SEPTEMBER BOOK CLUB: Autobiography or Biography

 Connie: A Star on her Door.  The Life and Career of June Bronhill by Richard Davis

While Connie is generally not a fan of biographies, she chose this one because of her love of music and a personal connection with the subject.

But again she was disappointed, as after detailing Brownhills brilliant career, her later life was plagued by illness, money problems and a failing career before her death in 2005. This was not the way she wanted to remember her. 

She wished she had read her autobiography. 

 

Ed: Daring to Fly by Lisa Millar

Lisa Millar grew up in country Queensland and through her career as a journalist spent many years overseas as a foreign correspondent. Here she witnessed firsthand many tragedies and much human suffering.  Her fear of flying was beginning to jeopardise her career and lifestyle until she found the strength and resistance to overcome it.

There is much more in this book, and it comes highly recommended.

 

Pat: Sam Bloom: Heartache & Birdsong by Bradley Trevor Greive, Cameron Bloom, Samantha Bloom

Sam and her husband live on the northern beaches of Sydney, living a lifestyle of surfing and travelling. On a trip to Thailand she was severely injured following the collapse of a balcony, ending up a paraplegic,

 devasting for such an active person.

What Pat liked about the book was that Sam never coated her situation and was honest with her feelings and how hard everything was. But this didn’t stop her from returning to canoeing and surfing, representing Australia and winning world titles.

When one of her sons brings home an injured magpie, they name it Penguin. She looked after it and this relationship certainly helped with her recovery.

Pat described it as a lovely read with amazing photos taken by her photographer husband.

 

Judy A: Leaping into Waterfalls: the enigmatic Gillian Mears by Bernadette Brennan 

The Australian writer Gillian Mears died by suicide aged 51 in 2016. She had been living with MS for 5 years. Her biography, written by Bernadette Brennan won this year’s National Biography Award.

Judy chose this biography for a couple of reasons. Her novel, Foal’s Bread is one of her very favourite books. After hearing her speak about her biography, she was keen to read more of her books. Also, Mears grew up in Grafton, going to the same High School as Judy and she enjoyed reading a book set in a place she was familiar with.

 

Judy J: Rogues: Trues Stories of Grifters, Killers, Rebels and Crooks by Patrick Radden Keefe.

The author is an investigative journalist who writes mainly for magazines such as The New Yorker. These are previously published essays about people whose name we wouldn’t know although we may have heard of their crime.

One of these stories is titled The Avenger. David Dornstein was a young American living in Israel. His return flight to America was blown up over Lockerbie, Scotland in 1988.

Although one Libyan man was charged over the bombing, his brother Ken spent the next 30 years trying to find and bring to justice others who were involved in the death of his brother. His dedication and his perseverance are outstanding.

Another story tells of Judy Clarke, a lawyer who defends only the ‘worst of the worst’. These are men whose crimes will lead to the death penalty.

Here she defends the younger of 2 brothers who left bombs near the finishing line of the Boston Marathon in 2013, killing 3 people and injuring 264 .She believes that people are not born evil and is a staunch advocate against the death penalty.

 

Julia: David Jason, My Life by David Jason

David has been a popular television personality for many years and appearing in many successful shows and series including Only Fools and Horses and Frost.

It’s a very amusing read with lots of great photos.

 

Rosemary: Speaking Tongues by Tom Tilly

Tom Tilly is a well-known and successful journalist, and his fascinating memoir tells of his early life growing up in Mudgee. His life revolved around football, his family, and the Pentecostal Church.

The close-knit community church was very restrictive leading to many conflicts and doubts in Tom’s mind. Foremost was the need to be able to ‘speak in tongues’.

He was torn between the life he had to live and the life he wanted to live.

A very interesting story said Rosemary.

 

Kris: Isabelle, The Life of Isabelle Eberhardt by Annette Kobak

An illustrated biography of Isabelle Eberhardt who, although she died young, became a legend in her own lifetime. Using her diaries and many previously unpublished letters, the author tells of her childhood in Geneva, her adventures in the North African desert and her identification with the Arabs. Although she died at the age of 27, she became known as “The Amazon of the Sahara”. Several books and a movie have been made of her very colourful  life.

 

Pamela: Grimmish by Michael Winkler

This self-published and very strange book was short listed for the 2022 Miles Franklin Awards. Although unsuccessful, it has now been picked up a publisher and has become a cult favourite.

