About us
"You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them."
We are a group of people who love to read classic Western fiction. The only requirement is to read the book (or to try), or listen, come along and enjoy. As classics, they are easily available from libraries, bookshops and for free online from https://www.gutenberg.org
For those who physically come along to our book club meetings, feel free to join the Facebook group page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1030647322264967
People can suggest titles of future books to be discussed by contacting Dale at dalemills@cantab.net Please just make sure they are in the Penguin Modern Classics series or similar to ensure reasonable availability for those preferring hard copies. Long books (500+ pages) can be listed for the Christmas / New Year break. A list of Penguin Classics can be found at https://www.penguin.com.au/browse/classics
SCAM ALERT: Are you a new writer who is being asked for the small fee of $250 so that we can promote and discuss your work? This is a scam. As a Western Classics book club, none of the novels we discuss are written by people who are still alive.
Upcoming events
6
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
The Shakespeare Hotel, 200 Devonshire Street, Sydney, AUMeeting at the usual place, upstairs at The Shakespeare Hotel, 200 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills, Sydney, Thursday 3 Dec, at 7.00pm, we will be discussing A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens.
Published in 1843, it recounts the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, an elderly miser who is visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Yet-to-Come. In the process, Scrooge is transformed into a kinder, gentler man. It is high on the list of books that people think they have read, but haven't.
This fun 150-page novel was written at a time when the English-speaking world was re-imagining the holiday season. At a time when Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, played a major role in popularising what now seem 'ancient' traditions, such as the Christmas Tree and the eating of gingerbread at that special time of year.
There is a small industry of movies, animations and commentaries. For those wanting more of a reading fix, there are multiple academic commentaries and re-tellings: feminist, gay, black, Jewish, science fiction, steampunk, horror-zombie, coming-of-age, literary, philosophical and Marxist.
For those who like Dickens, there is a NSW Dickens' Society at https://dickenssydney.com.au
Hard copies of the book are available from local libraries and from amazon, and soft copies from https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/46
There will be about 30 of us in a semi-private room, upstairs, conducive to discussion. We will discuss the book as a 'big group' for about 40 mins, before breaking up into informal small groups to further discuss the book or anything else. We are a friendly lot and newcomers are welcome. Contact Dale on dalemills@cantab.net for more info.
16 attendees
Past events
44
