This month’s book was Notes on a Scandal by Zoe Heller which we all enjoyed.  I liked it so much, I borrowed the DVD of the film from the library and not just because the book had only taken a few days to read and I therefore needed a recap as I couldn’t remember what happened. 

The book is narrated by Barbara: a lonely old spinster with an obsessive streak.  Her latest obsession is Sheba, the school’s new art teacher who starts an affair with a 15 year old boy.  Sheba confesses the affair to Barbara and Barbara has the perfect opportunity to manipulate Sheba until jealousy takes over and Barbara betrays Sheba.

The book is more about friendship and betrayal, rather than the affair.  None of us had any sympathy for Sheba as there was nothing wrong with her marriage and we decided she was just a naive, self-absorbed crap teacher.

One of our group is a teacher and since reading the book, had spent his time in the staff room looking at his colleagues, wondering who would be most likely to have an affair with a pupil and he decided that yes, it would probably be an art teacher.

Next month we’re reading (or trying to) The Enchantress of Florence by Salman Rushdie.  I’ve never read any of his books, so I’m not sure why I’m not keen to read it but I’ll give it a go in a case of “don’t knock what you haven’t tried”.  And as the next meeting will be the last before Christmas, it’s going to double up as our Christmas party in Pizza Express.

If you’d like to join the Maidstone Book Club, contact me.

I’ve never even been to a book club before, let alone started one up, so I didn’t really know what I was supposed to do.  We chatted for a bit about where we lived, what we did and so on and then it was suggested that we talk about the book, what with it being a book club and that.  Good idea.

A Long Way Down is about four people who decide to commit suicide on New Years Eve.  Martin’s TV career is in tatters after sleeping with a 15 year old girl, JJ’s depressed because his band broke up and his girlfriend left him, Maureen’s got a severely disabled son and can’t cope anymore and Jess is full of teenage angst and Special Brew.  They all meet up on the top of a North London tower block, a notorious suicide spot nicknamed Toppers House and an unlikely friendship is formed.

The book is written from each of the character’s point of view and while this is a bit confusing at first, they each have a distinctive voice so you always know who’s speaking. 

We all agreed that Maureen was the only likeable character but that all the characters were believable although Jess wasn’t portrayed very consistently.

Not Hornby’s best book, but a good read nevertheless. 

Next month’s book, chosen by Gillian, is Notes on a Scandal by Zoe Heller.

Maidstone Book Club meets the second Thursday of every month, if you’d like to come along, please contact me.