September Book Club

I had a lovely evening at our Book Club last Monday.  However, it was an unusually small group who attended.  Most of our ladies are holidaying here or overseas, having a wonderful time.  Another couple of our ladies weren't well.  There has been a severe flu season this year.  Our hostess provided a delicious supper which we all enjoyed.  We were pleased to welcome a new member this month.  There were lots of great books to choose from including some new ones.  

 

Blood on Snow

I read Blood on Snow by Jo Nesbo as I'm a big fan of the author.  However, this one disappointed.  It is a slim volume narrated by a hit-man who hoped to do one last job before "retiring".  Will things go according to plan? 3/5

The Eye of the Sheep

I very much enjoyed The Eye of the Sheep by Sofie Laguna.  This book won the Miles Franklin Literary Award this year (2015).  The story is narrated by a young boy, Jimmy, living with his dysfunctional family.  Jimmy is "special" and it is mainly his mother, Paula, who can get through to him.  Jimmy is central to the story as he watches and reports to the reader how his life is.  The family is touched by violence as Jimmy's father drinks too much and beats his mother.  Despite this Jimmy maintains his "innocence" and continues to love his father.  Jimmy has an older brother who "escapes" to work on fishing boats.  It is a beautiful story, well told. 4/5

The Paying Guests

I enjoyed The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters which is set in early 1920s London.  A mother and daughter, Frances, rent rooms in their house to make ends meet.  A young married couple, Lilian and Len take the rooms.  Gradually Frances and Lilian become close and dare to think about a life together.  This is a love story with a murder added to the mix.  There is suspense as the murder story plays out.  Where will the characters be at the end of it all. 31/2/5

Forever Young

I read Forever Young by Steven Carroll which is set in Australia in 1977.  We read about the different characters and learn how they lived at this time.  Each character is connected to at least one other character.  This was a turbulent time in Australian politics with a federal election looming.  How will these events change their lives. 3/5

The Green Road

I enjoyed The Green Road by Anne Enright which is set in Ireland.  Rosaleen Madigan has "summonsed" her adult children to come home for Christmas.  The first chapter sets a scene for all the family.  In subsequent chapters we learn more about the interesting individual lives of the children.  Rosaleen tells them she is selling the family home.  This decision is a disappointment to them. 3/1/2/5