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Central Library - Tuesday Reading Group

Books We Have Reviewed

Whales for the Wizard by Malcolm Archibald

  Extremely interesting content about Dundee and whaling. It was suggested that Archibald should concentrate on writing non-fiction, countered by the idea that the novel format may create more general interest. We found the army flashbacks interfered with the main story and that there was too much emphasis on Dundee as the setting. There was surprise that the seaman were not 'rough around the edges', using more 'Irvine-Welsh like' language, to match their hard life. Some characters were criticised as one dimensional. However the tale flowed well and we enjoyed unravelling the mystery

Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson

  Bryson journeys round the UK, observing the quirks of British culture. His first impresisons of places form very quickly - based on architecture, the weather and his mood. He compliments the Brits on their manners. However, several outbursts show the author is looking in this area. Notably, when he snaps at fast food assistants for asking if he'd like anything else with his order! Half of us rates Bryson as funny, while others found his exaggeration tedious. Our group discussed what he'd make of Dundee if he paid us a visit. We felt the book curtailed shuddenly and would've liked to hear more about Yorkshire, where Bryson lived for 7 years.

The Art of Travel by Alain De Botton

  This book stimulated a really good discussion in our group. We felt it was more about the philosophy than the art of travel. It's beautifully written and the author makes some interesting points about travel, but it was easy to lose the thread of his arguments. We felt he looked at travel from a different perspective from the average person, who perhaps has less money and more realistic expectations. There's more enjoyment to be gained from the fascinating details about the history and art of the countries described

A Gathering Light by Jennifer Donnelly

  Largely liked - this story was easy to read and evoked thoughts of the superior, Sunset Song and the well known, Little House on the Prairie TV Series. More surprising was a comparison to 'The Shining', based on there being a similarly large hotel with a quiet off-peak season. The main character of Mattie, is an impressionable young girl, whose world is enriched by escaping through books, which she uses to interpret the life going on around her. Partly based on a real-life tragedy, there was much to discuss about family roles and male violence. Donnelly's writing was praised for some unique spins on often 'overtreaded' tales of family hardship

Buddha Da by Anne Donovan

  A funny novel with a darkerside. The book could lend itself to either a comic and/or serious screenplay. It was discussed whether the 'put upon' mother figure, Liz is representative of todays Scottish women. The central character of Jimmy was viewed as a shelfish simple man, seeking peace and quiet, rather than having a real understanding of Buddhism. The end leaves you pondering whether the reunited family cluster will live ahppily ever after or not. The Scottish dialect is easy to follow and the book itself a quick read. We'd like to experience more of this author

Night Song of the Last Tram by Robert Douglas

  Our group loved the warmth of these childhood stories. Today's consumerism and child safety issues were compound against yesterday's close-knit sense of community and the contrasting freedom. Despite his father's violence, the group felt Robert to be financially well-off - being an 'only one' and visiting the cinema weekly. We also appreciated the close relationship he had with her mum.

There was some debate as to whether this book or the local, 'Voices in the Street', is the best. There was also speculation as to whether his follow up work could be as successful - without the niche market of childhood nostalgia to foster its growth.

Oh Play That Thing by Roddy Doyle

  It was felt that the chief character, Henry Smart, was characterised very well, as far as his being a psychopath. However despite Mr Doyle's other works being popular - this one was judged to be a let down. The style of writing wasn't easy to ready for most. The book was also criticised as having little new to day that could not be conjured from old films. Despite 20's America's immigrant history and the racial divide being interesting topics - as a work of fiction, we wanted to know how much the novel reflected the reality of the times.

My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell

  We felt it ironic that Durrell's 'scientific' interest in animals as a child including stealing baby birds and eggs, led him to end up being a conservationist!

For - it was a very seductive description of a happy childhood with a perfect mother and lots of freedom. The escapism of being able to uproot and move house so often was appealing and based on comical whims. Characters were funny individuals as were the dogs and other animals. The language was lovely and you could drink in the picturesque description.

Against - Durrell appeared smug, describing friends and family as all so bright, when they come across as silly, irritating people, who seemed to have a bad attitude towards the peasants. On the other hand, another reader was thankful the family intruded into the book and skipped the dull nature descriptions. After 5 years there, the mother was criticised for not learning Greek and it was wondered what she did all day? The animal traps/shootings were not liked. Buying houses abroad has taken away the mystery of such a book today and was felt irrelevant to one members life

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

  Half the group really enjoyed this one - finding it very easy to read. Others said there were too many descriptions of kimonos and they'd have preferred more facts. There was an expectation that the geishas' unique culture would be more romantically portrayed as in Madame Butterfly. Sadly, instead it was ultimately about money and everyone profiting from the geishas or involved in corrupt dealings and there was a lack of 'good guy' characters. Some felt the book improved towards the end while others favoured the first half.

Ghost Riders: Travels with American Nomads by Richard E Grant

  A very popular read, which padded out our knowledge of American history from cowboy films. Both a philosophical and physical journey. The last chapter was a favourite, telling funny tales of richer wanderers with luxury vehicles - retired folk who've invested any family inheritance, to spend the rest of their days travelling. We discussed whether Grant was a true traveller, as he benefited from tabloids paying him for his stories. Some of us judged travelling to be a selfish and self-indulgent way of life, while others wanted to hop on a train and go!

Our Man in Havana by Graham Greene

  For - more funny that I realised. I found myself laughing out loud. Some dark tones as well. Not pure superficial comedy - had a dark undertone as well. Lots of black comedy in this book. A real page turner - then the story turns really eerie.

