Cornflower Book Group 2010: Volume 9

   

   Earlier in the year when the Lost Man Booker Prize was the talk of the moment, strong support was shown for J.G. Farrell's novel Troubles, and indeed it was the eventual winner. I didn't manage to get to it at the time, but looking at possibilities for the Book Group's September title, I thought it might fit the bill nicely.

    This article by Rachel Cooke makes a very good case for reading it, and reviews suggest it amuses, impresses and entertains in equal measure. Set in a grand but crumbling hotel in rural Ireland in 1919, the increasingly violent struggle for independence will surely encroach on the quietly fading haven in which Major Brendan Archer is passing the summer. According to Rachel Cooke, the ending - "high drama followed by a soaring epiphany" is one of the best she has read, while other commentators refer to the book as "a work of genius" and praise its "set-pieces and characterisation ... softly constructed around an original, though faithful, representation of the historical context."

   I'm keen to read it and hope many others are too. As far as availability goes, my catalogue checks suggest libraries will have it, shops should stock it or be able to get it easily, there is a Kindle version in addition to the paperback, Amazon US has it and The Book Depository will send it anywhere, post-free.

    As we're talking about I Capture the Castle from next weekend (28th. August), let's get together on Saturday, 25th. September to discuss Troubles. As usual, everyone is most welcome to join in.