Miss Wood's 'BOOK OF THE MONTH'

MARCH 2023- BOOK OF THE MONTH

'A TERRIBLE KINDNESS' BY JO BROWNING WROE

‘A Terrible Kindness’ is a moving and emotive narrative that follows the story of William from his unique upbringing with his widowed mother in the 1950s to his adolescent experience as a Cambridge chorister before he finally chooses to enter the family business working as an embalmer.

Whilst the novel begins in the most tragically bleak manner imaginable as William chooses to volunteer to help prepare the bodies of the child victims of the Aberfan disaster, this is not the case for the narrative as a whole. Despite its emotionally distressing opening, this is a novel that is ultimately uplifting exploring themes of tolerance, community and the ability to find light and hope even in the darkest of circumstances. More than anything, it is about the resilience of the human spirit, our ability to forgive and lift one another up whether through the power of music or through simple acts of kindness.

A moving and compelling narrative that follows the painful arc of William’s personal journey both before and after the Aberfan disaster, the story is sensitively and tenderly relayed drawing the reader into William’s insular world as well as the often vivacious and loving characters that surround him.

Nominated last year for the Women’s Prize for Fiction, this debut novel is a lovely and enlightening read built on tragic foundations.

FEBRUARY 2023- BOOK OF THE MONTH

'ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE' BY ANTHONY DOERR

‘All the Light We Cannot See’ is a magnificent tour de force set during WWII and following a dual narrative. Compelled to leave her Paris neighbourhood, Marie-Laure, who is blind, and her father seek refuge in the walled city of Saint Malo. However, when her father mysteriously vanishes, Marie-Laure must find new ways to survive with her reclusive uncle. At the same time, the orphaned Werner Pfennig is accepted into military school in Germany as a result of his brilliant engineering skills.

Taking us from the mid-1930s through to the end of WWII, the narratives of these two innocent victims slowly move closer to one another until they finally collide in a moving and explosive finale. A novel rightly acclaimed as a modern classic, Doerr evokes the horrors of WWII in visceral detail not merely for those fighting, but for the civilians caught in the middle. Despite the horrors that befall them, and they witness, the central protagonists retain their resilience, morality and determination to put others before themselves offering both the reader and others in their community hope even the face of unspeakable tragedy.

Doerr atmospherically creates a world of fear and instability that epitomized the terrible years of WWII sensuously describing an environment and characters which, for all their suffering, appear tenacious and noble. A brilliant and moving narrative highly recommended to anyone interested in historical fiction.

JANUARY 2023- BOOK OF THE MONTH

'THE TEN THOUSAND DOORS OF JANUARY' BY ALIX E. HARROW

This is a beautiful and original (and aptly named) fantasy to start the year. January, named for Janus, the Roman God of doorways, has lived a secluded but privileged existence under the watchful eye of Mr Locke whilst her father hunts for antiquities for his master and his secret society. However, when her father disappears, January knows that there is more to the society than meets the eye and that, if she is ever to see her father again, she is going to need to find a way to escape Locke’s possessive grasp.

Although she has always known that she does not fit in with conventional society, January has never realised that she truly is a child between worlds and that the door she once saw as a child, is the pathway to a magical environment beyond her imagining.

This is a brilliant, fantasy novel that will be loved by young adult readers and adults alike. Clearly the beginning of what will be a compelling series, Harrow has created an entire chain of magical worlds into which she repeatedly propels her reader. Inventive and unique, Harrow generates a wonderful adventure narrative that simultaneously comments on our sense of identity and belonging, the implications of exile and the power of the written word to conjure worlds that can terrify as much as they inspire.

If you are looking for page-turning narrative or are simply a fan of magical realism, this is definitely the novel for you.

DECEMBER 2022- BOOK OF THE MONTH

'SMALL THINGS LIKE THESE' BY CLAIRE KEEGAN

Shortlisted for the 2022 Booker Prize, this slim novella has enormous impact. Set in 1980s Ireland, Bill Furlong is a dedicated family man who has worked hard all his life, generously giving back to the community. However, he remains haunted by the fact he was born out of wedlock and has never known who his father might be. Acutely aware that he and his mother were only rescued by the kindness of her employer, Mrs Wilson, Bill is doubly troubled when he begins to discover disturbing facts about the women who stay at the local convent.

In a world where the power of the church looms large and others warn Bill not to get involved, Bill finds himself increasingly unsettled. He thus has to ask himself whether he can live with the knowledge of his failure to act or whether he must risk everything he has worked for and stand by his moral principles.

Based on the tragic Magdalene laundries where thousands of women were traumatised and even died, this is a superb lyrical account of suffering, quiet heroism, and family bonds. A perfect read for Christmas that recalls the uplifting message of many other festive narratives from ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ to ‘A Christmas Carol’, Keegan has captured in a single vignette of village life, the trauma of generations whilst simultaneously offering us hope in the decency of the human spirit.

NOVEMBER 2022- BOOK OF THE MONTH

'THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD' BY COLSON WHITEHEAD

Whitehead, a double Pulitzer prize winner, has created a unique narrative in ‘The Underground Railroad’ centred around the tenacious Cora, a young slave girl working on a cotton plantation in Georgia. Already an outcast following her mother’s disappearance, Cora finally decides to accept Caesar’s offer to escape together and seek freedom in the liberated north. So begins a magnificent and harrowing journey on the underground railroad that Whitehead imagines not merely as a metaphorical passage, but a literal entity. Brilliantly blending often brutal realism with allegory, the reader is cast along the railroad with Cora as she flees from one state to the next desperately trying to escape the insidious clutches of slavery.

Narrated from multiple perspectives that enable the reader to appreciate the horrors of enslavement as well as the blighted points of view of those who enforce it, ‘The Underground Railroad’ is a captivating narrative that takes us into the heart of one of the most tragic and shameful periods in history. Propelled forward literally by the underground rail and metaphorically by the benevolence of those determined to end its terrors, this is as traumatic as Whitehead’s equally tragic and superb ‘Nickel Boys’. Not an easy read, but an important literary endeavour drawing on classic narratives of escape such as ‘Les Misérables’ and opening the reader’s eyes to, in Yeats’ words, ‘a terrible beauty.’

OCTOBER 2022- BOOK OF THE MONTH

'STONE BLIND' BY NATALIE HAYNES

Published only last month, this is the latest offering in Haynes’ mythological retellings of famous Greek myths. In ‘Stone Blind’ she takes on the legend of Medusa, but on route includes the narratives of several other famous female figures including Danae, Athena and Andromache weaving subtle links between the stories of the victims and perpetrators and often demonstrating these female figures to be far more resilient, vivacious and intelligent.

