“The Secret Life of Bees” by Sue Monk Kidd (U.S.) Review Most readers liked the book describing it as an easy read. They got a good feel to both its location and historical setting (South Carolina at the time of signing of Civil Rights Act). They found most of the characters likeable warming to one or other of them depending on their own sensibilities and … Continue reading The Secret Life of Bees
“Runaway” by Alice Munro (Canada) Review Given Alice Munro’s reputation as an outstanding short story writer, readers had high expectations for this collection. However, their reactions were very mixed. Some readers really liked all the stories finding them dark but highly realistic and enjoying the twists and turns in the characters’ lives. They appreciated the details and the little insights into the more mundane aspects … Continue reading Runaway
“Invisible Man” by Ralph Ellison (U.S.) One of Nicola’s 100 best books for inspiration in the 21st century! Review This book left no reader indifferent, with some loving it and others not. Most readers found the first few chapters very powerful and vivid, such as the scenes of the terrifying battle royal and the chaotic Golden Day. They found the narrator’s journey at times confusing, … Continue reading Invisible Man
“A Sunday at the Pool in Kigali” by Gil Courtemanche (Canada) Review Mesmerizing, striking, incongruous, incredible, are some of the words used by readers to describe this book. Although they found the subject matter very difficult to read, they felt that the story was well written and also well translated. Many liked the author’s journalistic style, though some said that the dialogues felt a bit … Continue reading A Sunday at the Pool in Kigali
“Tracks” by Louise Erdrich (U.S.) Review Most readers had mixed feelings about the book having found it a difficult read. They liked the historical setting, though they felt the story was very bleak. The winter scenes gave them a sense of the coldness and hopelessness of the situation the characters found themselves in. Some readers found that the split narrative between Nanapush and Pauline broke … Continue reading Tracks
“American Desert” by Percival Everett (U.S.) One of Nicola’s 100 best books for inspiration in the 21st Century! Favourite Extract … but now he knew, things were the way they were until, simply, they changed. Now, he was going to change something. In fact, he already had. First, death had changed his concept of life. Then, resurrection had changed him as a person, made him … Continue reading American Desert
“The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood (Canada) Review Most of the members who attended the Book Club had read this book before. When it was first published in the 1980s, its feminist theme came across predominantly. Reading it now at the beginning of the 21st century, the themes of religious fanaticism, tyrannical societies and even fertility issues were strongly felt by the readers. They found … Continue reading The Handmaid’s Tale
“A Confederacy of Dunces” by John Kennedy Toole (U.S.) Review Members of the Book Club enjoyed this book, some really loving it and finding it hilarious, others slightly more reserved in their feelings and finding it sad and monotonous at times. Everybody thought the characters were funny and fascinating and were able to visualise them easily thanks to the vivid descriptions. Readers loved the dialogues, … Continue reading A Confederacy of Dunces
Nicola's Book Club 