Jan’s been reading:
Serba, Anne (2011) That woman: The life of Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor. Weidenfeld & Nicolson. Anne Sebba attempts to understand this fascinating and enigmatic American divorcee who nearly became Queen of England. Referred to as ‘That woman’ by the Queen Mother, and accused of being a spy, a witch, and a whore, she has been the subject of widespread gossip and fascination that has only increased with the years. Based on new archival material, this is a scrupulously researched biography which sheds new light on the character and motivations of this complex woman. A very hard to like woman, but a fascinating biography nonetheless. Rating: 8.5/10.
Hill, Susan (2009). Howard’s End is on the landing; a year of reading from home. Profile Books. A memoir of a reading life. Susan Hill takes us on a personal journey through the books of a lifetime propping up her old Gloucestershire farmhouse. She visits the number of books that she owns but has never read, or has read but forgotten that she owned; and the many old favourites ripe for another outing. A fair bit of meandering, with a chance to reminisce; a revealing insight into a writer’s life. Her appended Final Forty provide no surprises. Started out as a love affair, but petered out towards the end. Rating: 7.5/10.
Berendt, John (1994) Midnight in the garden of good and evil. Random House. An upcoming trip to Savannah inspired me to read this enduring best-seller. The narrative’s plot is based on real-life events that occurred in the 1980s. Peopled by a gallery of remarkable characters, and a landmark murder case, this remarkable book kept me totally engaged through to the end. Could not put it down. Rating: 9/10.
Roz’s been reading:
Frazier, Charles (2011) Nightwoods. Hodder & Stoughton. Luce acts as caretaker to an empty decaying Lodge, a relic of holidaymakers a century before. Her days are long and peaceful, her nights filled with Nashville radio and yellow lights shimmering on the black lake. A solitary life, and the perfect escape, that is until the stranger children come, bringing fire, murder, and love. A new novel by the bestselling author of the classic Cold Mountain. A realistic thought- provoking well structured novel set in the Appalachians with a cleverly engineered climax. A great read. Rating: 8.5/10.
7:30 Bookclub 