Devon Book Club discussion

Lizzie - Barista in training. wrote: "Well I enjoyed the first book in the Faiewick series so I guess you can say that."

Always good to get to the know the range of an authors work. Who are your top authors?

My book group read The History of the Rain by Niall Williams - https://www.amazon.co.uk/History-Rain...- last month. A wonderful story of love and loss set in an Irish backwater. Full of eccentric characters, it's not a page-turning plot (although I couldn't wait to get back to it) but the language is so beautiful it almost seems that every paragraph is a poem.

Cathie wrote: "My book group read The History of the Rain by Niall Williams - https://www.amazon.co.uk/History-Rain......"

Thanks Cathie - I love lyrically written books - one of the things I loved about Tan Twan Eng's The Garden of Evening Mists, whcih I raved about a few weeks ago. Yours will be added to my list!

Just finished Flashman and the Mountain of Light.

Highly recommended for absolutely non-PC hysterical fun. Harry Flashman is the ultimate antihero. It's wholly brilliant p.

Jane Jago wrote: "Just finished Flashman and the Mountain of Light.

Highly recommended for absolutely non-PC hysterical fun. Harry Flashman is the ultimate antihero. It's wholly brilliant p.

[bookcover:Flashman an..."


Goodness - when were the Flashman books written? I confess that I've never read them

It grieves me to say I don't precisely know. But the author died in 2008. IMHO the man was a comic genius

Lizzie - Barista in training. wrote: ""

Well, Lizzie - there's one to set the pulse racing! Hope you aren't reading that alone on a night with a full moon (I know that's werewolves but I expect vampires are about too on those nights)

This is a beautifully gentle book about a remote mountain tribe (the Evenki) in China. It covers their traditions, the changes that impact on them, their loves, triumphs and tribulations. It also covers the impact of the Sino-Japanese war on them and on wider society. Told through the memories of an older woman, in an often lyrical style - I'm about a third of the way through and am captivated by it.

I am re-reading Home by Julie Myerson. It is the true history of a South London house and its occupants, with an account of how she did the research and her own family life interwoven into the account.

Janet wrote: "I am re-reading Home by Julie Myerson. It is the true history of a South London house and its occupants, with an account of how she did the research and her own family life interwoven into the acco..."

Thanks - Are you getting something different from it second time round?

My most recent read was 'Prodigal Son', the first in Dean Koontz's Frankenstein series. This combines two of my heroes in the literature world, Koontz and the character of Victor Frankenstein.

The greatest thing about this book, and I would imagine the series as a whole, is that it's not just a reboot of the classic story, rather a re-imagining. Victor is portrayed as an actual person upon which Mary Shelley drew inspiration from for her novel, and fast forwards it over two hundred years to the present.

Victor has found a way to stay alive for all not this time and secretly continues his experiments, whilst masquerading as a pillar of society.

Only now, with technological and scientific advancements as they are, his new creations are stronger, smarter and more deadly than his first 'attempt'. They now hold the power to take over the world.

The story is a great introduction to the series and such a fresh approach to the Frankenstein tale that it has left me wanting to move straight onto the second one.

Luckily, thanks to Trago Mills actually getting it right and stocking the entire series, I only have to reach as far as my bookshelves to grab it!

Chris wrote: "My most recent read was 'Prodigal Son', the first in Dean Koontz's Frankenstein series. This combines two of my heroes in the literature world, Koontz and the character of Victor Frankenstein.

The..."

Thanks Chris - I can see the appeal. How many in the series?

Hi Ian,
I've just finished reading the third 'Bridget Jones' novel,Mad About the Boy by Helen Fielding ... and I loathed it. I would never have chosen to read it, but it was a Reading Group book, and - as I help out a bit with the group - I always feel I ought to make the effort. In the end I didn't read all of it, as I found the extensive 'tweeting' sections so homogeneous, that if I'd forgotten to put a book marker in, then I was quite likely to start reading any other tweeting section - I think I missed about 1/4 of the book that way!
I did read The first 'BJ' novel, years ago, and although not my cup of tea, it was funny in parts, captured many aspects of life at the time, and was far, far better written than this volume. I found it terribly repetitive, relatively boring, and manipulative in the extreme, with so much product placement, and constant playing on the emotions via the use of the 'widowed mother of young children' tearjerker, while simultaneously insulting so many people: bereaved spouses, real screen writers, women in similar situations with no money: who really cannot cope. Plus ... this is all without mentioning the obvious ending, which is apparent the first time the 'man' appears.
Okay, okay, I know it's just a novel ... and this is just my opinion (and: "Opinions are like belly buttons: we've all got them, but they don't hold much water!" but, if I could give any book zero stars it would be this one.

