“The Successor” by Ismail Kadare (Albania) Synopsis and Review “The Successor”: any resemblance between the characters and circumstances of this tale and real people and events is inevitable The Designated Successor was found dead in his bedroom at dawn on December 14. Was it suicide or was he murdered? This question sneaks through Ismail Kadare’s masterful psychological novel. As the state insists that the future … Continue reading The Successor
“Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury (U.S.) One of Nicola’s 100 Best Books for Inspiration in the 21st century! Book Club Favourite of Season 5 Synopsis and Review “Fahrenheit 451”: the temperature at which book-paper catches fire and burns In a time in which books are forbidden, Guy Montag is a fireman. His job is to burn books, which are the source of all discord and … Continue reading Fahrenheit 451
“City of God” by Paulo Lins (Brazil) Synopsis and Review “City of God”: an eternity of poverty, revenge and violence? Based on a true story, this is a frighteningly moving account of daily life of gang members in one of Rio de Janeiro’s notorious slums, Cidade de Deus. The author, Paulo Lins, moved to the City of God housing project when he was seven and … Continue reading City of God
“The Lover” by Marguerite Duras (France) Synopsis and Review “The Lover”: allusive and powerful Winner of the Prix Goncourt in 1984, “The Lover” is set in 1930s Saigon in what was the French colony of Indochina. It is a fictional recollection of the time in the author’s life when, at fifteen and a half, she meets the elegant son of a wealthy Chinese family, who … Continue reading The Lover
“Oscar and Lucinda” by Peter Carey (Australia) Synopsis and Review “Oscar and Lucinda”: a gamble to read! Winner of the Booker Prize in 1988, “Oscar and Lucinda” is the story of Oscar Hopkins, an English seminarian with a passion for gambling, and Lucinda Leplastrier, an Australian heiress with a fascination for glass. They meet on the ship to Sydney in 1865 and their lives are … Continue reading Oscar and Lucinda
“Like Water for Chocolate” by Laura Esquivel (Mexico) Synopsis and Review “Like Water For Chocolate”: boiling over with recipes and passion First published in 1989, “Like Water For Chocolate” was the number one bestseller in Mexico for almost two years, and subsequently became a bestseller around the world. It is a romantic, poignant tale, touched with moments of magic, graphic earthiness and bittersweet wit that … Continue reading Like Water for Chocolate
“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
“Tsotsi” by Athol Fugard (South Africa) One of Nicola’s 100 Best Books for Inspiration in the 21st century! Book Club Favourite of Season 4 Synopsis and Review “Tsotsi”: a compelling story of redemption Tsotsi is an angry young gang leader in the South African township of Sophiatown. A man without a past, he exists only to kill and steal. But one night, in a moonlit … Continue reading Tsotsi
Nicola's Book Club 