Manhattan Beach

Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan
Blog interpreted by Sharon from Sarah's notes

A few of our members (Sharon, Jane and Meredith) went to the Sydney Writers' Festival and heard Jennifer Egan and Min Jin Lee ( Pachinko) speak about writing historical novels.
The depth of their research is much appreciated and their hard work validated.

Jennifer Egan is kind of a role model being only 55 and successful. The character of Brianne was well liked and Anna is an admirable heroine.  Although some of her endeavours appear far fetched, we didn't mind it because of the clean writing.  The through lines we felt were of the sea, the underworlds, feminism and strong women.

We rated the novel 8/10 and Melissa described is as "excellent, praiseworthy, intelligent, clean, so well written and well researched".  She found quite a few metaphors she liked : examples on pages 307, 310, 365 and 369.

Comments from Lee :
I finished Manhattan Beach a few nights ago and agree with a few comments that it was a most enjoyable read. Another coming of age story but with so many different unexpected twists to the story, that also included many other stories of the various characters. Apart from Anna’s story, which did I enjoy most? Maybe the harrowing story of Eddie on the merchant navy ship and the wreck, but would have liked to have known more about how he survived although a little was revealed later. Brianne turned out to be quite a surprise and it was tragic to read that her pretend life had been a front for her sad destitution and then she took on the heroic stance to help Anna to move to California and raise her child. Anna herself is an amazing character and in reading the acknowledgements at the end to discover that there were actually hard hat women divers during the war was surprising. The surprises revealed in the narrative about women in war service and the prejudice they faced was so different from the usual women in war work in arms factories. Never would I have imagined hard hat divers! The character of Dexter Styles was so interesting, but I thought that there had to be more to the development of the relationship before the amazing one night stand, a scene worthy of Hemingway and “the earth moving”. I wasn’t quite sure why Dexter was killed, but he seemed to know of his impending demise but sadly didn’t have the Houdini like skills of Eddie to escape his death. And what role did his father in law have in Eddie’s execution?? Many sides to many characters. And the father in law must have somehow had links to Dexter Styles....

I did like “the happy ending”. Anna was going to be a wonderful mother after all the care and love she had given to Lydia. And the writing throughout was imaginative and the detailed descriptions, so that it was easy to imagine the grim world of the New York docks and the contrast of the tranquility of Manhattan Beach. While the Country Club world of New York society and their social prejudices was easy to visualise from the many movies, TV shows and books that we all have seen. And their ignorance of the fate that awaited their sons as they went off to war.

Our next meeting is on June 21st at Melissa's and our book choice is Extinctions by Josephine Wilson.

The Shadow of the Wind

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Blog written by Lee

“Melissa brought a print out from the ABC’s Book Club program so we had a few other opinions on the book.  Meredith, Sally and myself all enjoyed thoroughly the book, Melissa gave it more than her usual 100 pages test, reading on for 200 in deference to it being my choice.  But it didn’t qualify as a good read for her.  The book is 512 pages so longer than our usual choices and I apologise for that.   As a coming of age story with gothic and mystical overtones in true modern Latin style, and a few fascinating characters, particularly Fermin who reckons everyone agreed was the most interesting and well written character in the novel.   Someone on the ABC program compared with Sancho Panza as a sidekick to the main character.   The story twists and turns and the different ages of the main character Daniel are hard to follow and become a little unbelievable at times.   The descriptions of the city of Barcelona are wonderful and draw the reader into the streets and back alleys of the city.  There are even a couple of maps to take the keen reader on a walk through the areas mentioned.  I certainly will follow the map during my stay in Barcelona this year.

The story comes full circle and then starts again when Daniel has become an adult, but he marries this time with the reluctant approval of his love Beatrix’s father unlike the  tragic Penelope, the love of Julian Carax, the mysterious author of The Shadow of The Wind.   Everyone loved the concept of the cemetery of forgotten books, and again this story comes full circle at the end of the novel when Daniel takes his young son to the mysterious place, just as his father had done with him which is the impetus of the story.   I thought the writing was beautiful, although some in the ABC program protested that it was overly done.  The  enigma of Julian Carax is finally revealed in the letter to Daniel written by Nuria Montfort, almost a novel in itself and the denouement of the novel.


For me and for the commentators on the ABC program it is quite a page turner.  The book has been a huge international best seller both in Spanish and the excellent translation into English and no doubt other languages.  I chose it because of the Barcelona setting and was not disappointed.  With only four in attendance, we didn’t rank it as statistically it wouldn’t count, but it would probably be about 7.5 if you insist.”

Our next meeting is on May 24 at Sarah's and our book choice is Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan.

