Devon Book Club discussion

That sounds really interesting. Unusual premise. The Salt Path is a thought-provoking story. interesting how the gap between homelessness being either valiant or repellent in theceyes of others is so small.

Ian wrote: "That sounds really interesting. Unusual premise. The Salt Path is a thought-provoking story. interesting how the gap between homelessness being either valiant or repellent in theceyes of others is ..."

Yes, it really highlights the issue.

What's next then Karen - after finishing A Different Drummer?

I'm currently reading The Perfume Garden by Kate Lord Brown and listening to the audio version of My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrantes. I'm not far into The Perfume Garden at the moment, but so far, I've found the writing extremely evocative. My Brilliant Friend is quite slow-going, in part due to the narrator's delivery. I'm about a third of the way through now, so hopefully it will pick up!

Tracey wrote: "I'm currently reading The Perfume Garden by Kate Lord Brown and listening to the audio version of My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrantes. I'm not far into The Perfume Garden at the moment, but so f..."
I read the Neopolitan series by Elena Ferrante and absolutely loved it. I hope you enjoy it more as you progress Tracey. It's a great insight into friendship: the highs and lows, as well as a looking glass into life in Napoli.

Ian wrote: "What's next then Karen - after finishing A Different Drummer?"
Well, Ian, I've got Invisible Man Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison to read next. It's a chunky looking book. One of the reviews says it's by 'the man who made Black America visible...powerfully heartfelt and savagely funny'. It's a classic written in the 50s, about a man who feels defeated after being treated as a non-being and he retreats to an underground cell where he smokes, drinks, listens to jazz. It's about his search for identity in a white society as he reflects on his optimistic student days in the Deep South and joining a black activist group when he went north, and then explains how he comes to be underground.
It sounds intriguing, so I thought I'd give it a try. I'm just finishing one of my Jalna novels, as a lighthearted interlude between this and A Different Drummer

Tracey wrote: "I'm currently reading The Perfume Garden by Kate Lord Brown and listening to the audio version of My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrantes. I'm not far into The Perfume Garden at the moment, but so f..."

I wonder how it works in audio book. It is very slow paced but it works in the written form,

Karen wrote: "Tracey wrote: "I'm currently reading The Perfume Garden by Kate Lord Brown and listening to the audio version of My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrantes. I'm not far into The Perfume Garden at the m..."

Me too - read them back to back. Absolutely loved them

Karen wrote: "Ian wrote: "What's next then Karen - after finishing A Different Drummer?"
Well, Ian, I've got Invisible Man Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison to read next. It's a chunky lo..."

That sounds really interesting. So many fantastic books and not enough time

Ian wrote: "Karen wrote: "Ian wrote: "What's next then Karen - after finishing A Different Drummer?"
Well, Ian, I've got Invisible Man Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison to read next. It..."

Sadly, I'm giving up on Invisible Man. It's too hard, too intellectual or something like that, for me. I was picking it up and not looking forward to reading it. Time to give up on it I thought. I like a good story, but I was finding it too bogged down in detail for the story to come through, and I had to concentrate! It has got me thinking though, and reflecting. It just wasn't right for me at the moment. I would love to hear what others think of it though. It's got great reviews on goodreads.

I'm reading Kindred Kindred by Octavia E. Butler at the moment. I don't usually go for science fiction and in fact shy away from it, but this is quite fascinating. I'm nearly half way through so have no idea what happens, but the plot so far is a woman drops out of her current time zone which is 1976 into 1819 in the Deep South of America. She discovers her ancestors who are slaves and because she struggles to get back to her life she spends time in that past. It looks like it might give her an opportunity to educate the master's son who becomes her great great grandfather or some such ancient relative. I mean to educate him to be less harsh, more humane in his treatment of the slaves and in the language he uses. I don't know if this turns out to be the case yet and I won't read any reviews in case they give it away, but it's an unusual plot, and that is a massive oversimplification of it. Of course, having the master's son and slave for ancestors is never going to have come from a happy union. This has yet to unravel.

It's really easy to read the author's style. Written in the 70s. Has anybody else read any by Octavia E. Butler?

Karen wrote: "Ian wrote: "Karen wrote: "Ian wrote: "What's next then Karen - after finishing A Different Drummer?"
Well, Ian, I've got Invisible Man Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison to r..."

Not one that I've every read - I'll ask for views on our other platforms too

Karen wrote: "I'm reading Kindred Kindred by Octavia E. Butler at the moment and I'm thoroughly hooked. I don't usually go for science fiction and in fact shy away from it, but this is quite fascina..."

