20th Century World Literature Book Club Zurich

Welcome to the June meeting of the book club!

For our second book, we’ll be reading The Door, a powerful novel by Hungarian author Magda Szabó. First published in 1987, it tells the story of the complicated relationship between a writer and her enigmatic housekeeper, gradually opening into larger questions of power, intimacy, pride, class, loyalty, and self-deception.

We’ll meet in English for a friendly, open discussion. No academic background is needed — just read the book, bring your thoughts, and join the conversation.

These first books have been chosen by the organizer to help get the club started. Once the group is actively underway, future reads will be selected through member nominations and voting.

Looking forward to seeing new and returning readers in June!

Welcome to the July meeting of the book club!

For our third book, we’ll be reading Midaq Alley, a vivid novel by Egyptian author and Nobel Prize winner Naguib Mahfouz. First published in 1947, it paints a rich portrait of life in a crowded Cairo alley, where personal ambitions, frustrations, traditions, and desires collide against the backdrop of a rapidly changing world.

We’ll meet in English for a friendly, open discussion. No academic background is needed — just read the book, bring your thoughts, and join the conversation.

These first books have been chosen by the organizer to help get the club started. Once the group is actively underway, future reads will be selected through member nominations and voting.

Looking forward to seeing new and returning readers in July!

Welcome to the September meeting of the book club!

For our fourth book, we’ll be reading So Long a Letter, a short, elegant, and deeply perceptive novel by Senegalese writer Mariama Bâ. First published in 1979, the book takes the form of a letter from one woman to another and opens onto larger questions of friendship, marriage, motherhood, education, religion, and the changing roles of women in post-independence Senegal.

We’ll meet in English for a friendly, open discussion. No academic background is needed — just read the book, bring your thoughts, and join the conversation.

These early books have been chosen by the organizer to help get the club started. Once the group is actively underway, future reads will be selected through member nominations and voting.

Looking forward to seeing new and returning readers in September!

Welcome to the October meeting of the book club!

For our fifth book, we’ll be reading Snow Country, a beautifully spare and atmospheric novel by Japanese author and Nobel Prize winner Yasunari Kawabata. First published in 1948, it tells the story of a Tokyo man’s visits to a remote hot-spring town, where a relationship develops against a backdrop of snow, silence, distance, and longing.

We’ll meet in English for a friendly, open discussion. No academic background is needed — just read the book, bring your thoughts, and join the conversation.

These early books have been chosen by the organizer to help get the club started. Once the group is actively underway, future reads will be selected through member nominations and voting.

Looking forward to seeing new and returning readers in October!