New Cross Library Reading Group News

The April meeting of the group discussed Katherine Webb’s novel The Legacy.

This novel, which appealed to those who attended the session, has an intriguing plot linking characters spanning five generations from both sides of the Atlantic. As Erica and Beth who are sisters living in present day society, with mixed feelings take up residence in Storton Hall, a country house left to them under quite repressive terms by their aloof and recently deceased grandmother, we soon become involved in the plot which revolves around Erica’s  attempts to unravel the mysteries concerning both the distant past and an event from their own childhood – the sudden and as yet unexplained disappearance of Henry, their objectionable and outrageous cousin.

We were impressed at how deftly the author juxtaposes her accounts of events which occurred in different periods, so that Caroline, seen by Erica and Beth as a remote and almost otherworldly figure from another epoch, is vividly drawn when we meet her as a young, sensitive and idealistic woman who escapes the luxurious, yet oppressive home she shares with her overbearing guardian in New York, only to find herself in an equally forbidding environment in the American West, where vast expanses of land seem to separate each dwelling place, where sand blows into everything and her husband seems ceaselessly occupied with work. Which experiences, however tragic, cause Caroline to lose her zest for living as withdrawn and embittered she spends her succeeding years as a recluse at Storton Hall? It appears that ancient letters and photographs found by Erica at this country residence by may provide clues as dos her reunion with Dinny, a childhood friend who lives as he did in the past with a community of travellers in the grounds of Storton Hall.

We were also interested to see that Katherine Webb found encouragement from individuals she encountered on a creative writing website youwriteon.com and look forward to her next novel which has recently appeared.

Next month’s meeting will discuss Maggie O’Farrell’s novel The Distance Between Us.
Tuesday 3 May 2011, 6.30-7.30pm
New Cross Library

Have you read this book? Let us know your thoughts.

Notes from an exhibition

What they say about it:

Renowned Canadian artist Rachel Kelly – now of Penzance – has buried her past and married a gentle and loving Cornish man. Her life has been a sacrifice to both her extraordinary art and her debilitating manic depression.

When troubled artist Rachel Kelly dies painting obsessively in her attic studio in Penzance, her saintly husband and adult children have more than the usual mess to clear up. She leaves behind an extraordinary and acclaimed body of work – but she also leaves a legacy of secrets and emotional damage it will take months to unravel.

What I thought about it:

I really enjoyed this book. It was in essence a book about family ties but also delved into the art world and gave us a glimpse of what it could be like living with someone with a mental illness.

I particularly enjoyed the portrayal of Barbara Hepworth or GBH as they call her in this (God! Barbara Hepworth) as a drunken battle-axe (fictional of course!).

I learnt  bit about being a Quaker (I knew nothing before), I revelled in the backdrop of Cornwall and found the book very touching – I will let him off his portrayal of Belgians (I am a proud 1/4).

Helen Hilton

Available at Lewisham Libraries

Coming Back to Me

What they say about it

Coming Back to Me replaces the myths and rumours with the truth as Trescothick talks with engaging openness and enthusiasm about his rise to the top of international cricket; and describes with equal frankness his tortured descent into private despair.

“You need someone to break through, and call it depression or anxiety…and say, look, we’re not supermen, we’re fallible. If he has this in his life, then others must have it, and they’re hiding it” – Peter Roebuck, Independent

What I say about it

I’ve just read this as part of my build-up to the Ashes series about to start in Australia, and have to say it is a very good example of an autobiography that transcends its field to become an excellent read for anyone, regardless of any interest in the author’s main occupation.

For those who may be unfamiliar, Marcus Trescothick is a professional cricketer who became a key batsman in the England team of the early 2000s, culminating in the Ashes victory of 2005. He then began to suffer from depression and anxiety, particularly over his being away from his young family when touring with the England team in India and Australia. He recounts the pain and terror he felt when struck down with depression, detailing the sense of overwhelming dread he experienced. The book is notable mostly because it is unusual for a high profile sportsman to admit to suffering such attacks and it has been seen as a breakthrough publication in terms of raising awareness and acceptance of mental illness. For those interested purely in cricket, it is a pretty decent account of the pressures of touring, and provides an insight into some of the internal politics of one of England’s most successful spells in recent decades. Recommended.

Alan Housden

Available in Lewisham libraries

Have you read this book? Let us know what you thought.