Tell the Wolves I'm Home

Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt
Blog by Sharon

"Don't you know? That's the secret.  If you always make sure you're exactly the person you hoped to be, if you always make sure you know only the very best people, then you won't care if you die tomorrow."

The above is a quote from the book which resonates with me.  I thoroughly enjoyed this novel which explores relationships : between June and her uncle Finn ( somewhat disturbing !), between Finn and Toby, Greta and June, Danni and Finn (her own frustrations of unfulfilled artistic dreams).

How realistic is this love June has for her uncle Finn?  And is it right for Finn to encourage it almost ?  The author tried to show that all the jealousy, envy and shame that we carry is our own kind of sickness, as much a disease as AIDS for Toby and Finn.

The author took us back to when HIV and AIDS first appeared and showed us the kinds of prejudices and paranoia they invoked.  Kind of scary how the gay community and HIV victims were shunned.

I found the sisters' relationship to the painting fascinating - it's almost a kind of communication between them when they can't say the words out loud.

We rated the book an average of 7.5/10.

Our next meeting is on Thursday April 12 at Lee's and our book choice is The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafan.

First book in 2018 : The Better Son

The Better Son by Katherine Johnson
Book chosen by Jane

Blog written by Sharon

This novel reminds us of the Lyre Bird Hill and is a bit predictable.  It was an easy read with nothing too surprising.  The boys' father was monstrous and the mother Jess had our sympathy.
A lot of men came back from the war like the way the father did.  Sadly Kip was so in fear of his dad that it ruined his life.

Some found the visit in the cave a bit tedious.  We all thought Squid was a wonderful character.  I felt the last chapters about Kip going back to the cave were interesting in that they really gave a good description of the geological aspect of the caves.

Some felt that the Road to the Far North by Richard Flanagan was better.

Why didn't Kip just come out with the truth ? It's heartbreaking what happened ...

We rated the book 7/10 and our next meeting will be at Sharon's on Wed March 7th.  Our book will be Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt.

A Gentleman in Moscow

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

Book selected by Marty


















Comments by Lee :

"Just finished reading A Gentleman in Moscow.What a beautiful ending, very romantic and rather surprising.  I had expected that the defection would be arranged for Sofia, but expected Rostov to join her.  I am glad he didn’t and that they both went their own ways and I assume found their singular freedom.

The end was more mystery thriller than the major part of the book which was a touch of Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina (which I read recently) and Ishiguro’s Remains of the Day.  Rostov is a ‘gentleman’ in the tradition of Tolstoy’ characters and 19th century Russia.  And has the careful awareness of the butler in The Remains of the Day.  Both societies long gone but looked on with nostalgia as we visit museums and restored palaces and grand houses.   Although not too detailed, the outlines of modern Russian history are very informing and as I am so ancient, I remember the news in the days of Khrushchev and the Comintern and my father’s  stories of his visit to Moscow in the 60’s.  Quite different from my observations in modern capitalist Moscow this year.

While I was a little perturbed at first by the similarity in writing style to Tolstoy as if Towles was *emulating*  the great writer, I soon began to enjoy the book and Towles’ writing about the manners of society and the elegance of the Count.  Was he too good to be true?   The premise of ‘house arrest’ in such an elegant hotel and all the perks (food and wine) that went with it seemed somewhat unbelievable in Bolshevik times, (did Aun San Suu Kyi have such a lavish house arrest) and how did he pay for it over 23 years.  Niggling little things that for me spoiled the story in places.  Chateau Margaux and Chateau d’Yquem indeed.   But the many staff who populate the hotel are delightful characters although the Bishop is such a caricature he could come from Fawlty Towers.   I haven’t really formed an opinion yet of Sofia and would be interested to hear all your thoughts.

I savoured reading the events of the Count’s house arrest and his friendships and his gentlemanly observations and philosophy.  A little repetitive at times but the thrilling ending was such that I couldn’t put the book down and was relieved that it did have a happy resolution.

Thanks for a great recommendation."

We rated this book 10.12/10 (!!) Someone gave it 11/10 ....
It was described as : "delightful, engaging, gentlemanly, descriptive and layered"
I'd say that this book was a great finish to a year of reading!

Our next meeting is on Wednesday February 7th, 2018 at Jane's and the choice of book is The Better Son by Katherine Johnson

The Muse

The Muse by Jessie Burton

Blog written by Sarah

Not loved, but mostly enjoyed. The story of Trinidadian emigrants and Odelle was the most popular of the interwoven stories. Working out the link between 1930’s Spain and Odelle was an intriguing journey

A drawback was the feeling that too much was squeezed in, resulting in it taking too long to unfold each idea with its connections to the other characters and times, and consequently feeling contrived.

Everyone agreed The paintings were vividly described, and some liked the Spanish scenes very much . Some of the accents felt a bit awkward and at times the language was too forced or tried to hard to sound literary.

