“The Attack” by Yasmina Khadra (Algeria) Book Club Favourite of Season 9 Review Readers found the book very powerful, describing it as compelling, fascinating and incredibly well written. The story is told solely through the eyes of Amin, though in his encounters with the different characters from both sides of the conflict, readers felt that they got a balanced view of the situation. They found … Continue reading The Attack
“Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon” by Jorge Amado (Brazil) Favourite Quote Life was good, one had only to live it. To warm oneself in the sun, then take a cold bath; to eat guavas and mangoes, to chew peppercorn, to walk through the streets, to sing songs, to sleep with a young man. And to dream of another. Synopsis When Gabriela came to the Brazilian town … Continue reading Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon
“The Weight of All Things” by Sandra Benitez (El Salvador) Synopsis The Weight of All Things is a novel about war – and the lunacy of it – seen through the eyes of a nine-year-old boy. The battleground is El Salvador. The hero is Nicolas Veras. His story begins at the funeral of assassinated Archbishop Oscar Romero. Along with thousands of others, Nicolas and his … Continue reading The Weight of All Things
“Wide Sargasso Sea” by Jean Rhys (Dominica) Review Most readers enjoyed the book, liking the language and the descriptions of place. They found that although it was a short novel (120 pages), there was a lot of depth to it, especially in its historical and political context. They found Antoinette’s personal story very sad and were able to empathise with her. Some readers felt that … Continue reading Wide Sargasso Sea
“The Bad Girl” by Mario Vargas Llosa (Peru) Book Club Favourite of Season 8 Review Readers enjoyed the book, describing it as an easy read and one they couldn’t put down. They liked the sense of place and the detailed descriptions of the different cities the characters live in or visit. They enjoyed the background information on the political situation in Peru as it evolves … Continue reading The Bad Girl
“Swift as Desire” by Laura Esquivel (Mexico) One of Nicola’s 100 Best Books for Inspiration in the 21st century! Synopsis Instead of entering the world crying, like other babies, Jubilo was born with a smile on his face. He had a gift for hearing what was in people’s hearts, for listening to sand dunes sing and insects whisper. Even as a young boy, acting as … Continue reading Swift as Desire
“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
Nicola's Book Club 