CORRESPONDENT AND LAND

Bees were buzzing, birdies were tweeting and the Western Banjo frogs were pobble-bonking on the second day of spring - which was when 7 bookclubbers landed at Margie P's place to discuss her book choice, 'The Correspondent' and McLassie's selection, 'Land'.  As we settled in we all missed Megan, wished her all the best and hoped for next time, and felt envious of Cherilyn and 2-caps because, as the rain came down outside Ferguson Ave setting off car alarms (well, something did), they were enjoying the sun in the deep north.  Both corresponded with their thoughts about the books which then set the conversation off and running - and it was 'Land' that landed first. 

McLassie led with her synopsis of 'Land', an Irish historical novel set in the latter half of the 19th century.  Chosen to follow her interest in historical novels (after Hamnet also by Maggie O'Farrell), McLassie overviewed key events in the author's biography, including being hospitalised with encephalitis at 8 years of age, which MO'F put down as leading her on the road to literature.  Later graduating from Cambridge Uni she now has a long list of awards, and considers her husband (fellow Cambridge traveller, William Sutcliffe) is her best critic.    

McLassie and MO'F took us on a journey to a remote part of western Ireland, recounting the effects and after effects of the Great Irish Famine (1845-1852) on the O'Dwyer family (Tomas, Phina and children Liam, Enda, Rose and Eugene, and of course Bran the dog). 'Memory, identity and the way the past survives into the present' were Cherilyn's words from afar summarising (both) the book/s.  

The bog, the fish and the ring ?

While concurring with Cherilyn's thoughts, our conversation started with the O'Dwyer's hard life, particularly for the women when they moved to the peninsula (including having to make soap, and don't we all look forward to McLassie delivering her production at our next meeting!), but it was the weaving of mythology into the fabric of the book that created commentary.  Some readers found it difficult to place the relevance of Irish folk mythology around the bog, the fish and the gold ring to the story.  Unhelpfully this was only scantily described by MO'F in the early and late sections of the book which was a big miss, because it seemed central to the underlying premise of the story.  Some readers also thought the book tried to do too much (eg famine, diaspora, imperialism, religion, mythology, Irish independence movement, country life, cartography +); some wondered why Enda and Rose's stories were left hanging in Canada, while Liam's return to cartography and Eugene's story involving his return to the land and returning the ring to fish in the bog, was probably somehow symbolic (?!) and certainly more complete than their sisters stories; and some thought that a few contradictions scattered throughout the text shifted confidence in the book's editor.  

Despite these criticisms, 'Land' landed with all readers as an interesting book, very readable and a good choice - which in light of our fulsome discussion, possibly required reading with feeling, more than a judgemental eye (although we thought perhaps William could be a more thoughtful critic next time).

McLassie handed the book baton on to Margie for her selection, 'The Correspondent' by Virginia Evans.  Guilt and connection were added to Cherilyn's trifecta (memory, identity and the past) by Margie about this book.  Her research revealed Virginia gained a bachelor degree in English literature in Virginia USA, where she met her husband Mark Evans, then after having a family went back to complete a Master in Creative Writing at Trinity College in Dublin.  'The Correspondent' was started during the Covid years and is her first published novel, winning the 2026 Women's Prize for Fiction (a prize which was interestingly started in 1996 after none of the six shortlisted books for the Booker Prize in 1991 were written by women).   

Some recipients of Sybil's letters
Kazuo, Joan above: Ann, Virginia below

Margie summarised the epistolary novel where protagonist, 70+ year old Sybil Van Antwerp, wrote letters and emails to a wide range of people in the morning, as her sight declined over the years.  Family members, close and not so close friends, her lovely neighbour, past colleagues and professionals, academics, her doctor, young people, a customer service representative of the genetic testing company, her acerbic garden club members, and famous authors/public figures received letters or emails from Sybil's pen/keyboard - reflecting Sybil's thoughts about current events, family, relationships, and as her sight declined, the important people and events in her past life.  

