September Book Club meeting

Dear All,

The summer seems to be slipping by so quickly! Many thanks to everyone who attended the August meeting. As usual, we were divided as to whether we liked 'Butter'- some liked it a lot, others not at all. It achieved an overall score of 3.5/5.

September's book is John McGahern's 'Amongst Women'. This book was shortlisted for the Booker Prize and was a BBC Radio 4 Book at Bedtime. Here is the cover 'blurb':
'Once an officer in the Irish War for Independence, Moran is now a widower, eking out a living on a small farm where he raises his two sons and three daughters. Adrift from the structure and security of the military, he keeps control by binding his family close to him. But as his children grow older and seek independence, and as the passing years bring with them bewildering change, Moran struggles to find a balance between love and tyranny.'

The book (and its author) have attracted glowing comments:

McGahern's 'masterpiece: the sort of book which you can give anyone of any age and know that they will be changed by it' (Colm Tóibín) by 'one of the greatest writers of our era' (Hilary Mantel).

'A book that can be read in two hours, but will linger in the mind for decades.' (Sunday Telegraph).

'McGahern brings us that tonic gift of the best fiction, the sense of truth - the sense of transparency that permits us to see imaginary lives more clearly than we see our own.' (John Updike).

'An overwhelming experience.' The Times

'Wise and compelling ... Elegiac and graceful.' (David Mitchell).

'I have admired, even loved, John McGahern's work since his first novel.' (Melvyn Bragg).

For those of you who like to read ahead, here the the books for the next few months:
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October: Robert Harris: 'Conclave'
November: V.E. Schwab, 'The Invisible Life of Addie Laroue'
December: Fredrik Backman, 'Beartown'
January: Raynor Winn, 'The Salt Path'- I have had numerous requests for this, in the light of the recent press coverage about the author.

I hope to see you soon. Happy reading! Remember that you are welcome to come to meetings even if you haven't read the book!

Best Wishes

Tracey