📚 🚶Catching up on Abdulrazak Gurnah
How and why did By the Sea turn out to be a Marmite book? Plus don't forget Friday's Live Discussion Thread...
Dear walking book clubbers,
Here we are, by the pond, discussing what the title ‘By the Sea’ brings to mind. I loved how open and free our conversation was as we shared ideas on that sunny Sunday, and also over an excellent Zoom the following evening.
Just to remind you that our monthly Live Discussion Thread will be taking place here on Substack THIS FRIDAY at 2-2.30pm (look out for the link that will land in your inbox just before). It’s another chance to discuss our October book and also to share what else we’ve been reading this month - hope to see you on our chatty informal thread! If you can’t make it but would like to recommend a book to your fellow book clubbers, please drop me a line and I’ll share it on the thread for you.
While many of us loved By the Sea, some really hated it - and I always feel rather excited by Marmite books like this - how wonderful for something to elicit such strong reactions! On reflection, it seems as though the main barrier to some people’s enjoyment of the book is the very slow, ponderous style. So little happens in the ‘now’ of the book; everything is told in meandering rather convoluted memories, and many of us found it hard to follow the twists of these stories. It is not a book to read fast, we agreed, but one that demands time, attention, and investigation. So perhaps it’s not one for you, right now - if you’ve got a lot on your plate and feel short of time, attention, headspace… - but if you do feel willing to dig in to this exquisitely crafted novel, then you’ll be generously rewarded for your effort.
Webcast
Here is this month’s webcast, which captures some of our discussion points, exploring how Abdulrazak Gurnah confounds our expectations, and how he shows the experience of migration to be both universal and individual. I especially love the migration of other works of literature into this book, and how it shows us, with the example of Melville’s story ‘Bartleby, the Scrivener’, how literature can be a wonderful common ground between people. I heartily concur! If you enjoy the webcast, please consider leaving me a comment or liking it, here or over on YouTube, so that more people can find it too.
More links
In addition to the many links about Abdulrazak Gurnah and By the Sea in THIS previous email, here are a few more:
For those of you who would like to read Melville’s short story ‘Bartleby, the Scrivener’, mentioned in the book, HERE IT IS (for free, as it’s out of copyright). You can also listen to the audio book for free, HERE on LibriVox. ( I had better admit that I found it very hard to stay awake while listening - but that probably says as much about my current sleep-deprived state as the recording.) Many thanks to Jane who told us about her encounter with someone wearing a Bartleby ‘I prefer not to’ t-shirt, and the conversation that ensued; and also to Samantha who wonderfully spotted the reference to ‘Bartleby’ in Giorgio Bassani’s book, The Garden of the Finzi-Continis. It occurs towards the end of the book, when the narrator visits Micol, who is ill; they have a great discussion of the story - especially the ‘I prefer not to’ - over a couple of pages (p.179-180 in my Penguin Classics edition). How funny to find this reference in a book so closely linked to our July pick; it seems that Bartleby is everywhere!!
Many of us were especially intrigued by the GDR section of By the Sea, and wondered about the lives of his characters Elleke and Jan. In case you missed it, or it was before your time, I recommend the book Red Love by Maxim Leo, which we discussed together back in November 2019.
I mentioned the etymological root of migration being mei, which means ‘to change, go, move’, so that the idea of change and movement are absolutely intertwined here. I looked it up on one of my favourite websites, ETYMONLINE. You can see the word’s full entry HERE. Warning, it is extremely easy to spent hours learning more about the roots of language on this site…
Not strictly related, but the Hopscotch Women’s Centre got in touch to let me know about a fundraising event with Monica Ali they’re holding on 1st November at Lauderdale House in Highgate. Tickets are £20 with profits going to the Hopscotch Women’s Centre. More info, tickets etc. HERE.
What’s next?
THIS FRIDAY 28th, 2-2.30pm: Our October Live Discussion Thread about By the Sea, and anything else we’ve been reading this month - the link to join the chat will be in your inbox just before 2pm on Friday. I hope to see you there to hear your book news. If you can’t make it, but would like to recommend a good book please drop me a line in the meantime and I’ll share it for you.
Monday 31st: Look out for the October instalment of Our Walkers’ Walks, this time featuring two book club writers who walk for inspiration. And another shout out for any of you walkers who would like to share a snap and a line or two about a favourite walk - please hit reply and let me know.
Then we will be into November, and our next book… scroll down for more info!
November
A Fortunate Man by John Berger & Jean Mohr
*** TICKETS NOW ON SALE ***
In this highly original, slim book, John Berger's words come together with Jean Mohr's photography to portray the life of a GP in the Forest of Dean in the 1960s. Through examples of common - and uncommon - cases, digressions into psychology, history and more, Berger and Mohr reveal the complex and unique role of a doctor in the community, and the sacrifice entailed.
Renowned writer and critic John Berger, and photographer Jean Mohr spent six weeks living with and shadowing their friend, Dr John Sassall, to create this extraordinary work in which pictures and text are in conversation. First published in 1967, this fascinating and poignant meditation on society, humanity, and the value of healing takes on new relevance today, given the current state of and debate around the NHS.
On the Heath: Sunday 13th November, 11.30-1pm, setting off from Daunt Books Hampstead, 51 South End Road, NW3 2QB
On Zoom: Monday 14th November, 8-8.40pm
Live Discussion Thread: Friday 25th November, 2-2.30pm
Buy A Fortunate Man from Daunt Books HERE and receive 10% off using the code WBC at checkout, or just tell them you’re in the group if you’re buying it in the shop.
Happy reading!
Emily