“The Garden of Evening Mists” by Tan Twan Eng (Malaysia)Winner of the Man Asian Literary Prize 2012 Synopsis Malaya, 1951. Yun Ling Teoh, the scarred lone survivor of a brutal Japanese wartime camp, seeks solace among the jungle-fringed tea plantations of Cameron Highlands. There she discovers Yugiri, the only Japanese garden in Malaya, and its owner and creator, the enigmatic Aritomo, exiled former gardener of … Continue reading The Garden of Evening Mists
“Claire of the Sea Light” by Edwidge Danticat (Haiti) Synopsis Claire goes missing the night her father agrees to give her up for adoption. Her mother died when she was born. In the tiny fishing town of Ville Rose, Haiti, she and her father are not the only ones to have experienced loss. As the poor townspeople search by moonlight for the seven-year-old girl, each … Continue reading Claire of the Sea Light
Book Club Favourite of Season 24 Review Maryse Conde’s “Segu” immerses readers in a vivid tapestry of 18th/19th century West African kingdoms, filled with the richness and complexity of history. In our book club discussion, diverse perspectives surfaced, reflecting the varied experiences of readers within its pages. For some readers, the book’s allure was immediate. They were captivated from the very beginning, loving the vivid … Continue reading “Segu” by Maryse Condé (Guadeloupe)
“Ceremony” by Leslie Marmon Silko (USA) One of Nicola’s 100 Best Books for Inspiration in the 21st century! Book Club Favourite of Season 23 Review Although readers struggled with the non-linear narrative to begin with, they quickly got into the story and were immersed in it. They warmed to the protagonist and liked the diversity of other characters: from his family members to the medicine … Continue reading Ceremony
“Summer Light, and Then Comes the Night” by Jon Kalman Stefánsson (Iceland) One of Nicola’s 100 Best Books for Inspiration in the 21st century! Book Club Favourite of Season 22 Review Readers loved this book, describing it as light, uplifting, gentle and philosophical. They loved the small world of the village with its little details, its simmering sexual undertones, the delicate balance between life and … Continue reading Summer Light, and Then Comes the Night
“Lyrics Alley” by Leila Aboulela (Sudan) Book Club Favourite of Season 21 Review Readers enjoyed this well-told story, finding it engaging and easy to read. They felt it was more of a love story than a political novel as the historical setting remains mostly in the background. Readers liked the style of writing and said it played a large part in their enjoyment of the … Continue reading Lyrics Alley
“Island of a Thousand Mirrors” by Nayomi Munaweera (Sri Lanka) One of Nicola’s 100 Best Books for Inspiration in the 21st century! Book Club Favourite of Season 20 Review Readers were unanimous in their appreciation of this book. They described the writing style as beautiful and of high calibre for a first novel. It awakened all their senses, drawing them into the story and bringing the … Continue reading Island of a Thousand Mirrors
“The Narrow Road to the Deep North” by Richard Flanagan (Australia) Book Club Favourite of Season 19 Review Readers loved the book, describing it as beautifully written with clean and polished prose. They found it easy to get inside the heads of the different characters, and enjoyed the changing voices and different perspectives from chapter to chapter. They loved the vivid descriptions that brought the … Continue reading The Narrow Road to the Deep North
