End Of The Affair

Hi

Clive here with a quick comment on this evening's meeting.  It was an interesting meeting with some people loving the book and some hating it.  Most found the central character self-centred and pretty awful.  The fact that the book is supposed to be based on actual events is surprising as the central character was so vile.  Some in the group enjoyed the relationship at the heart of the book although most found the later part of the book rather odd.  The nature of faith and Catholicism was talked about as was the information we had on Greene.  Most people thought Greene's writing style was very impressive and his books were very varied in their subject matter.  Overall, very mixed feelings about the book.  I'm sure other members will explain their feelings about the book in the coming days.  This month's book is William Boyd - Restless.  There are copies in the library. 

Clive

The End of the Affair by Graham Greene

I am writing this as I will not be able to be at the meeting on Wednesday. This is particularly annoying as I asked for a Graham Greene book and I was looking forward to the discussion. Anyway I was pleased to read this book and to remedy an obvious hole in my reading. I enjoyed The End of the Affair. I'd like to know if others thought it was a typical GG book. I liked the way he wrote, the words he used and the way he drew me in from the very beginning. In the first two pages you are given a vivid picture of The Common in the rain, the post war setting and an inkling of how the main characters might be involved. There was even a mention of the damaged door that figures large later on. I found the private investigator very creepy and wondered just how he insinuated himself into the lives of almost all the characters. Towards the end I kept thinking of Tess of the D'urbevilles and how irritated I am when she just lets fate order her life without fighting back. Sarah seemed to follow this path too once she had decided that God had answered her prayer. I am sure there is much to discuss here. I am interested that Monica Ali says that GG intended the book to stretch as far after Sarah's death as it starts before it. The end seemed very rushed to me. Lots of life changing events happened in a short space of time. Perhaps things do happen like that. I look forward to reading a summary of your discussion.

Black Swan Green

Hi, Clive here with a quick comment on our latest book, Black Swan Green by David Mitchell.  Opinions in the group were varied but I loved it.  The book took me back to being a teenage boy and I raced through it in a couple of days.  I want to read Mitchell's other books now.  Clive

Ways with Words

Good afternoon everyone
Just a quick post to let you all know that the Ways with Words programme is now available online

http://www.wayswithwords.co.uk/uploads/festivals/brochures/21.pdf

It all looks great to me I might need some time off work!!

Rufus and the Biggest Diamond in the World

Do you or your children or grandchildren love adventure stories about pirates, fabulous hidden treasure, mysterious submarines, witches and ghosts? Then buy Michael Elsmere's book 'Rufus and The Biggest Diamond in the World,' published by Libros International.Obtainable from your local independent bookshop or AmazonWrite a review on Amazon to support the book!!!!For more info on Michael's writing and courses go to www.michaelelsmere.co.uk

Michael is a good friend of mine and this post is to celebrate the publication of his bookWell done Michael!!!!

Year of Reading Website

I thought you all might like to have a look at the website for "The Year of Reading"

http://www.yearofreading.org.uk/

If anyone finds anything interesting on this site, please add a comment to this post to share your ideas with the other bloggers
Thanks
Paula

new blogger

hello all! It was very easy to join the blog. It took me ages to think up a name for myself: I thought I was perhaps the only keen birder of the Annes in our group, thus the name. I have been reading Khaled Hosseini's ' thousand splendid suns 'which is excellent. Has anyone else read this? It is thought-provoking and saddening at the same time, though it ends on an optimistic note.

Black Swan Green

The book for April 2008 was Black Swan Green by David Mitchell. Who would like to start the discussion?
Post your comments please