I've just finished The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North and found it absolutely fascinating. Just started The Best Friend by Shalini Boland and getting really drawn in to the story. It's one of those psychological thrillers where you know something really bad is about to happen but everyone is jollying along in their own happy worlds.

Currently reading [book:The Library of Shadows|648963 Really interesting idea and quite scary in places.

I've just finished The Boys in the Boat Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown by Daniel James Brown. It was a book club read, which I wouldn't have chosen for myself. Non-fiction, 460+ pages long, very detailed and in some ways like a human Wikipedia, always dashing off at a tangent. BUT as a record of the depression and the problems of the dust bowl it was great; and the actual Olympic race was thrilling, even though I knew the result in advance. Took me a long time to read, but in the end, I stayed up until 2am to read the ending.

Just finished . Crime set in Derbyshire. Sarah Ward's second book following the same police team. Lots of twists and turns and a fairly topical read. First book was good - this was even better! Reminded me a bit of Dickens with its cliffhangers. Told from a number of points of view with chapters of varying length which made it race along. Actually cared about a number of the characters by the end (that is is an important factor in my enjoyment). Now on to . I wouldnt usually have read them back to back but they had both been reserved by someone else and due back on Monday. Looks like another fine!!

I've just finished reading in an excellent translation. It's an unusual book, focussing on the relationship between two women, but is so well constructed and written that I found it totally absorbing and very moving. I'd thoroughly recommend it.
Now, by complete contrast, I've just started , a Golden Age whodunit.

Broken Heart recently finished and thoroughly enjoyed. Tim Weaver is not an author I've read before, and I will certainly be catching up with his other books. A beautifully written hard-to-put-down mystery about a woman who has disappeared...

P.R. wrote: "Broken Heart recently finished and thoroughly enjoyed. Tim Weaver is not an author I've read before, and I will certainly be catching up with his other books. A beautifully written ..."

This sounds like one I might enjoy. Thanks for the recommendation.

Kathy wrote: "I've just finished reading in an excellent translation. It's an unusual book, focussing on the relationship between two women, but is so well constructed and written tha..."
Hi Kathy, thanks for that. I've been meaning to read something by Szabo, so I will start with this one. I'm now reading a 1998 book by A.L. Kennedy (I love her - seeing her live is always both profound and hysterically funny). It's a set of short stories entitled Original Bliss and so far - 4 stories in - they are superb. So well written, yet so varied, and each one startling in their different takes on human behaviour and thinking. The only down is I always think "Why can't I write like that?".

Kathy wrote: "P.R. wrote: "Broken Heart recently finished and thoroughly enjoyed. Tim Weaver is not an author I've read before, and I will certainly be catching up with his other books. A beautif..."

You're very welcome Kathy! Your own books look so interesting I've added one to my list, so we're all winners here :)

America goes to war; a social history of the Continental Army, by Charles Patrick Neimeyer arrived yesterday, courtesy of Amazon, and husband who bought it for £1 .06 pence, without telling me. Read it last night and found it a very erudite work by an author who is a Professor of History at Oklahoma Univ. He makes very interesting observations on the large numbers of Europeans in the Continental Army. The Pennsylvania Line, for instance, had very many Irish soldiers, as well as large numbers of Germans. He suggests that the soldiers were not quite the patriots that history has portrayed them. Very interesting.

At the moment I'm reading "where my heart used to beat" by Sebastian Faulks. An emotionally weary English doctor is looking back on the best and worst events of the 20th century which have made up his life. He has been invited to a small island off the French coast by a mysterious man who knew his father and who seems to know more about him than he does himself. Despite the overriding feeling of world weariness throughout the narrative, the story keeps me reading.

I've been MIA for a while so my apologies.
I'm reading the third book in the Canal boat Cafe series Casting Off at the moment, it's nice and easy going, and I'm enjoying it because it's set on a canal and I live on one.
My favourite read of this year has been The Call of Mount Sumeru: Book #3 in the Kelsey Porter Series by Elyse Salpeter. It's a great series and she's a good writer.

DrMama wrote: "Hi Ian,
I've just finished reading the third 'Bridget Jones' novel,Mad About the Boy by Helen Fielding ... and I loathed it. I would never have chosen to read it, but it was a Read..."