Told with Haynes’ usual sardonic wit and drawing on her exceptional knowledge of antiquity as a Classicist, ‘Stone Blind’ is an enthralling narrative revealing one of the many possible stories of the famous Gorgon sister. Taking the reader from her inauspicious birth as a mere mortal to her transformation and eventual confrontation with the infamous Perseus (who is no Percy Jackson in this version but a far more believable, clumsy adolescent), Haynes makes a familiar story emotionally engaging and enthralling. Cleverly narrated from a range of perspectives, Haynes explores the myth from a multitude of angels as well as revealing the plethora of repercussions and confluences that lead to the climactic events.

‘Stone Blind’ fits nicely into the canon of mythological retellings from the likes of Barker, Miller and Saint that have been published in recent years and is an absolute must read for anyone with an interest in mythology and the Classical world.

SEPTEMBER 2022- BOOK OF THE MONTH

'AFTER SAPPHO' BY SELBY WYNN SCHWARTZ

Longlisted for the 2022 Booker Prize, ‘After Sappho’ is a unique form of speculative fiction that reimagines the lives of female artists from the late 1800s to the 1930s as they find new forms of expression in art, literature, performance, and speech. Schwartz creates what The Guardian calls ‘a collective, transhistoric experience of female being’ that is both enlightening and absorbing. Full of seminal, historical female figures from Virginia Woolf and Sarah Bernhardt to Romaine Brooks and Lina Poletti, Schwartz gives both voice and life to female forms of expression many of which were silenced at the time and have since been marginalised.

Schwartz’s novel, in an echo of Sappho’s poetry, which provides a unifying force to the novel, adopts a fragmentary form as the stories of individual women shift, coalesce, and echo one another. Drawing on Schwartz’s considerable academic knowledge, this is both a narrative of female artistry and an exploration of what it means to be a woman.

This is an important book that celebrates women’s achievements and shines a light on marginalised figures. An imaginative, visionary novel, it is a worthy nominee for the Booker given its innovative nature, original hybrid form and collective voice that reveals the past as much as it speaks to the future.

JULY 2022- BOOK OF THE MONTH

'THE BOOK OF FORM & EMPTINESS' BY RUTH OZEKI

The very worthy winner of this year’s Women’s Prize for Fiction’, this is a brilliantly unique novel that manipulates form, perspective and genre to superb effect. The novel is partly narrated by thirteen-year old Benny Oh, who is struggling after the sudden death of his father and has begun to hear voices. However, these are not just any voices – they could be anything: inanimate objects, trees, animals, but as Benny cascades into a dark well of psychological turmoil, he finds a group of individuals, societal outliners, who not only understand, but value his gifts rather than seeing it as a mental illness.

The novel is also told from the perspective of Benny’s mother. Traumatised following the death of her husband, she struggles to understand her son or confront her own loss rather seeking solace in material possessions for comfort.

However, perhaps the most enlightening narrative voice of all is a book as Ozeki cleverly explores how books speak to us each in different ways, how they are received, interpreted, can enlighten, comfort and reveal.

I have never read a novel quite like this as with subtlety and insight Ozeki explore a wide range of complex contemporary issues: how we view mental health; the damaging effects of a capitalist culture and our belief that material possessions will protect; the difficulties of being from a mixed race heritage; the power of language to communicate; the way in which we have been cut off from the natural world as a result of urbanisation.

Centred around a library and peppered with colourful characters from a homeless poet philosopher, to a tattooed street artist, to a Buddhist monk and a group of Jazz musicians, this book will surprise, edify and move you at every turn. Just remember that how you interpret it is entirely down to you – it is now your book!

JUNE 2022- BOOK OF THE MONTH

'GREAT CIRCLE' BY MAGGIE SHIPSTEAD

Short listed for the 2022 Women’s Prize for Fiction, Shipstead’s novel is an intriguing flight into the world of female aviation in the 1920s to 1950s. Although entirely fictional, it is clearly inspired by the great female aviators of these periods whose narratives often remain silenced such as Amelia Earhart and Jacqueline Cochran as well as the often-tragic conclusions to their stories.

Told as a dual narrative between the brilliantly vivacious Marian and the actress, Hadley, who will play her in the latest Hollywood film, Shipstead has created a gripping narrative about female empowerment and liberation full of colourful characters. Swiftly arcing from the 1920s prohibition era where Marian flies for a bootlegger in order to learn her craft and then swooping through the aviation manoeuvres of WWII and into the age of commercial flying, Shipstead has created an epic novel that explores both the role women played in this fascinating period of history, as well as examining the manner in which they were perceived and often compelled to break all boundaries in order to gain their wings.

Although at times this felt a little like chick lit, it is nonetheless a worthy nominee and a very compelling narrative.

MAY 2022- BOOK OF THE MONTH

'BUILD YOUR HOUSE AROUND MY BODY' BY VIOLET KUPERSMITH

Long listed for this year’s Women’s Prize for Fiction, ‘Build Your House Around My Body’ is a unique, genre bending narrative that defies definition lying somewhere between horror, social commentary, and historical fiction. Kupersmith cleverly connects the turbulent history of Vietnam and the manner in which it has been colonised and damaged with a similar history of its female occupants. Kupersmith connects together the stories of two women both of whom go missing nearly thirty years apart but discovering why and how they might be connected lies at the heart of the novel’s compelling mystery.

Rich in imagery and drawing on the mythology and culture of Vietnam, Kupersmith explores what happens in the aftermath of cultural and personal atrocity examining the notion of identity in intricate, emotive detail. Her writing is reminiscent of David Mitchell in the way in which she weaves different strands of her stories together often leaping between multiple plots and leaving the reader to piece together their meaning. Although the ending may not be entirely satisfying, this is an original and often brilliant debut novel that will definitely be appealing to anyone interested in feminist writing or fantastic fabulae of a supernatural quality.

APRIL 2022- BOOK OF THE MONTH

'LEARWIFE' BY J R THORP

This is an original and beautiful retelling of Shakespeare’s ‘King Lear’ from the perspective of his nameless wife. Forced into exile in a bleak nunnery some fifteen years before the events of the famous tragedy, having always believed that she would one day be recalled and reunited with her children and beloved husband, she is now compelled to confront the horrific reality of their collective demise. The resulting psychological turmoil propels her back into the past where a series of every lengthening flashbacks reveal the true nature of her relationship with Lear and her children and perhaps even what made them the ambitious monsters they appear in the drama as well as the reason for her own ultimate rejection by the hubristic monarch. Set against the backdrop of the nunnery’s internal rivalries and isolating conditions, the reader is gradually exposed to both the unreliable narrator’s true character as well as her turbulent history.

What makes this novel so superb is the complexity of the central character set against an entirely female cast of intriguing characters. This is no simple story of victimisation, but a sophisticated exploration of human frailty, anger and female silencing that explodes in powerfully lyrical prose. Moreover, Thorp brilliantly integrates the rich imagery and motifs that resonate throughout ‘King Lear’ employing these in novel, poetic ways that are at once beautiful and enlightening. An absolute must read for any Literature student.