We all agreed with 2-caps' comment 'Go Sybil!', in part because she emerged from her writings as a very engaging character - with humour, warmth, intelligence and strength, saving her cutting wit for those who were less accommodating to her (read the Dean of the English Department at Maryland Uni who initially blocked Sybil's entry to audit literature courses).   There was consensus that this was a very affirming book, partly about the forgotten art of correspondence but mostly about the importance of relationships.  When guilt made its surprising appearance towards the end of the book through her unsent correspondence Sybil emerged as a person who had suffered through trauma with courage.  We reflected on the similar drowning deaths in Kathy's book (Remarkably Bright Creatures, and the fate of Tova's son Erik - accident or suicide but leaning to accident?) and Gilbert, Sybil's son (accident) - but it was only a passing comment.  The main reflections on the book were about Sybil's strength of character, and particularly her readiness to reconnect with family and friends when things had gone awry - as happens in life after trauma.  

Similar but not Margies - imagine
a blueberry crowning the tartlet 
(now sorry I didn't take a photo!).

Tea for two came out, along with Margie's fabulous home made lemon curd tartlets made from home grown lemons,** with blueberries, and we agreed these were two very different but rewarding books.  The tartlets rolled around the table and our mouths as we talked about the dangers of swimming in half-width marked laps, tumble turns, country life in the 1950/60's, and swimming in the river - along with the trials of cooking (or not) for one or two in our more senior years (McLassie with her enthusiasm for cooking, catering and cleaning for others was an exceptional exception - others said they had declared partial 'tools down' for some household jobs, including ironing). 

Few tartlets remained on Margie's marvellous Mud Australia plate (an astute Cherrie observed), as we collected our stuff and wandered out the door - but not before next books were chosen, which after some umming and aahing are:

Julie: 'Whistler' by Ann Patchett (you may want to correspond with her about it, like Sybil)

Sue: 'The Picasso Ransom' by A.T. Prewett (a slightly indulgent choice for a light and fluffy caper read)

** Julie suggested that next meeting we also collaborate and plot out a short murder mystery - so here is an opening para to work on or ditch if you prefer

Furtively darting out the back door, Lilith only had time to grab her most prized possession - the original recipe for Lemon Curd.  Written on soft but strong velum using ink made from soot, gum and water it was in original arabic calligraphy, and was material proof that the British didn't invent the popular spread.  An English recipe was first recorded in the book The Lady's Own Cookery Book, written by Lady Charlotte Campbell Bury in 1844, and the printed book quickly came to be on the kitchen shelves of all respectable middle and upper class Victorian ladies - or at least the shelves that held the important tools of the trade of their cooks.  The original 1844 handwritten book was on display in the British Museum, providing what was considered to be unassailable proof that Lemon Curd was a British invention during the time of Queen Victoria.  In beautiful sloping cursive script, all the important ingredients and method for making lemon curd could be seen, because the book was set open at the page in a glass case in the museum's Great Court.   The descriptive label proudly recorded Lady Charlotte Campbell Bury invented Lemon Curd in 1843 in her test kitchen, and reported she was encouraged to publish the recipe by the Victorian publishing house, Longman, Brown, Green and Longmans before Mrs Beaton published her Book of Household Management.  Lilith knew she was running for her life, leaving behind all her other possessions, a trail of destruction and yes - a body on the kitchen table smothered in commercial lemon curd.  

See you next on 11 November 2026, at 1 Fox Street Goodwood - with or without your contributions to 'The Lost Curd - a Recipe for Disaster'.  

 

Whats in a Name

                                                                         Music to read by

Everyone settled in at Frederick Street around 7.00 on 8 July 2026, happily surprised by the welcome attendance of Megan making it (as suggested by Cherrie), a truly unforgettable book club meeting -  but we missed Cherilyn and all hoped for the best for her and family.  Quickly settling in to our first book, Megan's choice The Names was suggested to her by the Great Book Buyer of Norwood, and here is Kathy and Megan's erudite take on the book by Florence Knapp.  

"Overview 

The Names is an ambitious and emotionally powerful debut novel by Florence Knapp that explores how a single decision can shape the course of a life.  The story begins in England in 1987 when Cora Atkin, trapped in an abusive marriage, must decide what to name her newborn son.  Her husband insists on the traditional family name, Gordon, while Cora prefers Julian and her daughter Maia suggests Bear.  From this seemingly simple choice, the novel unfolds into three alternative timelines, each following the boy's life over the next 35 years.  

