The World's Literature in Europe discussion

If one of these books interests you to share your insight about it(them), then you have the opportunity to respond to members' comments about it and to dig up some information about it. This is "open season" for selecting your book(s).


Jan 1 Four Corners: A Journey into the Heart of Papua New Guinea by Kira Salak, 300+p.

*Jan 22 Death of a River Guide by Richard Flanagan, 300+p.

Feb 12 The Man Who Loved Children by Christina Stead, 500+p. Australia

*Mar 19 The Sound of One Hand Clapping by Richard Flanagan 400+p.

Apr 16 Dusk by F. Sionil José, 300+p. Philippines

*May 7 Gould's Book of Fish: A Novel in Twelve Fish by Richard Flanagan, 400+p MANU

Jun 4 The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton, 800+p. New Zealand

*July 30 The Unknown Terrorist by Richard Flanagan, 300+p.

Aug 20 The Coroner's Lunch by Colin Cotterill, 200+p. Laos

*Sep 3 Wanting by Richard Flanagan, 200+p.

Sep 17 This Earth of Mankind by Pramoedya Ananta Toer, 300+p. Indonesia DON

*Oct 8 The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan, 300+p.

Oct 29 The Secret River by Kate Grenville, 300+p. Australia

Nov 19 The Garden of Evening Mists by Twan Eng Tan, 300+p. Malaysia MAGGIE

Dec 10 The Ten Thousand Things by Maria Dermout, 200+p. Indonesia ASMA

Dec 24 Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood, 100+p. Australia EMA

Having previously greatly enjoyed each of them, I'd be happy to do either This Earth of Mankind or The Ten Thousand Things if no one else is interested in leading them.

Here's how I didn’t get to meet Richard Flanagan (but did meet Ian McEwan).
In 2002 my novel Ama, a Story of the Atlantic Slave Trade was in the running for the Commonwealth Writers Best First Book Prize. The four contenders for the Best Book Prize were Nadine Gordimer, for The Pickup; Alice Munro, for Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage; Ian McEwan for Atonement; and Richard Flanagan for Gould’s Book of Fish. Only Ian McEwan attended the award dinner at Holyrood House Palace in Edinburgh. Richard Flanagan, the winner, was on tour in the American Mid-West. He sent an apology with a moving message about the continuing importance of the novel in today’s world.
So, in memory of that occasion I volunteer to sign-up as discussion leader for Gould’s Book of Fish. The May 7 date will give me plenty of time to re-read it.

I am interested in leading Cocaine Blues or The Luminaries.

I'll lead The Garden of Evening Mists .

Asma, perhaps you should do a strike out of those books where a leader has been assigned, which will make it easier on those coming into the thread later.

Don wrote: "Having previously greatly enjoyed each of them, I'd be happy to do either This Earth of Mankind or The Ten Thousand Things if no one else is interested in leading them."

Hi, Don,
Would you like to lead This Earth of Mankind and I will sign on with The Ten Thousand Things?

Manu wrote: "...in memory of that occasion I volunteer to sign-up as discussion leader for Gould’s Book of Fish. The May 7 date will give me plenty of time to re-read it."

Hi, Manu,
Thank you. I look forward to reading Gould's Book of Fish: A Novel in Twelve Fish.

Ema wrote: "I am interested in leading Cocaine Blues or The Luminaries."

Hi, Ema,
The title and synopsis of Cocaine Blues sound amusing. I'll add your name to that one.

Maggie wrote: "I'll lead The Garden of Evening Mists..."

Maggie wrote: "Asma, perhaps you should do a strike out of those books where a leader has been assigned"

Hi, Maggie,
With html a strike out is possible. Thanks for suggesting it. The delete will take out the entire title.

For sure. I'll make a note in the calendar about The Garden of Evening Mists.

Asma wrote: "Don wrote: "Having previously greatly enjoyed each of them, I'd be happy to do either This Earth of Mankind or The Ten Thousand Things if no one else is interested in leading them."

Hi, Don,
Woul..."

Absolutely. Thanks!

Asma wrote: "Ema wrote: "I am interested in leading Cocaine Blues or The Luminaries."

Hi, Ema,
The title and synopsis of Cocaine Blues sound amusing. I'll add your name to that one."

Asma wrote: "Ema wrote: "I am interested in leading Cocaine Blues or The Luminaries."

Hi, Ema,
The title and synopsis of Cocaine Blues sound amusing. I'll add your name to that one."

Ok, great. Thanks.

Asma, this seems as good as any place to thank you for the wonderful year of reading in 2014 about Iceland. I'd not intended to spend a lot of time reading about Iceland, but I found it a very fulfilling year. The books I read were all beautifully written and often mentally challenging. Thank you for your work in choosing the books and your always excellent insights into the readings.

Maggie wrote: "...reading about Iceland...fI found it a very fulfilling year...."

Thank you, Maggie. I've felt encouraged during this demanding year, and by and large, read a majority of the scheduled readings. Your earnestness is treasured. For you and every person who took part in this literary excursion, cyber hugs.