Links for the next meeting - Marabou Stork Nightmares by Irvine Welsh

An ambivalent 1995 review from the Observer

"Welsh's second novel switches, with the aid of some nifty typography, between three connected worlds. Brought up in an Edinburgh 'scheme' ('a concentration camp for the poor'), its narrator Roy Strang now lies in a deep coma. The novel shuffles his past in a 'genetic disaster' of a family with a blurred present of visits from nurses and relatives quest through an imaginary Africa, hunting the titular bird. This 'despicable beast' comes to stand for all the cruelty Roy has soaked up and dished out in his time."

...and a librarian's take on it

"On a technical level this is really brilliant work. It surfs between the heavy Scottish accent and the more refined speech of Roy and Sandy, which is comically precise in it’s elocution and very much The Queen’s English. Roy is not by any means stupid, or an oaf, or unaware of what he himself is doing and that only serves to drive the point home.

This is overall a very interesting read, consistent and true to the narrative parameters it sets up. It’s not for the shiny, happy crowd, but if you like your stories dark, gothic, smart and intriguing – then this is a good choice."

Plus - for further reading on one aspect - a review of a book on Hibs Casuals:

"I grew up in Leith and as a Hibby on the very outer fringes of the cashie scene, I was keen to read this. A great book in my opinion that I believe captures the essence of what went on back then. I don't believe the book is distorted to 'big up' the CCS and the authors have done well to keep it balanced - detailing the highs as well as the lows. I know people -honest people - intimately involved in several of the events detailed within this book and they correlate with DD's account.This book was a welcomed trip back down memory lane and brought back some good, if not rose-tinted, memories."

Flipbacks

Flipbacks are a new format in publishing - books you read with the spine horizontal.

There are a few titles planned for the launch next Thursday, including One Day, Cloud Atlas and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier spy. Each costs £9.99.

Can't wait to see one in the flesh!

Links for the next meeting - Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Background, plot details and glossary of jargon on Wikipedia

IMDB entry for the original TV series, with Alec Guinness as Smiley

IMDB entry for this year's film remake with - um - Gary Oldman in the same role

A 5 star review on Amazon:

"This is quite simply the best spy novel ever written. Le Carre writes beautifully, and skilfully builds up the tension. The plot is elegantly conceived and superbly unravelled. If you only ever read one Le Carre, read this one - but I have to say the others are pretty good as well!"

(There are no 1 star reviews. The lowest it goes down to is 3 stars, and that is for the intrusive piano music on the audiobook version..)

Links for the next meeting - Room by Emma Donoghue

The site for the book, including this diagram of the layout of the room, & 12 questions (see below)

Click to enlarge

A Q&A with Emma Donoghue

A review in The Observer

"Donoghue has not been so crass as to make light of their plight: at times it's almost impossible not to turn away in horror. When Ma's kidnapper comes to the room in the evening, she makes Jack hide in the wardrobe, where he listens as they get into bed: "I always have to count till he makes that gaspy sound and stops." Ma has days where she is "gone" to blank-eyed depression and Jack, left to his own devices, reveals: "Mostly I just sit." But the grotesque is consistently balanced with the uplifting and there is a moment, halfway through the novel, where you feel you would fight anyone who tried to wrestle it from your grasp with the same ferocity that Ma fights for Jack, such is the author's power to make out of the most vile circumstances something absorbing, truthful and beautiful."

A review (with lots of comments) from someone who liked the first half but not the second:

(Too many spoilers to include an extract)

Plus - the 12 questions from the official site:

Why do you think the entire book is told in Jack’s voice? Do you think it is effective?

What are some of the ways in which Jack’s development has been stunted by growing up in Room? How has he benefited?

If you were Ma, what would you miss most about the outside world?

What would you do differently if you were Jack’s parent? Would you tell Jack about the outside world from the start?

If Ma had never given birth to Jack, what would her situation in Room be like?

What would you ask for, for Sundaytreat, if you were Jack? If you were Ma?

Describe the dynamic between Old Nick and Ma. Why does the author choose not to tell us Old Nick’s story?

What does joining the outside world do to Jack? To Ma?

What role do you think the media play in the novel?

In a similar situation, how would you teach a child the difference between the real world and what they watch on television?

Why are we so fascinated by stories of long-term confinement?

What were you most affected by in the novel?

Penguin Threads

Penguin Threads is a sumptuous new set of 3 books, with covers hand embroidered.

The three titles are The Secret Garden, Emma, and Black Beauty.

See more at the artist Jillian Tamaki's website. As you can see, both the front and back are embroidered, although from what I can see, the books you can actually buy will be embossed rather than hand embroidered (because that would be pretty impractical). They're available to buy from October.

Thanks to Beth for the link!

50 books every eleven year old should read

There's some good inspiration in this list of 50 books that would be ideal for kids starting secondary school, compiled by The Independent.

Selected by Philip Pullman, Michael Morpurgo, Kary Guest, John Walsh and Michael Rosen, there is lots to induce nostalgia, or spark the curiosity, for example:

Emil and the Detectives

A Hundred Million Francs

The Phantom Tollbooth

Just William

The Elephant Child

Refugee Boy

When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit

Private Peaceful

&

The London Eye Mystery

Lots to think about for our next 'Classics We Should Have Read' month.

Penguin Essentials

Penguin Essentials is a new collection from Penguin. Essential books, with specially commissioned covers, capturing the feel of the book, and the time in which they were published.

We've read several of the books (we're so damn essential), including The Great Gatsby, On The Road, Lolita, and A Confederacy of Dunces.

I think I like the Confederacy of Dunces cover best (by Gary Taxali)

Great books, great covers, would make great presents!