Bangkok International Book Club

Discussion of the book for December 2011

bangkokbookclub — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 09:51:35 +0000

“The Imperfectionists” by Tom Rachman

Everyone thought this was a good, fun read, but intelligent and well structured at the same time. The many different story lines did not seem to confuse readers (as that sort of style can do sometimes), and everyone agreed that this was quite an achievement as a first novel. A member of the group who has some first-hand knowledge about journalists and newspapers are felt that this was a very believable depiction of the business.

Discussion of the book for November 2011

bangkokbookclub — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 09:47:22 +0000

“The Finkler Question” by Howard Jacobson

Some of the group thought this was a funny and sad book – with the 3 main characters all wanting things they can never have. Treslove, who desperately wants to be Jewish (but converting to Judaism would not solve the problem); Finkler, who desperately doesn’t want to be Jewish (but has no idea how not to be Jewish and hates this); and Libor, who desperately wants his wife back (but can’t have her as she’s dead). The members that enjoyed this book thought it was at one level at least, a novel about identity, and the struggle to try to define who we are, and once we do (like Libor, who really defines himself as the husband of Malkie).
A number of people really disliked this book, didn’t find it amusing or clever at all, but rather irritating and ridiculous.

Discussion of the book for October 2011

bangkokbookclub — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 09:44:57 +0000

“Home” by Marilynne Robinson

The women in the group were able to understand the situation Glory was dealing with – coming home to take care of an aging, ailing parent, especially as she did not have a family of her own. Not all agreed that this is the way it should be, just that it is a very real expectation that women across many cultures can face as their parents age, especially at the time this story was set (mid 1950s).
The men in the group that read “Home”, or tried to, unanimously (and vehemently) hated this book. It was difficult for them to understand how this woman allowed herself to get trapped in this depressing life, and saw no purpose to the story at all. In addition, they found the slow pace and detailed and repetitive descriptions of daily life boring to the extreme (the expression “I’d rather watch paint dry” comes to mind).

Discussion of the book for September 2011

bangkokbookclub — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 09:42:12 +0000

“Brixton Beach” by Roma Tearne

Though a couple of people liked this book, most of the group thought it was disappointing and not well-written. The staggering number of tragic events in the life of the Fonseka family felt relentless and ultimately tedious, and did not seem to serve any purpose after a certain point in the book. The excessive amount of deaths or “disappearances” closed doors to interesting story-lines (Kunal and Sita; Alice and her Grandfather; Alice and her cousin) and felt artificial and melodramatic. The author’s choice to use the 2005 London Bombings as a segue to telling a story about the Sri Lankan War seemed flimsy and undermined the distinct differences between both those situations or conflicts.

The parts about art and sculpture were compelling, as were the relationship between Alice and her grandfather (until she moves to England) and Sita’s story. The rest of the characters felt like props, and most of us would have like to have known more about Stanley and how he increasingly became more involved with supporting the Tamil Tigers from the UK.

At least two members present at the meeting had a significant amount of knowledge about the Sri Lankan War, and were quite surprised by the amount of historical inaccuracy Tearne felt was acceptable to include in this novel.

Discussion of the book for August 2011

bangkokbookclub — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 09:36:39 +0000

BY JIM (RECOMMENDED THE BOOK WAS WASN’T ABLE TO BE WITH US AS HE WAS TRAVELING)

A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole

I first read this book thirty years ago when it was first published. I remembered it as being very amusing in its caricature of some of the fringe elements of New Orleans society in the early 1960s. I also remembered it as a “coming of age” story. Over the years, I have recommended this book to many people, and they have all reported liking it, especially British readers for some reason. Since it is considered a bit of a classic in Southern literature and also appears to be experiencing a revival of interest lately (as evidenced by its presence in the book stores in Bangkok), I recommended it to the book club. I recently re-read the book to refresh my recollection of the story.

Thirty years on, my reaction is a bit different. Yes, it is still amusing, but I must have read a lot since then, as I did not find it as amusing today and I did thirty years ago. On the contrary, the sadness mentioned in the preface, seemed much more palpable to me. There was not much “coming of age” in the story itself, though it does end on a hopeful note with Ignatius and Myrna riding off into the sunset to start a new life in New York. In my recent re-reading, I sensed the truth: that they might never make it to New York, at least not together, or even if they do, Ignatius will die never having grown up, which seems to be what happened to the author.

Though caricatured, the characters in this story are actually quite realistic, even Ignatius. I knew several people in college who were very much like him. One, William A Henry III, became marginally famous for winning the Pulitzer Prize for television criticism. He definitely had the personality and the physique of Ignatius, though he was not a medieval scholar. I knew some others who were, and they believed in the divine right of kings, not a commonly held belief in 1969. And there are so many Myrna Minkoffs in New York, it would be impossible to count them all. New Orleans has always been ground zero for goofballs and misfits of various stripes, so I have no trouble believing the essential truth of the other characters as well.

Viewed as a comedy, it might not seem so funny today, especially after 50 years of television since 1960, but as a story of misfits trying to get from one day to the next, with a few trying to find a better place in the world, it holds up well.

