We borrow our books from the library, who provide multiple copies free of charge - and no library fines! We meet every month to six weeks. Our next meeting is on June 23rd at a Park Friend’s house. Please get in touch if you would like to join us.
April
American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
Goddington Park Book Group
May
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
Liz says:
American Dirt was a deeply immersive read that stayed with me long after I finished it. Jeanine Cummins’ writing brought scenes vividly to life, I could picture the 1600 mile journey.
She shines a light on the experiences of refugees in a way that connected with me, especially given how relevant the topic is today. I felt a strong sense of empathy and admiration for those forced to take such dangerous paths, like Lydia and Luca. It’s a story that both moved me and gave me a new perspective, I recommend this book.
Dawn says:
American Dirt follows a woman and her son as they flee Mexico for the United States. I found myself both gripped by the gruelling tale of their journey with all its horror, comradeship and unexpected kindnesses, and wanting it to be over!
Despite not being convinced by the opening story line and some of the characterisation, I was glad to read the novel for bringing me into the experience of refugees and in particular the Mexican situation. It motivated me to want to read more.
Michelle says:
I didn’t know what to expect when I started this book. The story is harrowing but Jeanine Cummins’s writing was gripping and I constantly found myself having to stop skipping to the end of a chapter to find out what happens to the characters. One can’t help but consider one’s own family in the circumstances that the characters face and that affects you deeply. The themes brought out by the book are very important and I’m pleased that it was chosen for us to read by the FOGP Book Club.
Trizia says:
One of the great things about a book group is being introduced to books you wouldn’t otherwise have chosen and that’s true of this one. I hadn’t read anything else by this author and I thought she captured the characters and landscape really well. For me, the relationship between Lydia and Javier was a refreshing attempt to portray the nuances of human behaviour and I would have liked the author to have made more of this concept. I will definitely seek out more of Jeanine Cummins’ work.
Michelle says:
Amor Towles’ A Gentleman in Moscow was a witty, clever, and deeply heartwarming read. Towles’ incredible research into Russian history and culture is evident throughout, but at the same time isn’t too heavy. He manages to immerse you in to this universe he has created in the Metropol Hotel. We had a thoughtful discussion about this book. It made me think how important it is to not always be in a rush to live life fast because of our advancements in thinking and technology, but to also appreciate the small moments in life.
Dawn says:
I loved ‘A Gentleman in Moscow’. Funny, intriguing, original and poignant with a few surprising twists in the story. And so well-written. Am so glad to have been introduced to it and going to have to get my own copy now to revisit it.
Liz says:
The research that Amor Towles puts into his books is amazing. I’d read The Lincoln Highway also by him, the way he gets into the lead character’s head is quite incredible. The TV series for A Gentleman in Moscow is very similar to the way I’d imagined from the book - clearly his writing was so good they didn’t need to change much. Superb book. Recommended.
Trizia:
An utterly brilliant book and the TV series on Paramount really brings it to life. Bittersweet and beautifully observed, the novel reminds us of how important posssessions are as repositories of memory, and yet how few material things we really need. Read it!
June
Nutshell by Ian McEwan