MARCH 2022- BOOK OF THE MONTH

'SPQR: A HISTORY OF ANCIENT ROME' BY MARY BEARD

Mary Beard is, without doubt, the queen of the classical world and this is one of her best works on ancient Rome to date. Beginning with its legendary foundations including the myth of Romulus and Remus and then moving through the rise of the city of Rome, the foundations of the Roman Republic, its fall, and the beginnings of the Roman Empire and its first fourteen Emperors (nefarious, brilliant, and corrupt in turn), this is a superb overview of the Roman world at a seminal point in history. However, Beard does not merely deal with historical events and personalities, with careful use of archaeological and literary evidence, she explores what society itself was like for both men and women (despite the relative silence in this regard), the wealthy and plebian, the senators and the slaves.

Accompanied by enlightening illustrations and photographs, this is a unique insight into the Roman world: its intrigues, military might, religious beliefs, identity, and politics. With her usual brilliant insight, Beard brings this world to life as well as offering perceptive analysis of the various sources on which we can draw and are still, amazingly, being discovered today. Utterly engrossing and incredibly readable despite the plethora of information that this book contains, you will be fascinated, horrified, and utterly engrossed. If you have any interest in learning more about the fascinating world of ancient Rome, this is a superb and very accessible starting point that I couldn’t recommend enough.

FEBRUARY 2022- BOOK OF THE MONTH

'TO PARADISE' BY HANYA YANAGIHARA

This is one of the most exceptional novels I have had the pleasure to read and definitely my guess for the Booker Prize winner of 2022. Utterly different from Yanagihara’s first two, equally splendid novels, ‘To Paradise’ is an epic tour de force that once again deals with complex themes about scientific ethics, abuse of power, sexuality and identity. The novel occurs in three parts: the first part is set in an alternative version of mid-late 1800s New York, inspired by Henry James’ ‘Washington Square’, reading as a kind of social commentary novella. The second part is divided in two, dealing with 1980s New York and the AIDS epidemic as well as the central protagonist’s family history destabilised by his father’s mental break down and the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy. The third part is another dual narrative set in a dystopian future ravaged by repeated pandemics.

This is a complex novel that captures in scintillating poetic prose an array of characters as Yanagihara links the stories through repeated character tropes and themes whilst offering new insights into motivation, environment and meaning. Never fully allowing her plots to resolve themselves, Yanagihara opens up multiple worlds and meanings for her readers whilst incorporating a range of genres and forms from dystopian to epistolary. This is truly a novel like no other: unique, inspiring and utterly engrossing, it will haunt you for weeks afterwards.

JANUARY 2022- BOOK OF THE MONTH

'INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE' BY ANNE RICE

Sadly, Anne Rice passed away in December 2021, which is what drew me to return once again to her Vampire chronicles. Some 25 years after I first ‘Interview with the Vampire’, the brilliance and originality of her writing has not diminished (despite the terrible films that have since been made). Soon to be a major TV series, this is definitely an opportunity to delve into the gothic world Rice created centred around New Orleans and the world of vampires dominated by the charismatic Lestat de Lioncourt. Long before the ‘Twilight’ series and other rather dull versions existed, there was Rice and this is the first instalment in a series of novels 13 novels that are scintillating and utterly unique.

Tired of his life of isolation, Louis du Pointe du Lac has finally come to tell the world the truth of his existence. Yet this is not merely a tale of violence and horror, but about the very nature of good and evil, the meaning of existence and the beauty of being alive and what man can create. Told in sensual detail against the backdrop of the Romantic movement and historical revolutions, this is the novel that not only established an entire mythology but created sensuous and unforgettable characters immortalised in Rice’s poetic prose.

DECEMBER 2021- BOOK OF THE MONTH

'SHUGGIE BAIN' BY DOUGLAS STUART

A wonderful and worthy winner of the 2020 Booker Prize, ‘Shuggie Bain’ is a gritty and penetrating personal portrayal of life in the harshest conditions in Glasgow based on Stuart’s own youthful experiences.

Stuart narrates an unrelentingly bleak portrayal of growing up in an impoverished household with an alcoholic mother who, despite her love, charisma and concern for her children, was never able to shake the addiction that destroyed her. We are offered a depressingly realistic depiction of life growing up in Thatcherite Britain in one of the places most deeply affected by the closure of mines, unemployment and cultural and class schisms that were almost impossible to bridge. Yet whilst Stuart offers the reader an insightful commentary on the political and social conditions of working class Glasgow, it is also an incredibly emotive account of his own struggles, suffering and loss as he attempts to save his mother from herself and survive in a world that perceives him only in terms of his difference and poverty. The very fact that he went on to achieve such stunning literary success, is a testament to his endurance and intellect.

This is most definitely a novel for the older post-16 reader, but also one that, in its unflinching portrayal of personal struggle, is hugely rewarding and moving.

NOVEMBER 2021- BOOK OF THE MONTH

'THE CONSTANT RABBIT' BY JASPER FFORDE

In this brilliant dystopian satire, Fforde creates a hilarious, but strangely credible world in which rabbits have anthropomorphised and are now demanding human rights. Set in a village in Middle England, the narrative centres around Peter Knox, who has the unique ability to tell rabbits apart making him an ideal employee for the government agencies attempting to control the burgeoning rabbit population. However, Peter soon finds himself siding with the rabbits and drawn into a world of political and social intrigue for which his sheltered, rural life has not prepared him. As the day for the opening of the mega-warren looms nearer and tensions augment, it is unclear how the rabbits, who are pacifist, vegetarians by nature, will react to this new act of segregation and the prospect of a being thrust into a giant concrete complex in Wales. Although the premise of this novel may sound slightly bonkers, what Fforde offers is a superb satirical commentary on contemporary ideologies and attitudes towards race, immigration, government control and community. Whilst this is an entertaining, rollicking ride of a narrative that gently pokes fun at English prejudices, it also has a serious side. As Fforde himself argues, whilst he hopes we will laugh a lot, he also hopes we will frown a little at the end and think ‘OK, is there anything else I could do?’ because, ‘A lot of people doing a little can actually bring about huge changes.”

OCTOBER 2021- BOOK OF THE MONTH

'THE WOMEN OF TROY' BY PAT BARKER

In this second instalment of Barker’s re-telling of the events of the Trojan War and its aftermath, she draws her inspiration as much from Euripides’ classic tragedy as Homer’s ‘Iliad’ that inspired the first novel in the sequence, ‘The Silence of the Girls’.

However, in this narrative, which follows the events of the death of Achilles, Barker focuses to a far greater extent on the voices of the women: their suffering; their endurance; their comradery and, above all, their indomitable spirit of survival. Primarily told from the perspective of Briseis, Barker plunges the reader into the archaic world of the Greek camp marooned on the shores of Troy by the adverse will of the gods. We are given a wonderful insight into the unique stories of a range of mythological women from the beautiful, beguiling Helen, to the troubled, cursed Cassandra and the queenly, but aloof Hecuba. Barker brilliantly captures both their traumatic experiences of war and the subtle nuances of their individual voices. At times, the broken world of the Greek camp is reminiscent of the scenes she captured so effectively in her ‘Regeneration’ trilogy, but here, the focus is on female experiences and mythological origins joining a long list of recent female re-tellings of myth from the likes of Madeline Miller and Natalie Haynes.

