Scandalising nuns! A scene from a recent stage adaptation of The Country Girls
August saw a return to the pub and face-to-face meetings for the first time in 18 months - a cause for celebration in itself.
The book chosen was an Irish classic. Edna O'Brien's The Country Girls caused a scandal when it was first published, being banned, and even burnt in Ireland. Sixty years on, Tyneside club members did not find much to shock them. For many though, this was still a novel that packed a punch.
All agreed it was a well-written pacey read, and a remarkable debut. For some though, the subject matter now felt overly familiar. O'Brien may have been a pioneer, but many of the themes had been explored by subsequent writers. That left some members unmoved.
But for others this book still felt vital and relevant today, even if it no longer had the capacity to shock. The characters of the two friends Caithleen and Baba jumped off the page. But then so did the supporting cast of characters too. They all felt three-dimensional, perhaps because O'Brien had used her own life as inspiration.
There was some discussion though about the relationship between Caithleen and Baba. Some members disliked Baba because of her bullying behaviour towards Caithleen, and that became a barrier. But others found a little more sympathy, seeing insecurities behind her facade. Some felt it did reveal truths about female friendship, and rivalry.
The male characters also provoked some discussion, none more so than Mr Gentleman. Some members felt he had groomed Caithleen, and that their relationship was at heart abusive. But others felt there was some spark of romance there, even if it was marred by their difference in age and status.
Some members found a lot of humour in the book, with moments of real laughter, but others struggled to find much that amused them.
Members did though find they generally rooted for Caithleen, and appreciated that neither her nor Baba were prepared entirely to accept the role allotted to women by the repressive Irish society of the time. Despite the limitations they lived under, their independent spirit could not quite be crushed. Some members though were frustrated that Caithleen was led astray by Baba, and gave up a chance of advancing her education.
All agreed though this was a good book choice, and clearly an important milestone in Irish literature. Some members said they would consider reading the next two books in Edna O'Brien's trilogy.
The book chosen was an Irish classic. Edna O'Brien's The Country Girls caused a scandal when it was first published, being banned, and even burnt in Ireland. Sixty years on, Tyneside club members did not find much to shock them. For many though, this was still a novel that packed a punch.
All agreed it was a well-written pacey read, and a remarkable debut. For some though, the subject matter now felt overly familiar. O'Brien may have been a pioneer, but many of the themes had been explored by subsequent writers. That left some members unmoved.
But for others this book still felt vital and relevant today, even if it no longer had the capacity to shock. The characters of the two friends Caithleen and Baba jumped off the page. But then so did the supporting cast of characters too. They all felt three-dimensional, perhaps because O'Brien had used her own life as inspiration.
There was some discussion though about the relationship between Caithleen and Baba. Some members disliked Baba because of her bullying behaviour towards Caithleen, and that became a barrier. But others found a little more sympathy, seeing insecurities behind her facade. Some felt it did reveal truths about female friendship, and rivalry.
The male characters also provoked some discussion, none more so than Mr Gentleman. Some members felt he had groomed Caithleen, and that their relationship was at heart abusive. But others felt there was some spark of romance there, even if it was marred by their difference in age and status.
Some members found a lot of humour in the book, with moments of real laughter, but others struggled to find much that amused them.
Members did though find they generally rooted for Caithleen, and appreciated that neither her nor Baba were prepared entirely to accept the role allotted to women by the repressive Irish society of the time. Despite the limitations they lived under, their independent spirit could not quite be crushed. Some members though were frustrated that Caithleen was led astray by Baba, and gave up a chance of advancing her education.
All agreed though this was a good book choice, and clearly an important milestone in Irish literature. Some members said they would consider reading the next two books in Edna O'Brien's trilogy.
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