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.
In February we read ‘Fresh Water for Flowers’ by Valerie Perrin
The story centres on the life of Violetta an orphan who nearly died at birth, through her marriage at 18 to Philippe Tousaint , the birth of her daughter Leonine and her life up to 50 years of age. She worked hard, whilst her husband rode his motorbike and played games – he kept most the money she earned. He also had many affairs. She managed a level crossing, until its automation, when she became a cemetery manager
She interacted with many people.
These included Philippe’s mother and father. Philippe’s mother had engendered in him a sense of entitlement and selfishness. For her he could do no wrong. They looked down on Violette. There was Celia with whom she became friends and visited once a year in Marseilles; Julien, with whom Violette had a romantic relationship, and his son Nathan. She met Julian when his mother, Irene, asked for her ashes to be put in the cemetery.
Through a diary written by Irene, Violette learned of Irene’s dual life with her husband Paul and her lover Gabriel.
There are also the cemetery workers, Elvis, Nono and Gaston, the priest Cedric Duras and the undertakers, Pierre, Paul and Jacques .
After a tragedy Philippe eventually leaves Violette and lived with Francoise, with whom he is in love. It later transpires that he also never stopped loving Violette.
The former cemetery keeper Sasha, a gay man and a healer, became Violette’s surrogate father and helped her overcome her grief. He also passed on a love of flowers and vegetables and Violette built a wonderful garden. She also loved the animals that inhabited the cemetery
The story jumps from place to place, and from person to person, lives intermingle and different perspectives are gained.
Part of the book involves the attempts of Philippe to solve the mystery of the tragedy that had occurred and this leads to a shocking discovery.
The book is complicated. but well written. It has many themes, some dark and shocking, but on the whole it is not depressing and although it deals with death, through the life of Violette, it is life affirming.
All, but one of the group, enjoyed this book and the discussion was lively and wide ranging.
Our March book was ‘Today will be Different’ by Maria Semple. This turned out to be a marmite book, hated or loved. Most of the group fell into the former category, but I loved it. We were introduced to the chaotic life of Eleanor Flood. She constantly gets things wrong and struggles to find the right words. In this book she vows to change, but fate and her son Timby intervene. So, she embarks on a disastrous day, which at times is humorous and teaches Eleanor a valuable lesson. Despite the reactions of the majority of the group we had an enjoyable discussion.
In April we read ‘Away with the Penguins’, by Hazel Prior. This was a delightful book. It features Veronica, an 85 year old woman, rich and austere. She seeks to find if she has any living relatives. Her only son, born out of wedlock and forcibly given away when he was born, had died, but maybe he had children? He had. Vanessa arranges to meet her grandson, Patrick, but first impressions were not good on. She then sees a programme about penguins and determines to travel to Antarctica to see them. So enfolds an account of her discoveries about the birds, the people who care for them, Patrick, and herself most of all.
We all have no hesitation in recommending this book.
Our next book is ‘The Night Ship’ by Joe Kidd, ‘ The Raging Storm’ by Anne Cleaves (inspired by our attendance at an Anne Cleaves talk. She was a delight to meet and listen to) and our classic choice ‘Vanity Fair’ by William Thackery.
Rose