Searching for Happiness

It was our first meeting for 2026, our first Tuesday night meeting (24 March), and our first with apologies from all the 'M's" - Megan, Mog and Margy P.   And so seven bookclubbers made it to Cherilyn's place -  we excused Megan and sent our best wishes to her and Andrew for the next few months - we look forward to her next appearance at bookclub when good and ready; hoping Mog managed to sleep in her new home after the big move; and looking forward to smelling the blooms Margy returned with from the Melbourne Flower Show.  

McLassie yarning

The evening started with yarning about many things until Cherilyn pulled us together and we got down to the book business - although McLassie kept up with the yarning.  (Ed note: because Cherilyn is now on the high seas, and I forgot to get a copy of her notes, this background part is a bit dodgy).   Susan Choi was born in America, to a Korean father and Jewish mother, and graduated with a Master Fine Arts from Cornell University.  She then worked as a fact checker (a vanishing breed) at The New Yorker.  Now living in Brooklyn, she teaches creative writing at Johns Hopkins.   'Flashlight' is her fifth book and was shortlisted for the 2025 Booker Prize. (Cherilyn had a lot more interesting info in her notes!).   Cherrie recalled hearing an interview with her recently, when she explained the idea for the story came from her memory of a childhood trip to Japan some time ago, when a child went missing.  Choi then said she became aware of the North Korean abduction stories some years ago and the two recollections came together to form the basis of the novel.  Cherilyn reflected on the symbolism of the flashlight - which had three entries in the book.  The first in the opening passages when Serk went missing on the Japanese beach; the second in Louisa's psychologists office when she pockets it; the third when Serk is escaping from North Korea - and Cherilyn astutely observed the beam of a flashlight only illuminates a small part and not the whole.   This launched us into the book sending us searching for its light and the dark side.  We found

• the odd and for some unlikeable characters - Serk, Louisa, Tobias - any others?
• the lovely Walt - not enough written about him
• the way Anne's illness was revealed and its effect 
• the dramatic leaps in time leaving some of us catching up
• the final resolution with Serk and Louisa, facilitated by a very 'zen' Tobias

Most readers enjoyed the book, interpreting young Louisa's trauma on the Japanese beach as the reason for her anger.  Others (well one) read her as the ninja bitch, when at the age of 40+, with a mother who suffered from MS, who was downtrodden in her marriage with the ascerbic and unfeeling Serk, then lost the lovely Walt, Louisa could have had a more positive empathetic relationship with her mother.  (And that's the polite version!).   One reader (guess who?) thought the writing was aggressive, with the reader being told how to think and interpret events by the author, rather than coming to their own view - just a small single voice.  All enjoyed the book however, and reflected on its message about the way Korean people were ostracised in Japan - not unlike some outsiders elsewhere today.  

McLassie still yarning

McLassie was still yarning when we moved on to Barb's selection, 'This is Happiness', by Niall Williams (yes, there's a lot of 'l's in that name).  Barb talked about the 'll' author as someone she had read before and enjoyed - especially 'Time of the Child'.  Born in Dublin Ireland in 1958, he was taken to the library by his father every two weeks; then earned a Master of Arts in American literature at University College Dublin, where he met his wife.  Deciding that a life of lecturing and copywriting wasn't for him, he and his wife returned to Ireland in 1985 and moved to Kilmihil, County Clare, where his writing about life in rural Ireland took off.  

Barb summarised his third novel, 'This is Happiness'  set in Faha, a fictional village in west Ireland.  Tracking the life of young Noe Crowe with the introduction of electricity in Faha it covers memory, love, regret, the emotional cost of change, and facing modernity.  Barb thought the book not as engaging as 'Time of the Child', but still worth the read.  Readers agreed at least about the last bit - and Cherilyn, who had read 'Time of the Child', agreed with all of it.  

Not many incidents in the book were discussed, so I'm not sure if everyone found Happiness in this book.  The sentiments were real and readers agreed there was coherence in the story.  However, the writing was a bit spasmodic - perhaps unhurried and meditative more than plot driven - and some passages were reflective, although the characters (especially steady Ganga and sharp Doady) were certainly more likeable than most of Susan Choi's creations.

The two books were an interesting pairing, complicated a little by Julie reading and enjoyment of  Barb's other not quite selection -   The Confidence Woman by Sophie Quick.

Fabulous moist plum cake      
 a la Cherilyn

Cherilyn put the kettle on and it was time for the lovely plum cake to arrive, with after book chatter somehow turning to clicketyclack railway tracks to Flinders and Seaford, where it branches to Flinders, and who travels on this train; followed by railway tracks to Melbourne, Belair and why not Mount Barker? And then there was South Road - avoid it at all costs until 2031!