Overall, a worthy and imaginative sequel that can be read on its own, ‘The Women of Troy’ is a captivating and moving narrative

SEPTEMBER 2021- BOOK OF THE MONTH

'THE FORTUNE OF THE ROUGONS' BY EMILE ZOLA

This is the first in Zola’s ‘Rougon-Marquart’ series where he explores not only the impact of hereditary factors, but also the ramifications of the foundation and downfall of the Second Empire in France under Napoleon III.

Although famed for his naturalistic style of writing, Zola superbly combines social satire, realism and Greek tragedy in this stunning series debut set on the very cusp of the 1851 coup d’état. Zola brilliantly evokes the rural southern city of Plassans, loosely based on his home town, as he throws us back in time to reveal the personal histories of the central protagonists whose fortunes coalesce, crumble and rise with the shocking and violent events of the uprising. Cleverly juxtaposing the avaricious lives of Pierre and Felicité as they scramble for status and success with the poverty and heartbreak of the lower classes, Zola draws us into a world in upheaval where the good do not always succeed, where sometimes romance is doomed and where, all too often, those who are cunning, manipulative and cruel rise to the top.

A stunning portrayal of provincial southern France and, more impressively still, an origins story that Zola would pursue for a further nineteen novels including the tour de force that is ‘Germinal’, I cannot recommend this exceptional novel highly enough particularly for those interested in French history or spectacular works of literature told by a true master.

JULY 2021- BOOK OF THE MONTH

'UTOPIA AVENUE' BY DAVID MITCHELL

This is Mitchell’s ninth novel and it certainly does not disappoint as it is full of his characteristic genre bending and insight into human psychology. Set in the late 1960s, Mitchell propels us into a unique era of social tension and struggle, but also optimism, hope and creativity especially musically.

The novel follows a group of disparate individuals who are brought together by their shared creative genius to form a band – the eponymous ‘Utopia Avenue’ whilst the narrative charts their rise to fame and the ensuing tragedies and tribulations that result from both their sudden propulsion into the limelight as well their familial struggles. Peppered with famous characters from the swinging sixties, the novel is both a commentary on the period that produced exceptional musical and artistic talents, but also saw violence and corruption on a mystifying scale as well as examining four different narrative arcs as we follow the personal stories of each of the band members.

At times humorous, at others deeply moving, Mitchell, as always, strikes a wonderful balance generating four very different voices that provide the reader with an insight into a very special, if slightly psychedelic, world. It is a worthy addition to Mitchell’s oeuvre, thoroughly enjoyable and absolutely memorable. This would be a great summer read.

JUNE 2021- BOOK OF THE MONTH

'THE VANISHING HALF' BY BRIT BENNETT

This is my top pick out of the six ‘Women’s Prize for Fiction’ short list nominees and is definitely a worthy winner.

It tells the story of the Vignes twins, who are almost entirely identical and grow up in small Southern town in America where one’s identity is defined by the colour of your skin. However, at sixteen, they choose to escape the claustrophobia of this world and disappear. Yet the twins swiftly find their lives diverging with Desiree marrying a black man and returning to the sanctity of her home and Adele choosing to ‘pass’ herself as white and deny her racial origins resulting in a series of deceptions that she must spend her life hiding even from her own daughter.

Spanning two generations and exploring the impact of racism in America from the 1950s to 1990s, the novel has an epic quality. Bennett is clearly deeply concerned with identity and what happens when we choose to deny a part of ourselves or metamorphose in order to escape an element of our past we would rather negate whether that be in terms of race, gender or family history. It is a fascinating exploration of the way in which parental choices can impact a future generation with some wonderfully brave and vivacious characters. Whilst the ending lacked a clear resolution, this was more than made up for by the sensitive manner in which Bennett explored these issues and cast new light on ideas about racial and gender identity.

MAY 2021- BOOK OF THE MONTH

'HAMNET' BY Maggie O'Farrell

In this emotive account of the life of Agnes, (perhaps more commonly known as Anne Hathaway), O’Farrell brilliantly captures a particular period in time and, most specifically, what it would have been like to live as a wife and mother during this period of such uncertainty and fear. Winner of the 2020 ‘Women’s Prize for Fiction,’ like other great writers before her, (Atwood, Le Guin and Mantel), O’Farrell gives voice to a silenced historical figure who all too often is known only as Shakespeare’s wife, the woman to whom he gave merely his ‘second best bed.’

Focusing on the years of early courtship between the couple and the terrible year when we know their son, Hamnet, (presumably the inspiration of Shakespeare’s famous play), died as a result of plague, O’Farrell is less concerned with the great literary figure and more the emotive and very vividly imagined experiences of his wife and family. O’Farrell humanises the characters allowing Agnes to take centre stage and exploring her grief and loss (not merely of her son, but her increasingly absent husband), in poignant detail whilst also capturing a world where life is both precarious and precious and nature offers both life and nourishment as well as being a threat.

A really worthy winner given its colourful characterisation, brilliant sense of voice and emotive quality highly recommended to all literary lovers.

APRIL 2021- BOOK OF THE MONTH

'THE PEOPLE IN THE TREES' BY Hanya Yanagihara

This is most definitely one of the most haunting and thought-provoking novels that I have read in many months and I cannot recommend it highly enough for older readers (16+). Beginning in 1950, the novel traces the life story of Norton Perina, who, having qualified as a doctor, sets out on an expedition with an anthropologist to find a lost tribe of people on a Micronesian Island. However, what they discover there and the customs that they witness will change Perina’s live irrevocably.

Yanagihara, as in her later wonderful novel, does not shy away from complex and shocking material. Told from the almost painfully dispassionate, objective and objectifying gaze of Perina, the reader is only given half the story until the final shocking pages of the narrative. However, what makes the novel so wonderful is the manner in which it tackles moral issues about the role of science, the manner in which we continue to regard and use other cultures particularly those that have not been assimilated by western society, sexuality, family relations and humanity’s ever desperate desire for immortality.

This is a novel that will leave you thinking and blinking for many days afterwards and is at once beautiful in its evocation of the tropical landscape and hyper-realistic in its presentation of a character who is as fascinating as he is repugnant.

