Geneva International Book Club

Deserts cover about 33% of the planet, so it's no surprise that they show up in literature. In the Bible, the desert is a place of loss and emptiness, but it’s also seen as a sacred spot where people can meet God. Fun fact: in Hebrew, the words for “desert” (midbar) and “to speak” (medaber) come from the same root, which hints that the desert might be a place for expression.
Deserts are often places of mystery and wandering, where the journey might lead to redemption—but more often, it leads to some form of loss, whether that’s physical, emotional, or both. They’re also settings for violent conflicts, since even barren land can spark battles and disputes.
We’ll be looking at nine different texts from four continents. All of this is brought to you by Francesca, who’s wandered through deserts herself—but hasn’t gotten lost (yet).

Location: Maison des Associations, salle STEVE BIKO
Starting time: 7:15 pm sharp
Presenter: Francesca

Format:
Part 1: presenter(s) provide a short overview of the pre-selected books, highlighting some of the reviews and critics and other relevant background. Members who have read any of the books can contribute.
Part 2: participants are invited to introduce any book that they would like to recommend and provide a short overview thereof (on a voluntarily basis).
Part 3: participants vote to select the book to be discussed in one of the upcoming book discussion meetings.
We look forward to seeing you all!

The Art of Joy centers on Modesta, a Sicilian woman born on January 1, 1900, whose strength and character are an affront to conventional morality. Impoverished as a child, Modesta believes she is destined for a better life. She is able, through grace and intelligence, to secure marriage to an aristocrat—without compromising her own deeply felt values. Friend, mother, lover—Modesta revels in upsetting the rules of her fascist, patriarchal society.

This is the history of the twentieth century, transfigured by the perspective of one extraordinary woman. Sapienza, an intriguing figure in her own right—her father homeschooled her so she wouldn’t be exposed to fascist influences—was a respected actress and writer who drew on her own struggles to craft this powerful epic. A fictionalized memoir, a book of romance and adventure, a feminist text, a bildungsroman—this novel is ultimately undefinable but deeply necessary.

LOCATION: Maison Internationale des Associations, salle Albert Jacquard
Presenter: VOLUNTEER WANTED
Starting time: 19:15 sharp
Format:

• Members introduction (5-10 minutes)
• Book presentation (20-30 minutes)

A brief history of the author’s life
A short summary of the book
Main ideas/themes

• Group discussion (45-60 minutes), members' personal views on the book, opposing ideas, etc.
• Announcement/info on next meeting (5 minutes)

When people think of contemporary Irish writing, there are familiar names: Sally Rooney, Anna Burns, Paul Murray, Paul Lynch, and of course Colm Tóibín. Their works are celebrated around the world, and we’ve explored some of these authors before. But Irish literature today reaches far beyond these familiar figures.
With this book selection we’ll turn to recent works by both emerging and established writers, voices that may not yet be widely known outside the Emerald Isle, but who bring uniquely Irish perspectives on identity, memory, belonging, and language.

Location: Maison des Associations, salle Albert Jacquard
Starting time: 7:15 pm sharp
Presenter: Sean

Format:
Part 1: presenter(s) provide a short overview of the pre-selected books, highlighting some of the reviews and critics and other relevant background. Members who have read any of the books can contribute.
Part 2: participants are invited to introduce any book that they would like to recommend and provide a short overview thereof (on a voluntarily basis).
Part 3: participants vote to select the book to be discussed in one of the upcoming book discussion meetings.
We look forward to seeing you all!