The Forty Rules of Love

The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak took us to modern day East Coast USA and back into the 13th Century Middle East and Turkey.

It's fair to say that most in the group weren't particularly interested in the modern day story of Ella, to the point that we pondered if you'd miss anything by skipping her chapters! The 40 rules themselves didn't resonate that much either. Was this then a poor choice? Definitely not, as the tale of Rumi and Shams was most interesting, delving into a new world of Sufism. After a quick bit of research on Rumi and Shams, comes the realisation that these are indeed two important historical figures and having learnt a little about them through The Forty Rules of Love makes the book a worthwhile read.

You can find out hear more from the author: Radio 4

Other books we discussed include:
The Postmistress by Sarah Blake
City of Thieves by David Benioff
Slade House by David Mitchell

Next time:
The City and The City by China Mieville
Thursday 10th March 2016

Don't forget to join Sarah Moss discussing Bodies of Light on 10th February - please get in touch with Natalia Dale or Charlotte Wilkes for more information. 

The Dinner

November's read was The Dinner by Herman Koch.



Likened to We Need to Talk about Kevin and The Slap, this book sees two sets of parents meeting over dinner to discuss an outrageous deed which their children have carried out. The interaction between the diners and the waiting staff provides an interesting backdrop and a little light relief, to what is otherwise an unpleasant story. This was certainly a thought provoking read and well received by the group, it would be difficult to describe it as enjoyable - most likely because none of the characters had any sense of decency, quite the opposite. Even Paul, who for much of the book you felt some empathy, turns out to be 'a few pages short of a novel'.

Other books that we talked about include:

What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty
The Last Days of Rabbit Hayes by Anna McPartlin
The Ice Twins by Tom Knox - recommended by Richard and Judy and described as 'gripping'
The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak
Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee, described as very point driven rather than the plot taking precedence by one of our group.
The Burned Bridges of Ward, Nebraska by Eileen Curtright
In Order to Live by Park Yeonmi

Next time:
The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak
Thursday 14th January 2016