispers of murders and ghosts, and the … Continue reading Empress Orchid