Summary

The novel alternates between three parallel narratives based on the name Cora chooses for her son; Gordon, Julian or Bear.  Each version of the boy grows into a different person, influenced by family dynamics, opportunities, trauma, and the expectations attached to his name.  While the lives diverge significantly, common threads remain, particularly the effects of domestic abuse and the struggle to break generational cycles of violence and control.  Through these intertwined stories, Knapp examines identity, destiny, resilience and the lasting consequences of both courage and fear.

Major Themes

1.  The Power of Names and Identity.  The Novel asks whether a name can influence who we become.  Knapp suggests that names carry expectations, associations, and assumptions that may subtly shape our lives.  However, the book ultimately raises a deeper question: are we defined by our names, or by the choices we make?

2. Domestic Abuse and its ripple effects.  At its heart, The Names is a compassionate exploration of domestic abuse.  The story examines how violence and control affect not only the immediate victim but also children, future relatonships, and entire family systems.  The novel handles this difficult subject with sensitivity and emotional depth. 

3. Choice, Fate, and Alternative Possibilities.  The parallel narratives invite the readers to consider how small decisions can lead to vastly different outcomes.  Rather than presenting fate as fixed, Knapp explores how chance, courage, timing and circumstance interact throughout our lives.

4. Breaking Generational cycles.  Many characters struggle with inherited patterns of behaviour.  The novel asks whether people can escape the influences of their upbringing and create a different future for themselves and their children. 

Discussion.

One of the novel's greatest strengths is its innovative strucutre.  While some readers found the shifting timelines challenging at first, many felt that the three narratives created a richer understanding of the characters and themes.  The recurring characters and events across the timelines highlight both the similarities and differences in each life path.  Cora emerges as the emotional centre of the novel.  Her struggle to protect her children while navigating an abuse marriage is deeply moving and often heartbreaking.  Readers may find themselves asking what they would have done in her position and whether any choice could truly guarantee a better outcome.

Personal response

The Names is a thoughtful and emotionally engaging novel.  The concept of three lives unfolding from a single decision is cleverly executed as well as the portrayal of family relationships and the courage required to challenge cycles of abuse.  The novel balances heartbreak with hope and reminds us that while our circumstances shape us, they do not entirely define us."

There was a lot to chat about with this book.  Some found the structure difficult and chose to read the book sequentially in character sections (Bear: Julian: Gordon) to follow their individual stories.  Others thought the structure was skilful and made for an interesting read.  Some readers put it aside after the first difficult section (1987: Bear) but were not sorry they came back to it after taking a mighty big breath.  We were all glad we didn't read much about Gordon the 'perp' (undoubtedly a deliberate choice by the author) and thought its focus on Cora, daughter Maia and son accurately presented the effects of victimisation across all three stories, even though each had a very different trajectory and ending.  Everyone thought it was a great choice, offering real insight into the nature and effects of domestic violence, coercion and control. Was there a favoured story and/or ending?  Our discussion didn't quite get to this question, but it sparked conversations about old fashioned names sitting on the couch (eg Barbara; Catharine - aka Cherrie; Margaret), name dislikes (Megan put your hand up), and possible name confusions (Julie/Susan or Susan/Julie).   So to put the blunt question challenged by the book - would a different name change your life?  And the answer is - its the socially constructed circumstances and life choices made, not the name because (despite the premise on which the book seemingly but perhaps precariously rests) the name is immaterial. (Ed note: OK I'll take this thought a bit further with an example - Gordon the perp continued his violence, coercion and control in both Julian and Gordon's story, but not Bear's story only because he was no longer present).  

Maybe Marcellus

Moving on, Marcellus was the next name we discussed.  Was he the namesake in Kathy's book selection 'Remarkably Bright Creatures'?  Or does the RBC title belong to the lovely Tova?  

Here is Kathy's summary of her book selected because it was a 'feel good' read during darkening times.

