History - then, now and next meeting

Trepidation came hand in hand with bonhomie to Barb's house for our first meeting on 13 March 2024 - it was to be found in all our bookclubbers who were somewhat worried about the themes of the two books we were to discuss: Prophet Song by Paul Lynch (Cherilyn) and A balcony over Jerusalem by John Lyons (Barb).   Julie and McLassie were apologies and as the wine was poured we braced ourselves for an evening of uncompromising discussion about these demanding books.

Cherilyn kicked off by introducing us to her book (chosen as a companion piece to Barb's selection) and to author Paul Lynch - Booker Prize winner of 2023 for the selection.  Her research traced his trajectory into writing which included dropping out of Dublin University, becoming a part time journalist, then full time writer as film critic for The Sunday Times, and now full time novelist.  Cherilyn's comprehensive handwritten research notes can be found here -https://docs.google.com/document/d/1awOf18QIZMdv7cAV4eOQocuFkKAwVdtrn3aWZ5oBroI/edit?usp=sharing

He was 45 years of age when he wrote Prophet Song and became a Booker winner.  (Ed note: for anyone interested in a minor diversion, there is a fascinating interview with master bookbinder Dominic Riley on ABC RN Conversations.  He reveals that all Booker short listed authors are presented with a masterpiece one-off hand bound copy of their book and you can see an image of the one for this book here https://designerbookbinders.org.uk/events-and-exhibitions/booker-prize/ - its the blue one).

'Dystopian'  wasn't quite the right word to describe the novel because the story was just too close to reality being set in a State that is no longer a distant prospect.  Told from the perspective of a family trying to make sense of the injustice and persecution of their father/husband union organiser, we all agreed that Eilish was faced with a cataclysmic decision about leaving - and wondered what would we have done???  Leaving a life behind is certainly hard!  Hope was difficult to find in the novel, but Cherrie pointed us to daughter Molly who became the unlikely beacon on the hill as the story unfolded.  It moved towards the tragic end when the family left their homeland as undocumented refugees bound for Canada, held together by Molly.  We agreed it was a difficult book to read in terms of content and the anonymity of the menace of the State which was always present - with the present tense used throughout the book accentuating the menace.  Some found the writing style hard to get to grips with - but it turned out that bookclubbers thought it 'tricky at first but I got used to it'.

Cherrie brought the book's messages very close to home by reminding us that there are nasty people in positions of power everywhere, including Australia, and many of them work in immigration - an important reality check.  Somehow, this image of the author from his website says so much about the book - dark, foreboding and very chilling.

Barb then kicked the can further down the road named Bleak with A balcony over Jerusalem, and you can read her extensive notes here (great research of the history Barb)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Y6DyH78QTWpV9HjBI6eV_Xfnw1kTSZTHLGARX61BTSE/edit?usp=sharing

We found this book difficult to discuss because there was so much to the problem and it was hard to know where to start.  Narrowing the aperture for discussion was tricky, but we couldn't escape acknowledging the plight of the Palestinians, and the conclusion that it can only get worse (especially if Netanyahu remains) before it gets better (if it does).   Its so very hard to evade the dismal irony that the state of Israel is now, with alacrity, doing to Palestinians what Germany did to the Jewish people and community during 1930's/40's.  If you're interested in finding out more about Netanyahu, his coalition and Israeli politics, but with a bit of hope, try this recent article  https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2024/03/orthodox-military-israel-netanyahu/677758/?utm_campaign=atlantic-daily-newsletter&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=20240315&utm_term=The+Atlantic+Daily

No question these two books were rewarding but very confronting given the times, and so we all breathed a quiet sigh of relief when it came time for refreshments.  Our chatter turned to many hows; how to make pineapple fritters ('shithouse without sugar' - so said Marg in her posh frock about her country cooking experience); how not to take communion (just ask Nobby who was observed wiping the wine from his chin and shirt as he returned to the pew - and always blame the priest); how to find a baptism certificate (just ask Kathy the sleuth); and how is it that some televisions only play sports (and yes they're all male televisions).    Then we got on to films (The Great Escaper and Anatomy of a Fall were recommended), which turned to a discussion about the start of the FnB Club and drop off of the 'F' part.  So I can now confirm the following from my brief sorte into the depths of my computer:

Its history began 2016.  Invitations were sent out in December 2015 to everyone as well as Robyn Ide and Heather Solly.  Robyn declined and book selections were set by mid January 2016 for the first meeting some weeks later (see the next post for books and write-ups).  

Initial invitation 7 December 2015

Meetings were to be monthly with two books the subject of discussion bi-monthly, and a film in the alternate month.     However, films seemed to drop off in the first year, as did Heather, and I think wé met monthly with one book in the first year, changing to bi-monthly meetings x 2 books in 2017 (or maybe 2018). 

A suggestion to discuss next time: for films, perhaps the person who hosted the meeting can choose a film to see the following month (ie Mog would choose in June; or Barb chooses in April - if you want to).  

On to next meeting - its Wednesday 6th May at Mog's place (I think - someone correct me if I'm wrong).

Books are:

• Cherrie: Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Woods (its a steal at BigW for $8, but not on the shelf at Victor Harbor Big W sadly)
• Mog: The Rest is History by Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook (book of the podcast -https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-rest-is-history/id1537788786

So to an unusual Epilogue.  On the tram on Thursday morning after our meeting I was reflecting on our discussions, along with the dire state of the world and the far right direction it is heading in so many countries, and found that I was sitting up front next to a neuro-diverse person who was so obviously enjoying the tram ride.  He waved to everyone who went past, including very enthusiastically jumping up and waving to every tram and all the people in it as it went the other way.  He clearly wanted to say hi to everybody but managed to hold his enthusiasm in check somehow, whispering his words of welcome under bis breath.   When our tram stopped to pick up passengers and then move off he would quietly chant 'Ding, Ding, Chukka Chukka' - mimicking, and in time with, the sound the tram made as it crossed an intersection slowly gathering speed.  He got off at Victoria Square and as he alighted and moved away, he waved very excitedly to the tram driver, who replicated the enthusiastic waving back to him - including many thumbs up from both.  He jauntily and very happily made his way off to his day leaving the tram driver, and me, smiling.   Life is actually full of small pleasures when you look for them.

The list of Book club books from 2016 onwards can be found here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uadFn7sVGpGVOUjXokNzpGeWA5ybIClW_uRi8K-ELvI/edit?usp=sharing