Joe Grim was an Italian /American boxer who came to Australia about 1908.

He didn’t win any fights but could absorb an incredible amount of pain, humiliating boxers because they couldn’t knock him out.

The book is partly non-fiction and partly meta fiction, the author breaking the tradition of fiction, for example, with a goat as the narrator. Sometimes it was difficult to know when fiction became the truth.

Pamela said it was not a depressing but quite funny. Joe Grim was a paid pain artist!

 

Val: Russian Roulette: The Life and Times of Graham Greene by Richard Greene

 

Val’s first comment was that she was struggling with the book but enjoying it. As Richard Greene (no relation) retells the story of Greene’s life, many scenarios and characters in his books can be identified.

As a manic depressive, Greene lived life on the edge and so deliberately put his life at risk, visiting countries at war and suffering from disease.

He knew so many influential people including politicians, royalty, actors and spies.

He was not a very nice man but had lived a fascinating life.

 

Joan: Boris Johnston: The Gambler by Tom Bower

Boris Johnson was born in New York where his father was a banker. His early life is well documented as are his marriages and career path until he becomes Prime Minister in 2019. While he is a very divisive and colourful character, the book is an excellent but long and fascinating read.

He was an overprivileged young man, but had a violent upbringing in his family.

Where will his career take him next?

 

Claurene:  True Colours; My Life by Adam Gilchrist

Claurene loves biographies and is a great cricket fan, so this was an obvious book for her to choose.

She liked it because Gilchrist talks about his life beginning as a 10-year-old and he then documents his cricketing career, the different countries he played in and all the great players he played against and with.

He is also very honest with his opinion about many situations and characters.

600 pages of great reading.

 

 

Jo: The Barefoot Surgeon; The inspiring Story of Dr Sanduk Ruit by Ali Gripper

As a boy in lived in the mountains of Nepal, one of the poorest and most isolated countries in the world.

From the age of 7 he was away at boarding school and so had little to do with his family. His sister died when she was very young, so Sanduk decided he would become a doctor.

Not only did he do this, but studied further to become an ophthalmologist, working among the poor in his country. He has said he was inspired by Australia’s Fred Hollows.

A marvellous, beautiful story and very inspirational.

 

 

Next month’s author is Rudyard Kiplng

 

AUGUST 2022 -- BOOKS BY GRAHAM GREENE

 

GRAHAM GREENE was the choice of author for our August meeting. Twice listed for the Nobel Prize for Literature, and with a prolific amount of written work published, Greene is regarded as one of the major novelists of the 20th century. A number of the group admitted to having never read a novel by Graham Greene, and so by belonging to our book club our knowledge has been expanded.

CONNIE - The Heart of the Matter. 1948. Set in a small town on the west coast of Africa during the early days of  WW2, the Assistant Commissioner of Police, in a loveless marriage and annoyed at his failure to be promoted, borrows money. From here his world starts to unwind as he is faced with many ethical and moral choices, with blackmail and adultery just 2 of his problems. Connie didn't like any of the characters nor the treatment of the natives and the snobbery of the white settlers. However the writing was perfect and the descriptions of the village vivid.

JUDY A - The End of the Affair. 1951. The end of WW2, and for Maurice, his obsession with his married lover Sarah and intense jealousy of her husband has filled him with turmoil.  A dramatic accident befalls Maurice during an air raid. Sarah finds him under rubble, thinks he's dead (or nearly) and makes a promise that if he survives she'll end the affair.  He survives, Sarah sees this as a miracle and immediately finishes the affair which confuses Maurice as he doesn't know why it happened. Both characters become deeply unhappy and very troubled. Many complications and strange relationships follow.

ROSEMARY - Gun for Sale. 1936. Many film adaptations of this novel. Raven is an assassin on the run with a hostage. He's looking for who framed him. By strange co-incidence his hostage, Bev, likes him and initially helps him. Then she turns against him - is she an unwilling accomplice? The story swaps around the main 6 characters. Rosemary didn't mind the novel.

JULIA - A Sense of Reality. 1963. Four short stories which Julia quite enjoyed.

