The Finkler Question

I was actually looking forward to reading this, and was quite pleased with the opening chapters. Must admit I didn't understand all of the humour (I still don't get the "J'you know Juno" 'joke' - but maybe that's the point. I'm not a Finkler...)

I also found it to be long winded in parts and found myself skimming over the more political/social debates - not because I'm not interested, but maybe I should start with a 'beginners guide to...'.

I didn't really warm to Treslove or Finkler, but I did find Libor interesting, even if he did seem to be a bit of a caricature. I enjoyed his stories about Hollywood starlets and his devotion to his wife.

I can see the humour in this book, and I wish I could appreciate it a bit more, but I'm afraid The Finkler Question was a just a bit too 'clever' for me. Our group did all agree that it does raise lots of interesting questions and invites further debate, so maybe if I was reading it as part of an 'academic' process (versus 'reading for pleasure') I would get more out of it.

I know David really enjoyed this book, so keep a look out for him posting his thoughts here...

The story so far.......

Well the reading has commenced!
Two books under my belt so far, The Finkler Question and The Long Song, very different books although similar perhaps in that both of them can be likened to certain writers. The Finkler Question could be likened to a Philip Roth maybe, though far less intense and likewise The Long Song is reminiscent of Alice Walker or Toni Morrison but again much less intense, in fact I personally think The Long song has more in common with Jane Eyre than The Colour Purple.

I've enjoyed both of them, The Long Song was a pleasant surprise as I wasn't a fan of Andrea Levys previous work and although I perhaps wouldn't have stuck with The Finkler Question if I wasn't reading it for the Booker I've found that it's raised many questions and could be debated for hours and perhaps deserves a reread. This in itself raises the question of "What ultimately is a good read?" Is it the one you enjoy the most and read easily?, or is it the one you can appreciate is well written and can imagine being studied on a syllabus somewhere but actually was a bit of a slog to get through?, or is it simply the book with the characters or story which stays with you the longest and keep resurfacing in your memory? I'm going to ponder that whilst working my way through the remaining books.

My next read is Room by Emma Donoghue which I've heard great things about so I'm intrigued already! I did start In a Strange Room by Damon Galgut but felt like I was in the middle of one of those weird perfume adverts all moody and atmospheric but you don't really understand what's going on, although judging by the title that may be the intention! Anyway I'll start with a simple room and when I'm ready I'll add a bit of strangeness!

The Big Booker Bash

To celebrate our involvement in this year's prize, Wickersley Library will be hosting a Man Booker event on the evening of Tuesday 12th October (8 - 10:30pm).

As well as being a chance for readers to get together and discuss the prize (and who they think should win), attendees will also be able to chat to members of our readers groups; to consign their most hated reads to Room 101 or save them as their Desert Island Book; to take part in a book quiz and, of course, to enjoy a few refreshments!

You don't need to have read any of the Booker titles to come along - just an interest in books and reading.

If you'd like further information, or would like to book a ticket (£1 per person), please contact Wickersley Library on 01709 544134 or The Reader Development Team on 01709 815123 (david.hague@rotherham.gov.uk).

Room

'Room' is the story of five year old Jack and his Ma who live in a 11'x11' hidden room. For Ma, this is a living nightmare after being locked away here ever since her abduction by 'Old Nick' 8 years before. Jack's only contact with the real world is through TV, although Ma has convinced him that the real things he sees on TV are in fact make believe.

Ma finally tells Jack the truth about their situation and convinces a disbelieving and very reluctant Jack that they need to escape. I suppose I took it for granted that Jack would be excited and happy to leave, but we have to remember that he feels happy and safe with his life. It's just him, his Ma, his 'friends' (Duvet, Table, Chair, Rug, Meltedy Spoon...) and the promise of 'Sunday Treats' (although we can guess the full implications of Ma getting these 'treats' from Old Nick.)

What follows is the elaborate plan to escape, subsequent rescue, and life in the outside world.

Donoghue presents the entire story in Jack's voice rather than Ma's (which would've created a
very different novel.) Jack's narrative can therefore only hint at the horrors of being trapped and confined in Room, and it's only by reading between the lines that we realise Ma's motives behind such activities as flashing Lamp through Skylight or the daily screaming and shouting exercise. A game for Jack, but a desperate attempt to be rescued for Ma. Jack's matter-of-fact descriptions of his daily life and routines actually make the book all the more disturbing to read - especially as Jack believes that his life is 'normal'.

It was hard to get used to Jack's language and way of describing things at first, but it was nice to see how his language skills subtly developed towards the end of the book after he had had more contact with people. As we only ever see things through Jack's eyes, it's sometimes easy to forget the full horror of the situation: we only learn how hunched and pale he is from living all his life in a confined space, for example, because of him telling us something about the media.

'Room' was the book I've been most looking forward to reading from the shortlist. I've read some great reviews and was looking forward to a 'life changing' read. I was promised one of those rare books that would stay with me long after I'd put it down. So has it? Well, it has, but not for the reasons I thought it would...

Lots of people have described it as an uplifting read - which it is - but I've actually been left feeling very sorry for Jack. I feel sorry that he begins to lose his simplistic outlook on life. I feel sorry that the strong mother/son bond shows signs of weakening through no fault of his own.

But the thing I find hardest to bear is that Jack now has to come to terms with the fact that his previous reality is actually wrong. I found it quite heart-wrenching that he couldn't bear to be parted from Rug - it becomes his security blanket in the same way other children would use a blankey or teddy as he struggles to hold onto the familiar. And it's strange because I know I should be pleased that Jack and Ma are now free (and I am - I'm not totally heartless!) but my overwhelming emotion is one of sadness. It's only when he goes back to Room after his experience of living on the outside that Jack finally realises that Room was a bad place and that it's OK to 'not remember' his life there anymore, and we get the sense that he's ready to move on.

I'm not sure if this is the winner, but it certainly deserves its place on the shortlist.

By the way, you may be interested in this drawing of Room

Shadowing the Shortlist

So, there we were in a great big room; our collective feet aching due to a tube strike and surrounded by the great and the good: booksellers, publishers, authors, agents, poets, critics, champagne and canapés. How did four Rotherham library staff members get to be at Kensington Palace for the Booker Prize shortlisting party?

The story begins with Julie Hird, Reader Development Officer. Upon hearing that six library reading groups would be selected to shadow the shortlist of the Man Booker Prize, she put in an application to Helen Thomas of Opening the Book. After a tense wait, we were delighted to discover we had been chosen and invited to attend the shortlisting party on September 7th.

Our task now is to read (in our own free time: contrary to popular opinion, we don’t get to read books all day, unfortunately!) the shortlist; promote the prize in Rotherham ; contribute to the official Man Booker debate at http://www.themanbookerprize.com/ and pick a group winner.

So, who are we?


Julie Hird – Reader Development Officer
David Hague – Reader Development Librarian
Rachel Wade – Reader Development Support Officer
Angella Parker – Principle Officer e-library services

We all have different tastes in books and are looking forward to debating the relative merits of each title in a civilised manner. Hopefully there will be no need to resort to threats or physical violence to get our point across!

Keep looking here over the next month as we plough our way through the six shortlisted titles and post our reviews and thoughts.