Romiley & District

Literature

We are a small group formed at the inception of the Romiley and District u3a. At first we studied drama, poetry and prose, but more recently have concentrated on prose. Our deliberations have covered a varied range of works: classical and modern; fiction and non-fiction. We usually meet in the co-ordinator's home on the first Monday of the month, although this is sometimes subject to change depending on holidays and other committments. We try to be fairly flexible.

We have only read one book since my last report because of Christmas activities and in January we are going out for a celebratory meal, so there is not much to say. The book we discussed in November was ‘the Silent Patient’ by Alex Michaelides. Although this book enjoyed much critical acclaim, it was not enjoyed by the group. The book dealt with the subject of mental illness and explored the problem of the ‘silent patient’, held in a high security institution, who refused to speak about the murder she had committed. A psychiatrist, Theo, was determined to get her to talk. The story unfolds with many twists and turns until finally all is revealed, and it becomes clear why Theo had the obsession to break the silence.
Our next two books are –
‘Fresh Water for Flowers’ by Valerie Peron
‘Today will be Different’ by Maria Semple

We have recently read and discussed 'The Glass Painter's Daughter' by Rachel Hore and 'Educated' a memoir by Tara Westover. We all enjoyed these books and had plenty to discuss.
We purchase our books, so that we have good and varied choice of what we want to read.
Details of the above can be found via the internet.

Our October book was ‘With the Fire on High’, by Elizabeth Acevido. Written for young adult readers the book was never-the-less interesting for the more mature. The themes of family, love, responsibility, education, ambition, mistakes, race and self-awareness are relevant to any age.
The book is set in Philadelphia and is narrated by Emoni a seventeen year old girl of Afro/Puerto Rican descent. At the age of fourteen, she became pregnant. Her daughter Emma, or ‘babygirl’ as she refers to her, is being brought up by Emoni and her grandmother whom she calls ‘Buela ( abuela is the Spanish word for grandmother).
Emoni has one talent, she is an instinctive cook. She is hardworking both at home, school and where she works to help support her family. The men in her life have been a disappointment and she is reluctant to trust too easily.
What happens to her is skilfully revealed as the book progresses.
All but one of the group enjoyed the book.

Our September book was ‘The Vanishing Half’ by Bennett Britt. This book was set in America and followed the lives of two negro, identical twins of light colour. They left home when they were 16 and followed divergent paths. In order to obtain a less menial job than those offered to negros, ‘ Stella passed herself off as white and eventually married Blake, the owner of the firm for which she worked, whist Desiree married Sam, a very black American, who later became abusive. She was forced to return home with her daughter, Jude, who was very dark skinned and stood out in a negro town that prided itself on light skin. Kennedy, Stella’s daughter had no idea that she of half negro heritage. She had a privileged, and indulged upbringing and as a result was quite spoiled To say more would probably give away too much for anyone who decides to the read the book. Sufficient to say it is a book about identity, gender, race, education, relationships and secrets. It spans 40 years from the 1950’s and highlights the changes that occurred during that time. We had a lot to discuss. Everyone enjoyed the book and the challenges in perception that it highlighted. It well deserved the reviews that it received.

More Group Pages
Art Appreciation Book Group Conversational Spanish Discussion Group
Drawing and Painting French Conversation Garden Appreciation German Conversation Group
Learners in German Literature
More Group Pages
Art Appreciation Book Group
Conversational Spanish Discussion Group
Drawing and Painting French Conversation
Garden Appreciation German Conversation Group
Learners in German Literature