Dear walking book clubbers,
Not long until we meet to discuss Funny Boy, by Shyam Selvadurai - a beautiful coming-of-age LGBT novel, skilfully entwined with the Sri Lankan Civil War. I have loved revisiting this book, which I first read at university (too many years ago…) and am really looking forward to hearing your thoughts on it.
Our July Meetings
Heath walk: Sunday 11th July, 11.30-1pm.
Zoom talk: Monday 12th July, 8-8.30pm.
Buy Funny Boy from Daunt’s and get 10% off: use the code WBC at checkout online, or tell them you’re in the group in the shops.
More on Shyam Selvadurai’s Funny Boy
I really enjoyed listening to this TOK Magazine podcast with Shyam Selvadurai, in which he talks about his experience as a member of the Sri Lankan diaspora, living in Canada, and how that has influenced his writing.
You can watch the recent film adaptation on Netflix, here. Selvadurai helped to adapt it for the screen, and it’s directed by Deepa Mehta.
Here’s a thoughtful review in the New York Times, from when the book was originally published in 1996.
Finally, you can watch Shyam Selvadurai read from and discuss Funny Boy and his next book Cinnamon Gardens for the University of British Columbia on YouTube here:
*** A reminder that these emails will always be free for those who need them to be, but if you are able to support Emily’s walking book club by subscribing for £20/year, or indeed for £50/year (which includes a bespoke literary consultation with me) then please do. ***
In September …
We will have a break for August, though I am always here to discuss your summer reading, and love receiving your emails with news and recommendations, so please don’t be a stranger! I look forward to hearing what you’ll be reading on your staycation.
We meet again at the start of September, when I am already excited to discuss with you a book that has always seemed especially meaningful to me: the first volume of Deborah Levy’s ‘Living Autobiography’, Things I Don’t Want to Know.
I came across this book when it was first published, as a smart little hardback for boutique publisher, Notting Hill Editions. It was originally conceived as a riposte to Orwell’s famous essay, ‘Why I Write’, but it was immediately clear that the book stretches so far beyond this. Penguin speedily bought the paperback rights and commissioned Levy to write two further volumes of ‘Living Autobiography’, which are fascinating to read both as stand alone works and alongside her celebrated experimental fiction. I absolutely love this trio of memoir - Levy writes so well about being a woman, being a writer, struggling to make it work, and the books are steeped in her own reading and influences, so you get a mini tour of great writers and philosophers too. Can’t wait to discuss!
Emily’s Walking Book Club:
Sunday 5th September, 11.30-1pm, setting off from Daunt Books Hampstead, 51 South End Road, NW3 2QB:
Emily’s Zoom Book Club:
Monday 6th September, 8-8.30pm:
Buy Things I Don’t Want to Know 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!
Looking forward to seeing you soon,
Emily