“The Time of the Hero” by Mario Vargas Llosa (Peru) Favourite Quote Love’s the worst thing there is. You start acting like an idiot, you don’t look out for yourself. Everything seems different and you do the craziest things just on the spur of the moment. I mean men do. Women, they’re different, they’re smarter, they only fall in love when it suits them. If … Continue reading The Time of the Hero
“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
“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
“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
“Ali and Nino” by Kurban Said (Azerbaijan) Review Readers enjoyed the book immensely. They liked the historical, political and cultural context of the story and the different perspectives of East and West, Muslim and Christian. One reader particularly felt how the protagonists were trapped by these contexts. They found the descriptions of the places colourful and vivid, bringing the different scenes very much alive for … Continue reading Ali and Nino
“The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood (Canada) Book Club Favourite of Season 7 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 … Continue reading The Handmaid’s Tale
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