UK Book Club discussion

The journey so far...

1. David Copperfield by Charles Dickens (England)
2. Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese (Ethiopia)
3. Miss Chopsticks by Xinran (China)
4. The Bolter: Edwardian Heartbreak and High Society Scandal in Kenya by Frances Osborne (Kenya)
5. Knots and Crosses by Ian Rankin (Scotland)
6. The Ruby in Her Navel by Barry Unsworth (Italy)
7. The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith (Botswana)
8. Dry Season by Dan Smith (Brazil)
9. The Bookseller of Kabul by Åsne Seierstad (Afghanistan)
10. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne (Poland)
11. One for the Money by Janet Evanovich (USA)

Been spending time in Africa I see

A lot of us seemed to have been to Brazil! Thanks to Dan Smith!

True Lynne! Ian, I'm in Africa again right now as halfway through The Alchemist where I'm making my way through the desert to Egypt.

Rather you than me Em - I think that book qualifies as my least fave read of all time

Ha! I have read worse!

I've a spiritual/philosophic side to my nature which means this type of book appeals to me - cause for thought and reflection. However, Paulo Coelho leaves me with a vague sense that he has a message... but not for me! Stylistically I find him easy reading which is a plus.

I'm going to Africa soon, just discovered I need jabs!

Ouch - that must have changed - don't remember getting any when I went to Tunisia....mind you it was about 10 years ago

12. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (Morrocco)

Been in UK, USA or blimmin' fantasy-land this month - can I count the "Seven Kingdoms"? I'm off to search my bookshelves for some exotic destinations...

I've had Tetanus (with others in the needle), typhoid and Hep a which made my arm really sore and wierd. Supposed to have had polio but thought that was oral in which case I haven't had it!

Em, I gave up before I started as I'd been in UK US Germany & France. Then many fantasy worlds!

This is going to be a long challenge for me Helen - what with my scatter gun approach to reading!

Where in Africa are you going? I've only really ventured to the Southern part - Botswana, Zimbabwe (B4 the politics became impossible) and South Africa.

Em,

Having just finished the Alchemist yesterday, I agree with you about the feeling that the book has more of a profound message. But I enjoyed the simply story for it's own sake.

13. Dawdling by the Danube: With Journeys in Bavaria and Poland by Edward Enfield (Germany)

Actually, he went to a few other places too but mainly Germany.

Em....that is such a great title for a book!

Yes, good title. It's written by Harry Enfields Dad (he used to present on The Holiday programme a few years back) and this book is an account of a few cycling holidays he'd taken along The Danube. I listened to the audio-book which he reads himself and it's a bit like listening to your Grandad tell you about his hols, but I like hearing about other peoples holidays so I quite enjoyed it.

14. The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón (Spain)

Loved this book, it was pleasure to read!

Em wrote: "14. The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón (Spain)

Loved this book, it was pleasure to read!"

I think it is a wonderful book too - probably my all time favourite read. I recommend it all the time.

You're passport shows some interesting locales, Em...

15. The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas (Australia)

Fantastic book - not one for you if you feel the need to like the characters about whom you're reading but nevertheless an honest, unflinching examination of the essence of what it is that binds us to each other and a gripping book too.

16. The Mission Song by John le Carré (The Congo)

Actually, quite a lot of the novel physically takes place in London and an unknown North Sea island but since the early chapters are based in The Congo and every page concerns itself entirely with the culture, history, economics and politics of The Congo - I'm saying it counts!

17. On Her Majesty's Secret Service by Ian Fleming (Switzerland)

Bond spends most of this novel in the Swiss Alps hence much death defying skiing, terrifying bob-sleighing and cable car gun fights!

18. My Invented Country by Isabel Allende (Chile)

Back to South America! I've been a fan of Isabel Allende since I read The Infinite Plan when I was 19 so I knew I'd enjoy this book. It is a memoir of her life in Chile and her exile from there too, how her country has remained in her mind and her heart wherever in the world she is living.

