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Book Review of The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri Christy Lefteri has spent her career learning about the situation of refugees and migrants. Christy Lefteri's The Beekeeper of Aleppo is a powerful account of the lives of a young couple who lived a simple, but comfortable life in Aleppo, Syria, surrounded by friends and family. Afra was an artist who painted in the mornings, while Nuri went to work, as a beekeeper, with his cousin Mustafa in the mountains. We quickly learn of the traumas both families undergo in war-torn Syria and after the deaths of the sons of Nuri and Mustafa respectively, the families decide to seek a safe life in the UK. Mustafa leaves first and makes it to Yorkshire where he became a teacher of beekeeping to other immigrants. Nuri, and his reluctant wife, Afra, follow, The use of emails in internet cafes between Mustafa and Nuri provides an outlet for the reader to gain insight into Nuri's emotional state. The Beekeeper of Aleppo is about both physical and psychological trauma caused by war, family loss, abuse and dislocation. The balance of the relationship between the central couple Nuri and Afra changes as the story progresses. As the reader looks in on their life experiences, we notice both the impact of not only the horror of what the refugees undergo, but also the impact of small kindnesses shown to them. Through this the reader gains insight and understanding about the real-life plight of thousands of people in similar situations to these fictionalized characters. The unexpected revalation towards the end of The Beekeeper of Aleppo (which I've talked about in My Personal Response, so don't read if you've not finished the book,) demonstrates the immense skill and craft of writing demonstrated by Christy Lefteri. Bookclub Questions on Lefteri's The Beekeeper of Aleppo
 Watch the great interview below by Christy Lefteri - What a woman! Book Club Questions on The Beekeeper of Aleppo (If you haven't read the book!)
Personal Response to The Beekeeper of AleppoThe thing that makes Christy Lefteri's great book stand out for me, is the focus it places on the psychological trauma that Nuri and Afra have undergone and continue to go through as they escape the Syrian war and make their long, arduous journey to England. For much of The Beekeeper of Aleppo Lefteri encourages the reader to focus on Afra's blindness, as we see Nuri support her the best he can. It took me an age to figure out that Mohammed is a figment of Afra's imagination, which puts the rest of his narration in question. Pure genius on the part of Lefteri.
Book Review on Bram Stoker's Dracula Have you ever come across a more suspenseful opening than Johnathan Harker's journey to Transylvania?! Dracula begins with Jonathan Harker, a young English lawyer, recounting his journey to Transylvania on a work assignment. En route, frequent travellers, hoteliers and peasants warn him from going but he pays no heed. Jonathan is relieved to find that upon arrival Dracula is both well-educated and hospitable, but he soon learns that things are not as they seem and he discovers he has become a prisoner in the castle. Harker realises that the count has supernatural powers and evil ambitions. He is nearly attacked by three beautiful and seductive vampires - it is clearly time to escape! Meanwhile, in England, Harker’s fiancée, Mina, and her friend Lucy. correspond frequently. Lucy accepts Arthur Holmwood’s proposal after reluctantly turning down two other suitors. The two get together in Whitby where they see a Russian ship wrecked upon the shore. If only they new that Dracula had shape-shifted on the boat and jumped off as a large dog, having killed the entire crew. Things continue. Lucy sleepwalks and becomes pale and ill after being found in a cemetery ... she also has two strange marks on her throat that no one could explain. We now nip back to Harker who, has escaped, but has suffered brain fever and is being tended to by nuns. Mina, his fiancee goes to help him recover and Van Helsing (an eminent professor) figures out that vampire work is at play. Several garlic cloves and a few blood transfusions later, there is hope that Lucy may survive, but that hope is short lived. And on the book goes, with a rollicking good storyline, that J.K. Rowling would be proud of. We all know what ultimately happens to Dracula, but before then the book focuses extensively on the death of the 'undead' Lucy, who has herself become a vampire. This in fact, seems to get far more attention than the death of Dracula himself. Had Bram Stoker perhaps reached his wordcount for payment and so didn't linger over Dracula's death, or had he just run out of steam .... The story is plot driven with great use of symbolism and motif. I've never actually seen any movie adaption, but the number out there is testament to the quality and enduring appeal of Bram Stoker's Dracula. It deserves its place as a classic in the gothic horror genre. Book Club Questions on Bram Stoker's Dracula.Who is your favourite character and why? Discuss. Discuss what you thought the most frightening event or series of events in Dracula. What made it so frightening? We never hear from Dracula first hand in the book, i,e. he doesn't share a diary entry or letter. Why do you think Stoker denied him his own narrator's voice? What is the effect? Lucky Lucy receives three marriage proposals in one day. Why do think she chose to accept Arthur and not the other two? To what extent does Dracula conform