Cornflower Book Group - January & February 2013

 

   December can be such a busy month - at least pre-Christmas - that reading may not be high on the priority list, so as we've done before, the CBG will have a month 'off'. To launch us into the New Year, I've chosen our January book and one for February so that we have plenty of time to get hold of copies and fit both reads (one short, one long!) into busy schedules.

    For January, a classic of children's literature which appeals to adults, too. Joan Aiken's The Wolves of Willoughby Chase was first published in 1962 and is set in 1832, but in a period of English history which never happened. King James III is on the throne, and a newly opened Channel Tunnel allows ravaging wolves, driven by severe winters from Europe and Russia, to enter the British Isles ... At Willoughby Chase, the grand but remote country home of Sir Willoughby and Lady Green and their daughter Bonnie, Bonnie's orphaned cousin Sylvia comes to stay, and the girls are left in the care of the tyrannical, scheming Miss Slighcarp when Bonnie's parents have to go abroad.

    "Dickensian in flavour ... rich in atmosphere and intrigue."

    "A genuine small masterpiece."

    "Thrilling tale...stuffed with atmosphere, adventure, memorable characters and luxuriant Gothic prose. Any child who discovers it will fall in love, not only with Aiken's writing, but with reading... The Wolves sequence has inspired writers from Philip Pullman to Cathryn Constable... Aiken was a genius, and her reissue deserves howls of delight," says Amanda Craig in The Times.

    Our February book is "a novel which combines the simple pleasures of Agatha Christie with the intellectual subtlety of Umberto Eco." It is An Instance Of The Fingerpost by Iain Pears, "a deeply scholarly thriller, but with the learning worn lightly and all the elements of the plot clicking together smoothly."

    Set in Oxford in the 1660s, at its centre is a young woman accused of the murder of Robert Grove, a fellow of New College. Four witnesses give their accounts of events leading up to Grove's death: "Marco da Cola, a Venetian Catholic intent on claiming credit for the invention of blood transfusion; Jack Prescott, the son of a supposed traitor to the Royalist cause, determined to vindicate his father; John Wallis, chief cryptographer to both Cromwell and Charles II, a mathematician, theologian and master spy; and Anthony Wood, the famous Oxford antiquary." Only one version contains the extraordinary truth.

    I very much hope that both books will appeal and that everyone who wishes to will find the time to read them. They should be easy to get hold of, whether from libraries or shops; they are available as e-books and audiobooks; there are US editions; but as ever, in case of any local difficulty, The Book Depository stocks them and will despatch them worldwide, free of postage (they are listed here and here). Let's set our discussion dates as from Saturday, 26th. January (for The Wolves ...) and from Saturday, 23rd. February (for An Instance ...), and if you've never read along with us before but would like to do so now, you would be very welcome.

Comments

[Chris]

I am new to the CBG, I have been dipping in and out of your inspiring blog for a little while now, and have taken the plunge and ordered both books.

[Susan Campbell]

Please will you remind me if I had already joined the book club in the past, as I haven't yet read any of the books, or at least not at the same time as the rest of the members? I'd like to make a 'proper' start with the January and February books.

Thank you

[Cornflower]

Excellent, Chris! I hope you'll enjoy them.

[Cornflower]

It's all very informal, Susan, so no 'joining' as such required, but it's great that you feel moved to start the Jan. and Feb. books.
Everyone is very welcome to read along with us and comment (or not) when we come to discuss the book, and if anyone happens to have read that month's book in the past and wishes to participate without re-reading, that's of course perfectly fine.

[LizF]

Interesting choices. I have no recollection of having read The Wolves of Willoughby Chase in my childhood so I will track down a copy - always useful to have a classic children's book on Nonna's bookshelf (even if it will be a while before four year old Amelia and rising two year-olds Will and Bella are up to reading it!)
I actually have a copy of February's book already so look forward to getting started on that in good time.

[Belle]

Ah, hah. The Instance of the Fingerpost is on my TBR list and I can't think of a better time to read it than for your February discussion. Thanks for the nudge.

Oh dear. I see it weighs in at almost 700 pages. I had better get started!

[Sandy]

I have not read either book; they both sound great and are now in my Kindle with their feet up waiting for their audience.

BTW John Saturnall's Feast was as good as you promised.

[Ruthiella]

I have a hunch that The Instance of the Fingerpost will be polarizing among readers. I read this a couple of years ago and loved it. However, as Belle points out, it is LONG. I might see if I can get an audio book instead of re-reading it.

My library has the Joan Aiken book as well, so I am set and looking forward to the CBBC in 2013!

[Sarah]

Coincidentally, I have just bought the gorgeous Vintage edition of the Wolves of Willoughby Chase, I'm very glad to have a decent excuse now! I love The Instance of the Fingerpost so much, I'm going to see if I can find my copy for a re-read.

[GeraniumCat]

I've had The Wolves on the re-read pile for quite a while, so I'm delighted to have a push in its direction! And I've long meant to read the Iain Pears book, I'll see if the library has it after Christmas.

[Danielle]

Well, I have had a copy of Iain Pear's book in paper for as long as it has been out (which is a while I think...). I'd love to try and read along...will look for my copy and move it to my bedside pile in anticipation! :)

[Anji]

Thanks Cornflower for the selection. As I haven't read either book I am looking forward to it. It's the right time of the year for a 'long' read.

[Cornflower]

So glad you enjoyed it, Sandy!

[Cornflower]

Your hunch may well be a reliable indicator, Ruthiella - I too had that feeling when I was choosing the book.

[Cornflower]

It's always a relief when I hear some people have loved a book, so thanks for letting me know Sarah.

[Cornflower]

Many thanks, all, for your enthusiastic and positive comments. I hope both books will give us good reading.