It was a long, roundabout yet enjoyable conversation that somehow led us on to an 'end of the world' conversation about Trump and his cronies.

Not a happy note to end up on - but we all went swinging our way down Cherilyn's driveway knowing there's not a lot we can do about it - except keep ourselves on the high road.  Which I did on the way home and at the top of the hill near the Victory Hotel came across a fabulous moon peaking through clouds over the water with a shard of moonbeam shining directly down on the very still sea - just like a flashlight, and so I found happiness.  There is magic after all!

Next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 13 May - maybe at Mog's new place.

     

Cherrie announced her next book - 'Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop', by Hwang Bo-Reum; check Libby because it was still available a few days ago.  

Mog to announce her choice when boxes have been ditched and all settled in.   

2025 BOOK QUIZ

 

HOW MANY DID YOU GET?

You can post your results in the Comments section for all to see.  

Earth - shattering and sharing

It was a bouncing Banjo who greeted us all enthusiastically as we arrived at 1 Fox Street on 12 November 2025 for our last meeting of the year to discuss the books to round out our hare raising year.  Two-caps Barb was last to walk through the gate, and Cherilyn was the one apology, being previously committed to a musical evening rather than a convivial literary one.  

 

Colour and shape

Star jasmine was the opening sit-down/glass-of-wine conversation starter, creeping its way through gardens, fences, roof tops and pear trees – for which colour and shape is everything.  But for two-caps, were they Manchurian, Oriental, Ornamental, Bartlett (Megan’s preference) or something else?   

 

Soon, jasmine talk dwindled out and was overtaken by book discussion - launched via Orbital, the 2024 Booker winner written by Samantha Harvey - but not before an unscientific riff on how satellites circle the Earth (see below for a proper answer).  

For an author of such a contemporary book, it was a little surprising, but somehow welcome news to discover Harvey is a social media reclusive.  Author of five books, and with a degree in Philosophy from York University, Sue said her background story was challenging to find, but Cherrie's sleuthing suggested trying Radio National for some snippets - https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/bigideas/out-of-this-world-booker-prize-winning-author-samantha-harvey/105871714

  

With no narrative, no characterisation, and no chapters (structured through the 16 orbits of Earth the International Space Station makes in 24 hours 250 miles above the Earth)*, the book pushed the boundaries of the novel form of writing.  Understandably, it also pushed some readers, who decided that 136 pages were just about enough - and maybe a few too many, especially when some pages had to be re-read.   

Nell's spacewalk (don't look down!) created some discussion around how it was that the astronauts were able to leave the craft to do repairs - and perhaps this NASA image answers the query with each astronaut tethered by a wire to the ISS (just visible if you look really hard starting from the bottom right hand corner).  

Attention to the stories of the 6 international astronauts** and their extraordinary daily existence on the International Space Station – including their regular 2 hour exercise routine; waste disposal; and tasteless calorie intake - were a little relief from the imposing philosophical questions the book took us to - because it was essentially a soliloquy on planet Earth and human existence.  Some BIG questions were traversed in the 136 pages  - Are we alone: Is there a grand design: Is there a grand designer; Why do we humans think we’re so special; The wondrousness of the natural world of Earth, and the Mystery of Space.   

A number of orbits referenced climate change as the typhoon bore down on the Phillipines; other orbits referenced the importance of 'perspective' through Shaun’s postcard of Diego Valezquez’s 1656 painting, Las Meninas, and Michael Collins' 1969 image of the Luna module returning to Apollo 11, when for the first time all the world saw itself.  'We all see things differently' was the starting point here for Harvey, but she ultimately posed the question ‘do differing perspectives matter when we’re all in this together?’  (ed:  I would have liked to include Cherrie's erudite quotation from the book here about the folly of human's capacity for war and destroying everything, but a. I lost the precise words, so b. I couldn't find them).   And a final ed note: they say astronauts come back to Earth changed for the good after experiencing the wonder of space, so I'm voting to send Trump, Putin, Netanyahu and few other so called strongmen up to the ISS.

 

It was a challenging, unconventional book and very different to our next venture into the natural world.  Julie talked about Chloe Dalton's background as a high pressure advisor in UK politics before finding her little leveret when in lockdown in the country.  Expecting the book to be a journey about how the leveret led her back a more satisfying life in politics, it did anything but.    After taking advice, Dalton resisted attempts at domestication, going to great lengths to respect its 'territory' and preserve the hare's wild and natural existence.  Following the hare through its life cycle, the book in turn reflected on Dalton's capacity to think differently, and the way in which humans can respectfully interact with the natural world.  Our readers agreed it was a well paced and well written entree into eco-lit, where the leveret was the winner, while the humans showed what they are capable of if they take the time to understand the misunderstood.