to the tropes of vampires that you are aware of? The reader never learns exactly how Jonathan escaped. Discuss what you think happened? What stereotypical views of men and women are presented in the book? Does Stoker ever question the stereotypes? If so how and what is the effect on the reader? Dracula and Frankenstein's are often discussed together, yet they were published almost 80 years apart. Why do you think this is the case? What are the similarities and differences between the two books? Dracula was based on a real historical figure called Vlad the impaler. Share what you know about the history of him and Dracula's creation. Why did Dracula have to send Transylvanian soil to England. Dracula came to Whitby on a Russian ship and killed the crew en route! (Who'd want to be in that boat?) Have you visited Whitby? What do you think knowing the location of where supposed fictional events occured adds to your reading of the novel?  Apparently, Bram Stoker never went to Transylvania, but rather did his research in the British library. Book Club Questions on Bram Stoker's Dracula (if you haven't read the book!)Legends of vampires have existed for centuries? Why do you think this is the case? Who would you prefer to meet - a vampire, werewolf or regular ghost? Discuss who you think you could most easily befriend? (Note, this is a deliberately silly question.) Dracula is, by and large, a novel based on diary and letter accounts, shared bewteen the characters. What are the advantages and disadvantages of writing a novel in letter form? You may not have read Dracula, but you will know about vampires and have the gist of the story. If you were casting Dracula in a film, who would you choose to play Dracula? Dracula was written in 1897, so inevitably the style of writing and vocabulary is a little antiquated. Would you be more inclined to read a book that was considered a classic, or would you be put off by the time lapse between it being written and now? Personal Response to Bram Stoker's DraculaI listened to Dracula, rather than reading it from the page, which I think completely changed my experience of the text. Those in my bookclub who'd read it said that they found the opening passage and the build up to Lucy's death full of suspense and horror. Listening to the text, it just felt antiquated and not so believable. Why, for example, did Jonathan keep going to Count Dracula's castle, when every single local person warned him against it. The penny seemed to drop very slowly for him!
What I did find interesting was Dr. John Seward's role in the 'lunatic asylum'. I'd love to know more about the Victorian's attitude to mental illness and listening to this story has inspired me to investigate the topic and look at the timeline of the novel in relation to the development of humane treatments of mental health illnesses. The other area my interest was piqued and, I guess, amused by was how sexist the language and the attitudes expressed in the book are. Lucy, many of my bookclub friends' favourite character, becomes a voluptuous temptress having been bitten by Dracula, and poor Arthur doesn't know what to do with himself - quite different to the portrayal of her before she was attacked! Lots to think about and fascinating to see the development of character and the fascination of the Victorians with horror - did I enjoy it? Yes. Book Review on Matthew Perry's Friends, Lovers, and the Terrible Big Thing The title of Matthew Perry's autobiography, is a little deceving as the focus on his friends and the show Friends doesn't dominate - rather, it takes second stage to Perry's honest and frank sharing of his addiction to drugs and alcohol. Perry leaves no stone unturned and doesn't shirk away from the truth, when he describes how he really has no right to be alive. Numerous stints in rehab centers, and life threatening surgery, have failed to cure Perry of his addiciton. He claims the only reason he doesn't drink and take drugs any more, is because he simply cannot get enough of them to make a difference! We learn about huge highs, lows, detoxes and the reasons that, Perry claims, led to his addiction - a sense of abandonment, a difficult upbringing and a feeling of never quite being good enough. Perry explains that consequently runnning away from important relationships have also shaped his life. In many ways, Perry presents as not so dissimilar to how Chandler himself is depicted on the stage. Perry speaks generously of pasts loves, and disparagingly of himself and his achievements. He would give up all his wealth and. fame to have a hold over his addiction to drugs and alcohol. The book is full of what readers will recognise as Chandler wit, but pain is never far from the surface. Book Club Questions on Matthew Perry's Friends, Lovers, and the Terrible Big Thing
Book Club Questions on Matthew Perry's Friends Lovers, and the Terrible Big Thing (If you haven't read the book!)
Personal Response to Matthew Perry's Friends Lovers, and the Terrible Big ThingThis is the most honest, raw and interesting autobiography that I've read. I was fascinated with how open and frank Matthew Perry was. It intrigues me that he said the only reason he no longer partakes in drink and drugs is because he couldn't get enough of either to have an effect on him. There was absolutely no sugar-coating of the trauma, embarrassment and pain, suffering and loss that Perry's addiction brought him. Far more effectively than anything else I've ever read, was his presentation on the power that addiction has over an individual.
