Category: Literary fiction

Ragtime – E L Doctorow

READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Sophia Centering on an unnamed New York family, Ragtime hosts an array of fictional and real characters who seek to find their way at the turn of last century. ✔ Ragtime is a snapshot of life in the US… Continue Reading “Ragtime – E L Doctorow”

2011 – Thematic Construction

The best characters exist within the construct of firm guidelines, and life-changing literature becomes so because of the meaning which permeates every turn of events. It is these sturdy but often subtle parametres which define our love of books. With this is mind we have opted… Continue Reading “2011 – Thematic Construction”

2010 – End of Year Thoughts

Harry’s Bar was our destination for EOY bookclub in 2010. Joined by our newest arrival, the fabulous Sophia, we had a lot to discuss. We found that we had many conflicting opinions on this year’s readings, which we welcomed as it makes for lively… Continue Reading “2010 – End of Year Thoughts”

In A Strange Room – Damon Galgut

READ FOR BOOKERTHON A South African writer named for the author goes backpacking abroad. ☁ A young man, named for the author, undertakes three journeys to different countries where he meets and enjoys the company of strangers, but seems to attract bad luck. In… Continue Reading “In A Strange Room – Damon Galgut”

C – Tom McCarthy

READ FOR BOOKERTHON C is a 1960s-, modernist-style anti-novel steeped in philosophy. It follows Serge, an encoder, through WWI. ☁ Opening in England at the turn of the 20th century, C is the story of a boy named Serge Carrefax whose father spends his… Continue Reading “C – Tom McCarthy”

White Noise – Don DeLillo

READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Sophia A satire in which Jack Gladney and his family endure an airborne toxic event after an industrial accident ☁ “Jack Gladney is a professor specialising in Hitler studies who is consumed with the idea of his death. His… Continue Reading “White Noise – Don DeLillo”

Back Booker 2003

The 2003 Man Booker shortlist was another where we thought there was a stand out winner, however the judges didn’t see it the same way. Oryx & Crake is a life-changing book. Margaret Atwood not only has a hugely creative imagination, she is a… Continue Reading “Back Booker 2003”

The Sea, The Sea – Iris Murdoch

READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Suzy Charles Arrowby retires to the seaside to write his memoirs but is constantly under visitation by ex-lovers and friends ☁ “Published in 1978, The Sea, The Sea is the story of an eventful summer late in the life… Continue Reading “The Sea, The Sea – Iris Murdoch”

2010 – Character Development

As in any good story, characters come and go, they fall pregnant, they embrace new friends and they introduce ideas and thoughts often contrary to our own. We have all of this bookclub, and like good literature, we wish it was all laughs and consistency… Continue Reading “2010 – Character Development”

2009 – End Of Year Thoughts

We were back at our old favourite Stoneridge this year for Sunday lunch and agreed it had been a diverse year as far as bookclub reading goes. One thing was for certain though, Xas was loved and adored by us all. There were a… Continue Reading “2009 – End Of Year Thoughts”