Again - not an author I know. Like you I tend to steer away from sci-fi but sounds like this is one worth reading.

I recently finished The Salt Path, which I really enjoyed and All the Light We Cannot See, which was Ok but disappointing after all the rave reviews. I didn't like the structure and felt that the story line was a bit too contrived, though it carried me along for much of the book

And now, as Monty Python says, for something different. I am reading Deathless by Catherynne M. Valente. I don't even know where to begin to describe this book. It is described on the back as speculative fiction and it is certainly that. Set in Russia in the early 20C it is a book rich in folklore, magic and satirical political commentary. It defies genre so I wont try to categorise it - all I can say is that I am on a journey that is hugely unpredictable and rich in imagery. Loving it so far.

This was the first Catherynne M. Valente book I read, she is one of my absolute favourites, I've read a lot of hers, including some of the children's books, yet to find one I don't like.

Ley wrote: "This was the first Catherynne M. Valente book I read, she is one of my absolute favourites, I've read a lot of hers, including some of the children's books, yet to find one I don't like."

This book is certainly very singular - loving it so far

I've just started reading 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World, the new novel by Elif Shafak. I really enjoy books by this author anyway and this one doesn't disappoint. I wasn't sure I'd like it when I read the synopsis, but I'm finding it hard to put down. A good easy read. I know you like Elif Shafak Ian, have you read this one yet?

I have Elif Shafak on my tbr pile, but I am such a slow reader - with too many themes/genres/authors that I want to follow - that I have no idea when I will get round to reading any. I am currently rereading Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons. My copy dates from a 'Women & Lit' MA at Uni (decades ago) when I hated this! I am having a 'mega' clearout of books, but find myself reading/rereading certain works before taking to Oxfam Books (or wonderful Kingsbridge Library, Devon, if they are good clean copies). As a consequence of this chance read, I am really enjoying 'CCF' although I still hate the silly names for farm utensils etc. I think my earlier dislike was based on reverse snobbery, plus … just not being able to see the humour! I am also reading Alison Weir's biography of Mary Boleyn, which claims to be light years away from the film & the Philippa Gregory novel about Mary The Other Boleyn Girl. I'm quite surprised at how snarky AW is. Also reading Rebecca Solnit's book Men Explain Things to Me and - so far - finding it rather … dated (even if Pub in 2014) with some very weak lines of argument. I was disappointed as I had read so much about RS, and was looking forward to reading more. Maybe it will get better … Any thoughts, any one? Next up is Richard Powers The Overstory, although the list is aeons long!

Karen wrote: "I've just started reading 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World, the new novel by Elif Shafak. I really enjoy books by this author anyway and this one doesn't disappoint. I wa..."

HI Karen - no I haven't but I really want to. I don't tend to buy hardback copies and I've not seen it in the library yet (must see if it is available to order). I love her work and cant wait to read it. Happy to know you are enjoying it

DrMama wrote: "I have Elif Shafak on my tbr pile, but I am such a slow reader - with too many themes/genres/authors that I want to follow - that I have no idea when I will get round to reading any. I am currently..."

Hi Carol - interesting what you say about re-reading books. I doubt we read them in the same way. I just bought Overstory - I like a long book to start the year so looks like that is first up in 2020.

I'm really behind with my group admin but will post my review of the books I've read this year over Xmas. Also, I will post my 5 star reads of the last decade. Seems timely as we welcome a new one in.

Ian wrote: "Karen wrote: "I've just started reading 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World, the new novel by Elif Shafak. I really enjoy books by this author anyway and this one doesn't di..."

It's in Cornwall library stock. Such a good library. Not that that helps you I'm afraid.

A Handful of Dust
I've just finished A Handful of Dust. Hilarious! My first Evelyn Waugh. He's hilarious! But the language is of its time. I know I keep remarking on this when I read old books, but feel I ought to warn. The Whiteoaks series has made me realise that if I read older novels I have to expect and accept language of its time.

I'm going to check Devon's catalogue too. I expect they'll have it.

I've not read Evelyn Waugh for a long time. Must revisit his work

I'm reading A Long Way From Home byPeter Carey, but have only just started. It is the current read for 'Kingsbridge Library' reading group, with just over a week to read, inwardly digest and be ready to comment. It is set in 1950s Australia and the central characters (Irene and Titch Bobs) are driving around the country in the 'Redux Trial' car race. Although I'm only a few chapters in, the accounts of the people, their speech, interactions and wonderful takes on life are fascinating. The work promises an account of 1950s Aus: mores, peoples, behaviour, landscape and culture: so this also counts as one of my 'Round the World' books.
I also have Guy Shrubsole's Who Owns England?: How We Lost Our Green and Pleasant Land, and How to Take It Back, which is so far proving upsetting, fascinating and 'action-provoking'.