Is Bugs a Bunny (top left) or Hare (bottom right)?

There was quite some discussion on the difference between rabbits and hares, with the 'M' country girls (Margy, Mog and McLassie) familiar with the different ways in which each animal inhabited the countryside (eg rabbits burrow; hares don't).  This then riffed into a discussion about McLassie's mother cooking Jugged Hare, and while its not the same recipe, here we go for the game cookers - 

Jugged hare is a traditional stew made from hare, which is first cut into pieces, marinated in red wine and spices, and then slow-cooked in a tall jug placed in a pan of water. The term "jugging" refers to this method of cooking, which is a form of stewing that can be replicated in a modern oven using a casserole dish. Historically, the hare's blood was added to the sauce to thicken and enrich it, though modern recipes may use other thickening agents like cornflour. 

Banjo started to get restless with the talk of rabbits and Jugged Hare, and so with the consensus that 'Raising Hare' wasn't hair raising but did raise awhareness about sharing the planet with other animals, the Orange/Almond cake came out with cups of tea.  Kathy opened the cake-time natter, suggesting some recent HBO shows worth watching, including 'The Pit' and 'Task' (some violence but worth it to see Mark Ruffalo says Kathy, who appears to hold a candle for the actor), but after some research from your editor, you will need to add on to your Foxtel or Amazon Prime subscription to get HBO offerings in Australia.  Conversation about cooking/eating for one or two, cooking roasts for family, daily eating habits and selling houses (all 🤞for Mog's bid reveal on Monday) rounded up the evening.    

Country flowers - with text poem by Laura

 "Your mum brought me flowers

And I love them!

You never bring me flowers

She is now my favourite person".

As we packed up our trappings and bid farewell to Banjo and the country flowers, we settled the first meeting for 2026 on Wednesday 11 March.  Venue to be decided, and book selections are

Cherilyn: Flashlight by Susan Choi (get in early because there's a 24 week wait via Libby)

Barb: choice to come before Christmas.  Maybe The Confidence Woman by Sophie Quick, or This is Happiness by Niall Williams - but definitely won't be Nobby's selection of poems by his friend

 

Afterwords:

Satellite answer: Satellites stay in fixed orbits above a country by occupying a geostationary orbit, which is a unique type of orbit around 35,786 km above the equator; here, a satellite moves at the same rotational speed as Earth, so it appears stationary over one longitude. This is how communication and weather satellites can always 'hover' above the same region, providing continuous coverage. 

 

*Megan was correct

**and why are some called Astronauts, and the Russians Cosmonauts?  Is it just a language thing?

For people interested in the ISS App where you can track its orbit, its called 'Spot the Station' by NASA.

 

 

Memorial Homes

 Yikes!!  It's an experimental new format 😱!   But before clicking on the image (and hopefully this should take you to a flip book), there is a post script.   Volume III of 'On the Calculation of Volume' will be published on 18 November 2025 (no surprises there).  

And here are the books for the next meeting - 12 November 2025, at 1 Fox Street Goodwood.

Julie:  Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton

Sue: Orbital by Samantha Harvey

Finally, its the writeup 🤞- (note: after testing, best read on a tablet or screen although a phone is doable)

Seeds of/and Time

Two lucky dogs had finished their bones and were well into mischief* by the time the last FnB'er arrived at Megan's place on Wednesday 16 July, to discuss her selection, 'Wild Dark Shore' by Charlotte McConaghy, and Kathy's choice, 'On the calculation of volume' by Solvej Balle.  We all wished absentee Cherilyn well in overcoming her flu and chest infection, marvelled at how quiet and well behaved Eddie was, came up to date with Mog's building project (occasionally thinking perhaps we may not have seen the last of Sheffield Street at our previous meeting? - yes don't worry, I'm sure we did Mog!), before Megan dove headfirst into the cold seas deep in the Southern Ocean.

After introducing us to Charlotte and her vast library of authorship, and explaining how Andrew brought home a collection of books from Dymocks sometime ago which included this one, Megan enumerated many words the book brought to her mind:  

Isolation, remoteness, unpredictable, tormented, vivid, family love, devastation, love/lust, romance, informative, mysterious, passionate, dedication, harrowing, eerie, grief, loss, climate change, choices.

You can find Megan's thoroughly researched report about the author and book here https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mMCNSvUJCrNS4_uF-DM9EyJ-xeTv_Doiz3xSOUg9G6A/edit?usp=sharing

(Quick warning note:  if you hit the link on this and the two other google document links you should get to Megan and Kathy's documents (?) but may not get straight back to the blog).

