The Aveyron Book Group

Keen readers gather around France for regular book readings and reviews, usually over a cup of tea or a glass of wine.

French News Online, in collaboration with one of these - The Aveyron Book Group - here introduces a regular book lovers' page.

The Aveyron Book Group was set up in 2003 with just 5 members and now with a full house at 14, it meets regularly in the afternoons for tea, visiting each other's homes on a rota basis. (For further information regarding the Aveyron Book Group - please click this link).

Members met in November (2011) to discuss their chosen book -- Sarah Hall's, The Carhullen Army.

The Carhullan Army
- to read a Synopsis, click the image above -

Anne Dyson, a member of the Aveyron Book Group writes:

Our Book Club choice for November was The Carhullan Army by Sarah Hall

The book provided lively discussion with diametrically opposed views expressed with some vehemence.

Positive comments were that the book was powerful, well written, chilling, carefully crafted and addressed political and global issues and fanaticism with brutal candour. It was felt that the novel was not so far fetched and many of us could see that the events could so easily happen.

Some members felt the characters were very believable others were not so sure. Most agreed there were wonderful descriptions of the Lake District. On the negative side it was felt that the ending was poor and that it didn't really hang together as a novel. Many members found it depressing and some actively disliked it.

Very low scores from two members meant the overall score was a low 56%. Although the book had a low score it is a compelling read, inevitable comparisons will be made with Margaret Attwood's A Handmaiden's Tale, which in truth is the better book, but it deals with uncomfortable ideas in an intelligent and thought provoking way.

The book stays with you long after reading it with it's ideas swirling around, surely a sign of a good novel.

The descriptions of the Lake District have scarcely been bettered. If you do not know that part of England Sarah's wonderfully evocative prose will have you longing to visit.

Altogether a chilling, depressing novel which will make you think.

The wonderful tea provided by our hostess, and her husband - scone maker extraordinaire - meant a good afternoon was had by all.

Selected Edition: Paperback. ISBN 9780571236602
Published 03.04.2008 Pages: 224

December's chosen book was The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles

Anne Dyson, a member of the Aveyron Book Group writes:

The Sheltering Sky
- to read a Synopsis, click the image above -

There were only 4 members present at the meeting in December though 3 other members sent their views via email.

The lowest score was 2 from a member who found the book difficult to read, very negative and had no sympathy with the characters.

Another member also commented that it was not an easy read but she praised its clever descriptions.

Positive comments noted how finely crafted the novel was with good descriptions and very good atmosphere, a member noted it was a drifting, misty story.

One of our members commented that it was "a bleak post war novel exploring through its characters the dislocation of individuals in an alien world, confused and uncomprehending." At first the novel is difficult to get into but it repays effort.

The atmosphere of the all encompassing desert and its effect on the characters is very powerful.

The shifting sands seem to echo the shifting moods of the characters, the reader is drawn into these subtle shifts and the overall sense of despair and confusion and impending doom leaves the reader feeling uncomfortable, ill at ease, drawn into the lives of the characters without ever feeling that confusion will be resolved.

An unusual and intelligent read. The Sheltering Sky has been made into a powerful yet enigmatic film, well worth seeing after you have read the book but not before! The final score was 61%.

Our usual superb afternoon tea ended a thoughtful afternoon.

Format : Paperback ISBN: 9780141187778. Size : 129 x 198mm
Pages : 368 Published : 29 Jan 2004 Publisher : Penguin Classics

Reviews: Anne Dyson, Aveyron Book Group
annedyson@wanadoo.fr

Anne Dyson

Anne Dyson, in cooking mode!

Anne Dyson runs the well known Greedy Goose cooking school which is associated with Maison Dyson, her charming retreat in an area bordering the Tarn and Tarn et Garonne. For further information about Anne and her two enterprises, The Greedy Goose and Maison Dyson, please click this link to pop-up a new window.

The Greedy Goose, Cookery School

Links

Greedy Goose Cookery School
Maison Dyson