It was back to the Cold War for the Tyneside Book Club in November as members took on a the late John Le Carre's 1960s classic.

The discussion revealed at least some form of gender divide on the merits of The Spy Who Came in from the Cold. The men in the group tended to be more enthusiastic than the women, though there were exceptions on both sides.

The members who were keen appreciated the taut and tangled plotting, the economical writing style and the oppressive atmosphere built by Le Carre. They felt the characters were well-drawn, and the book exposed the cynical amoral world of espionage that Le Carre himself had experienced. They may not have always followed every twist and turn, but appreciated that Le Carre was prepared to trust in the intelligence of readers rather than telegraph and overexplain the plot. Members enjoyed the ambiguity and how some of the action was left open to interpretation.

For those less keen though, the complexity of the plot sometimes frustrated, confused, and left them cold. Some members also struggled to engage with the characters. While those who liked the book felt the main protagonist, Lomas, was engaging and interesting, for others he was unpleasant, self-serving and hard to root for. They struggled to emotionally engage in the plot, or care much about the outcome.

There was appreciation though from all for the insight Le Carre gave into the unpleasant world of Cold War espionage. The book exposed the cynicism of those on both sides of The Iron Curtain, and the perils of idealism. There was some discussion about the ending and the circumstances that brought it about.

While some ended the meeting keen to explore more of Le Carre's work, others felt that their personal doubts about the appeal of the spy genre were confirmed.

October's meeting dealt with some pretty dark subject matter, as members discussed pathologist Dr Richard Shepherd's memoir Unnatural Causes. 

Shepherd is one of the country's leading pathologists and has worked on hundreds of cases, ranging from the homeless to the famous (and infamous).

Members were largely drawn in by the fascinating (if often grim) details of Shepherd's work. It brought back memories for some of the well-known tragedies and cases he worked on, and some fresh insight into them. He did manage to reveal details while still emphasising the respect he had for the bodies he worked on, and the grieving relatives left behind.

It did seem at times like a greatest hits of pathology, but it was remarkable how often Shepherd had played a part in events from disasters to high profile deaths. Members agreed he did manage to convey the pressures of the job, while also revealing why it held a fascination for him.

There was some discussion about the more personal sides of the memoir, as Shepherd also dissected his dysfunctional marriage, and gradual mental collapse as the job took its toll. Some members found that less compelling than the case histories, but others appreciated the insight into the personal as well as the professional. There was also appreciation for the insights Shepherd gave into mortality and the functions of the body after death.

Most agreed this was not a book they would necessarily have chosen to read, but felt it did provide some surprising insights, without becoming too macabre. Some felt they would like to read more from him, and perhaps catch him on his current tour of theatres. Despite the subject matter, most members found the book more enlightening than depressing.