2014 May meeting - The Shag Incident

With Jackie as hostess, we had an enjoyable evening together, though neither Freda nor Robin could attend.  Hopefully all will be well for the next meeting.   The main discussion was based on the novel

The Shag Incident by Stephanie Johnson

"In my experience, it was a man completely unknown to me who shaped the entirety of my mid-late life." So speaks the ex-All Black and millionaire blockbuster novelist, Howard Shag, in his authorised biography written by Melody Argyle. A darkly satirical and wickedly funny novel that takes on a range of contemporary matters. 

There was lively discussion around the topics of the actual "Shag Incident", women's liberation in New Zealand, life on Waiheke Island during the years as set out in the book.  The inclusion of historic events and the likeness to real people brought the book closer to home for everyone.  Most felt the author had done a great job of weaving a tapestry of characters together in a fun way.

There was some comments regards the jumping around from past to present being difficult to follow, but once the story had progessed, it all seemed to fall into place better.

Being passed around the group at the moment are

• Loving Frank by Nancy Horan
• Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier
• A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
• Lola Bensky by Lily Brett

2014 April meeting - Degrees of Separation

This evening we met at Denise's home, comfy and cosy against the change of daylight saving.  Thoughts of the coming winter season were appropriate as we discussed Degrees of Separation by Laurence Fearnley, set in the Antarctic.

On board an aircraft, as it makes its way from the Antarctic to New Zealand, three people sit quietly, reflecting on their past summer on the ice. Sally, a composer who has been searching for inspiration; William, a bird scientist who has been visiting Antarctica since the 1960s, and Marilyn, a young communications operator, tell their stories in alternating chapters. Contrasting the beauty and vastness of the Antarctic with the banality and discomfort of life on the ice, Degrees of Separation focuses on themes of love and memory.

It was great to hear some personal insights from the family member of someone who had spent a lot of time in the Antarctic. Discussion suggested frustration in the story and how the characters acted.  However, it is hard to know how we outselves would react in the situations presented.  The connections between the characters played on the idea of the 3 degrees of separation between New Zealander (whether revealed or not.)

Other discussion:  The Lower River by Paul Theroux