Members of the Summer Reading Group really enjoyed the selection of books this year, pointing out the exceptional quality of the writing styles and also noting the common themes of war/dictatorship and the immigrants’ life in each one. When time came to voting for the Best Summer Read 2008, an unusual event occurred: 3 of the books tied for first place, confirming the overall high … Continue reading Best Summer Reads 2008
“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
“The Dragon Can’t Dance” by Earl Lovelace (Trinidad & Tobago) Synopsis Trinidad, 1970s. Calvary Hill – poverty stricken and rubbish-strewn – is home to a community of people who come together during the joyful yearly town Carnival, becoming larger-than-life versions of themselves. But when it ends, and the strains of day-to-day life grow large, what happens to the peoples’ hopes, and the feeling that ‘all … Continue reading The Dragon Can’t Dance
“Clear Light of Day” by Anita Desai (India) Review Interestingly, there was a clear divide between readers whose first language is English and those for whom it is a foreign language. The native English speakers loved the book, whereas the non-native speakers did not enjoy it overall. This was largely due to the style of writing, choice of words and sentence structure (long complex sentences). … Continue reading Clear Light of Day
“Ancestor Stones” by Aminatta Forna (Sierra Leone) Favourite Quote Have you ever wondered what it is that makes people do terrible things? I have. Since that day, I have set my mind to it many times. (…) So, where does it come from, the fury? A thousand indignities, a thousand wrongs, like tiny knife wounds, shredding a person’s humanity. In time only the tattered remnants … Continue reading Ancestor Stones
“Eva Luna” by Isabel Allende (Chile) One of Nicola’s 100 Best Books for Inspiration in the 21st century! Review Most readers really enjoyed the book. They loved the rich descriptions of the different places and people. They liked Allende’s style of writing, which they described as confident and captivating. Most of the discussion centred on the part of the story set in South America and … Continue reading Eva Luna
“Half of a Yellow Sun” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Nigeria) Synopsis In 1960s Nigeria, three lives intersect. Ugwu works as a houseboy for a university professor. Olanna has abandoned her life of privilege in Lagos to live with her charismatic lover, the lecturer. And Richard, a shy Englishman, is in thrall to Olanna’s enigmatic twin sister. Amongst the horror of Nigeria’s civil war, loyalties are … Continue reading Half of a Yellow Sun
“Second-Class Citizen” by Buchi Emecheta (Nigeria) Review Most readers enjoyed the book, finding the story very touching and inspiring. They liked the protagonist Adah whom they found both naïve and strong. The descriptions of her life, first in Nigeria growing up, then in London as a young mother and wife, were realistic and effective. The secondary characters were both funny and horrendous at times. Readers … Continue reading Second-Class Citizen
Nicola's Book Club 