Harold Wood Reading Group

The Harold Wood Reading group is held every month on a Thursday evening at 6.30pm.

Harold Wood reviews

Here are the book reviews written by members of the Harold Wood Library Reading Group.  Some books initiate mixed feelings within the groups so we have shown more than one review of the same book.  If you would like to know more about this reading group contact 01708 342071.

If any other reading group, or individual reader would like to contribute their own reviews to any of the books we have been reading please send a brief print version to Harold Wood Library, Arundel Road, Harold Wood, Romford RM3 0RX.

The individual views expressed on these pages are from members of the public attending reading groups and not of Havering Council. 

May

Echoes from the Dead by Johan Theorin

Yet another mystery novel set in rural Sweden. As usual Nordic gloom prevails and Seasonal Affective Disorder permeates the book. The characters rose above the depression and come alive, but were rather dull. The time switching between chapters is a little irritating and doesn't add to the tension. After the third gratuitous killing, I quit, but had another go in the line of duty and became interested as the pace improved. The ending fooled me and though complicated, was believable. A routine read and it doesn't make me want to visit the location.

This novel has echoes of Henning Mankel's dark, gritty, Wallander series. What is it about the Scandinavian psyche that carries the tortured soul. I am reminded of a somewhat dismissive quote by W Somerset Maugham about the plays of Henrik Ibsen. "in an Ibsen play someone enters the room, open the window, and then someone dies.."

My enjoyment of this novel was wholly spoilt by one thing. What idiot was let loose to write the blurb on the back cover thus disclosing one of the key characters involved in the disappearance of Julian's son Jens.

June

A Life like other people's by Alan Bennett

Quite a few chuckles in this memoir; Mam and Dad's marriage at 8 o'clock and the Co-op's gracious quarter hour concession, Joe Fritton's remedy in lieu of swearing, and highly descriptive adjectives like Splother and Gimmer which convey exactly what they say on the tin.

There is Mam's passion for objets trouves, such as the brass pot, superior fire irons and green glass doorstop; and of course, her introduction to her favourite alcoholic drink, bitter lemon. Then there are the aunties, Kathleen and Myra forever nattering, Myra's marriage to Stan and missing Christmas high tea at six as they are having an elongated siesta. I particularly enjoyed Dad on Kath's marriage , when he ponders how Bill managed to shut Kath up long enough to pop the question.

There is tragedy as well, Mam's depression, Dad's death and also those of aunties and uncles. However, light relief is brought to this subject when the funeral of Dad's stepmother is described as an occasion of undiluted joy.

This is a gem of autobiographical writing. Finding it easy to read, like most of his work, is a tribute to the art of Alan Bennett. He is a brilliant observer of the minutiae of the lives of ordinary people, though he might use the word "folk" and mean it. With everyday vocabulary, he constructs a vanishing world of terrace house occupied by ordinary people, living mundane lives. The Writing sparkles. Each phrase is crafted with love and affection for their speech, character and foibles. He captures their insularity and their toughness, with a touch that is warm and humorous. A pleasure to read for those of that generation and an education too, for the next generation.

July

House of Orphans by Helen Dunmore

After a slow start, it becomes clear this is a story of unrequited love in Lapland. Gloomy people in a gloomy location enduring gloomy weather, not a setting for burgeoning passion. Familiar plot of mature man and ripening young girl promised to be interesting, but halfway through the plot switches to a pathetic bunch of idealists who seem to have little in common with those at the beginning.

The showdown got a little confused and I'm still not sure of the outcome and what is more I don't care. It neither entertained or educated me and is instantly forgettable.

The First third of the novel moved along at a gentle pace as the relationship between Dr Thomas Eklund and Eeva evolves. The characters are well drawn, even those peripheral to the action, Lotta Anna-Liisa, Matti all have their place. However the story fell down in the following pages, concerning mainly Lauri and Sasha, becoming a turgid read.

No examples are given as to what atrocities have been perpetrated by the Russian on the Finns, neither is there any background to the struggle. There is a brief historical note following the novel, which, I feel would have been better placed at the beginning of the book. Pauli and Sasha are just a pair of cardboard cut-outs and any play upon my emotions was lacking. To Paraphrase the words of a certain archetypal hero of the American South, 'Frankly my dear I couldn't give a damn!'