"Shelby Van Pelt is an American fiction writer who achieved global literary success with her debut novel.  Van Pelt was born and raised in Tacoma, Washington.  Her upbringing in the scenic Pacific Northwest directly inspired the fictional, moody coastal setting of Sowell Bay featured in her novel.  She moved to Southern California for univeresity, attending Claremont KcKenna College and graduated cum laude (ed note: in the top tier of the class) in 2002 with a degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics.  She spent nearly a decade working as a financial consultant on litigation but a cross-country move to Atlanta took her away from her career and that's when she decided to explore creative writing.  The character Marcellus the octopus was born out of a prompt  during a creative writing workshop at Emory University.  The instructor challenged the class to write a scene from an unusual, non-human point of view.

Van Pelt started brainstorming her concept for the book in 2013 and wrote the core of the manuscript during the COVID-19 lockdowns.  The book was published in the spring of 2022 and became an instant New York Times bestseller.  It went on to sell over 4 million copies worldwide.  The massive success of the book culminated in a Netflix feature film adaptation directed by Olivia Newman, starring two-time Academy Award winner Sally Field as Tova.  I watched the movie before reading the book and I would characterise both as an 'easy' watch and read.  Remarkably Bright Creatures is a character-driven novel set in the fictional coastal town of Sowell Bay, Washington.  The story explores long-term grief, the importance of human connection, and the unpredictable ways that lives can intersect.  

The narrative alternates between three primary perspectives: 

Tova Sullivan: a 70 year old widow still coping with the mysterious disappearance of her 18 year old son, Erik, who vanished on a boat over thirty years prior.  To keep busy and stave off loneliness, Tova works the nightshift as a cleaner at the local Sowell Bay Aquarium.

Marcellus: An incredibly intelligent, captive Gian Pacific Octopus living in a tank at the aquarium.  He is witty, cynical, and highly observant of his human captors, but deeply empathetic to Tova.

Cameron Cassmore: a struggling, aimless 30 year old from California who is searching for his father while avoiding responsibility.  His journey ultimately leads him to Sowell Bay, where he takes a job at the aquarium and becomes entwined with Tova.

There are several themes and plot dynamics at play in the book:

1.  Grief and Connection: both Tova and Cameron carry heavy emotional baggage and isolation.  Tova attempts to insulate herself from the pain of losing her son and husband by staying busy and keeping to herself.  Similarly, Cameron suffers from feelings of abandonment after his mother left him as a child.

2. The Interspecies Bond: A standout feature of the novel is the unique friendship formed between Tova and Marcellus.  While humans find Marcellus a fascinating subject, it is Tova who treats him with genuine respect and companionship.  Because the author uses a captive octopus as a primary narrator, the author infuses an element of realism into the tale.

3.  The Central Mystery: Though Cameron's arrival and the mystery of Erik's disappearance unfold at a steady, somewhat predictable pace for the human characters, Marcellus perceptiveness quickly uncovers the truth of what really happened on the water thirty years ago.  Using his intellect and ability to escape his tank, the brilliant cephalopod sets a chain of events in motion.  He cleverly orchestrates circumstances so that Tova and Cameron will discover each other's identifies - revealing that Cameron is, in fact, Tova's grandson.

Remarkably Bright Creatures is primary a feel-good, cozy novel.  The author has given the narrator of the story a somewhat tired, yet dry, wise and tender personality.  She has crafted a gentle story that works well for anyone who values animal-human friendships and happy endings." 

Marcellus spread over the floor

Readers who read the book and saw the film seemed to agree that the film trumped the book, although there was general acclaim that the book was an interesting take on relationships - between humans and between humans and animals.  

One reader had to have the ending spelt out because certain animals ate the book with 30 pages yet to be read - revealing a human/animal relationship that sometimes fractures and always ends with a win to the animals. 

It was time for Green's cake to come out with tea for 4, over which we revisited more elements to The Names and Ratty McRatface stories of destruction of houses, sheds, cars and elsewhere.