I love hearing about books that bomb as well! Thank you. Love your belly button analogy - very funny

Angela wrote: "I've just finished The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North and found it absolutely fascinating. Just started The Best Friend by Shalini Boland and getting really drawn in to the sto..."

The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August looks great and have added to my list. Let us know how you get on with the new book

Ley wrote: "Currently reading [book:The Library of Shadows|648963 Really interesting idea and quite scary in places."

Ley wrote: "Currently reading [book:The Library of Shadows|648963 Really interesting idea and quite scary in places."

Could you resend the link please Ley - it didn't work for some reason

Elizabeth wrote: "I've just finished The Boys in the Boat Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown by Daniel James Brown. It was a book club read, which I wouldn..."

A big read if it is subject that didnt initially draw you in but sounds like you got something from it

Kathy wrote: "I've just finished reading in an excellent translation. It's an unusual book, focussing on the relationship between two women, but is so well constructed and written tha..."

The door looks like the kind of book I'd read - added to my list - thank you Kathy

Carol wrote: "America goes to war; a social history of the Continental Army, by Charles Patrick Neimeyer arrived yesterday, courtesy of Amazon, and husband who bought it for £1 .06 pence, without telling me. Rea..."

Not a period of history that I know much about. Hadn't realised that there was a European presence

Helen wrote: "At the moment I'm reading "where my heart used to beat" by Sebastian Faulks. An emotionally weary English doctor is looking back on the best and worst events of the 20th century which have made up ..."

My favourite Faulks novel is definitely Birdsong but your current read sounds intriguing. He is a good writer isn't he - easy to read

Chrissie wrote: "I've been MIA for a while so my apologies.
I'm reading the third book in the Canal boat Cafe series Casting Off at the moment, it's nice and easy going, and I'm enjoying it because..."

That looks like a romp of a novel Chrissie and Casting Off looks interesting too - thanks for the update. I've enjoyed hearing about the books people are reading - such variety

Hi all - I am currently half way through by Helen Dunmore, which is a very different take on 1960s cold war spies - written from a very domestic point of view, and based in London. Really enjoying it - I like this author's style of writing. First came across her at an author talk at the Appledore Book Festival a couple of years ago, after which I read . Also want to read by her.

I've just finished Sea of Poppies by Amitav Ghosh. It's a linguists heaven, with language never before seen in a novel, I am sure.

At times this made it hard for me to follow, but after I got into the swing of the playfulness of the language I loved it.

A huge novel, with a vast array of characters and sub plots, it has kept me going for ages.

I'be had a really good spell of reading excellent novels lately, following an accident, and plenty of time to read! I have discovered two authors that I love...Tash Aw and Chris Cleave.

Just about to start Suite Francais by Irene Nemirovsky.

P.R. wrote: "Kathy wrote: "P.R. wrote: "Broken Heart recently finished and thoroughly enjoyed. Tim Weaver is not an author I've read before, and I will certainly be catching up with his other bo..."

Well thank you! :)

Ian wrote: "Carol wrote: "America goes to war; a social history of the Continental Army, by Charles Patrick Neimeyer arrived yesterday, courtesy of Amazon, and husband who bought it for £1 .06 pence, without t..."

Yes, very much so. Even the British army was not British. There were large numbers of Germans, generally referred to as Hessians, although they came from other German regions, as well as Hesse. They are thought of as mercenaries, but, in fact, the ordinary soldier was just paid a small amount and it was their rulers who pocketed the cash given by the British. Many of them were not there of their own free will. Both sides were bedevilled by deserters. Pennsylvania and Philadelphia,(the capital of Congress) was settled by many Germans, so after the British had occupied the city for the winter after the battle of Brandywine, the German troops married or had sweet hearts, and didn't want to leave, and in the first week alone on their march after leaving the city there were about 400 desertions.

Karen wrote: "I've just finished Sea of Poppies by Amitav Ghosh. It's a linguists heaven, with language never before seen in a novel, I am sure.

At times this made it hard for me to follow, but after I got into..."

Hi Karen, I loved 'Sea of Poppies' too. It's the first in a trilogy, and the latest one has only recently been published. My Reading Group read the 1st and 2nd (which is also excellent), so I'm hoping we will get the 3rd soon.