LESLEY -  The Third Man. 1950. Written originally as a film script then rewritten as a novella. The movie became very well known with Orson Welles, Jason Cotten and Trevor Howard. A mystery/thriller, it is face paced and a quick read. Harry Lime, living in post WW2 Vienna ( city ravaged by the war) invites his long time friend Rollo Martins to visit. Upon Rollo's arrival, he discovers Harry has been killed in a car accident. Events lead Rollo to discover Harry's death was not an accident. A number of characters are introduced, each a possible suspect. As the story continues, Martins learns some very disturbing facts about Harry's life and his criminal dealings.

JUDY D - The Confidential Agent. 1951.  Beautifully written, a thriller. 1939 and nations are in turmoil with war beginning. Storyline is exhausting as hero doesn't have an easy time, many plot twists occur. "D", formerly a professor, is sent by his government on a secret assignment, supposedly to buy coal. He becomes a man on the run, there's murders, doubts, threats.

KRIS - The Power and the Glory. 1940. Set in southern Mexico during 1930's the story is about a priest who is believed to be the last practising priest in Mexico. Known as the Whiskey Priest, he struggles with his own sense of unworthiness and sin. The country is trying to rid itself of the influence of the Catholic Church and the Priest is hunted through villages and plantations. An excellent writer and story teller but a dismal and bleak novel of poverty, desperation and fear. Kris was pleased to persevere with the story and found it interesting.

PAMELA - Our Man in Havana. 1948. Pamela thought the epigraph meant - the serious man will win in the end. Satirical novel about espionage. James, a vacuum cleaner salesman living in Havana is asked by British Intelligence to be a spy for them. James 'invents' agents (he's paid to recruit them), draws 'diagrams' (really just the inside workings of the cleaners) and says they're plans of hidden buildings in the mountains.  People start to get killed, life becomes more serious. Well written and funny to the end.

VAL - Our Man in Havana. 1948. MI6 satire, James is seen as a great man in Havana for all his secret spying. Eventually he's found out to be a fraud, but is given an OBE to cover his tracks.

SHEILA. Didn't read much of her Graham Greene book, she couldn't continue but made the point that she loves Book Club. It offers a variety of  reading material, good conversation and the opportunity to choose to read - or not - the author, topic etc of the month.

JOAN - Battlefield. 1934 . About the politics of death row appeal. Characters miserable so not recommended. Read 'The Quiet American' 1955. Set in Saigon a British correspondent - Fowler - views the breaking down of the  colonised French and the increasing presence of American involvement in the country prior to Vietnam War. Love interests ever present. Characters were authentic with films made.

JO - Brighton Rock. 1938. Set in an attractive seaside town, behind the facade lurks a nest of criminal activity - gangs, corruption, poverty. The gang leader is a psychopath, other characters weird but Jo found it interesting.

Lesley

 SEPTEMBER:  We will be reading biographies and autobiographies of our own choice

JULY BOOKS : Written by a New Zealand author or about New Zealand

 

Connie: New Zealand Inheritance by Essie Summers

 

This author has been described as ‘New Zealand’s Queen of Romance’ having written over 50 novels and sold 19 million books in 105 countries. The book follows the Mills and Boon format where her heroines are strong characters and many continue to work after marriage to the love of their life. If there are problems, these are overcome, and life goes on staring into the beautiful sunset.

While an easy read, Connie thought the book was more suitable for a younger audience.

 

Judy J:   The Nursing Home Murder by Ngaio Marsh

 

Ngaio Marsh is often described as one of the “Great Ladies” of the English mystery’s golden age and wrote 32 classic English detective stories. They all feature Detective Inspector Alleyn.

When the British Home Secretary dies after an emergency operation, the police are called in to investigate. After interviewing all who were present, many had a motive or opportunity to commit the murder. Through quiet, methodical police work, Alleyn solves the crime.

Police procedures in 1935 are much simpler than today, but the story is an easy, quaint read.

 

 

Lyn: Māori Markings by Tá Moko

 

Lyn chose to read and talk about the history of the settlement in New Zealand, the Maori traditions, song, dance, customs and craft.

 

Jo: Fire by Deborah Challinor

 

An historical romance based on the Ballantynes Department Store Fire in 1947 that killed 41 people, most of them store employees trapped in controversial circumstances. Set in an unnamed NZ city in 1953, Fire tells the story of four working class friends, all employed at Dawsons, one of the country's most glamorous and sophisticated department stores. 

The story takes place when the city is preparing for a visit by the young Queen Elizabeth. When a fire starts in the basement many are trapped.

Jo thought it was a great read.

