Small Things Like These – Claire Keegan

Small Things Like These” by Claire Keegan is a masterful exploration of the intricacies of human connection, set against the backdrop of rural Ireland. Keegan’s prose is poetic and poignant, drawing readers into the lives of ordinary people grappling with profound emotions and circumstances.  It highlights the Magadelene laundry scandal and the involvement of the catholic church.

At the heart of the novel is the character of Bill Furlong, a modest and compassionate man whose simple acts of kindness ripple through the community in unexpected ways. A fine example of how nuture shapes future behaviour.  Bill was shown great kindness when he was growing up which in turn has influenced his behaviour and morals.

What sets “Small Things Like These” apart is Keegan’s ability to illuminate the beauty and resilience found in everyday moments. From the quiet exchanges between neighbours to the  bonds of family, the novel celebrates the power of human connection to transcend hardship and adversity.

Through her evocative prose and keen insight into the human condition, Keegan invites readers to reflect on the significance of compassion, empathy, and the small gestures that can change lives. “Small Things Like These” is a moving and unforgettable work that reminds us of the profound impact we can have on one another, even in the face of life’s greatest challenges.

All the group enjoyed the book.

It scored 9.5

The Lost Man – Jane Harper

The Lost Man” by Jane Harper is a gripping tale that delves into the harsh realities of life in the Australian Outback, a detective story without a detective. It is a story about family dynamics and the search for the truth.

At the heart of the novel is the Bright family, whose lives are shattered when the body of Cameron Bright, one of three brothers, is discovered near an isolated landmark known as the Stockman’s Grave. As his brother Nathan, the protagonist of the story, grapples with the shock of Cameron’s death, he is forced to confront long-buried secrets and confront the complexities of his relationships with his family members.

The group agreed it was an easy, compelling read in the genre of the classic thriller with false leads and the usual signposting. Through Nathan’s eyes, we are introduced to a cast of characters who are deeply flawed yet undeniably human, each carrying their own burdens and regrets. From the enigmatic matriarch Liz to the troubled youngest brother Bub, every member of the Bright family is given depth and complexity, making them feel like real people grappling with real emotions.

The author’s prose brings the stark beauty and brutal harshness of the Outback to life, the isolation and the sense of community. Harper expertly ratchets up the suspense, keeping readers guessing until the very end. As well as the geographical setting the group appreciated the backdrop of Christmas, a time for rebirth and resolutions.  

In the main the group felt the plot flawed when the identity of the culprit was revealed, it was felt this was not convincing, but it did not spoil the enjoyment of the text.

It scored 7.5.

Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes

Natalie Haynes’ novel, “Stone Blind,” is a captivating exploration of the complexities of human nature, set against the backdrop of ancient Greece. The group enjoyed this ‘soap opera’ take on Greek mythology.

At the heart of the novel lies the story of Medusa, half human and half gorgon.  The story tells of how Athene, casts a spell so that creature Medusa looks at turns to stone, be it human, animal or God! The story is written in an episodic style with the strong presence of the narrator’s voice.  There are themes of feminism, power and control.  The style is witty and easy to read. It makes to reader think about what a ‘monster’ actually is and what are the traits.  Medusa is made out to be the monster, but she is actually the nicest character. The gods behave in an awful way to each other and to humans. 

An easy to access insight into Greek mythology and it should be on every teenager reading list. 

It scores 7.5.

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A Room with a View – E M Forster

A Room with a View,” written by E.M. Forster, is a timeless classic that beautifully captures the social conventions and constraints of Edwardian society. The novel follows the journey of Lucy Honeychurch, a young woman struggling with societal expectations and her own desires.

The group enjoyed the cynical view of Edwardian society and the tensions of class v truth. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Italy and England, Forster weaves a tale of self-discovery and the clash between individual freedom and societal norms. Views, internal and external are central to the theme in a physical and personal way.

Most characters are richly developed, each representing a facet of Edwardian society. Lucy’s internal conflict and coming of age provide a compelling focal point, while other characters adds depth and humour to the story. The novel also delves into themes of love, class, and the pursuit of true happiness.

The group agreed the writing is elegant and evocative, transporting readers to the heart of the story. We agreed it is a thought-provoking and enjoyable read. Overall, “A Room with a View” remains a literary classic that continues to have relevance today.

It scored 8

The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell

An historical inspired novel by Maggie O’Farrell following the success of Hamnet. This book is based on the Browning poem ‘My Last Duchess’. It tells the story of the young Lucrezia Di Cosime de Medici who is married off from her father’s court in Florence to a life with Alfonso Il d’Este, Duke of Ferrara at the age of 13. She lived for only a couple of years after the marriage and the cause of death, officially tuberculosis, has always been a mystery.

In general the group found the read interesting with contemporary aspects, despite it being set in 1500s. There was a discussion as to whether it was almost young adult fiction, told in a rather adolscent manner. There were comments that the character of Lucrezia was not sufficiently developed probaly a reflection of the voice of the young Lucrezia who was 15 years at the time. A number of people felt the novel was too descriptive in parts and even ‘over written’ e.g he could not simply ‘walk’ he had to ‘stride purposefully’. Others enjoyed the descriptive passages around animals, particularly the tiger in her father’s court and learnt more about 14th century portrait technique. Those who knew the poem well seemed to get more from the book. There were some reservations around the plot, particularly the ending, where the author has become more creative.

