Booker, Nobel and Miles Franklin Prizes Bookclub

When we discussed My Name in Red in 2016 we had some attendees who came especially for Pamuk having studied his works in the original Turkish. It was so memorable we are revisiting the author. The Museum of Innocence is essentially a love story. Themes of hoarding/collecting shamefully but then becoming public and appreciated in a museum have given rise to an actual museum in Istanbul some of our members have visited. The museum's 83 displays reflect the book's chapters and showcase everyday objects of the late 1970s. Published in 2008 after Pamuk won the Nobel, The Guardian calls the novel about Turkey's struggle with modernity "brilliantly evoked". I'm really looking forward to this one!

Since starting this book club a few years ago we have formed a nice core membership. If you haven't come yet, please look out for the books on the table, pull up a chair, order a wine and join us. We like to hear what everyone has to say and enjoy the conversation, we're not cliquey at all! Oh, and to defray the Meetup monthly bill I will accept gold coin contributions or wine if you want to pay for multiple in one hit. I hope to see everyone again at this one with some new faces.

Shuggie Bain is set in Margaret Thatcher's Glasgow. The title character at 16 lives alone in a bedsit and works the deli counter of a supermarket. This is how he got there. In fitting with the setting, there is alcoholism, poverty and abuse, oh and he's gay. It all sounds grim (which it is) and completely unmarketable. However, it sold over a million copies in the first two years of release and was shortlisted for over 20 awards. Some in the book club are excited about reading it. I'm keen to find out what the excitement is about.

Since starting this book club a few years ago we have formed a nice core membership. If you haven't come yet, please look out for the books on the table, pull up a chair, order a wine and join us. We like to hear what everyone has to say and enjoy the conversation, we're not cliquey at all! Oh, and to defray the Meetup monthly bill I will accept gold coin contributions or wine if you want to pay for multiple in one hit. I hope to see everyone again at this one with some new faces.

Prior to writing this, McGahan won the Vogel for Praise: grungy, slacker realism. This is culturally the diametrical opposite. We are introduced to the White (in name and nature) family, settlers of outback Queensland. While contemporary race issues and dispossession are themes, the novel is multilayed, The Age describes it as "Gothic" and definitely not didactic. Ownership and belonging come through in this multi-generational saga, which is sounding a great read.

Since starting this book club a few years ago we have formed a nice core membership. If you haven't come yet, please look out for the books on the table, pull up a chair, order a wine and join us. We like to hear what everyone has to say and enjoy the conversation, we're not cliquey at all! Oh, and to defray the Meetup monthly bill I will accept gold coin contributions or wine if you want to pay for multiple in one hit. I hope to see everyone again at this one with some new faces.