 

Val: Money in the Morgue by Ngaio Marsh and Stella Duffy

 

Stella Duffy has published many books herself but was asked to complete a novel begun by Ngaio Marsh during World War 11 but abandoned. There was only the title, three chapters and some notes, but no plot outline.

She set the story in the South Island and featured Inspector Alleyn who was there following up on a secret war mission.  But when two murders happen and a large amount of money is stolen, Alleyn leaves his original position to help solve the mystery.

Val enjoyed the book and thought it was very true to the style of Ngaio Marsh.

 

 

Pamela: The Bones Remember by Sara Johnson

 

The story is set on Stewart Island, 30 km off the South Island of New Zealand. A visiting pathologist is asked to examine the skeletal remains of a body and very soon another body is discovered. While it is first thought to have been a shark attack, it soon seems that both deaths are related.

Pamela was interested to read of the controversy between those in the tourist industry who promoted ‘cage diving’ among the sharks, and the locals who were not in favour.

Apart from this, Pamela found that many the elements in the plot were too incredible, and much information was irrelevant.

 

 

Prue: The Cloud Leopard’s Daughter by Deborah Challinor

 

This book is the fourth in a series but can be read as a stand-alone.  The genre is historical fiction/romance and moves between the Opium Wars in China and the Gold Rushes in both Australia and New Zealand. Her books are always very well researched and  moves along quickly with never a slow part. She is a good storyteller. The characters have depth and feel familiar. 

Her books are educational and enjoyable.

 

Kris: See You in September by Charity Norman

 

Cassy is having a short break with her boyfriend in New Zealand before she begins her law course and being bridesmaid at her best friend’s wedding.

She is unsure about her boyfriend, so after an argument she accepts a lift from a group of people from an idyllic farming collective, planning to meet up with him later. Before long she is under the spell of the charismatic leader, Justin.

The story goes back and forth between her life in New Zealand and her parents in England frantically trying to get her back.

Kris thought it was a really good read, but at over 400 pages, could have been trimmed down a little.

 

Pat: Kitty by Deborah Challinor

 

This is the first book in ‘The Smuggler’s Wife ‘series. 

When Kitty’s father dies, her mother is left impoverished, and her only hope is for her daughter to marry well. When she is found in a compromising position with an unscrupulous adventurer, she is banished to New Zealand. Much happens in the story, but it is so enjoyable and easy to read.

 

Gulf Between by Maxine Alterio

A young man is unconscious in hospital after a car accident. His mother learns that he is there, even though they haven’t seen each other in more than forty years. As he recovers family conflict, relationships and manipulation within the family bring back so many sad memories.

 

Julia: The Stranding by Kate Sawyer

 

A dystopian novel, told in the first person, focuses on two complete strangers who meet moments before the end of the world. They miraculously survive by climbing into the mouth of the whale.

Julia gave up reading it as it became too horrible to read what they were doing to the whale.

 

Judy 3: The Secret of Strangers by Charity Norman

 

The author, born in Uganda, lived in England but has now moved to New Zealand and has written seven suspense thrillers featuring crime and family drama.

This book is set in London and a group of strangers are caught in a hostage situation in a café. The shooter rushes in and kills the owner. You learn the backstory of the hostages, the gunman and the negotiator. 

Judy thought it was worth reading and hard to put down.

 

Bev: Alex in Winter by Tessa Duder

 

Alex is a teenage girl, a swimmer in training hopefully for the 1960 Olympics. She is also coping with the death of her boyfriend in a hit and run accident.

Her main rival is a young girl, an only child with rich parents and a bossy mother.

Many obstacles and challenges are put in her way as she tries to reach her goal.

 

Rosemary: Blood Men by Paul Cleave

 

The protagonist is Edward Hunter, a family man with a beautiful wife and daughter, a secure job as an accountant and a bright future ahead. But he has a very dark past, his father being a convicted serial murderer of eleven prostitutes having been in prison for the past 20 years. He has struggled with this nightmare all his life.

However, while waiting in the bank with his wife, a hold up occurs, his wife is taken hostage and eventually killed. 

Thus begins the hunt for the killers.

Rosemary said she was conflicted with this book, not being sure whether she was enjoying it but knew she had to finish it. It certainly held her interest with many twists.

 

Joan: The Silent Frontier by Peter Watt

 

The story begins on the gold fields of Ballarat as the Eureka Stockade is under attack.

