What we’re about
Are you interested in learning more about world literature or looking for a book club geared towards 20 & 30somethings?
This North Herts based group aims to bring people together in a friendly and relaxed environment to discuss a range of fiction from a diverse array of international authors.
Sounds interesting! What kinds of books will I be reading?
We’re super keen on the idea of creating a reading list that centres around books with global voices, contemporary perspectives, and (perhaps most importantly) don’t require a massive amount of time to get through. As such we’ll be using the following guidelines to help pick our titles:
• Must have been translated into English from another language
• Should ideally be no longer than 350 pages
So, how will the sessions be structured?
We’ll kick off each session by going around the group, asking everyone to introduce themselves and give their brief impressions of the book. We’ll then split into smaller groups and present a series of open-ended questions exploring the title’s themes, characters, language and style. The discussions will be moderated to allow everyone the chance to speak (or not if they choose, that’s perfectly fine!).
After the group questions we’ll come back together to gather everyone’s final review scores. There will then be a social period where members are free to chat and get to know one another better 😊
Understood! When and where do we meet?
Meetups will be held on a Sunday morning once a month in Hitchin (see individual events for times & locations). Meetups are free to attend but out of courtesy to our hosts please do remember to purchase something to drink or eat from the café or bar where the event is held.
Oh! And if you are planning on attending a session, remember to RSVP!
Upcoming events (1)
See all- Book Club Meetup: Dealing with the Dead by Alain MabanckouHitchin Coffee Lab, Hitchin
For July we’ll be reading Dealing with the Dead by Alain Mabanckou; Translated from the French by Helen Stevenson.
Available at Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/dealing-with-the-dead/alain-mabanckou/helen-stevenson/9781800817708 | 224 pages |
Abruptly deceased at the age of twenty-four and trapped forever in flared purple trousers, Liwa Ekimakingaï encounters the other residents of Frère Lachaise cemetery, all of whom have their own complex stories of life and death.
Unwilling to relinquish their tender bond, Liwa makes his way back home to Pointe-Noire to see his devoted grandmother one last time, against all spectral advice. But disturbing rumours swirl together with Liwa's jumbled memories of his last night on earth, leading him to pursue the riddle of his own untimely demise. A phantasmagorical tale of ambition, community and forces beyond human control, Dealing with the Dead is a scathing satire on corruption and political violence by one of the foremost chroniclers of modern Central Africa.
From one of Africa's most celebrated novelists: a ghostly reckoning with Congolese history for readers of Lincoln in the Bardo
'One of Africa's greatest living writers' Guardian
'Sharp and entertaining' Times Literary Supplement
'Exuberant ... Dealing with the Dead is often damning, frequently hilarious and always compassionate' Financial Times
As spaces are limited please only RSVP if you are able to make the event, newcomers are of course welcome!
