English BOOK CLUB - Novels reading and discussion

ABOUT THE BOOK

In this unforgettable international bestseller, three women from very different circumstances around the world find their lives intertwined by a single object and discover what connects us—across cultures, across backgrounds, and across borders.

In India, Smita is an untouchable. Desperate to give her daughter an education, she takes her child and flees her small village with nothing but resourcefulness, eventually heading to a temple where she will experience a rebirth.

In Sicily, Giulia works in her father’s wig workshop, the last of its kind in Palermo. She washes, bleaches, and dyes the hair provided by the city’s hairdressers, which is now in short supply. But when her father is the victim of a serious accident, she discovers that the company’s financial situation is dire. Now she must find a way to save her family’s livelihood.

In Canada, Sarah is a successful lawyer and twice-divorced mother of three children whose identity is wrapped up in her work. Just as she expects a big promotion, her life is shattered when she’s diagnosed with cancer.

A moving novel of hope and renewal, The Braid is a celebration of womanhood and the power of connection and perseverance.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Laetitia Colombani is a writer, screenwriter, director, and actress. She also writes for the theatre. La Tresse was published in 2017 in France and under the title The Braid in the UK, U.S.A., and Canada.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Prepare to be transported to a world of breathtaking beauty, profound sorrow, and unbreakable bonds as we delve into Lisa See's Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. This critically acclaimed novel, a New York Times bestseller and a favorite of book clubs worldwide, has captivated millions with its exquisite storytelling and deep dive into a fascinating, rarely seen aspect of Chinese history. See's meticulous research and evocative prose create a vivid tapestry of 19th-century rural China, drawing readers into the intimate lives of women bound by a unique and secret language.

At the heart of the story is the lifelong friendship between Lily and Snow Flower, two girls who, from the age of seven, are paired as "laotong" or "old friends" – a bond considered as strong as marriage. Through a secret language known as nu shu, written on a fan, they share their innermost thoughts, dreams, and the harsh realities of their lives, including the painful tradition of foot-binding. This novel is more than just a historical account; it's a poignant exploration of sisterhood, sacrifice, and the enduring power of female connection in a society where women had few freedoms but found strength in each other.

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan has garnered widespread praise for its powerful narrative and its ability to shed light on a hidden world. It was a finalist for the prestigious Orange Prize for Fiction (now the Women's Prize for Fiction) and has been translated into numerous languages, cementing its status as a modern classic. Readers consistently praise See's ability to create deeply empathetic characters and a story that resonates long after the final page is turned, prompting reflection on themes of love, duty, and the choices we make.

We invite you to join us for a rich and engaging discussion about Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. Come prepared to share your thoughts on Lily and Snow Flower's journey, the complexities of their friendship, and the striking historical context. This is more than just a story; it's an experience that will challenge your perspectives and leave you with a deeper appreciation for the resilience of the human spirit.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lisa See is a highly acclaimed American author known for her compelling historical novels, often set in China and exploring the lives of Chinese and Chinese American women. Born in Paris in 1955, she spent much of her upbringing in Los Angeles, particularly in its Chinatown, which deeply influenced her work. See's heritage, with her paternal great-grandfather being Chinese, has been a significant inspiration for her storytelling.

Among her most important works are her first book, the non-fiction On Gold Mountain: The One-Hundred-Year Odyssey of My Chinese-American Family (1995), which traces her own family history. Her fiction novels include Flower Net (1997), The Interior (1999), Dragon Bones (2003), Peony in Love (2007), Shanghai Girls (2009), The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane (2017), The Island of Sea Women (2019), and Lady Tan's Circle of Women (2023). Lisa See has received numerous awards and recognitions for her contributions to literature, including the National Woman of the Year by the Organization of Chinese American Women in 2001, and the Chinese American Museum's History Makers Award in 2003. Many of her books have been New York Times bestsellers and translated into dozens of languages.

Her widely celebrated novel, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan (2005), is a testament to See's dedication to historical accuracy and profound character development. To research the secret women's language of nu shu, central to the novel, See traveled to a remote area of China, reportedly being only the second foreigner to visit. This meticulous research allowed her to depict the intricate details of 19th-century Chinese women's lives, including the challenging practice of foot-binding, and the deep, enduring bonds of "laotong" friendships. The novel's success is reflected in its critical acclaim, various awards including an Honor Book for the Asian/Pacific American Awards for Literature, and its adaptation into a feature film.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Sea of Tranquility (2022) by Emily St. John Mandel is a sweeping, time-bending novel that links an English exile in 1912, a famous author on a book tour during a pandemic in 2203, and a lonely investigator on the Moon two centuries later. Written in Mandel’s elegant and understated style, the novel explores the fragility of existence, the persistence of memory, and the mysterious connections that tie lives together across centuries.

Critics around the world have praised the book for its ambition and beauty. The Guardian described it as “hugely ambitious in scope, yet also intimate and written with a graceful and beguiling fluency,” highlighting how the mix of speculative fiction and deeply human themes keeps readers engaged throughout. The Los Angeles Times called it “pure pleasure to read,” noting that Mandel weaves time travel, pandemics, and human longing into a narrative that feels both cosmic and personal. WIRED admired the way Mandel reuses and remixes elements from her earlier novels to create “a trippy, wistful story,” confirming her talent for building entire fictional universes.

The novel received several accolades, including the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Science Fiction in 2022, and it was named among Barack Obama’s favorite books of the year. It also appeared on many “Best Books of 2022” lists by leading publications like WIRED and The New York Times, confirming its status as one of the most talked-about novels of the year.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Emily St. John Mandel was born in 1979 in British Columbia, Canada, and originally trained as a dancer at the School of Toronto Dance Theatre before dedicating herself fully to writing. She achieved international recognition with her 2014 novel Station Eleven, which became a finalist for the National Book Award, won the Arthur C. Clarke Award, and was later adapted into a successful HBO Max miniseries.

Her literary career continued to flourish with The Glass Hotel (2020) and Sea of Tranquility (2022), both praised for their elegant prose and intricate narrative structures. Mandel’s work is often celebrated for blending intimate character portraits with broader speculative themes such as pandemics, financial collapse, and time travel. Living between New York and Los Angeles, she is known for creating haunting, interwoven stories that explore the delicate threads connecting people across time and space.