A man is killed, his siblings survive but are separated.

The story follows them through their lives until they are finally reunited.

Joan thought it a terrific story, fiction based on history, and she is absolutely hooked on it. A total escape.

Her next read is ‘Papua’ by Peter Watt.

AUGUST BOOK CLUB:  The English writer Graham Greene

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JUNE 2022: Books by Thomas Keneally

 Thomas Keneally, born in 1935, is an Australian novelist, playwright, essayist and actor.  He is best know for his non fiction Schindler's Ark.  In later years, in partnership with his eldest daughter Meg, he wrote the Monsarrat series, a crime series with an historical background. Meg is a former journalist turned crime writer.

BEV:  THE WIDOW AND HER HERO (published 2008)

 The story is set in Braidwood during World War 11.  It's the story of a woman who meets a fellow who joined the army. They marry and he is sent on a mission to Japanese held Singapore.  He is killed and she becomes a widow after a very short marriage.  The story is told from the perspective of the widow who is now in her 80's.  Bev found it went on and on and on.  She said it was very slow moving and she did not enjoy the read.

JOAN:  NAPOLEON'S LAST ISLAND (published 2015)

In 1815 Napoleon landed under exile on the rocky island of St Helena in the mid Atlantic.  As his accommodation  wasn't ready he stayed in part of the homestead of the Balcombe family, an English family.  The father was the superintendent of the East India stores.  A great friendship develops with the family, especially with the young daughter Betsy.  We see this all through Betsy's eyes.  A new Governor said they were too friendly to Napoleon and took away some of their privileges. The father eventually dies and the rest of the family go to Australia. Joan said it draws in the history very effectively.  She said it was a worthwhile read and she enjoyed it, although it was a little bit too long.

JO:  NAPOLEON'S LAST ISLAND

 Jo read this book as well but gave up after 130 pages.  The story is about Napoleon Bonaparte and his exile to the island of St Helena where he befriends the locals.  Jo found it dull in most parts.

JUDY D:  CORPORAL HITLER'S PISTOL (published 2021)

How did Corporal Hitler's Luger from the First World War end up being the weapon that killed an IRA turncoat in Kempsey, N.S.W in 1933. When a woman sees an Aboriginal child in a Kempsey street, she recognizes the child looks like her husband.  She realises it must be her husband's son. There are several stories going on at once. There is a man who is taken to a psychiatric ward in Sydney, his Irish farmhand is murdered, and a gay piano playing veteran is implicated. Rural communities are prepared to accept a diverse population as long as they don't overstep the mark.  Judy enjoyed it and said things went well.

VAL:   CORPORAL HITLER'S PISTOL

Val enjoyed this book as well, although it is not a happy story.  The community has it's problems.  You get to know the people you are dealing with in 1933 Kempsey. One of the residents has post traumatic stress after the war.  The homosexual in town is taunted and when a murder occurs and money stolen the finger is pointed at Dalton as he is homosexual.  Val said what comes through are the moral standards of the time.  

ED:  FLYING HERO CLASS (published 1991)

This is the fictional story of the Australian Aboriginal Barramatjara Dance Troupe on a world tour.  They are on a plane from New York to Frankfurt when a Palestinian terrorist organization come on board.  There are two Jewish people on board who have two passports in different names. The terrorists put them in the hull of the plane.  Ed said by page 200 she still didn't know why the plane was hijacked or what were their demands.  It seemed to go on another path and she got a bit fed up with the book.

CONNIE:  JACKO: THE GREAT INTRUDER (published in 1971)

Connie said this novel sounded so Australian.  Jacko was born on a cattle station in the Northern Territory. He had two brothers and one sister.  He was educated at university and thought the cattle station was not for him.  He got a job with a television company on the morning show. Jacko's friend is telling the story and it starts with Jacko up a cherry picker in New York.  He knocks on the window of a fellow who had a daughter who had gone missing.  Jacko decides they are going to find the girl.  He includes the public.  That story is then put aside and there is another interesting story but you don't find out what happens.  Connie liked the way he wrote but would have preferred there weren't so many side stories.  She found it a bit heavy going and too long at over 400 pages but she still found it satisfying.