I'm loving these posts - really opens us to other influences. Someone just posted on our Facebook page about a small book called Grief Is the Thing with Feathers - loosk really interesting

In response to your earlier reply to my post, Ian, there are 5 books in Dean Koontz's Frankenstein series.

Going to be a task and a half trying to read them all around writing my next book and tackling my new job but I will do my best...

Chris wrote: "In response to your earlier reply to my post, Ian, there are 5 books in Dean Koontz's Frankenstein series.

Going to be a task and a half trying to read them all around writing my next book and ta..."

Sounds like an antidote to a very busy life

I'm still reading my way - very slowly, I am saving and savouring it - through A.L Kennedy's 1998 book of short stories Original Bliss It is superb. NB Some blurbs write about this book as if it is a novel, but - although the title story is 'novella' length - as far as I can tell the other stories are separate. The tales deal with troubled souls, who are trying to fathom their way through life, in various situations. It's not an easy, straightforward read - often I keep reading to find out what is going on (absolutely my sort of book), and then reread for the 'writing'. However, the language, structure and pictures of fellow humans are profound: often moving, painful, upsetting or hilarious.

As I am taking my time with this, I have started to re-read Alone in Berlin, by Hans Fallada. He was a German writer, living in Berlin during WWII, and was eventually imprisoned because of his writings. This novel is set in the early years of the War, where everyone is watched. Adherence to Hitler and Nazi policy is rigidly enforced - mainly by curtain-twitching neighbours as much as by agents of the State - and all opposition is brutally quashed ... Yet an elderly couple choose to stand against the Nazi machine. I first read it 10 years ago for some work, and I want to re-read it now, at leisure. This is partly to chase up leads I intended to follow and never did, but also as Fallada's later novel Nightmare in Berlin (dealing with the horrors of life in the capital after the fall of the Third Reich) has only recently been translated, and is winging its way to me, as I type.

Really liked Alone in Berlin. Did you see the film? Afraid it passed me by. Will have to put the sequel on my list!

Sue wrote: "Really liked Alone in Berlin. Did you see the film? Afraid it passed me by. Will have to put the sequel on my list!"
Hi Sue,
Thanks, I didn't know there was a film; I will look it up.
I don't know if this is exactly a sequel, but I gather it certainly details the horrors for Berlin in the years after the war. I assume that if it deals with the arrival of the Russian troops it may be extremely violent ... Also, it hasn't passed you by, as the translation has only just been released - I think I read about it in the weekend papers. He has also written more books than I had realised (I don't think I used to check things out on Amazon quite so routinely, then) and there was a recent-ish biography of him: I can't remember the details, I'll check. I love biography, so I might give that a try too!
Happy Reading!

Just finished the first Poldark (a bit behind the times!) and thought what a good storyteller Winston Graham was, and how evocative his descriptions of the sea were. Just starting , and looking forward to seeing what the authors (some of whom are friends of mine) have done with a very old set of stories.

Ruth wrote: "Just finished the first Poldark (a bit behind the times!) and thought what a good storyteller Winston Graham was, and how evocative his descriptions of the sea were. Just starting [bookcover:A Song..."

Yes, I find Winston Graham a wonderful author. I don't think the present series of Poldark does credit to his writing. It seems superficial, whereas the books are very definitely not.

Ruth wrote: "Just finished the first Poldark (a bit behind the times!) and thought what a good storyteller Winston Graham was, and how evocative his descriptions of the sea were. Just starting [bookcover:A Song..."

Winston Graham was a brilliant writer and it's a shame he's only being remembered for 'Poldark' when he wrote such gripping thrillers as 'The Walking Stick', 'Marnie' (famously filmed), 'Cordelia', 'Angell Pearl and Little God' etc. I've always considered these to be his finest works.

Am still in the time-warp of the American Revolution. Have just read Elkanah Watson's ' Men and Times of the Revolution.' He describes travelling in America, France and Britain in the 18th century. France, although rich in beautiful buildings etc. was evidently very overrun by beggars. (He is writing before the Revolution). There was very little crime as armed patrols were everywhere. England was a country of red-brick, and portly people, and there was much more crime. There is great detail in this book about all three countries in the late 18th century. Watson even visited Washington at Mt Vernon.Men and Times of the Revolution;

Carol wrote: "Am still in the time-warp of the American Revolution. Have just read Elkanah Watson's ' Men and Times of the Revolution.' He describes travelling in America, France and Britain in the 18th century...."

Looks like a dense read Carol? Are you using this to research for a new book?