Against - I didn't like any of the characters. I found it a sour book. Very bitter

An Evil Cradling by Brian Keenan

  Keenan's ordeal shows how the human spirit can survive horrors such as being taken hostage. We felt we'd crack, if placed in such simple impoverished cells, without comfort and enduring acts of violence. You are engulfed in the hostages' thoughts and his harsh reality. Beyond the squalor and brutality of his day to day life with fellow captive, John McCarthy, Keenan's flowing language lightens the horrors. The importance of identity, imagination and human bonding, surfaces in the text. Also, you develop a more rounded understanding of how terrorists operate and the backgrounds they come from. We highly recommend this book, which is very relevant to todays ongoing religious/political terrorism.

Indelible Acts by A L Kennedy

Mixed Views  This book provided mixed feelings. On the one hand Kennedy was praised as a profound writer while on the other she was seen as challenging and difficult.

Comments on the book:

• lots of sex
• hard work but rewarding
• thought provoking and sad
• leaves a permanent impact
• more about feelings than clear characters, giving an ambiguous edge
• contemporary, honest and open
• opens up all kinds of intrigues and possibilities

The book tended to be either really liked or disliked and thus was both strongly recommended and rejected

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

  Ver much divided opinion. Some felt this a light, enjoyable read, with an 'easy to read' style and interesting insights into bees and honey-making. Characters were vividly imagined - especially the strong August. However, others didn't feel empathy towards Lily, Rosaleen or the bee-keeping sisters and found the text lacking in the 'believability stakes'. Beyond highlighting the racial tensions of 60's America, it was suggested there was a gloss over events, to make the book appeal to a wider market, not interested in facing more horrific realities. Although compared to 'To Kill a Mockingbird', it was rated as a poor man's version.

The Road Dance by John MacKay

  Group opinion was divided over this traumatic tale with an unexpected twist.

For - sensitive writing and a flare for description. Interesting the fisherman couldn't swim - so if there was a storm out at sea there'd be no struggle. Captures the feel of a 1914 remote town with its small minded gossip, where illegitimate children were treated with contempt and community acceptance was all important.

Against - the story was too bleak. Kirsty's instantaneous falling in love seemed false and there was doubt over her instability of mind and her actions after feeding her new born child. Characters, especially the doctor, could've been filled out more

Personality by Andrew O'Hagan

  As a whole we loved this one - despite its nostalgia, perhaps because of it! It's a very intricate tale with lots of peoples' stories and humour as well as sadness.

There was much talk of Lena Zavaroni on whom the book seems largely based and about which parts of the story were pulled from her reality. O'Hagan was praised for his writing gift and everyone seemed interested in reading more of his work

Man and Boy by Tony Parsons

  The group had little sympathy for the author of this semi-autobiographical story. His treatment of sensitive subjects, like the death of his father, was felt to be superficial - done in a cliched way and blatently trying to manipulate your emotions. There was a lack of draughtsmanship in the tales' contribution, with weak characterisation and events in characters lives didn't seem to add up chronilogically. It was suggested the book was written to cash in on the author's name. So why has the book sold so well? It was felt this novel is aimed primarily at male readers who may appreciate the writer's point of view. A few of us found it a quick read and liked the children's characters. The book reflects the change in society towards shorter-lasting relationships and the fallout this has on the family unit

Toast by Nigel Slater

  Everyone really liked this book.

Mr Slater's passionate writing about his childhood food experiences were very accessible and evoked similar nostalgic feelings amongst our group. The bite size passages of funny and sad memories, worked a deeply moving psychological spell over the reader while seemingly superficially simple.

It was also mentioned that the way he added bursts of awareness of his growing adult identity was beautifully done.

The book is full of vivid descriptions which made some of us hungry, and led to a discussion of other foods which we'd have included as worthy of a mention.

Slater's writing in the Observer and his cookery books were also praised

No 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith

Mixed Views  Gentle, feel good read - Botswana's answer to Chris Guthrie - reminds me very much of Sunset Song and her affinity with the land - Fairly zinged along - Deceptively simple - I would buy the set for my mother-in-laws birthday! - Refreshing read - A good page turner - Would make a good audio book

The Finishing School by Muriel Spark

  In the setting of a post-school, pre-college environment, the story examines wealth and privilege with regard to education. Other themes explored are jealousy and 'writers block'. There are touches of comedy, written in the author's particularly sparse style - or as one critic put it, it has an 'Enid Blyton superficiality'. Though it aims to be contemporary, the novel was judged to fall short on some occasions. The majority view however was that Spark's last book was entertaining and is a winner

The Story of Lucy Gault by William Trevor

  While some were disappointed to find no joyous ending, the majority of the group were absorbed by this sad tale. The writing contained beautiful descriptions and wonderfully painted emotions and you could hear the rhythm of the Irish tongue in the text. It's a book full of guilty people and presents a clear picture of Irish-Anglo relations at the time

Curewife by Claire-Marie Watson

  'The Curewife' showed us all to have gaps in our knowledge about Old Dundee. For example many bonnet-makers used to live in the Hilltown.

Mrs Watson was praised for her thorough research and sprinkling of the Scots tongue, without obscuring the story. However, more in-depth exploration of the historical back-drop would've been appreciated and improved our overall understanding.

Grissel, the main character was felt to be believable, of questionable morality and often clever. Her herbal remedies raised interest too. We discussed whether she was more witch or healer and whether she was a feminist before her time or more a strongly-willed individual - naturally gifted at manipulating men such as her husband and Mr Reid.

The tale made us reflect on how harsh life must've been back then.

Almost the whole group liked this book and some found themselves gripped right through

Good Women of China by Xinran

  Fascinating - but not a feel good read. Harrowing, enlightening, disturbing, should be read! You have to steel yourself to go on reading it. Horror at corruption in China. Makes one want to read her autobiography. Women are still oppressed - not just in China. Makes us more conscious of oppression. Made me feel better about doing the housework