Discussion of the book for July 2011

bangkokbookclub — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 11:14:15 +0000

“Arthur and George” by Julian Barnes

Though most of the group enjoyed this book, few felt they would recommend it to others, indicating that the overall feeling at the end of it was that it was an enjoyable read, but didn’t really leave any lasting impression. One person thought it was tremendously tedious and stopped reading it quite early on.

As a work of historical fiction, several members thought Barnes gave a good portrait of Arthur Conan Doyle. In contrast, most of the other characters felt somewhat insubstantial and readers were particularly interested in knowing more about the Edalji family history. Someone pointed out that as this was written in the style of a Victorian novel, ‘back story’ and psychological insight/intent of characters were not elements used by novelists, or expected by readers during that period of time. Someone else thought that one of the reasons Arthur seemed more complete than any of the other characters was that there was simply much more research material available about him.

One member specifically enjoyed “the Victorian pace of the book – it slows everything down and there’s a great attention to detail”.

Discussion of the book for June 2011

bangkokbookclub — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 10:52:26 +0000

Troubles” by J.G. Farrell

A large portion of the group thought this was a tedious and overrated novel. Though the Majestic was a good metaphor for a crumbling and out dated British rule (around the globe), many members found the premise unbelievable and the characters overly drawn. Some were disappointed that the author did not take the opportunity to provide more information about this interesting period in Irish history, but agreed that Farrell’s decision to focus primarily on the attitude of the English towards the Irish was effective and gave a good sense of the social dynamics of the time.

Several thought it was very entertaining at times but far too long, ultimately a confusing and dissatisfying mixture of comedy and pathos. One member commented that he felt Farrell couldn’t decide whether he wanted to write a humorous or serious novel.

The next meeting will be on July 27th and the book is: “Arthur and George” by Julian Barnes.

Discussion of the book for May 2011

bangkokbookclub — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 10:45:29 +0000

“The Lacuna” by Barbara Kingsolver

Several members thought this book was a fast and easy read, despite it’s hefty 500+ pages, with engaging, colourful historical and fictitious characters. Some found the structure of the novel tedious (in the form of diary entries), but agreed that the observations of the protagonist (Harrison Shepherd) were entertaining and insightful, if somewhat disengaged. One reader in particular felt unable to connect emotionally with the diarist, or the characters, but agreed that the stories and situations were extremely interesting, even from a distance.

The members that were especially taken with this book were familiar with (studied, admired, visited) Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, Trotsky (the Russian Revolution), Mexico or historical fiction.

THE BOOK FOR JUNE IS: “TROUBLES” BY J.G. FARRELL

Discussion of the book for April 2011

bangkokbookclub — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 10:29:39 +0000

“Never Let Me Go” by Kazuo Ishiguro

Most of the group had mixed feelings about this sinister alternate world novel. One person thought it was particularly disturbing because she could see similar “ideas” evolving in the future, justified by the rationalisation that these were acceptable ethical lines to cross in the effort to eradicate physical illness and disease.

Several others felt strongly that the fatal flaw in the story was that none of the clones, at any point (and the novel spans many years) rebel in any form, and simply accept their fate of becoming carers and then donors, until they are used up and “complete”. The contradiction occurs as the story is also about proving a belief that even though these clones are genetically engineered, they have human souls. This belief is shown to be true (within the context of the novel), but then this falls apart as they don’t behave in a human way by fighting for different lives or even questioning the purpose of their existence.

Despite these dissatisfactions, almost everyone thought it was beautifully written – with one member saying that he felt the whole novel was a vehicle for Ishiguro to present his command of the English language and writing ability. There was one member who thought it was tedious book.

The book for our meeting on May 25th will be “The Lacuna” by Barbara Kingsolver.

Discussion of the book for March 2011

bangkokbookclub — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 10:23:41 +0000

“The Elegance of the Hedgehog” by Muriel Barbery

Most of the group throughly enjoyed this book, though some thought it was pretentious and superficial. Several commented that it was beautifully written. Some thought it was an accurate critique of French society, but could also see the existence of this class consciousness (to varying degrees) displayed in other cultures. Someone else made the observation that this is true in so many societies, and that there are people that do essential things for us in everyday life that we don’t notice or acknowledge. One member liked the way profound and serious ideas were presented in a light way, making it an easy book to read.

Suzana, a member who has lived in Paris, and is familiar with the street where the novel is set, absolutely loved this book, and found it completely believable and in line with the French sense of humour and the ability to make fun of themselves. She explained the attraction of the Japanese businessman, and how true it was that people would be enthralled by him as he was so different to anything they had experienced, and presented something new and fresh.

Almost everyone thought the ending was unsatisfying, but no-one could come up with something better.

A couple of members did not like this book at all. Buzz passed on his blog entry about it:

Superficial and Pretentious.

I know that many readers adulate this book, but for me, it was superficial and pretentious. It was as if Irving Berlin, a very great song writer, had tried to write an opera, or as if a daytime soap opera had aspirations of great drama. I don’t think that Muriel Barbery has anything much to say about art and beauty, and her story line, while sometimes charming, and her characters, while sometimes interesting, would be better engaged in something other than trying to explain the meaning of life to us all. This book belongs on the shelf with the numerous motivational books and tapes of the self-actualization movement, the “you can do and be anything if you put your mind to it” folks.

THE BOOK FOR APRIL 27th IS “NEVER LET ME GO” BY KAZUO ISHIGURO