In parts the book was deeply moving and the idea of tracing the origins of a painting appealed to many.

Only Meredith had read Jessie Burton’s previous and highly acclaimed first novel, The Miniaturist.

Quick was a bit unlikely as a character
Was Robles real?Marty says yes

Themes - art, love, deceit, casual sexism and feminism in the 1930s and 60s, race and colonialism, partisanship in times of war, friendship, personal histories.

We rated this novel 7/10.  It was described as "mildly intriguing, Trinidadian experience refreshing, topical, curious, affected, enjoyable but not memorable".

Our next book is A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles and we will be meeting at Marty's on Dec 13 Wednesday.

Picnic at Mount Disappointment

Picnic at Mount Disappointment by Melissa Bruce

Blog not written by Melissa !

We had a lovely meeting about this first novel at the home of the author herself where food offerings and music selections were themed from the book.

Our group all thought it was a great read with many interesting comments from everyone. We would like to post Lee's comments below as she was unable to attend the meeting.

Lee's comments : 
"I loved the book and read it as a very personal work no matter how much Melissa might describe it as fiction.   I feel that as my parents were divorced when I was older, about age 23, I can still relate to the feelings of Lucy towards her step mother and step siblings.  The resentment and efforts at reconciliation with her own parents.  No matter what age, divorce is a very confronting issue for children to accept.   The story rang so many bells for me.   But apart from the story, Melissafs use of the verse form was quite extraordinary and gave a wonderful lyrical feel to the reading of the book.  The wry comments/observations often at the end of a stanza was a very clever device to allow the reader a greater understanding of the resentment and confusion felt by Lucy as she adapted to her new life in the country.   I was so delighted to read Melissafs work, quite different from so many of the Australian novels I have read recently.  Her characters are drawn so clearly and the friends she makes among the students at her new school add to country atmosphere and help the reader to understand the conflict she feels in the move to Wandong. "

We are very proud to call Melissa a member of our book group!  Her accolades
since the book was published are many and here are a few :

WINNER 2017 - Woollahra Digital Literary Award for Fiction.

"A verse novel that charmed in a matter of stanzas.  Surprising character development, witty and original observations, honest representation of a prickly teen trying to find her place between worlds.  A very enjoyable read."          Judges Comments


"It is rare to find a story that takes us into that liminal territory of adolescence with such force and such heart. Desire, disappointment, betrayal and forgiveness written in libretto, an ode to the tumult of coming of age."           Gabrielle Carey, Author (Co-author, Puberty Blues)

"Melissa Bruce has created an astonishing poem that sustains its voice from the first lines to the very last. Like her fictional heroine Sybylla Melville, the narrator Lucy is wilful, passionate, intelligent and totally charming. She's going to compel her readers for years to come."
Debra Adelaide, Author


"The writing was gorgeous: a beautiful, poetic, sad, insightful, sharp and funny novel. Themes of divorce and infidelity, family life, anger, first love, disappointment and growing up - all so strong. I also adored the depiction of rural 70's-80's Victoria in its beauty and banality."
Pip Harry, Author

In this witty, wise and moving story, fifteen-year-old Lucy arrives from inner-city Melbourne to live on a farm at the foot of Mount Disappointment. Wandong hosts the second largest truck and country music festival in the southern hemisphere…and nothing else.  This engaging story explores important contemporary themes in an original 'verse style' that is especially appealing to the text-message-Twitter generation.


2017 Woollahra Digital Literary Award – Fiction   http://bit.ly/2tQOCcK

Wentworth Courier Articles July 5th 2017  Pg10   http://bit.ly/2tZY7q5   Pg32  http://bit.ly/2tEt2st

Melissa winning the Digital Literary Award

We are not going to rate this novel but highly recommend it !

Our next meeting is on Wed Nov 8th at Sarah's and the book selection is The Muse by Jessica Burton

This House of Grief

The House of Grief by Helen Garner

Book chosen by Robyn

Comments by Sharon :
Tragic story of real life events. Even though I found some of the court cross examination scenes laboured and tedious, I can't help but need to finish the book to find out what happened. But in the end, I don't think anyone really can be sure what happened even though Robert Farquharson was found guilty of the 3 murders twice.

I wouldn't say that I actually enjoyed reading the book but I do appreciate Helen Garner's attempt to portray this trial truthfully giving us insights into the courtroom personalities. I found the second trial to be more fascinating not least because of Cindy Gambino's change in her belief in Rob's innocence but the extent of the toll all the years since the drownings have had on their lives.


I rate this book 7/10.



Our next meeting is on Wednesday Oct 11th at Melissa's and we will be discussing Picnic at Mount Disappointment by none other than Melissa Bruce herself !!