MARCH 2021- BOOK OF THE MONTH

'THE GAP OF TIME' BY Jeanette Winterson

This is a wonderful, interesting novel from Winterson, the author of ‘Oranges are Not the Only Fruit’. However, here, rather than her own life, Winterson’s source material is one of Shakespeare’s lesser known plays, ‘The Winter’s Tale’, which she transports from the Elizabethan period to a modern day world. Winterson has cleverly adapted the original narrative that concerns a king, Leontes (transformed into a wealthy businessman named Leo), whose jealous rage results in the banishment of his daughter and loss of his wife. Like the Shakespearean original, Winterson explores ideas about the self, jealousy and the construction of the family particularly in terms of the way in which the sins of the father are often visited upon their innocent children.

Given the fantastical nature of the original plot, Winterson has done a convincing and original re-telling that not only explores many of the same complex issues, but, as with the original, ultimately has an affirming message and reconciliatory conclusion that prevents the text from veering into tragedy.

For anyone interested in learning a little more about Shakespeare in a more accessible form or simply reading an engaging narrative that explores the complexity of relationships, Winterson’s 2015 narrative comes highly recommended.

FEBRUARY 2021- BOOK OF THE MONTH

'THE MERMAID OF BLACK CONCH' BY MONIQUE ROFFEY

The worthy winner of the recently announced 2020 Costa Book of the Year, Roffey’s novel is a unique piece of magical-realism that draws on literary and Caribbean legends.

Told in flashback by the fisherman, David, we are taken to the spring of 1976 when the mermaid is first seen, captured and rescued by David who is quickly enchanted by her beauty, history and vulnerability. However, on an island still haunted by his slave owning past and threatened by increasing commercialism, nowhere is safe for a being who is so fetishized, objectified and fascinating. Yet as the storms of the future and curses of the past coalesce, it is uncertain how she will ever escape or how those who have come to love her can possibly keep her safe.

Whilst this is clearly a fantasy novel of sorts drawing on elements of fairy tale and myth, Roffey is also addressing pressing contemporary issues about the history of slavery, racial tensions, identity and female subjugation. She brilliantly captures both the poetic linguistics of the Caribbean patois and the unique atmosphere of the island that is at once verdant and vivacious, but also darkly oppressive and haunted in lovely lyrical prose. This is a moving and original read that anyone who loves a good story will enjoy.

JANUARY 2021- BOOK OF THE MONTH

'HOMEGOING' BY YAA GYASI

Tracing the families of two half-sisters, Effia and Esi, born into different villages in eighteenth century Ghana, this is a turbulent and insightful novel with an epic sweep. Each chapter deals with a different member of their families and is told by a unique character voice beginning with the women themselves. Effia’s family remain in Ghana where they experience centuries of warfare and the exigencies of the slave trade providing the reader with a unique insight into Ghanaian culture. However, Esi’s family, as a result of her enslavement and transportation, grow up in America, where Gyasi provides us with in an insight into the horrors of plantation life as a slave before addressing the Jim Crow laws, the growth of jazz and finally contemporary racial tensions.

Ygasi captures the history of enslavement through a single family in visceral detail humanising the victims of racial oppression whilst simultaneously creating a novel that has the quality of a tour de force given its historical and geographical breadth. Full of emotional power and unforgettable characters, Ygasi takes the reader on an astonishing journey that reveals the very roots of slavery and racial subjugation that is moving, uplifting and incredibly relevant.

DECEMBER 2020- BOOK OF THE MONTH

'EDUCATED' BY TARA WESTOVER

This is an incredibly emotive and stirring memoir that would only be suitable for older readers. Westover provides us with a unique insight into her upbringing in the remote mountains of Idaho. Born to survivalists, her parents did not believe in any form of official intervention in their lives: in fact, she did not even have a birth certificate until she was nearly ten and even then no one remembered her birth date accurately. Her father forbade hospitals so all injuries, whether gashes, concussions or severe burns as the result of explosions, were treated at home with herbalism. Most significantly, they did not believe in school. So when her older brother became violent, no one knew and no one intervened.

However, inspired by her brother Tyler, Westover decided not only to educate herself, but then took the brave decision to pursue her academic ambitions all the way to Cambridge University in spite of her family.

This is a story of suffering and hardship, but it is also a narrative of survival and resilience that is incredibly inspiring. It also reveals just how lucky we all are to experience the education we do and just how precious this truly is.

November 2020- BOOK OF THE MONTH

'BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S' BY TRUMAN CAPOTE

This is the classic and enigmatic portrayal of Holly Golightly, a troubled socialite seeking pleasure, wealth and happiness in the turbulent work of 1940s New York. The inspiration for the 1961 film starring Audrey Hepburn, the central protagonist is an unforgettable fictional figure given her unique combination of fragility and innocence combined with her risque behaviour and absolute egotism. There is something in the narrator’s fascination with the woman who lives downstairs and the glittering world of New York society that recalls Fitzgerald’s ‘The Great Gatsby’ and Golightly has a similarly enigmatic air that is mesmerising for the narrator and reader alike.

However, the version I read also included three superb short stories all offering similarly wondering character vignettes that could be regarded as a masterclass for any aspiring writer in how to create character and, given their brevity, in precision of word choice. In these four narratives, Capote takes the reader from humble rural America to the heat and hedonism of New Orleans and then the cold isolation of an Alabama prison. This is a superb reflection of Capote’s versatility and brilliance as well as amazing ability to capture landscape and human tragedy and comedy alike.

October 2020- BOOK OF THE MONTH

'CLOUD ATLAS' BY DAVID MITCHELL

An epic, inventive novel from a unique imagination, this is Mitchell’s masterpiece that takes the reader on a magical journey from 1850s California to a post-apocalyptic future on a Hawaiian island. This is the literary equivalent of the ‘Matrix’ and will absolutely blow you away.

Sweeping in scope both temporally and geographically, ‘Cloud Atlas’ is a creative tour de force as Mitchell not only traces the lives of his disparate characters as we move forward in time, but brilliantly connects them together as we then move backwards again to the origins of the story. This is a dazzling novel that combines different genres and moves at an incredibly compelling pace whilst still forcing the reader to consider big ideas about morality, sexuality, humanity and the impact we have on those around us and our environment.

Way ahead of his time, Mitchell is one of the greatest modern writers of our day and this novel, one of his best, is truly visionary given its cinematic virtuosity and monumental scale. Read ‘Cloud Atlas’ and I defy you not to fall in love with Mitchell’s writing.

September 2020- BOOK OF THE MONTH

'ODYSSEY' BY HOMER trans. Robert Fagles

Having just re-read the ‘Odyssey’, it has reminded me what a simply amazing narrative it truly is not just for those who might love mythology and the classical world, but for anyone who enjoys a jolly good adventure story.

Homer takes us on the fabulous journey of Odysseus, who, having left Troy following the momentous war with the Trojans, finds himself embroiled in further escapades as he struggles to return home to his wife, Penelope and son, Telemachus. Filled with recognisable encounters with mythical creatures and gods from the enchanting to Calypso to the man-eating cyclops, Polyphemus, Odysseus and his men find themselves falling victim to the wrath of Poseidon, who makes it almost impossible for them to return to Ithaca. Even when Odysseus is finally washed up on shore, he must scheme, deceive and even kill in order to gain back the home that is rightfully his.

