Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey

Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey

Two mysteries in one read.  

When this book was put forward as our latest read, there was a communal sigh.  Surely life has its own stresses without spending time reading about that most depressing of conditions, dementia?  However, those of us who pursued this literary challenge found an unexpectedly enjoyable read between its pages. 

Despite being narrated by an elderly mother with dementia (Maud), it was nowhere near as grim as expected and, after a slow start, turned out to be a cleverly plotted double mystery - historical and modern day.  

The modern day mystery entails a search for Maud’s friend, Elizabeth.   The search entails a lot of lists, reminders, labels, and excessive purchases– so typical of people with memory problems  - and manages to enrage Elizabeth’s son as well as creating additional demands on Maud’s daughter, Helen.  

Those of us with ageing parents could identify with Helen and saw our shameful reflection in Maud’s eyes.  Whilst uncomfortable, it was helpful to see ourselves in the eyes of another and has paid dividends for future relationships in difficult circumstances.  

In reality, the modern mystery is simply a backdrop, or vehicle, for the main feature which is the historical mystery.  Effectively narrated though flashbacks, this mystery creates momentum and motivation to turn the pages and find out whatever happened to Maud’s glamorous older sister, Sukey who married the notorious, Frank.  Many of the group enjoyed the portrayal of England during and immediately after WW2  and realised the implications for individuals and communities faced with daily bombings, rationing, evacuation and conscription. 

Sadly, beyond a touch of poignancy, dementia may take more from this book than it adds.  The author faces an uphill struggle inviting readers to knowingly spend time with this condition, and the plot suffers by having such an unreliable narrator.  These prejudices seem grossly unjust for what turned out to be an enjoyable, clever, and illuminating read, but surely mirror those faced by many whose life is touched by dementia?  

Maybe, in writing Elizabeth is Missing, Emma Healey offers up an alternative, and more positive, narrative for the condition we currently stigmatize as dementia?

We reviewed this book at   The Robin Hood Inn at East Wallhouses. .   The food was  very well received – especially the lamb and the Thai curries. 

Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier

Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier

A thriller, a  romance and an enduring Gothic success

"Jamaic Inn stands today, hospitable and kindly, a temperance house on the twenty-mile road between Bodmin and Lanceston."   

This note was written by Du Maurier in 1935 and provides an accurate guide to anyone seeking to locate the Inn today.

I found the Inn easily on that road, still hospitable and kindly today but somewhat overwhelmed by tourist interest.

Du Maurier paints Bodmin moor as a hostile and eerie setting but nowadays, in the height of the summer it features traffic and acres of unspoilt greenery decorated with meadow flowers.

However, summer or winter, our author paints accurate descriptions of the weather in this part of the world.  Granite skies, mizzling rain and gusty wind provide the backdrop to Mary Yellan's uneasy adventure and will colour any visit to the area today.   Mizzle aside, Cornish beaches remain popular  and provide the ideal environment to lie back and savour this popular classic.

Jamaica Inn follows the central character, Mary Yellan, who, young and recently orphaned, travels across Bodmin moor to find a hostile Inn where visitors are not encouraged and business is done behind closed doors, in the dark with hints of fatal violence.   As the story develops, Mary faces betrayal and death and confronts her own moral compass on a Gothic journey to love and redemption.

All of our group enjoyed this book  - and some had explored other tales by the same author.  Rebecca and Frenchman's Creek were also highly recommended.  For Jamica Inn,  the pace, writing and characters were all praised  - "it's refreshing to read a well written book".

We reviewed this book at our local Black Bull Inn which was built in 1755.  It encourages visitors and is popular with locals and visitors alike.

For those considering eating at The Blsck Bull our individual views on the dishes we tasted were summed up as:

Lamb shank - deliciously wholesome
Fish & chips - typical goof pub food
Seafood pastry- rather dry

Our next read offers something else completely different for the summer:

Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey - Enjoy!! 

Lady Susan by Jane Austen

Lady Susan by Jane Austen

This novella was written by a young Jane Austen and is unusual in that the main protagonist is quite an anti-heroine. Lady Susan schemes and manipulates her way through life managing to charm some, while alienating others. She leaves a trail of chaos and upset in her wake, ploughing onwards to achieve her rather selfish goals. A quick and easy read, the story unfolds through a series of letters sent between the main characters. As with many complex personalities Lady Susan seems to get what what she wants in the end, avoiding her comeuppance. 