DrMama wrote: "I'm reading A Long Way From Home byPeter Carey, but have only just started. It is the current read for 'Kingsbridge Library' reading group, with just over a week to r..."

An interesting mix there. Look forward to hearing more once you get further into the novel. May I ask what the big messages are from Guy Shrubshole's book?

I've just started A Girl Made of Dust. Set in Beirut the story is told through the eyes of an 8 year old child. Lebanon in the 1980s and civil war is tearing the country apart. Two chapters in - will be a very well written book I think

Ian wrote: "I've just started A Girl Made of Dust. Set in Beirut the story is told through the eyes of an 8 year old child. Lebanon in the 1980s and civil war is tearing the country apart. Two c..."

Sounds interesting. I'll add it to my to read list.

I'm reading Us Against You. So far not as engaging as The Scandal aka Beartown of which it is the sequel.

Sorry to hear The Overstory didn't grab you. It's not an easy read at all. I thought you'd love it. I don't know why, maybe the trees made me think that.

Karen wrote: "Ian wrote: "I've just started A Girl Made of Dust. Set in Beirut the story is told through the eyes of an 8 year old child. Lebanon in the 1980s and civil war is tearing the country ..."

It had a lot to recommend it and parts of it were brilliant. Just found it over long. Some bits rambled and lost their way I thought.

Karen wrote: "Ian wrote: "I've just started A Girl Made of Dust. Set in Beirut the story is told through the eyes of an 8 year old child. Lebanon in the 1980s and civil war is tearing the country ..."

Us against you has good review though. Sometimes series struggle to maintain their flow I think. Let me know when you are done and I'll plot it on our map

Ian wrote: "Karen wrote: "Ian wrote: "I've just started A Girl Made of Dust. Set in Beirut the story is told through the eyes of an 8 year old child. Lebanon in the 1980s and civil war is tearin..."

Yes, I do agree that it rambled at times.

I've just finished Lanny by Max Porter. Has anyone else read it? I got it as part of a prize in a competition run by Crediton Community Bookstore where they send me a book each month for six months. Very unusual book. It had some interesting layout, which I liked very much for its visual representation of the overheard snippets of murmurs in a village. The story is told entirely through the thoughts of the various villagers and is interspersed by the thoughts of Dead Papa Toothwort, the mythical Green Man, as he sees village life all around him. Definitely one for provoking thought, as it had one section which was so heart-wrenching I almost put the book down.

Tracey wrote: "I've just finished Lanny by Max Porter. Has anyone else read it? I got it as part of a prize in a competition run by Crediton Community Bookstore where they send me a book each month for six months..."
I'm hoping to read this, soon, as way before Christmas I read Max Porter's Grief is the Thing with Feathers, which while 'different' was absorbing and rather wonderful. It sounds as if the form is very similar in both books. The storyline in this one, follows a bereaved family - a father and 2 young sons - after the death of the wife/mother. 'Crow' enters their lives as a, sort of ... personification of grief, who tries to help them by various means. The pov. varies from crow, father, boys etc. although with crow most often uppermost and speaking words of wisdom - even if sometimes tough or painful, and also getting them to act and emote in various ways ... or rather, the crow/Grief gets them to work on each other?? This work also has sketches, asides, lists, sideshoots, but I thought it was all rather wonderful, and I reread it several times.

Ian wrote: "DrMama wrote: "I'm reading A Long Way From Home byPeter Carey, but have only just started. It is the current read for 'Kingsbridge Library' reading group, with just o..."
Hi Ian,
I only just read your comment about the Guy Shrubsole book. Sadly, I only read a short way in before it was re-called by the Library. I will have to wait until it is less popular, as my reading is always too multi-stranded, plus currently overly disturbed by family/friend events, plus the sort of cold/flu where I only want comfort reads.

DrMama wrote: "Ian wrote: "DrMama wrote: "I'm reading A Long Way From Home byPeter Carey, but have only just started. It is the current read for 'Kingsbridge Library' reading group,..."

Sorry to hear you are not well and that life is complicated for you. A comfort read feels like just the thing. Maybe re-read an old favourite?

Tracey wrote: "I've just finished Lanny by Max Porter. Has anyone else read it? I got it as part of a prize in a competition run by Crediton Community Bookstore where they send me a book each month for six months..."

Not read Max Porter as far as I know. What kind of writer is he?