This is a fascinating tale of intrigue, derring-do and sometimes outright horror that has become a seminal text in the canon of world literature. It is a must read for any students of English or Classics, but more importantly, an absolutely wonderful experience.

JULY 2020- BOOK OF THE MONTH

'CIRCE' BY MADELINE MILLER

Circe, like many female characters, is a minor player in Homer’s ‘Odyssey’. However here, Miller brings her to life with vivacity, colour and brilliance. Ostracised by her family, despite being the daughter of the sun god Helios, and scorned for her voice and appearance, Circe finally breaks when she is rejected by her lover. Turning upon her rival, Scylla, with terrible vengeance and horrific results, she determines instead on a life of isolation and darkness.

Exiled to the island of Aiaia, Circe learns to harness her dark craft and thus ensure the safety of both herself and the son she bears. Yet far from being alone, Circe finds herself at the centre of a series of stories from Odysseus’ voyage, to the narratives of Jason and even Daedalus. However, whether she will ever be able to overcome the damage wrought upon her and truly find happiness when even Penelope finds herself ultimately exiled and damaged when Odysseus leaves once more, remains to be seen.

This is a fabulous and innovative re-telling of a much maligned and side-lined mythological character. Nominated for the ‘Women’s Prize for Fiction’ in 2019, I highly recommend this to all lovers of literature, those interested in unique female voices and anyone with even a passing interest in mythology.

JUNE 2020- BOOK OF THE MONTH

'WOMEN AND POWER: A MANIFESTO' BY MARY BEARD

Mary Beard, the fantastic scholar, Classicist and all round genius, has created a powerful and incredibly insightful work in ‘Women and Power.’ I would strongly recommend it to all Classics and English A-Level students, particularly those interested in issues associated with feminism and the representation of women in literature.

Adapted from two speeches that Beard delivered in 2014 and 2017, Beard insightfully traces the origins of misogyny to the ancient world and the manner in which women are portrayed in classical mythology from Penelope to Medusa. She thus examines the cultural underpinnings of misogyny and the different ways by which women’s voices and language have been supressed, manipulated and subjugated. From criticism of female politicians to the unpleasant lexis employed on twitter, Beard examines the different ways in which women have been oppressed and considers how such prejudices can be overcome.

Her account is delivered with her usual perception and wit, but also coloured by her deeply personal experiences. Moreover, it is immensely relevant and moving as she asks the question: if women aren’t considered to be within the structures of power, isn’t it power that we need to redefine?

Subversive, enlightening and brilliantly researched, this is a feminist classic of our time that everyone, regardless of gender should read.

MAY 2020- BOOK OF THE MONTH

'ELLA MINNOW PEA' BY MARK DUNN

Brilliantly original, this is a novel for anyone who loves language. Set on the fictional island of Nollop, and home to the now deceased inventor of the shortest pangram, the islanders have come to worship Nevin Nollop, it seems to be an idyllic if anachronistic world. However, when letters from his famous pangram begin to fall from his beloved statue, the island leaders take the radical decision to ban the use of each of these letters. At first this poses little trouble, the first letter being a Z, and the citizens even support their respected leaders’ draconian measure. However, as more letters drop and the punishments for letter infringement become all the more extreme, the island finds itself in turmoil and increasingly deserted.

Told in epistolary form from the perspective of Ella Minnow Pea and her family, Dunn takes us on the protagonist’s exciting and desperate journey to find a new, shorter pangram to replace the old one and overthrow the linguistic tyranny of the rulers before the island is destroyed forever.

This is truly a celebration of language that Dunn playfully manipulates. Full of subtle humour, but with a dark twist that reveals the dangers of censorship, totalitarianism and superstition, it is a great read. Overall, ‘Ella Minnow Pea’ is a short but thoroughly delightful lexical romp with an important message. I particularly recommend it to all A-Level Literature pupils studying the Political and Social Protest course.

APRIL 2020- BOOK OF THE MONTH

'THE BURIED GIANT' BY KAZUO ISHIGURO

This is not a typical Ishiguro novel, but it is still infused with his poignant evocation of human relationships and the haunting effects of memory. Set in post-Arthurian Britain in a world where the magical mists of an ancient being having stolen the memories of the people, one couple determine to undertake a final voyage to discover their history and their long-lost child. Along the way, they encounter not merely adventure and unique characters drawn from a world of knights, ogres and dragons, but, more importantly, they re-discover each other and the truth about their past.

Despite the fantastical setting, this is a deeply moving novel about the strength of love and a luminous meditation on the power of memory. As with ‘The Remains of the Day’, it is infused with profound and troubling moral questions about human nature and the choices we make.

As we follow the couple on their intense journey across a desolate British landscape, we are drawn into their story as they piece together their history from fragments and search for one final chance at happiness.

What results is a melancholic and emotive evocation of a world not so different to our own where humanity is flawed and relationships too often fragment. Whilst it may not be an easy read, it is certainly thought-provoking and moving and absolutely worthy of being placed in the Ishiguro canon beside the likes of ‘Never Let Me Go’ and ‘The Unconsoled’, which are equally all worth reading.

MARCH 2020- BOOK OF THE MONTH

'THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF HENRIETTA LACKS' BY REBECCA SKLOOT

This is actually a non-fiction work, but the story that Skloot relates is so unbelievable that it almost reads like a fictional tale. The author actually provides us with a triple narrative: the story of the impoverished Henrietta Lacks, a poor, African-American migrant who grew up on the tobacco plantations of Virginia struggling with poverty, racism and, most pertinently, aggressive cervical cancer. She died at the age of only 30 in 1951. The second story concerns what then happened to her cells, taken without her or her family’s permission, but which eventually became known as the HeLa cells and changed medical science and the treatment of debilitating diseases from cancer to polio forever. The final tale concerns the impact that this discovery had on Henrietta’s family, who never benefitted from this scientific breakthrough and spent their remaining days in poverty and mourning and how Skloot was able to convince them to share their relative’s tragic tale.

Utterly fascinating, this is a must read for anyone interested in science or medicine, but at the same time, it is infinitely readable and compelling. It forces the reader to ask tricky moral questions about our history of racism, the morality of unscrupulous drug companies and, most strikingly, who owns our bodies.

This is one of the best works of non-fiction I have read: meticulously researched and painfully moving, it cannot fail to elicit an emotional response in the reader of gratitude to Henrietta if nothing else.

FEBRUARY 2020- BOOK OF THE MONTH

'THE TESTAMENTS' BY MARGARET ATWOOD

You do need to have read ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’, Atwood’s 1985 classic before embarking on ‘The Testaments’. However, as its Booker award would suggest, it is a more than worthy follow up to the original.