Thanks to a very efficient delivery service from Cogito Books in Hexham 'The Hussies' were able to read their copies of 'Lady Susan' straightaway. Definately worth a try cogitobooksonline.tbpcontrol.co.uk

This month we tried a new venue for our meeting ..... Bistro En Glaze in Wylam, a hidden gem that is definately on our list for a return visit. Reasonably priced , if your selection is in line with your budget. The food was excellent and the sevice friendly and efficient. 

A good Cornish yarn set on the wild and windswept Bodmin Moor provides our summer entertainment. 'Jamaica Inn' by Daphne Du Maurier, Happy reading!

The Taming of the Queen by Phillipa Gregory

The Taming of the Queen by Phillipa Gregory

                      Sex, sermons and subterfuge at the Court of King Henty VIII

                                   

Some interesting historical facts, wrapped up in a fast moving tale of intrigue and power struggles. Philippa Gregory's latest historical novel highlights the precarious position of a Queen of England unlucky enough to be married to Henry VIII. A little simplistic to paint Henry as a serial killer who happily murdered his wives. There seems to be a tendancy to judge the past on the values of the present. Tudor England was a time of great change in a feudal society and  the motivations of the main players were deeply complex and not done justice in this novel. The writing style was very repetative and sightly patronising. Not to be relied on for historical fact but for lovers of romantic fiction a good read. 

'Bouchon' in Hexham provided the setting for our discussions this month. Not much change to the menu from our last visit but if it works why change it ? 

Join us next month when we will be reviewing classic novelist Jane Austen and her less well known work 'Lady Susan'

Not Forgetting the Whale by John Ironmonger

Not Forgetting the Whale by John Ironmonger

                      

                          Homage to Mr Ironmonger for a well produced book...

We won't forget the whale in a hurry but we will certainly try and forget the pub we dined in!

... Not Forgetting the Whale is a quirky, intriguing read which initially seemed a bit far fetched.  But as the story of 'the not psychologically up to the job' Joe unfolds, it becomes more and more credible.  The first page sees Joe being saved by the Whale. Joe, in turn, with the villagers,  then saves the beached Whale and, thus, he is taken into the hearts of the remote Cornish village people of St Piran.  

The story then unfolds, switching between the dog eat dog world of The City and the larger than life characters of a small village without the trappings of the outside world.

A world descending in to chaos due to economic collapse and world-wide epidemic is not hard to imagine.  But, despite the 'we are doomed' attitude the positive side of human nature shines through

to give us, on the whole, an uplifting and enjoyable read whilst lurking in the background is the unforgettable whale ...

This book was recommended by our local book shop, The Forum in Corbridge. Mr Ironmonger was described as a readers writer and we were not to be put off by the cover which, in their opinion, didn't seem to be marketing the book well.  This book really struck a chord with 3 out of 4 in our book group.  Not bad going considering we have been very hard to please as of late, so well done Mr Ironmonger.  You have restored our faith in human nature!

Although it was agreed it wasn't a real page turner, it was enjoyed because it was so very different to most of our recent book choices.  It was engaging and interesting.  Well balanced and thought provoking.  Simplistic and unsophisticated making it an easy read.  Our cake baker was particularly moved by the human nature side of the story and the supply chain of our sophisticated world.  Another member thought it would make a delightful film.  Rather like 'Local Hero' remarked another member who, although enjoyed the book,  felt it lacked a bit more humour and came to a rather abrupt end.

So. All in All. A good read. One for the Summer Holiday Suitcase ....  

Don't forget to read this book

....  INSERT!  A question and answer session between one of our members and Mr Ironmonger.

...  Our venue of choice to discuss this month's book was The Traveller's Rest, Slaley, Northumberland.

Unfortunately, this pub failed to reach the mark.  Although it appeared to be open plan they seem to have marked areas where you are waited on and others where you are not.    The menu seemed very extensive for a small country pub and our fears were realised when huge portions of bland, unseasonal, frozen and microwaved meals were served in a cold back room by frosty staff and an aroma of old chip fat in the air.  It could have been so much better. We were very disappointed and really don't feel inclined to give it another go!

                                       The Traveller's Rest.  Slaley. Northumberland. 

...  Next month's book choice is back in history to the last wife of Henry VIII

                                    The Taming of the Queen by Philippa Gregory

                                    

....    Join us at the beginning of June to air your thoughts about the last wife of Henry VIII. 

