The Free-Range Bookclub
Bookclubbers without boundaries in Nelson, New Zealand
Category: Family drama
On Beauty – Zadie Smith
READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Sophia Based on E M Forster’s Howards End, this book follows the lives of a mixed heritage US family, addressing ethnic and cultural issues ✎ Howard Belsey is one of the central characters in On Beauty. He is a professor,… Continue Reading “On Beauty – Zadie Smith”
We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves – Karen Joy Fowler
READ FOR BOOKERTHON Rosemary Cooke reveals the awful truth about her sister who was sent away aged five ✎ This book opens when the main character is a College student, revealing her strained relationships with her mother, father and brother. A return to the… Continue Reading “We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves – Karen Joy Fowler”
The Lives Of Others – Neel Mukherjee
READ FOR BOOKERTHON Set in 1966 Calcutta, the Ghosh family represents the nation as it battles an imploding business and family battles ✎ The Lives of Others is a big book in every sense of the word. It has many pages, many characters and… Continue Reading “The Lives Of Others – Neel Mukherjee”
A Thousand Splendid Suns – Khaled Hossieni
READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Jo Written from the perspective of Afghan women trapped within their country’s strict regime, this book focuses on the friendship between Mariam and Laila who are wives of the same man. ✎ “Harrowing but addictive. You need to be ready for… Continue Reading “A Thousand Splendid Suns – Khaled Hossieni”
Crossing To Safety – Wallace Stegner
READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Rachel Crossing to Safety is a 1987 novel about the friendship between two couples and their entwined journeys through the pleasures and cruelty of life. Sally and Larry Morgan are ambitious, hard-working and poor. Sid and Charity Lang are Harvard… Continue Reading “Crossing To Safety – Wallace Stegner”
The Lowland – Jhumpa Lahiri
READ FOR BOOKERTHON The story of two brothers living in 1960s Calcutta. One becomes an oceanographer, the other a political activist ❖ The Lowland features two Bengali brothers Subhash and Udayan who follow different paths as they grow up in Calcutta during the 50s… Continue Reading “The Lowland – Jhumpa Lahiri”
We Need New Names – NoViolet Bulawayo
READ FOR BOOKERTHON Ten-year-old Darling escapes Zimbabwe for America ❖ This novel is a coming-of-age story about Darling, a ten year old living in Zimbabwe. She is orphaned after her mother leaves to work at the border and her father abandons the family for… Continue Reading “We Need New Names – NoViolet Bulawayo”
Flowers In The Attic – Virginia Andrews
READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Suzy Four siblings are locked in an attic in the childhood home of their mother after the death of their father. The children are told they will only have to remain there until their estranged grandfather forgives his daughter for… Continue Reading “Flowers In The Attic – Virginia Andrews”
The Member Of The Wedding – Carson McCullers
READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Sophia Troubled teen and tomboy Frankie Addams becomes obsessed with her brother’s wedding plans as she seeks to become a member of something important. Frankie Addams is an awkward twelve year old out of school for the summer. She lives with… Continue Reading “The Member Of The Wedding – Carson McCullers”
Pigeon English – Stephan Kelman
READ FOR BOOKERTHON Ghana migrant Harrison Opoku unbalances the hierarchical balance in his community when he speaks out about the murder of school mate. ✔ “Harri Opoku is 11 years old when he moves from Ghana to a London housing estate with his mother and sister.… Continue Reading “Pigeon English – Stephan Kelman”
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