You must be suffering from jet lag with all that travelling.

I'm ever the armchair traveller - can go very far whilst curled up with a cuppa and no need for flight socks (just slippers maybe!)

I've never read any Isabel Allende - anything particularly good Em?

Well The House of the Spirits is her most well known novel - her books are magic-realism and usually have a latin America aspect. Her central themes include eccentric families and often concerns people who are displaced for some reason.

I was also very touched by her memoir Paula which she was inspired to write when her daughter who was in her late 20's developed a rare illness, went into a coma and eventually died from the condition.

Thanks Em but probably not my cuppa - Magic Realism always been a struggle for me

Maybe not, I didn't want to decide for you though...

Em wrote: "15. The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas (Australia)

Fantastic book - not one for you if you feel the need to like the characters about whom you're reading but nevertheles..."

Just got this through post from Amazon on you recommendation Em sure will be good will get Australia and T in author

Robert wrote: "Em wrote: "15. The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas (Australia)

I really enjoyed this one - sadly before set off on my travels and yet to go to Aus. I have saved the tv series which was supposed to be very good.

Robert wrote: "Em wrote: "15. The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas (Australia)

Fantastic book - not one for you if you feel the need to like the characters about whom you're reading but ne..."

On my recommendation? The pressure... well, I hope you like it - it is a book that divides opinion but ultimately, I loved the writing so with any luck you'll find something to like about it too.

yeah on about page 50 and think a real page turner

sorry to interrupt :)
re The slap...
I found it hard to believe someone could write a book without a single likeable character....
we read it at book club, and someone (who never reads the book, but always comes in with interesting info regarding it) told us a few things about the author which put the book in a whole new light.
I forget what they were, but interesting..
Really like Isabel Allende too!!!

Hahaha that was some feat - many dislikable people populate that book, one or two were slightly sympathetic I thought (only slightly though!)

19. Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys (Jamaica)

The story of the first Mrs Rochester, a prequal to Jane Eyre as Jean Rhys imagined it to be. This book really demanded my full attention, it's a slim novel but one that made me want to dwell on each word rather than rush through it. Such an individual style of writing, very much her own and she achieves a lot in depicting the location, the times and the characters in relatively few pages.

Around the World in 80 Books

This is a brill map - am going to investigate further and add the few countries I have visited

Like the colour Em.

20. The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga (India)

An unusually structured book which is in essence one very long letter, written over several days from a sympathetic? psychopath entrepreneur from India's darkness to the Chinese premier. Manages to be funny AND serious. It's a good choice for those looking for a book with an Indian setting - the country features largely within.

At last a quarter of the way!

Em wrote: "20. The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga (India)
"
I loved that one Em - have you read The Last Man in the Tower? It's on my tbr pile!!

Yes it was v. good - I haven't read anything else by this author but I've just added it to my "virtual" tbr pile!

I'm on my travels again... 50 pages into Dark Horizons. by Dan Smith by Dan Smith for Indonesia.

21. Dark Horizons. by Dan Smith (Indonesia)

A suspensful thriller with shades of Point Break (best film ever!) and Lord of the Flies - a paradise gone wrong kind of a vibe which kept me turning the pages, an exciting, enjoyable read.

22. A Long Long Way by Sebastian Barry (Belgium)

A stunningly well written book, the author has a style uniquely his own and I love his expression and description. A poignant tale of a young Irish boy fighting in WW1, heart-stopping scenes of trench warfare and gas attacks and offers a different view of events, being told from an Irish point of view.

I love Sebastian Barry!

Me too! Even more so after reading this book...

I'm on the move again, this time to Tibet as I'm reading by Xinran. A couple of chapters into the book and already I'm getting a sense of the immense landscape and high altitude of Tibet.

Sounds very exotic..

You should love it, Em.

I found it eye opening.

23. Sky Burial: An Epic Love Story of Tibet by Xinran (Tibet)

A facinating book, insightful too however, I felt it was too brief - I wanted to know and understand more about Tibetan life and culture.