17 May 2016

How to be Both by Ali Smith

How to be Both by Ali Smith

A tale of two centuries, two for one, buy one get one free. Whichever way you look at it, Ali Smith has done something quite unique, one novel with two loosely connecting stories. Some editions start with the contemporary take, others with the historical story. Whichever one you read first colours your view and enjoyment of the second and having read  it you can never unread it thus making it impossible to judge with an open mind which is better. The central question throughout both stories is ' which came first..' As in 'the chicken or the egg' Smith poses this question in many different ways, not least by deliberately alternating the order of the stories in different volumes. If a canvas has been used twice which picture comes first ? The picture we see first or the picture that was painted first? Conundrums like this reoccur throughout both stories taking the reader on a philosophical journey that jumps back and forward through time. Clearly a book trying very hard to be clever but almost too hard. Rather like the Emperors new clothes the reader feels honour bound to rejoice in the multi layered themes and ideas of this literary masterpiece but is it all just a rambling stream of consciousness. At its heart the age old problem of love and loss mirrored in two intertwining stories that crisscross through time and space.

We returned to an old haunt for this months discussion, Vercellis Italian  in Hexham. Not much to add, as good as ever, cheerful service food good bill not overthe top. 

Our next book is a step into un known territory....'Not Forgetting the Whale' by John Ironmonger.

The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole

The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole

'Do mine eyes deceive me?, what ghostly spectre looms at yonder window?'

Langley Castle provided the luxurious back drop for this months discussion of a truly Gothic tale. 

'The Castle of Ontranto' written in 1764 by Horace Walpole is credited as the first of the Gothic novels. This genre grew in popularity during the later part of the 18th century and early 19th century. Walpole the architect of his very own Gothic Castle, Strawberry Hill, triumphs in his depiction of the sinister goings on behind the gargantuan walls of Manfred's medieval Kingdom. The reader is taken into a ghostly world inside the Castle of Otranto. Set at the time of the crusades when religious beliefs and superstitions ruled  hearts and minds, the Christian Church controlled every aspect of life and went completely unchallenged, even by the mightiest warlord. At the heart of the tale the usual themes of greed, power, love  and lust motivate the main players. The story is apparently based on a dream Walpole had whilst sleeping in his newly built Gothic Castle. After putting pen to paper the prominent aristocrat used a pseudonym to publish his work, claiming it was a story from a bygone age. When he realised it was a hit with the public he claimed it as his own work explaining that he was combining two kinds of romance, the ancient and the modern.
A very well written literary gem. Tight plotting, well drawn characters, no wiffle waffle! Gruesome action throughout ignited by the dramatic opening scene, guaranteed a truly exciting read. The intrigue intensified with each twist and turn highlighting the deferential class bound society in Europe during the Crusades. Religion and or military strength determined and controlled the fate of the down trodden people. The characters in the book were strongly influenced by superstition and a strong belief in the after life. The place of women in medieval Europe was subservient and dependent on the largesse of men. Another literary reminder of the slow but steady progress towards an equal society. 

Lurking in the dark corners of the corridor, a knight in shining armour, thankfully no plumes adorn his helmet so not the giant of Walpole's dreams. Disappointingly the author never reveals the true identity of the giant knight. Real or imagined the ghoule brought terror to the inhabitants of the Castle of Otranto, setting in motion a train of events which led to death, destruction and the ultimate reinstatement of a young man's rightful inheritance. 

' Gothic ' has many meanings, including a German language, a type of architecture and a style of fashion. It is often used in reference to the Middle Ages, referring to all things old fashioned and unenlightened. The term evokes an atmosphere of brooding gloom, mystery and all things grotesque. Whilst certainly not grotesque, Langley Castle is steeped in its own history, beautifully restored and decorated in keeping with its proud past, offering its diners an evening of medieval splendour. On the whole service was good but surprisingly no offer was made to take coats. Just as well as the temperature dropped rapidly with no roaring log fire to stave off the cold night air. The food was of a high standard, the three course set menu at £40 per head was good value and included canapés and an amuse-bouche. 

Coffee and petit fours came at an extra cost but at £50 per head including drinks and tips all agreed it was good value. 

An excellent night steeped in Gothic grandeur. 

A return to the present this month as we endeavour to make sense of Ali Smiths 'How to be Both'