Wheatley Book Club
Out of interest we list below some of the books we read as a group over the last year or so – some of which we wish we hadn’t. (First printed in "Clays Contact" Magazine)
December’s choice was “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” by Mary Ann Shaffer &Anne Barrows. A slim volume of fiction set on the Channel Islands during the Nazi occupation in WW2. Told as a series of letters between the author and island residents it eventually becomes a mildly interesting story with a background of war torn depravation and love. Rated 7 out of 10.
November’s was “A Most Wanted Man” by John Le Carrė. The popular author is always interesting with devious plots and characters. This novel was up to his usual standard – a challenging and satisfying read. Rated 7 out of 10. T.P.
September 2009 Julian Fellowes is an author and scriptwriter of international repute, so his recent book "Past Imperfect" was eagerly anticipated by our members. As with most other novels, it appealed to some and not others. Set in 1950's London society, it's plot did not suit some of the male members, and opinions were divided between the females. Nevertheless, it was expertly written with faultless prose - just a weak plot to let it down.
August's choice was-"Black
Diamonds" by Catherine Bailey - a true social saga set at Wentworth, South Yorkshire. A great house, rich
family, poor miners and lots of strife combined to make an informative read. Rated 7 to 8 out of 10 by members.
July 2009 Our latest read was
preceded by publicity warning readers not to disclose the ending under any
circumstances. Intriguing as that appeared, the book “The Other One”
by Chris Cleve, did not quite live up to the hype. Alternate chapters by
different narrators proved initially confusing, and some of the plot – based
on emotional and domestic problems surrounding illegal immigration – seemed
occasionally too contrived. As usual it was both loved and disliked by members
who rated it 7 out of 10.
May 2009 Another book report, this time for “Hard
Evidence” by new author Mark Pearson. A contemporary story set in
London’s gangland it has all the ingredients required of today’s fast-paced
thriller. Violence, strong language and sex – and that’s just the police. An
easy holiday read which would appeal to many, with more sequels to come in
future no doubt. Voted six out of 10.
April 2009. Our latest book is set in Shanghi in the 1990’s. Called “Death of a Red Heroine” by Qui Xiaolong. See if you get the plot. Gao Ziling finds the body of Guan Hongying. Soon Chief Inspector Chen and Detective Yu Guangming investigate and have help from Commisar Zhang and Dr Xia. Are you following this so far? Well the book continues in this vein throughout, yet it’s an intriguing plot set against China’s austere state-run machine. Most readers liked the book; as it gave us an insight into the Chinese culture as well as a body. Rated 7 out of 10. Good if you’re learning Chinese.
March 2009. Another trip to the east in this excellent book - "The Gift of Rain" by Tan Twan Eng. Set in Penang before the Japanese invasion of Malaya and Singapore it explores the relationship by a youth of mixed parentage with a Japanese national. It examines cultural differences, family, spying, invasion and war. One of our best reads and rated 8-9 out of ten by most of our members.
February Our choice this month was “Dreams From my Father “ by Barack Obama. This is an autographical story of his early life. Not surprisingly his current position as President of the United States warranted close inspection of this book. Like many life stories it was both interesting, informative and occasionally boring. An insight into the childhood of the free world’s most powerful man – but rated only 7 ½ by members.
January 2009. Popular author John
Grisham was this month’s choice. His latest best seller was “The
Appeal”. However members found it very Unappealing. Weak plot, too
long, boring, not a good read at
all, unpickupable, were some of the comments. Rated a "generous" 1 out of 10 by
most members.
P.S. Anyone want to buy 12 copies going cheap! T.P.
October’s was a complete contrast –“The Ghost” by acclaimed author Robert Harris – he of “Fatherland” and Archangel” fame. Altogether a different kettle of fish, this contemporary fast-paced political thriller was felt to be a good read, and enjoyed by most members. Rated 6-7 out of 10.
September’s choice was “Street Kid” by Judy Westwater. An autobiography about a neglected and abused girl. Covering the years from toddler to teenager it’s a harrowing litany of woe – so much so that it grated and almost became boring. A sort-of happy ending, but our members did not like the subject or childlike prose. Rated 4-5 out of 10.
August's Read. The second world war
– in particular the occupation of France by German forces - provides the basis
for this month’s selection. “Suite Française” by Irène Némirovsky
contains great detail about Paris’s families and individuals whose lives are
disrupted by the German presence At
times, a harrowing story connecting people in both despair and in love. Rated 8
out of 10 by the group.
