Jamaica Inn by Daphne Du Maurier

We'll be talking about 'Jamaica Inn' this Thursday 1st May at 6 p.m. It's been a topical read with the BBC drama attracting so much publicity ... not always for the right reasons. The screen version didn't capture the book for me, and looking forward to hearing what everyone else thinks. 

Daphne Du Maurier was captivated by Cornwall on childhood holidays, and lived there following her marriage. She wrote 'Jamaica Inn' when she was 29 years old after spending a night in the place on Bodmin Moor, and it's still open for business today - with good reviews on Trip Advisor! 

Daphne Du Maurier's 'Jamaica Inn' is isolated and forbidding, and the heroine Mary Yellan makes a truly gothic arrival there via coach one dark winter's evening to live with her mother's sister, Patience. Mary's aunt Patience is married to the landlord, a sinister and secretive bully engaged in smuggling and worse. He has an enigmatic younger brother who makes his living as a horse thief. Mary is trapped, unsure of who to trust, as she is dragged deeper into the intrigue and dangerous events unfolding at 'Jamaica Inn'....

Here's the star of the BBC adaptation of 'Jamaica Inn', Jessica  Brown Findlay in 'Albatross' which was filmed entirely in the Isle of Man. Released in 2011, and well worth a watch. 

John Steinbeck

First edition Viking Press (Penguin)

published 75 years ago on 

14th April 1939

Everyone in the group hugely enjoyed whichever book they’d chosen by John Steinbeck. 

We mostly read a selection of his shorter works such as Tortilla Flat, Travels with Charley, Mice and Men, The Wayward Bus and Cannery Row because of the time frame for meetings. 

This was a great taster, with many of the group saying they thought the book ended too soon, and they would like to read more. 

Some of the group have started ‘East of Eden’ which is too good to hurry, and are engrossed. 

Overall, this makes John Steinbeck the group’s favourite author so far, with everyone awarding the book they’d tried a 4 or 5 star rating.

Young At Heart - Children's Book of your own choice

At tonight's meeting in the library @ 6 p.m. we’ll be talking about a children’s book of your own choice. Why limit yourself when so many children’s books are great reads, with timeless appeal? A chance to enjoy some nostalgia with an old favourite, or read something you missed out on. 

Image from Amazon

Thank you to Pauline and Elizabeth for your reviews for Books with a 'Feel Good' factor. Just what we need for the dark days before Christmas. 

The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbough

A very moving and sad story but with a happy ending!

 

It tells of the struggle of a child abandoned at birth growing up in care.  She finds it very hard to accept people because she feels they only have her because nobody else wants her. She finds it very hard and although she is looked after by some kind people she can’t accept their love, not trusting that they mean it.

 

She goes through some very difficult times and her only answer is to run away. Having been known to be wild and cause trouble she is passed from one home to another before ending up in a House for children like her -not wanted- this house toughens them even more, always needing to look after themselves and trying to be top-dog as opposed to being bullied.

 

Victoria finds her love in flowers, in one of her places of care. By learning their names and meanings she creates an A –Z file. She decides to ‘disappear’ when she reaches the age of 18 and she has to leave the House, rather than have people in authority trying to help her find a place to live and work etc. She lives rough and finds scraps on cafe tables left by families to eat.

 

Victoria comes upon a flower shop and hangs about for a while outside hoping for some work but not knowing how to go about it.  Against all odds Victoria eventually is taken under the wing of the flower shop owner. At first it was to help her at market carrying heavy buckets of flowers at weekends, in fact making use of her really and not showing any sort of care for her – Victoria was more used to this than kindness and found it was more comfortable to her!

 

The shop lady soon finds out though how clever Victoria is with choosing flowers and making up wonderful bouquets that have meanings associated with the flowers. Customers begin to ask for her to do their flowers!

 

It is cleverly written and has a lot more to it than I have related! The story makes you realise just how people can achieve so much from such sad beginnings when they really want to.

 

A lovely read and one that I would highly recommend.