As the evening moved on and Pumpkin sought to evacuate Julie from her sleeping chair, we reaffirmed the next meeting date for Wednesday 9 September 2026 at McLassie's place when we all hoped for a full house, with the exception of  '2 caps' who will be swimming up north with Marcellus.  Margy P's selection is 'The Correspondent' by Virginia Evans, and McLassie's choice is to come when the heater is ratcheted down a few notches at Fairford Street. 

Update:  Mclassie's book choice is 'Land' by Maggie O'Farrell.

Final note:  thanks to Kathy for her wonderful and comprehensive notes of the two books.    

Korea and Kops

(More background music while reading)

Walking through the newly planted garden at 2A High Street, Bonny, Tilly and Moggy respectively barked, yapped and said 'Hello' to six sensational bookclubbers on Wednesday 13 May 2026 - but not to our three casualties 

Megan - all wishing her well and hoping to see her back soon when ready

2-caps - socialising elsewhere with a torn shoulder tendon and Nobby 

Margy - nursing a not so funny hairline fracture of her humerus

So joining Mog was the sensational six including Julie, Kathy, McLassie, Cherilyn, Sue and Cherrie - although the discovery of Cherrie's bum hamstring during the evening suggested she wasn't so sensational after all.  

After an intense inspection and interrogation of Mog's knitted vest (garter stitch; circular needles; knitted in one piece; hard wool; older, simple but now lost pattern), Mog took us to her book selection 'Murder on North Terrace' by Laini Anderson.  Starting life as a journalist, Laini completed her PhD on Kate Cocks, SA's first policewoman, at UniSA in 2024.   Now holding a number of positions within the history fraternity of SA, Laini lives in the Adelaide Hills and will probably write more of her 'petticoat police mysteries'.  Suggested by McLassie to Mog as an uncomplicated and interesting read during moving time, we embarked upon an historical tour of Adelaide in 1917.   We were jumping in and out of hansom cabs with Miss Cocks and her jujitsu practising offsider, Ethel Bromley, visiting AGSA where the body of the AGSA Board governor was found beneath the controversial new acquisition 'Sowing new seed', and moving across the inner suburbs returning by tram to home base (Landrowna Tce which was actually in now Victoria Square).  

1922 photo of Landrowna Tce
(from State Library)

Most readers agreed Ethel was the star of the show, with Kate Cocks' dour Methodist morality a little wearing as she chased down different avenues with her big stick - yet it created an entree for the author to offer us an insight into Adelaidean hypocrisy of the time.   The scales of justice were clearly tilted in favour of wealth and gender, as the attention given to socialites was contrasted with working class victims, and female detective work contrasted with 'real' blokey policing.  

All agreed it was thoroughly researched and brought the atmosphere of an earlier Adelaide to life on its pages, making it an interesting, easy and enjoyable read.  Great selection Mog and suggestion McLassie.  (The Death of Dora Black, the first mystery book is doing the rounds for those interested - with similar themes percolating through).  

Mog's Oracle ponders the frisson ?

We somehow morphed seamlessly from WW1 Adelaide to present day Seoul and Cherrie's selection, 'Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop' by Korean author, Hwang Boreum.  (ed note:  collecting Cherrie's 3 pages of research summarising the book was a big miss by your interlocutor, so if they arrive in my inbox I'll link them in to this blog).  It was the story of the bookshop and bookshop owner you want to have in your neighbourhood - GOAT coffee, book suggestions tailored to each reader (a novelty as Cherrie remarked), growing book clubs and hosting book talks by authors, and more.  We learnt Yeongju, the owner, quit her high pressure job, divorced her equally high pressure husband, and made a leap of faith to realise her dream of opening the bookshop.  Cherrie took us from her lonely starting place in the early days of the bookshop, through her journey to find peace and happiness. Interestingly, it required her amazing busy-ness in managing the bookshop (although less stressful than working for the company), along with likeminded characters (including readers' favourite Minjun {barista extraordinaire}, Jimi the coffee roaster, knitter Jungsuh, Mincheol, the young student looking for a mentor {enter Yeongju}, and Seeungwoo, the kind hearted grammatical pedant). The big question for discussion was whether there was 'frisson' between Yeongju and Seeungwoo by the books end.  And the answer ? - the jury is still out.  

