Fall of Giants by Ken Follet

                    

                                                            A   M I G H T Y   R E A D

....   When this book choice emerged from under the table a heavy silence ensued.  So much so an extension beckoned before the 850 page book was even begun.  The hussies may not have an appetite for a deadline but they certainly had an appetite for Mr Follet, consuming the book in record time.

....   This book, as with most of Ken Follet's books is an epic read.  Full of accurate history wrapped up in a story following 5 families up to and just beyond the first world war.  Many issues are in their infant stages in this book and Mr Follet educates us superbly with his 'easy to read' and 'easy to understand' writing.  Trade Unions, The Labour Party, The Suffragettes, The Russian Revolution, The First World War, Early Churchill & Early Hitler are all monumental topics in their own right and Follet covers them with ease.

....  The fictitious story coupled with accurate historical facts follows the lives of five families which are intertwined through love, war, aristocracy and politics.  The chapters are laid out in such a fashion that it is very easy to follow.  Just enough fiction and history for the characters to take shape as you flit between your favourites whilst learning how hap-hazzard the organisation and execution of the first world war really was.  Follet does not paint a good picture of the aristocracy from any country, yet it is staggering to learn how far we have come in less than 100 years.

....   The hussies agreed this was an unexpectedly easy and well informed read.  Most points highlighted by the hussies referred to the plight of woman throughout all the classes.  Woman were either kept or out on their own with very little choice in the matter.  Most age groups would enjoy this book, which is the first of a trilogy, as Follet explains unfamiliar terms in detail. 

....   All in all, it was agreed that the book was a success despite the initial trepidation .  Highly recommended.  

....   A quote which echoes through the book 'uneducated but not stupid'

                                                        The Hadrian Hotel - Wall

....  The Hadrian at Wall was the venue for our discussion.  Just on the outskirts of Hexham, this cosy, hotel has a friendly bar and separate dining room.  The staff were attentive and the food was reasonable and enjoyable.  

....   A few snap shots of our menu choices that evening.

                                          A beautifully presented Sea Bass!

                                          

                                          A very tasty Belly Pork with Crackling!

....   The choice for our June read is 'The Trouble with Goats and Sheep' by Joanna Cannon

....   We will be reading this debut murder mystery novel set in the baking Summer of 1976 and discussing it in the baking Summer of 2017.

22/06/2017

   

All the light we cannot see by Anthony Doerr

A mesmerising tale of war, fire, and survival

In 1985, as a student, I visited Saint Malo, a port city in Brittany North West France.  My most vivid memories are of the tall granite walls which surround the old town.  

St Malo today

 To my shame, I had no idea that those walls encompassed thirty years of extensive reconstruction following large scale damage during WW2.   In 1944, St Malo was almost completely destroyed by fire.  Of the 865 building within the walls, only 182 remained standing and all were damaged to some degree (see here for more details).  

St Malo after the siege

The siege of St Malo is the setting for the climax to the 2015 Pulitzer prize winning novel,  “All the light we cannot see”.  The author, Anthony Doerr, deftly takes us on a journey starting in 1934 and ending in 2014 during which a blind, French girl and a German boy navigate the horrors of war until their paths finally collide during the devastation of St Malo.

Although the horrors of WW2 are well known, Doerr’s story of the Nazi occupation of Paris and  the cruelty of the Hitler youth told through his characters were especially illuminating and the siege offered a new and interesting dimension. 

Doerr was able to cover a lot of historical and geographical space by creating numerous short chapters.  The hussies were divided in their appreciation for this approach.  Although some appreciated how the story kept moving, others found the brief chapters less satisfying.  No sooner had they immersed themselves in a situation, then it was time to expend more effort and adapt to another.   There was some concern that the book was simply too long.

Those of us who enjoyed Doerr’s style, were deeply moved by his language, sense of detail and rich metaphors.  However, this was not a universal response and some found the novel too descriptive.  His use of “Americanisms” like sidewalk were deemed inappropriate and distracting in the context of a European setting.   

 Despite the critique, the Hussies agreed that this was a worthy read – which might explain why this book has sold so many copies (New York Times bestseller) and other awards (Carnegie medal for fiction)!

Enthusiasm for our meal and surroundings at Walwick Hall was unreservedly positive.  There was resounding (and unusually consistent) praise for this venue.  The food, service, décor were all popular and reasonably priced. 

Next time we will be reviewing, a mighty thick book…….Ken Follett, Fall of Giants.  Hopefully, we will complete it in time for a review…..