PAT:  SOLDIER'S CURSE by MEG and TOM  KENEALLY (published in 2016)

This Book 1 in the Monsarrat series. It's an historical novel set in the Port Macquarie penal settlement in 1895.   The main character is Monsarrat  who had been pretending to be a barrister.  He was very successful but got caught and sent away to Port Macquarie.  He forms a relationship with Mrs. Mulrooney, the cook who takes care of the commandant.  While the commandant is away his wife dies.  They can't work out why she died.  Monsarrat, Mrs Mulrooney and the doctor worked out she was poisoned.

KRIS:  THE POWER GAME by MEG and TOM KENEALLY (published 2018)

This is Book 3 in the Monsarrat series.   Monsarrat and Mrs Mulrooney are sent to Maria Island to investigate the murder of Harefield, the bosun who brings supplies to the island from Van Diemen's Land.  The main suspect is Thomas Power, an Irish baronet convicted for treason and sent to Van Diemen's Land.  Monsarrat and Mulrooney have convict pasts but this has not been revealed to the commandant.  This was a fast paced and very enjoyable read. 

SHEILA:  SHAME and the CAPTIVES  (published 2013)

  It is based on the true story set in Cowra but this country town has a different name. There is an outbreak of Japanese prisoners at the World War 11 prisoner camp. Some of the prisoners held there are Italian, who are mostly accepted but the people are terrified of the Japanese.  There is a big break out which is kept under wraps for years.  The town started to bring them out to work on the roads. A woman observing a work gang took cool drinks as it was a very hot day.  She felt by doing this it might be reciprocated as her husband was also a prisoner of war in Europe.  Sheila did not read it all and she could not battle through the book. Too dry.

PAMELA:  THE PLAYMAKER  (published 1987)

Pamela said it is an interesting concept but she doesn't really like restoration drama. The setting is Sydney Cove in 1789. It is the story of a group of convicts and their captors who unite to stage a play.  It is one of the first plays put on in the colony.  They put on a comedy.  Pamela said she is up to page 54 and has found it difficult.  There are too many characters and too hard to follow.  She couldn't always work out whether it was the convict talking or the part he was playing. 

TAM:  TWO OLD MEN DYING  (published 2018)

Learned Man is known as the child of humankind.  The story explores the journey of modern Australians alongside the imagined story of ancient Learned Man whose remains were discovered in Western NSW some decades ago. The two Old Men in the story are Learned Man and Shelby. Shelby is an acclaimed documentary maker. He sees the world through the lens of a camera.  There is also a parallel story with aboriginal culture struggles. Tam said it was an exquisite exploration of community, country, love and mortality.  She found the Aboriginal part interesting and thinks she would read another book by Tom Keneally.

JULIA:  GOSSIP FROM THE FOREST (published 1975)

The setting is a railway carriage in 1918 in a forest near Paris.  It deals with the negotiations to end World War 1.  It's a combination of history, speculation and rumour.  He recreates the personalities and ideals and arguments that resulted in the Armistice which would shape the future in Europe.

Kris

In the month of July we will be reading books about New Zealand or by New Zealand authors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MAY 2022: VARIOUS BOOKS BY ANN PATCHETT

Ann Patchett is an American author born in 1963.  She has written 7 novels and is the recipients of numerous awards and fellowships.

THE DUTCH HOUSE

The Dutch House is a 2019 novel that tells the story of a brother and sister who grow up in a mansion known as the Dutch House.  It spans five decades of their lives and has been described as a dark fairy tale.

VAL:  The sentences were convoluted.  The characters were unpleasant and always wanting revenge.  Val read it all but didn't really enjoy it.  It wasn't her sort of novel.

JULIA:  She agreed with Val.  She started to read it but didn't enjoy it.

JO:  At first she thought it was boring but then she said she couldn't put it down.  Some characters seem awful.  Jo said "what sort of mother leaves her kids to go to India".  Eventually she was drawn in and couldn't put the book down.

COMMONWEALTH 

JOAN:  She didn't like the Dutch House very much but decided to give Ann Patchett another try and read Commonwealth.  Joan didn't like it and felt the same as Val felt about The Dutch House.  Joan didn't like the characters.  There was a bad husband, a good husband, a floozy wife, divorces and six children.  She found it morbid.

SHEILA:  After the first page Sheila decided she didn't like it but read the whole first chapter.  She found it awful.  Everything degenerated.  The characters were awful drunken people.

JUDY D:  She didn't like  the story going back and forth.  You are in one place one minute and then back in the past.  Judy agrees with all the other comments and she didn't like the characters.