For lovers of Friends, the T.V, series, the book presents a fascinating itinerary and timeline of how Chandler's appearance parallels his dependency on drugs. The more hooked he was the thinner he appeared! Despite Perry's honesty, I couldn't quite bring myself to fully empathise with him. Whether it was how how Perry repeatedly said that he'd give up his wealth and fame to be cured, or whether it was his constant reference to being lonely, while still cheating on his partners, I felt a tad of irritation. Perhaps it was just the realisation that Matthew Perry, and thus, in my eyes, Chandler, was just a flawed human like all of us. Having said that Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing was a well-written book and a good read. I would definitely recommend it, especially to anyone who is trying to understand the complexities of addiction. Book Review on JoJo Moyes' The Giver of Stars What a dreamy environment for a librarian to work in! I would love to be the recipient and Giver of Stars! Set in the Appalachian Mountains, Alice Wright leaves behind the humdrum of small town life in England by marrying handsome Bennet Van Cleve and moving to Baileyville, Kentucky. Life is quick to disappoint, and Alice seems as trapped as she'd ever been. Bennett seems content to share their honeymoon cabin, with his ever-present vile father, and once at home becomes distant and aloof, unable or unchoosing of intimacy. The 'special book' kept hidden in the library had no effect in solving Bennett's problems! Upon arrival in Baileyville, Alice is treated with caution and suspicion by the locals; women her own age feel she has stolen Bennett from them as a potential suitor. There's no wonder then, that Alice jumps at the chance to join Margery O'Hare, a strong, independent woman, as a travelling librarian. This gives Bennett's father further fuel to disapprove of Alice as Margery, Alice learns, is of a disreputable family going back generations. In addition, Margery is unwilling to conform to societal expectations or to be the expected submissive female and wife. The judgemental Van Cleve's are inevitably going to disapprove. An unlikely friendship is formed between Alice and Margery. As the events of the story unfold they learn to support each other and women across Kentucky. Sisterhood prevails as the librarians grow in numbers, strength and commitment to their role, each another and their values. The novel begins with a single chapter outlining a key event that occurs three months from the beginning of the story proper. It is this event around which the whole story, The Giver of Stars, is based as we explore weath, class, hardship, abuse and feminism. Hefty themes are presented with the lightest of touches, Marriage, abuse and of course romance! The story is funny yet sad; full of warmth whilst exposing cruelty. Above all it is a great page-turner. Book Club Questions on JoJo Moyes' The Giver of Stars
Book Club Questions on JoJo Moyes' The Giver of Stars (If you haven't read the book!)
The Giver of Stars Hold your soul open for my welcoming. Let the quiet of your spirit bathe me With its clear and rippled coolness, That, loose-limbed and weary, I find rest, Outstretched upon your peace, as on a bed of ivory. Let the flickering flame of your soul play all about me, That into my limbs may come the keenness of fire, The life and joy of tongues of flame, And, going out from you, tightly strung and in tune, I may rouse the blear-eyed world, And pour into it the beauty which you have begotten. Amy Lowell - 1874-1925  I was thrilled to learn that JoJo Moyes has her own website. She looks a great person to chat with. Personal Response to JoJo Moyes' The Giver of Stars particularly enjoyed The Giver of Stars because, for many years, I was a librarian and continue to work as a library consultant. It is a book that I'd definitely like to add to my collection of first editions. I'm ever optimistic that my husband might go hunting on Amazon / Abebooks / whatever and decide to treat me to some more scrumptious books!
The idea of taking to the trails and making a difference to people's lives struck me as so romantic! Of course, being faced with an aggressive drunk a little less so! I had to smile though that it was the book Little Women that was presented as a murder weapon! Less of the little! You can't go far wrong with JoJo Moyes if you want some escapism and a well-written book. I've no doubt that if E. Roosevelt was here today, she would be proud of this fictionalized of her real-life introduction of Packhorse librarians. Book Review on Martin Amis' London Fields Martin Amis' book, London Fields, set in the 1990s and written in the 1980s is a tour de force. Set in Amis' home town London, it traverses class, wealth, status and profession, as the femme fatale Nicola Six, manipulates the men in the story. Something of a soothsayer, Nicola has predicted her death will find her, upon her turning thirty. The narrator tells us this at the outset of the novel and describes how the story is about a murderee; this murderee is Nicola. The three men with whom Nicola flirts and engages in affairs are the likely suspects, for murder, and the story progresses as a whodunnit, combined with why they might have done it! A further twist, adding to the complexity of the story and its structure, is that the narrator himself is a character within it. A troubled writer, who is terminally ill, he outlines that this real life story, is a gift that he has been given to record. His long-term writer's block is solved. As a character Nicola is an enigma, taking on mulitple roles and personalities. To Guy, a hapless millionaire, she plays the role of virginal victim. She wins his heart and eventually they have sex, but only after Guy has lost his wife and child, due to his obsession with Nicola. Nicola's relationship with Keith is completely different. A wife-beating, misogynistic, small-time crook/con-man and pornograpy addict, his relationship with Nicola is sexually intense, abrasive and arguably controlling. Nicola dresses seductively and dominates the relationship. She is a trophy with whom Keith