In this version, Atwood employs three narrative voices including that of the seemingly antagonistic figure of Aunt Lydia from the original novel. Rather than simply being provided with an insight into the world of the handmaids, ‘The Testaments’ gives voice to other women within the Gilead society revealing how they band together, subtly communicate and even attempt to escape and bring down the terrifying totalitarian state. Full of the gripping tension and fear that Atwood generated in her first novel, ‘The Testaments’ exposes new elements to the Gileadean world.

Whilst it could be argued that Atwood is merely cashing in on the success of her greatest novel to date, this sequel also does seem to have greater range and pace assuming at times even the quality of a modern thriller. Yet perhaps most importantly, the issues she continues to tackle about female rights, discrimination and abuse of power remain perhaps even more salient than they did nearly 35 years ago. A must read for all A-Level students!

JANUARY 2020- BOOK OF THE MONTH

'THE UNAUTHORISED BIOGRAPHY OF EZRA MAAS' by Daniel James

This is a truly unique novel published by the independent Dead Ink Press. Repeatedly crossing genre boundaries, the author takes you on a labyrinthine journey as we try to discern who Ezra Maas, the allusive artist, truly was and whether or not he is really dead. Although complex and full of literary references, this is a compelling novel that reads more than anything like a thriller as we join with the narrator in tracking down the history of Ezra Maas. Fraught with puzzles and subterfuge, this multi-layered narrative takes the reader through not simply a compelling mystery, but a journey into art and culture over the last five decades. The author brilliantly mixes forms including letters, transcripts and phone conversations as well as more traditional narrative so the reader feels immersed in the process of discovery and creation.

If you are interested in film, literature and art history over the last fifty years or are simply looking to read something entirely novel, then this is definitely the book for you with its multiple metafictional references and hybrid form. Magnificent, compelling and completely original, I challenge anyone to dive in and discover the truth about the enigmatic Ezra Maas and the fate of those who seek him out.

DECEMBER- BOOK OF THE MONTH

'REBECCA' by Rebecca Du Maurier

Du Maurier’s ‘Rebecca’ is a must read for all young adults: part thriller, part romance, part horror, it remains as compelling and haunting today as when it was written in 1938.

When our young narrator meets Maxim de Winter in Monte Carlo and he quickly proposes, she cannot believe her luck that this dashing, wealthy man has chosen her as his bride. However, when they return from their honeymoon to his ancestral home, Manderley, everything seems to change. The entire place seems troubled by the presence of his former wife, Rebecca, who disappeared in mysterious circumstances. Quickly finding Maxim becoming withdrawn and herself under the malicious influence of the housekeeper, Mrs Danvers, the narrator is increasingly isolated and terrified that she will never live up to the magnificent Rebecca, whom she believes Maxim still adores. However, beneath the veneer of upper class respectability, lie terrible and dark secrets that slowly emerge until the final thrilling denouement that will leave the reader absolutely astounded.

A gothic masterpiece, later made into a chilling film by Hitchcock, this is a novel that takes you down dark, labyrinthine passages of intrigue and will remain with you for many years.

NOVEMBER - BOOK OF THE MONTH

'VOX' by Christina Dalcher

Imagine a world where women are limited to using 100 words a day and where the punishment for going beyond this, is terrible pain. Dalcher imagines a dystopian world in the not too distant future where the American government has been taken over by a puritanical group, who believe that women have no place in society and certainly deserve no voice. For Dr Jean McClellan, a neurolinguistics scientist, who has spent her life studying how language is formulated by our brains, this is almost unthinkable, but she seems helpless to fight against it. However, when she is asked by the very government officials who have silenced her to help cure the president’s brother following a terrible brain injury, she sees her opportunity. Yet, is this chance all it’s made out to be or is there something more sinister in the government’s request?

Dalcher offers a modern take on Atwood’s ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’, which she intermingles with elements from the science fiction and thriller genres. This is a compelling and exciting read that reveals the power and importance of words and expression and the dangers of repression. Whilst I was not entirely convinced by the ending, it was certainly an engaging narrative and, in truth, that’s the point, we should all be entitled to our own opinion!

OCTOBER- BOOK OF THE MONTH

'Tuesdays with Morrie' by Mitch Albom

I read 'Tuesdays with Morrie' several years ago, but it is still the book I recommend to friends time and time again. Albom, an American sports journalist, began revisiting his college professor every Tuesday many years after he left college and once Morrie had already developed ALS and knew that his time was limited.

Whilst the narrative of a dying man sounds terribly depressing, the opposite is actually the case. This is a deeply moving account, but also amazingly uplifting as the lessons that Morrie imparts to his young prodigy are full of optimism, hope and messages about tenacity and the need to make the most of one's life.

What it offers to both Albom and the reader is a masterclass in life. It is truly one of the most heart-warming, beautiful novellas that I have read, made all the more meaningful by the fact it is based on reality. Whether you are struggling with the 'slings and arrows of outrageous fortune' or perhaps have lost someone yourself, this is a novel that speaks to everyone in a voice that is compassionate, emotive and, most of all, invigorating.

SEPTEMBER- BOOK OF THE MONTH

'A Garden of Earthly Delights' by Joyce Carol Oates

In 'A Garden of Earthly Delights' Oates transports the reader to the world of 1930s America and beyond. She charts the life of the intriguing Clara Walpole from impoverishment to affluence and the tragedies she endures and obstacles she overcomes in her rise above the constraints of her class.

Epic in scope, Oates exposes the hardship of life in the dust bowl of America whilst simultaneously examining the impediments of class. However, it is the resilience, allure and determination of the heroine that is most engaging and the complex nature of the four central men within her life. 'Of Mice and Men' meets 'The Thornbirds', this novel is a revelation both in terms of the historical period it depicts, but also as a moving piece of literature that is a true masterpiece; the ending will leave you shocked and tearful in equal measure. As the first in Oates' 'Wonderland' quartet, I can't wait to read the next three novels that seem equalling as relevant in exposing the struggles of humanity and the inequitable nature of society as they did when she wrote them in the 1960s.

AUGUST - BOOK OF THE MONTH

'THE OVERSTORY' BY RICHARD POWERS

There are few modern novels that can be described as important, but this is one of them. Powers has picked up perfectly on the zeitgeist of contemporary society and addresses the issues of climate change, the destruction of the natural world and the importance and dangers of rebellion in a superbly engaging manner.

The novel begins by providing us with seven short stories of individuals, who have each realised the importance of arboreal life. However, as the narrative unfolds, these characters find themselves connected together by their desire to save a natural world that is slowly being eradicated by consumerism and capitalism. Powers not only beautifully evokes the natural world, but offers the reader an impassioned account of their mission whilst simultaneously examining the nature of protest and the extent to which one should go in the name of a cause. This is a complex, compelling and stunningly written novel that anyone who cares about the world in which we live should absolutely read.

JULY - BOOK OF THE MONTH

'THE POWER' BY NAOMI ALDERMAN

What would happen if suddenly the tables were reversed and rather than men having physical autonomy over women, women suddenly gained a unique power that enabled them to dominate men? Would society become more harmonious? Would there be a greater sense of equanimity?

