Bibliofemme Bookclub An Irish Bookclub

January 10, 2012

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett

Filed under: Bookclub Books,Literature — The Connoisseur @ 3:07 pm
belcanto
Title: Bel Canto Author: Ann Patchett Genre: Literature Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Release Date: 2002 Pages: 318 Meeting: Sunday 27th April 2003

A spellbinding novel set in the sumptuous home of a humble vice-president of an un-named Latin American country.

The action begins, and just as quickly dissipates, when kidnappers burst into a party given in honour of a visiting Japanese businessman and would-be investor.

Amidst the andante that follows we watch the unlikely relationships that develop

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The Black Dahlia by James Ellroy

Filed under: Bookclub Books,Thriller — Femmes @ 3:07 pm
blackdahlia
Title: The Black Dahlia Author: James Ellroy Genre: Thriller Publisher: Random House Release Date: 2011-01-01 Pages: 383 Meeting: Friday 8th March 2002

Using the basic facts concerning the 1940s’ notorious and yet unsolved Black Dahlia case, Ellroy creates a kaleidoscope of human passion and dark obsession. A young woman’s mutilated body is found in a Los Angeles vacant lot.

The story is seen through the eyes of Bucky Bleichert, ex-prize fighter and something of a boy wonder on the police

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The Body Artist by Don DeLillo

Filed under: Bookclub Books,General Fiction — The Writer @ 3:07 pm
bodyartist
Title: The Body Artist Author: Don DeLillo Genre: General Fiction Publisher: Picador USA Release Date: 2011 Pages: 124 Meeting: Thursday 11th December 2003

There is a constant chill running through this short, complex narrative. It never lets up and it has led some to think of The Body Artist as a ghost story; I prefer to see it as an uncannily taut evocation of loss.

When the death of her husband leaves Lauren in a trance-like state she shuts herself away from the world. Thus begins a tentative relationship

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Madam Bovary – Gustave Flaubert

Filed under: Bookclub Books,Classics — The DJ @ 3:07 pm
madamebovary
Title: Madame Bovary Author: Gustave Flaubert, Geoffrey Wall, Genre: Classics Publisher: Penguin UK Release Date: 2003-01 Pages: 335 Meeting: Monday 16th July 2003

I picked this book to get us away from contemporary literature. Known as a classic that divides critics, I thought it would (and it did!) generate lively debate. This slow-moving tale is an overly descriptive account of provincial life in nineteenth century France. It specifically focuses on Emma Bovary, a selfish wife bored by domesticity. She has

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The Colour by Rose Tremain

Filed under: Bookclub Books,Historical Fiction — The Historian @ 3:07 pm
thecolour
Title: The Colour Author: Rose Tremain Genre: Historical Fiction Publisher: Random House Release Date: 2004 Pages: 366 Meeting: Friday 8th October 2004

As I head off for the far-flung shores of New Zealand, I wanted my last Bibliofemme choice to reflect the coming changes in my own circumstances. An extended search for books by authors from that country was unfruitful but I eventually discovered Rose Tremain’s The Colour, a book not by a New Zealander but about New Zealand, specifically the

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The Girls of Slender Means by Muriel Spark

Filed under: Bookclub Books,General Fiction — The Artist @ 12:55 pm
slendermeans
Title: The Girls of Slender Means Author: Muriel Spark Publisher: Penguin Pages: 144

Like the follow up to the girls of St Trinian’s or some other girls’ boarding school tale, the girls of the May of Teck Club live in a cosy world of dress-sharing, squeezing out windows and entertaining suitors.

The May of Teck Club is not a school society but a hostel existing for the “pecuniary convenience and social protection

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May 17, 2007

Running for the Hills: A Family Story by Horatio Clare

Filed under: Bookclub Books,General Fiction — Femmes @ 3:07 pm
pink27
Title: Running for the Hills: A Family Story Author: Horatio Clare Genre: General Fiction Publisher: John Murray; New Ed edition Meeting: 17th May 2007

Ok, ok. So I gave this book 5 out of 5, and was greeted with gasps of open-mouthed horror and amazement… Judging by the praise Horatio Clare’s childhood memoir has garnered in reviews since its publication, there are lots of people out there who agree with me – unfortunately, none of them are in this bookclub!

In my defence

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