Pauline

The Humans by Matt Haig

This brilliant book has inspired Elizabeth to write this:

LOCAL GLENS

 

This small energetic waterfall

tumbling down Summerhill glen

rushing every which way

who knows where or when

as it reaches the sea shore

disappearing into white flecked waves

gone from our sight forever more

off to distant shores

These words are quite clear sighted but what a complicated lot we humans are! After reading Matt Haig's book, it occurred to me that we seem to be eternally seeking something, but are not altogether sure what. During the search, we can lose sight of the simplicity of life, by making things more difficult and deeper than necessary. The alien in the book, (who became Andrew) after much soul searching realised that the over riding fact of life is the need for love and companionship.

The 97 pieces of advice he left for Gulliver were so basic and clear. In our rush to achieve that which the world expects us to do, we miss out on the minutia of real life. Do we need - or should I say - did we need to split an atom? Journey to distant stars and planets instead of first finding out about ourselves and this planet we inhabit? So, if you can't read the whole book, which would be a shame, make sure that you read the 97 pieces of advice as they are just as amazing.

 

Elizabeth

Feel Good Reads

The 44 Scotland Street Series

by Alexander McCall Smith

This series of novels revolves around the comings and goings at No. 44 Scotland Street, a fictitious building in a real street in Edinburgh. The most appealing and sympathetic of the inhabitants is six year old Bertie, who struggles to be a normal little boy against the wishes of his mother who makes him learn the saxophone and Italian when all he wants to do is join the Cubs – a neo- fascist organisation in her view! Clever, elegant and funny, these novels feature an endearing, memorable group of characters who provide us with huge entertainment as they go about their everyday lives. Cath

The Enchanted April

by Elizabeth Von Arnin

How can this be, enchantment in April,

the cold of January disappeared,

the damp of February swiftly gone

the wild winds of March hurled away,

But a picture now emerges++

The castle perched high above the bay

the sun shining through the day,

bringing four separate people to stay

getting to know each others ways,

Caught in a web of Violet mountains

Gardens of sweet scented flowers

the invisible strands of the web of love

drew closer together those who thought

that after the idyllic month in San Salvadore

they would go back to their lives so fraught,

but once love finds a niche

all emotions are within it's reach,

as their lives turn full circle

encompassing them in love 

there will be nothing hurtful.

By Elizabeth Adams

A Few More Suggestions from our Book Group ...

The Humans by Matt Haig

This heart warming read has just been selected for World Book Night  in April 2014

Recommended by Debbie

The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

Recommended by Pauline


The Highest Tide by Jim Lynch

Recommended by Colvin & Edith

The Ocean at the End of The Lane by Neil Gaiman

Recommended by Elizabeth

Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach

Recommended by Freda

Elizabeth Adams was inspired after reading the book to write this:

Jonathan seagull learnt his lesson well

not for him the crowded ground

where all his family did dwell,

he soared to the greatest heights

free - savouring the delight,

that are shown to human nature,

but things are not so simple

the journey long and hard -

seeking for protection and serenity

going the extra mile when all that is sought

is living in your heart* reach out for

Love, Peace and Understanding,

from these feelings never depart

Flying freely, wind lifting him

above the ground, seeking the thermals

that lift and guide, Jonathan's joy

is complete, he persevered and succeeded,

if only we humans could have that kind of commitment

the security of trying, the optimism God given, Oh yes

although Jonathan lost his mentor from view

for a moment insecure - unsure of what to do,

how often when we lose sight of important things

do we become insecure - but suddenly we see

what was always there, God leading us safely 

to the path he has chosen, Trust in him*

he never doubts your ability to succeed

you can always count on him when you are in need,

so as we go through life, meeting differences

that seem insurmountable, remember

perfection is God

Thank you to everyone for their contributions - I think we all felt better for reading them!

More Books with a Feel Good Factor ...

A Month in the Country by J L Carr

Back in the summer of 1920, Tom Birkin arrives at a country church in Yorkshire to restore a medieval painting. The Great War has left its mark on him, and his facial twitch and stammer are the result of shell shock. Tom can’t afford lodgings, so Revd Keach, the Vicar, grudgingly allows him to stay up in the belfry. 