One non-reader reported still being on the long list waiting for the book from the library; while other readers agreed with Megan that it was a well told, well written lively page turner.   However, for some the writing was patchy, with the sea scenes vividly captured while parts of the storyline were left hanging on the precipice of verbosity (ed: maybe an overstatement there!).  The odd character of young seed counter Orly created some discussion, as did the unlikely lifestyle of Fen, while some wondered about the extent of Rowan's injuries and attention given to the ongoing stitching repairs and bandaging.   All agreed there was a lot going on in this fast paced entertaining book with its dramatic ending - raising the possibility that as it was written by a script writer will there be a film or mini-series?  But as the rescue boat finally appeared on the horizon, we discovered it was the author's prerogative to not tell us about how the one adult left standing (Dominic) was going to explain the island's five deaths, one imprisonment, one underage sexual predation/encounter, one boat wreck and the extensive property damage on the island to the legal authorities on his return.  The general consensus was that it was very readable entrant to the Eco-lit genre, although some considered it was perhaps over-embellished with mystery. 

Here is a link to an interview with the author about the book - (make a cup of tea or coffee because its around 25 minutes).

  

Wild Dark Shore may not have been the most creative book title ever, yet it was certainly a long way behind Kathy's selection, 'On the calculation of volume' by Danish author Solvej Balle. What a title!!  According to the answer to my AI query on how to calculate volume, 'Volume measures the amount of three-dimensional space an object occupies', and the calculation made depends on the nature of the space being measured (cube, rectangle, cuboid, cylinder, sphere, odd shapes etc).  Simples!

But then, as Kathy reported, Einstein's theories put Time as the fourth dimension of space alongside the three generally accepted dimensions of height; width; depth.  (Clearly AI hasn't come to terms with Einstein yet - one for the humans)!   Balle makes the concept of time in  'On the calculation of volume' the key variant in her 190 page book on how we go about our lives occupying space in the world.   

As Kathy wrote:

"...in books, the writer alone controls the organizational system, measuring out time through sentences, paragraphs, and chapters, and moving it in service to the plot. It is only in fiction that time travel—or the stopping of time altogether—is really possible; the reader can start a page on one day and end it in a different year. In her seven-part novel On the Calculation of Volume, Balle’s first two books have been translated into English by Barbara J. Haveland.  She pushes the writer’s privilege to its limit. Balle’s protagonist, Tara Selter, is a rare-book dealer in France who has found herself trapped within a time loop, a ruminative version of Groundhog Day that sees her endlessly repeating one day, November 18th, over and over."  

You can find Kathy's complete erudite report here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nVjl7s-BPqvPlQFPi1Lq0gq9SQrKqweZ7t1bQ8jf50w/edit?usp=sharing  

and here is a link to the ABC radio program Book Shelf from which Kathy heard about the book https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/the-bookshelf/solvej-balle-ocean-vuong-virginia-evans/105194258

General discussion about the book revealed a high degree of puzzlement swirling in the room - what was it about? was it a fantasy? how can living only one day over and over be explained? are there any answers? why do somethings disappear and others don't? can age and mortality be accounted for in the book? does Tara's experience have any connection to dementia, or perhaps transient global amnesia? (the latter of which was recounted in true life experiences).  Curious and intriguing were perhaps the kindest words used to describe the book - while confusing was the most commonly used.  And perhaps this was the intent of the author - question mark, double interrobang.  

Interrobang

Interrobang

With another six volumes to come it led to a suggestion that the exercise could be quite rewarding for the author and translator (a la Harry Potter).    Will there be a resolution, or finality?  The answer is that it's going to be a long wait and see.  One reader offered to report back on volume II (which appears to be more narrative based), and in the meantime we await the decision of the International Booker Prize judges to see if it wins.  If so, perhaps some big literary brains will help us with explanations and answers.  

It was Cake time after this conversation with Kathy's very appropriate danish apple and prune cake the choice de jour  - recipe link here
 https://docs.google.com/document/d/17u3tULzP83MuHyYi_vJhwTSAnA0tJcEtb6puBdPY1Tw/edit?usp=sharing

As Barb prepares to decamp to warmer weather in Noosa, chat over tea and cake turned to keeping warm in winter with the Oodie getting the thumbs up - an over over over large sheepskin lined pull over with hood.  Not a fashion statement or for leaving the house in, but definitely cosy and warm - and it can be yours for only $45 from Bed Bath and Table.

The next meeting was rescheduled to Wednesday 17 September, at Margy's place, and it will be a chatty evening with two authors - book selections are

• Always Home, Always Homesick by Hannah Kent (Margy)
• Memorial Days by Geraldine Brooks (McLassie).  

So that's it till 17/09/25 - when most of us will picture Barb lazing on the warm sands of Noosa after swimming in the bay with 2 caps on. 

* And this time the mischief involved the shredding of only one old sheepskin rug