A sad story of the death of a young girl, for not producing an heir, the fault obviously being with her!!

It scored 7

The Promise by Damon Galgut

The Promise follows the story of a white South African family, the Swarts, over a number of decades in their farm outside Pretoria.  Each section features the death and funeral of a family member, Ma, Pa, Astrid and Anton.  ‘The Promise’ initially relates to a promise Ma made on her death bed to Salome, the Black woman, who had worked for the family all her life. Ma wanted Salome to have the house she lived in.  Pa agreed but didn’t keep his promise to the annoyance of the younger family members, particularly Anton and Amor. The group liked the book, agreed it was written mainly for South Africans. There is a mixture of sadness and humour with good characterisation.  The book is about change and the slow disintegration of apartheid.  There was some criticism that the black viewpoint is not presented but it was agreed this was deliberate as a reflection of the society during that time. The book looks at religion in a critical way.

It scored 8

The Pure Gold Baby by Margaret Drabble

The Pure Gold Baby,” is a poignant exploration of love, motherhood, friendship, and the complexities of life itself. The group praised the writing and the beautiful language used around the description of old age.

Set against the backdrop of the 1960s and spanning several decades, the story revolves around Jess, a young anthropologist, and her daughter Anna, who was born with special needs. The story is told through the voice of a third party narrator Eleanor, a friend of Jess. Most agreed the narrator’s voice intrusive and distanced the reader from Anna, the writing mainly around unobserved actions.

The group liked the cultural references and the portrayal of 1960s London family life but found it overwhelmingly middle-class with an idealised view of learning disability. The novel seemed increasingly gloomy and quasi racist in some of the anthropological comments.

At its core, “The Pure Gold Baby” is an exploration of the complexities of love and sacrifice. Jess’s unconditional love for Anna, Eleanor’s steadfast support, and the sacrifices made by various characters underscore the novel’s central theme.

In a world that often emphasizes the pursuit of perfection, “The Pure Gold Baby” stands as a reminder that beauty and meaning can be found in the most unexpected places.

It scored 5.8

The Discomfort of Evening – Marieke Lucas Rijneveld

An interesting discussion about this bleak and disturbing novel.  On the positive side we all agreed it was incredibly well written with some excellent use of imagery, particularly around the farming and animal context. The coldness of the landscape reflected in the relationships in the family was very well described. However, the novel is dark, horrendous, gross and disturbing.  The plot centres on a farming family from the Dutch Reform community told through the eyes of a child, 10 year old Jas.  It’s a tale of child abuse, animal cruelty and is devoid of all hope.

Some of the group found the reading compulsive in the hope there would be a shred of optimism. There was discussion as to whether writing the novel was a cathartic experience for the author who we know was brought up in that background. It led to an interesting discussion about what actual makes a novel good?  Those who had read the text a while ago remembered it vividly. There purpose of the novel wasn’t clear other than to portray the bleak world of those living in that environment.

It scored 6.

Nostalgia Mircea Cartarescu

Originally written in Hungarian in 1989 and translated in 2005, only a few of the group managed to complete this read.   The style is challenging with long paragraphs and chapters. There was some discussion as to whether it is actually a novel or a series of linked short stories. Some may have found it easier to read if it was published as short stories therefore not expecting plot narrative and a connection between chapters.

Those who read it enjoyed the portray of The Twins and felt this was a good way of weaving magic into reality. It was suggested the stories are about people who live on the fringes of society and dream about an escape!

The biggest challenge was working out what the text is actually about, there was little context and it was difficult to identify with any of the characters. The stories are mainly introspective and relate to self obsession. There was some discussion as to whether the author was playing with reality.  Certainly a challenging read.

Score 6

Magpie by Elizabeth Day

A good read addressing the issues of motherhood, fertility, mental health and surrogacy. A pacey page turning novel that maintains the tensions around infertility, surrogacy, jealousy, family manipulation and attempts at dominance…. until there is a screeching U-turn to a happy ending.  The group were pleased to see the highlighted issues of mental ill health in pregnancy and childbirth (which are one of the biggest risks in maternal health) being resolved. It also highlighted the legal position of surrogacy to emphasise that it is an act of trust on everybody’s part. The Magpie image as thief and harbinger of misfortune was apt and well used. The switch of perspectives halfway through was a surprise: seeing the situation from inside Marissa’s somewhat deranged mind was very clever. Kate’s version of events in the second half was also well done, showing her despair at not being able to have children, and the impact of that on her own mental health, and her relationship with the rather too good to be true Jake. The plot was well researched with extensive detail of the ordeal of IVF and emotional turmoil of infertility. The group agreed that Annabelle was unconvincingly vile and Jake unconvincingly weak. Some also questioned the happy ending as being a bit too convenient. A good read it scored 7.