enjoys being seen and it she who Keith takes to his T.V interview rather than his actual wife. Nicola takes pleasure in bringing Guy and Keith together and taunts them both with her flirting. Guy finds himself embroiled in low life encounters, far from his own wealthy, entitled life and even becomes a darts coach to Keith, who goes on to find moderate fame and sporting success. The intensity of Keith's unpleasantness and abuse towards his wife and child, leaves the reader reeling as to why she doesn't escape the relationship. She is presented by the narrator as returning again and again for more abuse. It so happens that Keith, in the guise of taxi driver, takes the American narrator, Samson Young to the apartment where he will be stay in London, (having swapped apartments with a wealthy and successful writer. He thus becomes part of the action, living in the same apartment block as Nicola. Of course he too succumbs to her wiles. Nicola is presented as manipulative, controlling, sexy and dishonest, yet I question whether we even begin to get to know her, as despite the dominance of her presence, we don't get to view the book from her perspective. I can see how this has led so many critics to view the text as pure misogny. Book Club Questions on Martin Amis' London FieldsMartin Amis said in a Goodreads interview with John McNaughtie that he adores all of his characters. He also mentioned that when he was a younger man he was to some extent involved in the lives of people like his characters. How does this make you feel about the book? Guy has all the wealth, class and status. He met his wife at university and they have one toddler who is ‘challenging’. Is Guy just a romantic fool? Discuss. Keith is a despicable misogynist, liar, cheat, abuser, bully and more besides. Despite this he has numerous girlfriends as well as his abused wife. Why does he continue to have success with women? What is Martin Amis saying about relationships? Martin Amis says that the book is potentially based on real London people. Do you think the world he creates exists? Could this world exist somewhere like a small village or town? Nicola Six manipulates all the men in the story. In addition she achieves her prediction of death at 30. Is Nicola the hero of the story? Why or why not? The book is written in the late eighties, but projects forward ten years to the 1990s. Did you think it was a realistic presentation of this era? The New York Times called London "a virtuoso depiction of a wild and lustful society." Do you agree? When American novelist Samson Young discovers Nicola's story, it feels like an instant cure for his writer's block. He becomes embroiled in his own story and ultimately ends up being the murderer, before dying himself. Mark Asprey benefits from this and publishes the book under his own name. Would you ever steal someone else’s creative work? So, just supposing there were only three men left on earth, Samson (a dying author), Keith (a low life gangster) and Guy (a wealthy businessman) and you had to save humankind by procreating with one of them, who would you pick and why? (You can have fun exploring the different types of partners even if you haven't read the book.) Keith is a gifted darts player. He also is able to commentate in detail on all sports, imitating a media style, yet he isn’t mocking the media. It is just how he thinks about the events. What is Amis saying? Amis says in an interview that he can do without politicized readers, stating that they are not interested in the story or character, but immediately have made a judgement on the book, the second they hear the word ‘rape’. How does the comment make you feel about him as a writer and the book?  Father and son - two famous and very succesful authors! Book Club Questions on Martin Amis' London Fields (If you haven't read the book)The narrator of London Fields starts the book by saying this is the story of a murder and he knows who the murderee is. This means it isn’t so much a whodunnit as why they’ve done it. The twist is that although the narrator knows, the reader doesn’t know, so for them it is a kind of whodunnit. The structure in essence is quite complicated and clever. Do you enjoy reading books that challenge traditional narrative styles and conventions? Nicola claims to be a clairvoyant and knows when she will be killed but she doesn’t know who by. Samson had read books where she claimed to know about her parents' and sister’s death. Is she a clairvoyant or has she manipulated her own death? Do you believe in clairvoyancy? In the reviews of London Fields Guy’s marriage is often described as loveless. Is it? What makes a successful marriage? Personal Response to Martin Amis' London FieldsNicola is presented as manipulative, controlling, sexy and dishonest, yet I question whether we even begin to get to know her, as despite the dominance of her presence, we don't get to view the book from her perspective. I can see how this has led so many critics to view the text as pure misogny.
There is no doubt that Amis is hugely clever. The ability to pull the story together to a cohesive whole, within such a complex structure is exceptional. Amis, claims in an interview, and the book itself, that, perhaps with the exception of Larkin, authors don't address the issues that are explored in this text - violence, violent sex, abuse, and unspoken and unwelcome fantasies and desires. He is probably right, but I find this unpleasant. I don't overly want to enter that world! You could claim then that Amis has achieved his aim in challenging the reader's sensibilties and being drawn into a world that they are uncomfortable with. It is certainly not the realm of the politicized reader that Amis disdains. I found this book impossible to read as a written text, yet I was able to listen to it. This leaves me with a personal question of whether distatesful and disturbing accounts are more palatable presented in a media other than written form. If so I'm left wondering what this says about the preconceived ideas and values associated with the sanctity of the written word. |
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