There were some little pearls of wisdom dropped throughout the book - such as 'characters in novels are imperfect and that's how they lend their voice to the average person' (p 80); 'have we become the person we wanted to be?' followed by 'each day is a successful day surrounded by good people' (p 242, 254).  And then there was the clincher about reading: it teaches you to 'reflect on yourself - and so hope to become a better person one day' (p 68).  Fabulous!!!  In the end the folksy but gentle and gracious message was that by self reflection, you will find yourself, and when you have found yourself, you will find your people.   Yeongsu found her people.  Everyone enjoyed the book and the characters, finding it a cheerful read (despite the Korean names that were hard to keep track of, and the fast Korean lifestyle).  

Cherrie's fabulous quince cake came out as we reflected on the two uplifting books and how positive it was to read them in these difficult times.  Post book chat avoided glum global politics turning to films - 'The Sheep Detective' could be a new adventure for Hugh Jackman after 'Song Sung Blue'.  Cherrie suggested reading 'The Elegance of the Hedgehog' by Muriel Barbery, and we talked about our next scheduled meeting in July.  Possible switches were discussed, then Kathy suggested we stay with the date at her place, and leave it open for Megan.  One book to discuss, we decided, would be perfectly fine.

As we started to drift off, and Moggy gave everyone a farewell plant, we all reflected on the last story of the night: and decided that if we're walking in Victoria Park's dog park (dogs on lead area), we will keep our eyes open for an aggressive man with a small dog on a lead - and if spotted run up and knee him in the balls compliments of Julie.  

Next meeting: Wednesday 8 July at Kathy's place. 

Kathy's choice: 'Remarkably Bright Creatures' by Shelby Van Pelt.  (Netflix has just released a telemovie of the same name starring Sally Field). 

Post-script: Megan's choice 'The Names' by Florence Knapp 

Searching for Happiness

(Hit play the video - its just for background music while you read). 

It was our first meeting for 2026, our first Tuesday night meeting (24 March), and our first with apologies from the 3 '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; also 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 dark side.  We found

• the odd and for some unlikeable characters - Serk, Louisa, Tobias - any others?
• the lovely Walt - certainly 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 remote Serk, then lost the one good thing in her life, the lovely Walt, Louisa could have had a more positive and empathetic relationship with her mother.  (And that's the polite version!).   That same reader thought the writing was quite aggressive, being told how to think and interpret events by the author, rather than coming to your own view.   These views weren't embraced by other readers however.   All thought the book a good choice and worthwhile read (even the outlier), though some more than others.  In the end it was a reflection on the way Korean people were ostracised in Japan - not unlike 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 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 set in Faha, a fictional village in west Ireland.  Tracking the life of young Noe Crowe in tandem with the introduction of electricity in Faha 'This is Happiness' 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.  

The book didn't raise a lot of discussion, so I'm not sure if everyone found Happiness in it.  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, added to by Julie who read and enjoyed Barb's other 'not quite' selection -   The Confidence Woman by Sophie Quick.

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 public transport routes, including clicketyclack railway tracks to Flinders and Seaford, where it branches to Flinders and where to board; who travels on this train and back again; then double railway tracks to Melbourne and Belair but query why Mount Barker cannot share? And on to South Road -  until 2031 your time will be blowed!

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

Not such 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 ocean - just like a flashlight.  And so I found happiness.  There is magic everywhere 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 the dust has settled.   

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

Freaky v Fab Families

On Wednesday 14 May the FnB club (sans Julie) congregated for the last time at 43 Sheffield Avenue Malvern to say goodbye to a house, and hello to Mog and Cherrie's book selections - The Season (Helen Garner) and Somebody Down There Likes Me (Robert Lukins).    While waiting for Margy P, who was doing her very best to impersonate Helen Garner by taking her teenage grandson to football training, our idle conversation turned to hanging out the washing which turned to cleaning and who does what, when and where - and we all agreed that Peter came out as the King of the Clean after Kathy's revelation that he does most if not all, does it strategically and extremely diligently, every time.  