What Alderman offers is a unique and terrifying vision of a future where one gender finds themselves with absolute authority over another. Alderman has created an innovative, dystopian thriller that reverses much of the patriarchal future offered to us in Atwood's 'The Handmaid's Tale'. With vivid characterisation, an epic plot that spans the globe and a fast paced narrative that is completely compelling, Alderman reveals that no gender is truly superior to another; we are all equally flawed and in creating any form of imbalance, terrible consequences can occur that you will barely believe...

JUNE - BOOK OF THE MONTH

'CIRCE' BY MADELINE MILLER

Another Women's Prize for Fiction nominee, 'Circe' follows in the footsteps of Miller's previous novel, 'The Song of Achilles', in using Greek mythology as the inspiration for a riveting re-telling of events. Told from the perspective of the fairly minor character, Circe, Miller provides the reader with a unique insight into the world inhabited by women in Ancient Greek society as well as the perceptions of women during this archaic period. As in her previous novel, Miller has perfected the art of capturing a unique voice and Circe's frequently speaks with passion, anger, affectionate and, more often than not, pain. The daughter of the sun god, Helios, Circe is berated, neglected and eventually abandoned on a desert island where she must find her true nature and powers.

Although based in a fantasy world, this is a truly inspiring narrative and Miller provides us with a unique feminist voice that speaks loud as she navigates the reader through Circe's epic voyage from fragile child to empowered woman, who is able to make her own choices and, when necessary, get her own revenge.

MAY - BOOK OF THE MONTH

'AN AMERICAN MARRIAGE' BY TAYARI JONES

The winner of the 2019 Women's Prize for Fiction, the novel deftly explores issues of race, gender and injustice. It narrates the heartbreaking story of a married couple, who are divided as a result of a case of a miscarriage of justice that sees Roy, the central male protagonist, thrown in jail for a crime he did not commit. Told through a dual narrative perspective, Tayari deftly explores the emotional, psychological and physical effects of this false accusation whilst simultaneously exposing the continued racial undercurrents that dominate American contemporary society.

The novel is, in many ways, a troubling read, but 'An American Marriage' is a brave novel that seeks to reveal the complexities inherent with human nature and explore the different ways in which we all respond to instances of injustice and suffering. Imbued with realism, her writing is at once moving and deeply realistic. Our Sixth Form Elite book group that attempted to read all six of the Women's Prize nominees, agreed that this was the rightful winner.

APRIL - BOOK OF THE MONTH

'KAFKA ON THE SHORE' BY HARUKI MURAKAMI (TRANSLATED BY PHILIP GABRIEL)

An amazing tour de force from this acclaimed Japanese author, I highly recommend this novel to any A-Level student particularly those studying literature, classics or music as the text is full of clever literary and musical allusions from Sophocles' 'Oedipus' to Beethoven's Trio in B Flat Major. The novel covers the dual narrative of a young boy, Kafka Tamura, running away from home and the troubled, ageing Nakata, who suffered a terrible trauma in his youth during WWII. As the narratives slowly converge, Murakami, paints a wonderful picture of the unique characters and world in which these individuals exist as fate draws them inextricably towards the same goal. Whilst set in the realistic world of contemporary Japan, Hurakami's splendid imagination takes on a metaphysical journey that forces us to envisage parallel worlds, sacred stones and talking cats (my favourite!) and thereby contemplate the meaning of our lives, what makes us love and drives us forward and most importantly, what our place in the world may truly be. Murder, destiny, disappearing soldiers, magical entities and romance all combine to create a stunning and intriguing novel that will leave you both entranced and wondering for many days afterwards what our place in the universe might really be.

MARCH - BOOK OF THE MONTH

'ROME: THE EMPEROR'S SPY' BY M.C.SCOTT

This is a fantastic fictional foray into the world of Ancient Rome under the Emperor Nero. Scott offers us a re-imagining of the events that led up to the infamous Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD in vivid colour and impressive theatricality. The novel is at once a thriller, spy narrative and historical drama that offers a gripping tale of the events leading up to the climactic fire and the discovery of the true perpetrators and, whilst not always historically accurate, it provides the reader with an interesting insight into some aspects of the Roman world including chariot racing, musical entertainments and some outstanding figures from this period including Seneca and Nero himself. There is some violence, which would make this less suitable for younger readers, but it provides a riveting insight into life in Ancient Rome, the political machinations occurring during the period, the religious unrest and social rebellions that also give it a contemporary resonance. It would provide a super first insight into this unique world for anyone looking to find out more about this amazing and disturbing society as well as any reader looking for a rip-roaring ride.

FEBRUARY - BOOK OF THE MONTH

'MYTHOS' BY STEPHEN FRY

This is the first of Fry's brilliant books retelling some of the most famous Greek myths. Here, he deals with myths associated with the great Gods and Goddesses from Ancient Greece. Whilst many of these, such as the Titanomachy and the narrative of Pandora's box, may be incredibly familiar to readers, many others will be entirely new to readers such as the fascinating story of Hermes' birth or the tale of Philemon and Baucis. However, Fry puts his own comic spin on these stories adopting an often upbeat and sardonic tone that makes them brilliantly engaging and fresh as he brings the characters to life infusing them with a very modern psychology. Along the way, he also offers us an insight into alternative versions, the origins of many of the words in the English language that are drawn from Ancient Greek and mythology, as well as providing the reader with a series of superb accompanying images to bring the narratives to life. Whether you are a mythological aficionado or coming to the classical tales for the first time, I guarantee you will find something to love.

JANUARY - BOOK OF THE MONTH:

‘THE DISAPPEARANCE OF EMILE ZOLA’ BY MICHAEL ROSEN

Michael Rosen provides us with a window into a distinctive period in the life of Emile Zola, the famous French novelist: the year he spent in hiding in good old Blighty! A journalist and novelist, Zola had published an open letter, ‘J’Accuse’ in the French newspaper ‘L’Aurore’ in January 1898 accusing the French military of corruption and falsely imprisoning Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish army officer, whom Zola believed had been scapegoated and the victim of anti-Semitism. Found guilty of libel, Zola was compelled to leave his beloved country in secret and go into hiding. However, what makes this incredibly well-researched and detailed account of his exile so fascinating, are the revelations about Zola’s personal life, his writing methods, his psychological suffering at being separated from those he loved and his ultimate fate. Peppered with exerts from the personal letters that he wrote to the most important individuals in his life, as well as salient newspaper reports from the period, this is a compelling insight into a unique individual at a unique period of time in his life. This would be a really engaging and challenging read not only for students of English literature, but also historians and all those studying French literature as well.

If you have a book you would like to recommend as our 'Book of the Month' or would like to review a book and have it published on this website, please email Miss Wood: woodst@queens.herts.sch.uk

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