Ian wrote: "Tracey wrote: "I've just finished Lanny by Max Porter. Has anyone else read it? I got it as part of a prize in a competition run by Crediton Community Bookstore where they send me a book each month..."
Different … he's not at all an ordinary writing creative, or at least he is very alternative in 'Grief is the things with Feathers'. There are a lot of sketches, asides, lists, poems(?), interruptions, drawings, etc. but then difficult issues often require alternative, creative approaches. I'd much rather read this a dozen more times than the romantic tosh our Rdg Grp currently has. The least they could have done was to give us Anna Karenina.

DrMama wrote: "Ian wrote: "Tracey wrote: "I've just finished Lanny by Max Porter. Has anyone else read it? I got it as part of a prize in a competition run by Crediton Community Bookstore where they send me a boo..."

Now you are talking - one of my favourite all time reads.

Max Porter certainly sounds interesting - I shall look him up when I get a chance

I'm reading 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World by the wonderful Elif Shafak - fantastic premise. The brain apparently lives for just over 10 mins after the heart stops beating. In this book, Leila (a sex worker in Istanbul) remembers aspects of her life during that short time.

As always the voice, stories and ideas in the book are all compelling.

I'm rereading Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies, before getting onto my (went out and bought it on Thursday morning despite having a bad cold) new copy of The Mirror & The Light. I'm also still reading The Dawn Watch: Joseph Conrad in a Global World - partly for research and partly 'cos I love Conrad - but it's been a slow stop-start read as life and a bad cold (hence the Mantel) have interrupted. Soon to start Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys as our Rdg Grp book. I adore this and have written about it, so largely looking forward to a reread, but also wondering what time will have done to my perceptions, Finally I have The Complete Stories of J.G. Ballard, which I have been wanting to read...for ever. I worship Ballard, so have high hopes of this keeping me happy for quite a few weeks!

I'm very much wanting to read some Max Porter's Lanny. Currently immersed in David Peace's Red Riding quadrilogy, the stench of rot and despair hard to eradicate.

And I've never yet read Ballard, have great hopes, not wanting to be disappointed. Where might be a good starting point?

Hi Annie,
Welcome! You might like to try the stories, as there is such a breadth and Ballard's work does vary in scope and … public appeal. Some folk might find some of the subjects and stances rather gross (but then some people seem to find anything gross). Perhaps start with the later novels, such as 'Cocaine Nights' or 'High Rise' although they are still pretty bleak and startling. His early work was more sci-fi, but he did write a semi-autobiographical account of the Japanese invasion inWWII, called 'Empire of the Sun'

I must read Wolf Hall and the trilogy. Will get onto the library right away! Cheers.

Pleased you're enjoying another Elif Shafak, Ian. I enjoyed 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World.

I'm reading The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek and I have to admit that I'm disappointed. It's a story of a mobile library on horse or mule back in the mountains of Kentucky. The woman is blue, so suffers from discrimination and endures all sorts of awful situations while at the same time maintaining a positive outlook due to the books and the people she delivers to. It should be a good read, so I'm not sure why I'm not enjoying it as much as I expected...expectations too high perhaps?

DrMama wrote: "Hi Annie,
Welcome! You might like to try the stories, as there is such a breadth and Ballard's work does vary in scope and … public appeal. Some folk might find some of the subjects and stances rat..."

I was thinking of High Rise... Bleak and I are old friends, so I don't think that will be a problem! Thank you for your reply :)

DrMama wrote: "I'm rereading Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies, before getting onto my (went out and bought it on Thursday morning despite having a bad cold) new copy of [book:The M..."

Gracious - you have a lot of books on the go! I couldn't cope with so many at once. Great choices

Annie wrote: "I'm very much wanting to read some Max Porter's Lanny. Currently immersed in David Peace's Red Riding quadrilogy, the stench of rot and despair hard to eradicate."

Hi Annie - not read David Peace - stench of rot and despair in a good way?

Karen wrote: "I must read Wolf Hall and the trilogy. Will get onto the library right away! Cheers.

Pleased you're enjoying another Elif Shafak, Ian. I enjoyed [book:10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World|4..."

I love her work as you know. The Book Woman...… looks good on the description - shame it disappoints

Annie wrote: "DrMama wrote: "Hi Annie,
Welcome! You might like to try the stories, as there is such a breadth and Ballard's work does vary in scope and … public appeal. Some folk might find some of the subjects ..."

I read High-Rise some years ago and remember it well. It stayed with me. Be interested to hear what you think

Ian wrote: "Annie wrote: "DrMama wrote: "Hi Annie,
Welcome! You might like to try the stories, as there is such a breadth and Ballard's work does vary in scope and … public appeal. Some folk might find some of..."

I'll keep you in the loop.