The inscrutable author and his book

Cherrie swung our attention away from the housework humdrum and straight into the bizarre when introducing her selected book by Robert Lukins.  Reflecting on the difficulty she had in finding information about the author - including basic stuff such as age and background - Cherrie did discover that he had frequented some place in Shropshire, now lives in Melbourne/Naarm, and flew across America in a home made plane with a friend looking for ghost towns.  This may say something about the outsider status of the author.  

Lukins' little yellow plane

It was during the ghost town travels and from a random conversation that he discovered Belle Haven - home of rich and callous American families. There is a mighty big clue about what the reader is in for in the title of the book because it was hard to find a redeeming feature among the characters of the Gulch family, Fax, Honey, Lincoln and Kick.   Through the individual voices of the 4 family members, each laced with introspection and dripping with distain, we were plunged into a narcissistic world of backstabbing, sexual predation, revenge, manipulation, blackmail, capitalism morphing into criminality, serious drug abuse and the mystery of Mouse - and that was just the first few days... (readers please add any more vices you can think of).  Structured around a week in 1996, we all agreed it was a hard read with some finding it more worthwhile than others.  And there wasn't anything gratifying at the end which may have been a clue to Lukins choice of his enigmatic title.  It wasn't difficult to read the book as a scathing commentary on the civil and moral decline of white, rich Americans.  Tough going and not worth it for some readers, but an interesting journey into a very different world for others.

We all breathed a sigh of relief and shook ourselves down before making our way to the footy ovals of Footscray.  There we found Helen Garner, her grandson, Amby, and his family - who were a long way both geographically and metaphysically from the Gulch's of Belle Haven.  Mog reminded us that Helen Garner's last book was her second choice, after her original selection 'An Ethical Guide to Murder' was ditched as lightweight bumph.  And so we enjoyed following Helen and Amby through Helen's monthly reports on training, games and events, including the return of Boof from the NT for the big Grand Final, and Helen's graduation to be the 'half time oranges lady'.  As the writer, and although part of the family, Garner was on the outside looking in, giving us insight into well functioning family life, relationships, community, being present, team spirit, growing up in today's world, physicality and masculinity, along with humour - {page 48; Sign outside the Hawthorn Church 'What would you do if Christ came to Hawthorn?  Answer: move Peter Hudson to centre half forward"}.  

Hudson in his heyday

It made each of us reflect on our interaction with grandchildren - including McLassie who cheerily confirmed her heavy lifting continues with rowing, football and other activities; and Cherrie travelling to Melbourne soon to hear her granddaughters cello recital in coming days (go Beatrice!).  The general view was that the book was a classy read - notwithstanding Garner's take on the role of grandparents which was slightly chilling (read on if you dare)..."you're making a serious mistake if you start to think you're near the centre.  You're on the periphery.  You're a servant.  A hanger on.  And soon you'll be dead."  (p51)

And for more of Helen's writing, try this https://www.themonthly.com.au/july-2015/vox/darkness-every-one-us?share=djF8NzJjMGJkMjl8RkdbRllCXklXVTtEW0pQQ1tEWUNcXVNBWEJdWUdcJ0RGU1FUVl9EQ0E=&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=The%20Monthly%20Daily%20-%20July%2028%202025&utm_content=The%20Monthly%20Daily%20-%20July%2028%202025+CID_93a04cb7c7f54ded69d2352cdd819928&utm_source=EDM&utm_term=Read%20the%20full%20article&cid=93a04cb7c7f54ded69d2352cdd819928

Lightening the moment, chocolate mousse cake came out and went down with or without tea, but without a crumb left - followed by chat about the phantom defaecator apparently still lurking around Norwood after a sex change.  

Movies recommended were

• Mad about the Boy
• The Brother's Band

and television to watch

• The Piano - ABC Sunday nights (big ticks for Andrea Lam and Amanda Keller: differing views about Harry Connick Jnr)

Books for next time were called

• On the calculation of volume - Solvej Balle (Kathy)
• Wild dark shore - Charlotte McConaghy (Megan)

So that's it till next time - Wednesday 16 July at either Kathy or Megan's place.