In June month we read “Going Gently”
by David Nobbs. He’s a well-know author and scriptwriter. This novel tells the
story of a 99 year-old woman who reflects upon her life whilst being bed ridden
in hospital after a stroke. Unable to speak, but capable of hearing (her room
mates), and of thought (her own recollections of childhood, love affairs and
possibly murder), it is an intriguing and clever read. Lots of funny one-liners,
with an identifiable collection of characters. A good read rated 8 out of 10 by
our members.
May's Book. Imagine a book that reads like a true story of love, war and separation set against the occupation of China, and which, in the end, proves to be fiction. Such is our last book “The Distant Land of my Father” by Bo Caldwell. An intriguing story of an American family living in Shanghai in the 1930’s, with a millionaire wheeler-dealer father and an adoring daughter. Complex, exciting but in the end tragic. Voted 9 out of 10 by members – the highest for some time.
April’s choice was “Mr Pip” by Lloyd
Jones. A fictional story (based around similar real background), set in
Bourgainville – a war-torn tropical island, where the country’s only white
man teaches the children. The school has only one copy of one book –“Great
Expectations”, and the plot develops around the reading of this book.
Disastrous consequences follow its study and lives are changed forever. As is
becoming increasingly regular with recent books, our members were polarised in
their opinions – liking or hating. Score was 6 out of 10.
Our book for March 2008 was Maggie
O’Farrell’s “The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox”. Imagine receiving
a letter telling you that you have a relative who has spent a lifetime in a
psychiatric unit and is about to be released. Such is the mystery on which this
book is based. A tale of embarrassing relationships in the 1930’s’ coming
back to haunt innocents in the present day. A good challenging read. Voted six
out 10 by members..
February’s book was “Blood River” by Tim Butcher. This was an enthralling tale of adventure to re-create Stanley’s expedition down the River Congo in search of another explorer. (Famous for it’s “Dr Livingstone, I presume”quotation). The region was dangerous and challenging in 1871, and no safer or easier when Butcher did again it in 2004. It needed something of a death wish for him to undertake this epic mission. A revealing story of troubles, corruption and poverty in today’s Congo. Rated 8 out of 10 by readers.
In January 2008“Old Filth” was the title of a recent novel by Jane Garden chosen for January. Not what you might think (It stands for Failed In London Tried Hong Kong), and relates the memoirs of a retired semi-senile Judge and his personal recollections of time and a life spent in the Far East. Certainly different, and judging by the time spent in discussion well enjoyed by our members rating it 9 out of 10. We have also have a new member in Janice Sykes of Wheatley.
In December we read “The Uncommon Reader” by Alan Bennett. A hard backed, slim volume, it had a touch of quality and the usual wry Bennett style. An unlikely novel about the Queen and her reading habits, its prose impressed nearly all our members.
November’s book was “Three Comrades” by Erich Maria Remarque., (Author of “All Quite on the Western Front”). It was written between the wars and is set in Germany describing the intimate relationships between three fellow workers spanning their lives and loves. Well written in a sometimes-staccato prose it describes the minutiae of their daily lives. Romance and tragedy dominate towards the end. Members of the club were divided in their opinions – either liking or loathing it.
October 2007. "The Savage Garden" by Mark Mills was the club's choice. Set in Tuscany in 1958 it combines descriptive passages of a classical Renaissance garden with stories of love, murder, revenge and some passion - but not all at once. Members had mixed opinions as to the books merits - either loving or hating it. Finally rated 6 out of 10.
August 2007. We read "The Last Mazurka" by Andrew Tarnowsky. A well written book charting aristocrats in Poland in the "20th-century. War, passion, intrigue at the time of the Second World War when the country was overrun by first Germany then Russia. A compelling tale which was highly praised by our members. Rated 11 out of 12. T.P.
July 2007. In July we read “The House at Riverton” by Kate Morton. Another historical novel set in England with upstairs and downstairs plots, romance and a very “bloody” twist in the tail. A light read, - now in the best-sellers list since we opted for it. Another mixed response – 8/9 out of 12. T.P.
June 2007. June’s choice was “Sunday at the Cross Bones”. The novel by John Walsh contained everything –A naughty vicar, seedy London, a neglected wife are more tarts than Mr Kipling. Based on a true story of the sensational church trial of the Vicar of Stiffkey in the late 19th century. Interesting but a little repetitive. However, it rated a mixed response from our members - 7 out of 12.
February 2007. We read “The Disappearing Duke” last month. This is a factual account of the 5th Duke of Portland and his alleged eccentric and mysterious lifestyle. The Portland family home being at Welbeck Abbey, the book had an added interest for us. That, and the grave exhumations, vast fortunes, court dramas, mysterious doubles, underground tunnels and ballrooms – this had it all. A good read, rated eight out of ten by members. T.P.
Annual Barbecue in July 2010 - it didn't
rain for once. An excellent evening's meal at Norma's.