“From a Crooked Rib” by Nuruddin Farah (Somalia) Synopsis and Review “From a Crooked Rib”: And if anyone tries to straighten it, he will have to break it Set in the months leading up to Somalia’s independence in 1960, “From a Crooked Rib” is the story of Ebla, an orphan of eighteen, who escapes from her nomadic encampment in rural Somali when she discovers that … Continue reading From a Crooked Rib
“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
“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
Nicola's Book Club 