CONNIE:  The novel was set in Virginia.  Connie was glad she read it because she learnt why Virginia was a Commonwealth. During the American Revolution, the title "Commonwealth of Virginia was used in the new state's constitution.  Unlike the word "state" which can also mean a country, democratic or not, the term "commonwealth" emphasized that Virginia was founded to serve the common good of it's people.

BEV:   She felt the same as Sheila.  She didn't like it.  She only read the first and last chapter and found it awful.

JUDY J:  This family saga spans five decades.   It's about divorces, neglected kids and blended families.  The people are awful. Judy agrees with all that has been said before.

THESE PRECIOUS DAYS

JUDY A:   She had read four Ann Patchett novels so decided to read two of her books of essays.  This is the Story of a Happy Marriage published in 2013 and These Precious Days published last year.  She thoroughly enjoyed both these books, especially the one from last year.  They cover a huge range of topics from her life and you feel like you are actually having a conversation with her.   These Precious Days starts with an essay called Three Fathers.  Her mother was married three times and divorced twice and Patchett explores the virtues and failures of her relationship with each of the men.  

The title essay These Precious Days is about her friendship with Tom Hanks' personal assistant.  Her name was Sooki Raphael.  She had pancreatic cancer at the beginning of Covid and came to stay with Ann and her husband to have a new chemo treatment.  It was about their time together in lockdown. She has such an easy way of writing.  Judy really enjoyed it and gave it  4/5.

LESLEY:  She also loved the essays.  The author, Ann Patchett didn't feel she could write a novel during covid so instead wrote essays.  She is passionate about what she does.  She is deeply reflective, observant of human nature.  The essays are very well written.

 BEL CANTO:

KRIS:  The story begins in a third world South American country's vice president's house in honour of Katsumi Hosokawa, the chairman of a large Japanese company.   Mr Hosokawa loves opera and is an avid fan of the opera diva, Roxane Coss who is a beautiful soprano.  It is hoped that her attendance at the party will encourage him to invest in their country.   People from various  parts of the world come together for this occasion.  Near the end of the party a group of terrorists break into the house to take the president hostage but the president fails to attend and they are forced to reassess the situation.  The gun wielding terrorists are made up of a group of men, all generals and a group of young people, two of which are young women.   Initially they all live in fear but as the weeks pass, they all settle into a comfortable routine. I found it difficult to get started but once I got a bit further into the story, I had to keep reading.  The lines between captor and captive become blurred as friendships and romance develop.  It's well worth a read.

DIANN:  She tried to page 30 but really didn't like it. 

PAMELA:   The theme is Opera.  The terrorists are actually a bit incompetent.  Initially everyone is terrified thinking they will get shot but then people relax.  The Generals eventually let the people go outside.  Everyone gets along.  One of the generals has shingles and is in a lot of pain.  They're all friendly and the characters are quite interesting.  There is a young male interpreter who travels with Mr. Hosokawa.  As so many languages are spoken, he becomes very important to the household.  All the characters are very interesting.

Bel Canto is Italian for beautiful singing, a style of operatic singing that demands acrobatic vocal flourishes especially from sopranos. The epigraph couldn't be more perfect.  The statement by Tamino from Mozart's "The Magic Flute" is that he wants friendship and love even if it costs him his life.  This is very relevant to what happens in the book.

STATE OF WONDER

LYN: This is the first book by Ann Patchett Lyn has read. She thoroughly enjoyed it.   It was a real page turner and she enjoyed the medical themes. The very complex characters were all interwoven and there was only one romance.  Marina Singh is a 42 yr old medical scientist and researcher working in a pharmaceutical lab in Minnesota.  She is romantically involved with her boss, Mr. Fox, 18 years her senior. They have kept the relationship quiet from the other employees.

 Dr Swenson a research scientist who has been funded by the pharmaceutical company, has been working deep in the Amazon forest. A telegram is received from Dr Swenson reporting the death of Dr Eckman, her laboratory colleague, but his wife and family are convinced he isn't dead. Mr. Fox sends Marina out to Brazil to locate Dr Swenson and ascertain more about Dr Eckman's death, but when the plane loses Marina's luggage and special phone, the situation becomes very difficult and complex.  Lynn felt she just had to keep reading.

Kris 

   Our book for the month of JUNE will be any book by the author Thomas Keneally