Book reviews 2022
November
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
Synopsis
In Shaker Heights, a placid, progressive suburb of Cleveland, everything is meticulously planned - from the layout of the winding roads, to the colours of the houses, to the successful lives its residents will go on to lead. And no one embodies this spirit more than Elena Richardson, whose guiding principle is playing by the rules.
Enter Mia Warren - an enigmatic artist and single mother- who arrives in this idyllic bubble with her teenage daughter Pearl, and rents a house from the Richardsons. Soon Mia and Pearl become more than just tenants: all four Richardson children are drawn to the mother-daughter pair. But Mia carries with her a mysterious past, and a disregard for the rules that threatens to upend this carefully ordered community.
When old family friends attempt to adopt a Chinese-American baby, a custody battle erupts that dramatically divides the town - and puts Mia and Elena on opposing sides. Suspicious of Mia and her motives, Elena is determined to uncover the secrets in Mia's past. But her obsession will come at an unexpected and devastating cost . . .
Discussion
Enjoyed by all. Easy read, Lots of discussion surrounding the different lifestyles of the families, motherhood, relationships, teenage angst, how the characters gave support to each other in their own ways.
This is the second book we have read by this author and we were agreeable to reading her next novel (our missing hearts) at a later date
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October
Antigona and Me by Kate Clanchy
Synopsis
Kate Clanchy is a writer, privileged and sheltered, Antigona is a refugee from Kosovo. On instinct, Kate offers Antigona a job as a nanny, and Antigona, equally shrewdly, accepts. Over the next five years and a thousand cups of coffee Antigona's extraordinary story slowly emerges. This book is the product of that friendship.
Discussion
Antigona was mostly liked by everyone, some found the reading matter difficult as well as eye opening, we discussed the difficult living conditions of so many different cultures and the rules people have to live with.
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September
My Name Is Leon - Kit De Waal
Synopsis
It's 1981, a year of riots and royal weddings. The Dukes of Hazzard is on TV. Curly Wurlys are in the shops. And trying to find a place in it all is nine-year-old Leon. He and his little brother Jake have gone to live with Maureen. They've lost one home, but have they found another?
Maureen feeds and looks after them. She has wild red hair and mutters swearwords under her breath when she thinks they can't hear. She claims everything will be okay. But will they ever see their mother again? Who are the couple who secretly visit Jake? Between the street violence and the street parties, Leon must find a way to reunite his family . . .
Discussion
A sad but an enjoyable and uplifting easy read was the general consensus
The believable characters were a motley crew but all came up trumps for Leon.
We thought it had been a good debut novel for the author who had clearly drew on her own experiences
We discussed the difficulties surrounding placing children for adoption especially sibling groups.
Lots of general discussion on parenthood, racism, behaviour and other related subjects
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