LOCKDOWN - and were we going to meet in May to talk about our next books? That was the big question. As the weeks of iso slowly slipped away it looked tricky. But then May arrived, and with restrictions beginning to slowly lift, we started to think - well maybe! And three weeks into May, with social distancing, elbow bumps and hand sanitisers at a premium, it was a goer at Mog's place. Megan arrived with consort in tow and right leg in stitches, while Barb arrived via the miracle that is the internet.
Mog introduced her book - 2016 Stella Prize winner, The Weekend by Charlotte Wood - and gave an excellent synopsis of her take on the book and its storyline. Ageing, friendship, betrayal, angst, all surfaced in the book. Questions came thick and fast from the FandBclubbers - would you really go and clean out your friends holiday house over Christmas; where was her family; would you stay friends after fidelity betrayal; and what was the ageing dog Finn all about? None of the questions were definitely answered of course, but we all had a thought or two. Many thought the book wasn't up to her earlier work, The Natural Way of Things, and there were mixed reactions to it. Most agreed it never reached the heights of a great read but found interesting reflections on friendship, life and ageing.
Too Much Lip by the feisty Melissa Lukashenko, chosen by Cherrie, was next up. Cherrie weaved her way through the various themes of this amazing book - a dark comedy in more ways than one. But it was more than that, as it really drew the white reader into the unfamiliar life of an Aboriginal mob. The voice was totally original and very down to earth (and yes we all agreed it was difficult to get through the language to start with); the fictional town of Durrongo struck a rather comical dischord; characters like Kerry's brother, Black Superman flew in and out of the story. But all the while, the fragments of the family's dysfunctional and troubling life due to colonisation was revealed and slowly brought to the surface, shaken out, stirred around, and in the end, given the healing recipe of protecting Country and supporting each other. It was confronting and thought provoking, and some thought a bit too inaccessible to get to those who needed to read it most - but we agreed it was good to read such a different book.
After the meeting, as we munched away on Mog's fabulous and real orange cake (except for Barb who could only enjoy it vicariously) we could reflect on the interesting book choices for the lockdown time - both drawing upon overcoming adversity at difficult times.
NEXT MEETING:
- Phosphorescence by Juli Baird, chosen by Kathy
- Dictionary of lost words by Pip Williams, chosen by Megan.
Wednesday 22 July at 7.00 pm, at Megan's place.
