“An Elegy for Easterly” by Petina Gappah (Zimbabwe) Review Readers loved this book describing it as one of the best collections of short stories they have ever read. They found the themes contemporary and accessible, and they liked the diverse accounts of life in Zimbabwe. With each story, some only a dozen pages long, readers felt they learnt so much about the protagonists that it … Continue reading An Elegy for Easterly
“Runaway” by Alice Munro (Canada) Review Given Alice Munro’s reputation as an outstanding short story writer, readers had high expectations for this collection. However, their reactions were very mixed. Some readers really liked all the stories finding them dark but highly realistic and enjoying the twists and turns in the characters’ lives. They appreciated the details and the little insights into the more mundane aspects … Continue reading Runaway
“Girls of Riyadh” by Rajaa Alsanea (Saudi Arabia) Synopsis Gamrah’s faith in her new husband is not exactly returned …Sadeem is a little too willing to please her fiancé …Michelle is half-American and the wrong class for her boyfriend’s family …While Lamees works hard with little time for love. The girls of Riyadh are young, attractive and living by Saudi Arabia’s strict cultural traditions. Well, not quite. … Continue reading Girls of Riyadh
“I Think of You” by Ahdaf Soueif (Egypt) Review Readers were delighted with this collection of short stories which they really enjoyed reading. They loved the language and the style of writing that gave a clear voice to each of the narrators bringing them vividly alive. They liked the descriptions of the situations the characters find themselves in and the author’s use of minor details … Continue reading I Think of You
“The Vagrants” by Yiyun Li (China) Review Readers really enjoyed this book finding it very well written and revealing of an exceptional maturity of style. They were moved by the story, describing it as touching, distressing, sad and intense. They liked the setting, both time and place, and could strongly feel the political aspects pervading the everyday lives of the people. They found the different … Continue reading The Vagrants
“Nervous Conditions” by Tsitsi Dangarembga (Zimbabwe) One of Nicola’s 100 Best Books for Inspiration in the 21st century! Book Club Favourite of Season 10 Review From the opening sentence, readers were carried along by the story of Tambu and her family, especially the other female characters in her life, namely her mother, her uncle’s wife Maiguru, her cousin Nyasha and her mother’s younger sister Lucia. … Continue reading Nervous Conditions
“The Blood of Flowers” by Anita Amirrezvani (Iran) Review Describing it as a rich book, readers liked the setting of the story (both time and place) most of all. They were absorbed by the detailed descriptions of the rug making, the preparation of the meals, the cleansing rituals at the hammam and life within the family home. They felt the city of Isfahan, with its … Continue reading The Blood of Flowers
“March” by Geraldine Brooks (Australia) Review Readers liked part one of the novel, told from Mr March’s point of view, much less than part two, most of which is narrated by Mrs March. They found the pace too slow and the narrative tedious at times. Most readers did not warm to the protagonist describing him as a naïve idealist who was more irritating than appealing. … Continue reading March
Nicola's Book Club 