Elma Turner book chat March
Shadow worlds by Andrew Paul Wood
This book looks at the occult and esoteric in NZ. The author believes that NZers are more prone to interest in the strange and on the edge beliefs as we have many small community groups with a DIY bent eg Mechanics Institutes. He traces the 19th century movements such as theosophy and why they were so influential. Until the 1940s, the Governor General was also Chief Mason and Chief Scout. As a history of groups, it is fascinating but not particularly readable.
Set in 1861 Mississippi River, a journey, overcoming adversity. Jim ( the slave from Huckleberry Finn) is due to be sold and goes on an odyssey with Huckleberry Finn. There’s cruelty and it’s sad but also funny while being horrifying. An excellent book
Gabriel’s moon by William Boyd
Set in the 1960s. Gabriel Dax is a travel writer in his thirties. Three strands to the story – political, spy and personal. Gabriel interviews a leader of the Congo who shortly afterwards, dies. Gabriel is coopted by MI6 to flush out a mole. His first mission is to visit Spain ostensibly to look at a pen and ink drawing. The personal strand relates to a housefire when Gabriel was 6 and is still having therapy for the nightmares from that time. The ending feels open so perhaps another novel planned to tie it together.
Memoir. The author died in her 90s. She uses the metaphor of a quilt to organise the book into 88 ‘patches’ of her life. Not in chronological order. Too long.
Cher : the memoir. Part one by Cher
I loved the references to things I remember as a child – a chewing gum brand, the Andy Williams show . I was shocked by the controlling behaviour of Sonny Bono who was 11 years older( Cher was 16). The social circle they moved in also knew what he was like. She discusses her relationships and her interest in working in movies. She talks with film director Francis Ford Coppola to get work in the movie industry which may be discussed more in Part two.
The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams
What a wonderfully engaging book this is. I wasn't too sure as I read the first 20 or so pages but then I was hooked. The story is centred around the compilation of the Oxford English Dictionary starting in 1880s and finally published in 1928 and the daughter of one of the lexicographers helping Dr. James Murray, Esme Nichols. Esme's upbringing is very unconventional for Victorian times as is her father's attitude to her obvious intelligence. I won't give much more away as it will spoil the many twists and turns in this very roller-coaster ride of a story. It covers the Women's Suffrage movement, World War I and the difference in power between the sexes as well as the classes in England at that time. It had me laughing, shaking my head, and shedding tears many times, it really pulls you in and I had to remind myself on several occasions that this was a work of fiction, it was so real. I would thoroughly recommend it.
The officer and a spy by Robert Harris
Set in 1890s France. The army’s attempt to cover up the mistake in accusing Dreyfus as a spy. He was pardoned. Lots of historical detail. Corruption in Army intelligence. Strong anti-Semitic element. Written as a mystery, very engaging.
Pasta, prayer and a promise by Karen Stade and Karen Price
The history of the Italian community in Nelson, Comprehensive research. Not just biographies but of the whole community in Nelson. Brilliant content. Recommend.
Reasons to be cheerful by Nina Stibbe
Pure escapism, trite, hard to put down. Centred around a dental practise where Lizzie the protagonist helps people deal with teeth issues.
Great story but I found the end confusing
I Hope this finds you well by Natalie Sue
Debut novel. Easy to read and intriguing. Office worker Jolene observes her fellow colleagues. She sends an email criticising one thinking it was written in white ink but is visible, so a debacle occurs which ends in her computer being seized and Jolene being put on a reform programme. An IT mix up grants her access to everyone’s emails. Funny, light, honest.
Centred on an art teacher at a high school who one day, instead of driving to school, keeps going for 48 hours and ends up in Wales. Unsettling
Story of a home over time and generations. Starts with a young Puritan couple in Massachusetts who build a cabin in the woods. Over time there are structural changes to the home, and we are party to the connections through the generations using different ways of telling as well eg letters right up to present day.
The ministry of time by Kaliane Bradley
A debut novel. The British government has developed a machine that can go back in time and pull individuals into the present day( not given the criteria for choosing who) Each past person is labelled an ‘expat’ and is managed by ‘a bridge, the narrator’ to adjust to the present. Clever
Lady in waiting: my extraordinary life in the shadow of the crown by Ann Glenconner
Autobiography. Ann grew up in Norfolk and played with Elizabeth and Margaret as a child. She married Lord Glenconner. He turned Mystique into a private island. Ann was Lady in Waiting for 30 years so went on my overseas trips with the Royals. Full of anecdotes. An easy, light read.
The house of doors by Tan Twang Eng
Author of the Man Booker Prize shortlisted novel The garden of evening mists, this is just as beautifully written. Set in the Straits settlements in Penang, Malaysia in 1921. Robert Hamlyn, a lawyer and his Society hostess and very smart wife live in Cassowary House. Old friend of Robert’s, Willie comes to stay. He is also the writer W Somerset Maugham who is unhappy in his marriage ( wife and family back in England). He has brought his male companion with him and is also unwell. Willie becomes a confidant of Lesley’s and each reveal things to the other about their secret lives. Along with this is the true story of a murder in Kuala Lumpur which is a tragedy drawn from fact. An absorbing read. Recommended.
Yet again Keegan’s short stories are moreish, keeping me up at night, despite the dark domestic themes. This was first published in 1999 and won the Rooney prize for Literature in 2000 and is her debut collection.