An eccentric benefactor has left money for this work - and for the ancient bones of an ancestor to be found and re-interned in the Churchyard. This is a job for ‘Moon’, an archaeologist with his own agenda. Moon wears a tunic with marks where Captain’s pips have been torn off, and has endured his own dark wartime experiences. 

Reaching back through the centuries to medieval times, both men form bonds with the artist and with the military man who trod the path before them.  I felt that the men were expected to tolerate so much throughout war, but this was not reciprocated by the society of the day. Soldiers still return from war ‘shell shocked’.

Kenneth Branagh and Colin Firth in the film adaptation

But the hard times are very understated, and there's healing and humour rather than bitterness. The descriptions of the British Summer and Countryside are heavenly, and there’s a real warmth in Tom’s observations of the Wesleyan family who find a place in their hearts, and their village, for him. He also falls for the beautiful wife of the awkward Revd Keach, which is another tale:

‘We can ask and ask but we can’t have again what once seemed ours for ever — the way things looked, that church alone in the fields, a bed on belfry floor, a remembered voice, a loved face. They’ve gone and you can only wait for the pain to pass.’

This book is only just over a hundred pages long, but there are so many different strands, and it has such depth. It’s beautifully written and inspiring with a real feel good factor. 

Something else that's very inspiring is The Quince Tree Press founded by J L Carr and still run by his family today. Pam

Books With The Feel Good Factor

Onchan Book Group's next meeting is on Thurs 7th November @ 6 p.m. We're chasing off the winter blues by reading and  talking about books that make you feel better for reading them. Some are from The Reading Agency's Mood Boosting Book Lists and some are our own picks. Here's a taster and we'll add more after Thursday's meeting.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Schaffer

Random House

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie society is set in London and Guernsey immediately after the Second World wWar. It takes the form of a series of letters between a writer, Juliet Ashton, and the members of the society. The different characters find their voices and personalities through the letters as their story unfolds. We learn of the many hardships facing Islanders during the German occupation, and also of their courage, stoicism, loyalty and friendships. These letters lead to close bonds, a love affair and life changing decisions when Juliet decides to visit Guernsey for herself. If you enjoyed 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff, then read this too.

Mary Ann Schaffer was a librarian who died in 2008. This was her first novel, which her niece Annie Barrows helped to finish when her aunt fell ill before the book could be published.

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Howard Fry by Rachel Joyce

Harold Fry seems a most unlikely hero – recently retired, modest and unassuming.
His life is humdrum in the extreme. A letter from a former colleague leads him to undertake a journey on which he will eventually confront his past, and become something of a reluctant media celebrity. Journeying through Britain on foot, wearing only his yachting shoes and without mobile phone or credit cards, he encounters a rich variety of characters along the way, who, despite having their own problems, encourage and help him on his long journey. This is a gentle, amusing and at times heart-breaking novel, which was greatly enjoyed by everyone who read it. Cath

As I walked Out One Midsummer Morning by Laurie Lee

Penguin Books

Here's another book about walking, which seems to be therapeutic whether you're doing it, or reading about it. This book doesn't really have a plot, but meanders through 1930s Spain - on the brink of Civil War - at a walking pace. Laurie Lee had lead a sheltered life in Stroud before walking to London and working on a building site. He'd never even seen the sea when he decided to catch a ferry to Spain with just a violin and the kindness of strangers to support him. He said 'my violin was a passport of friendship wherever I went'. His travels took him diagonally across the length of Spain, and he seemed to have no concerns... 'Here I was, a young boy, golden haired and beautiful, appearing from nowhere and bringing music which meant happiness ... I couldn't go wrong.'

Miss Read 

"To pick up a Miss Read book is like coming in from the cold to a lovely glowing fire and a warm drink". Joan









More books with a feel good factor coming soon! If you have any recommendations, please let us know and we'll add them to the list.