Fantastic and lively discussion of our last book, Amongst Women by John McGahern, in fact we wondered whether it was one of the longest discussions about a book that we'd had. Quinn made a great comment about Moran, the father and central character in the book, saying that he was in "paternalistic overdrive" – nice. Mark said that McGahern's writing was especially good because he used suggestion rather than description.
The book charts the slow decline of an ill-tempered father's despotic command of his family. The girls in particular seem inexplicably willing to tolerate and excuse his wild mood swings and sullen behaviour.
There is a 4-part series from the BBC based on the book made in 1998. There's also an interview with him here.
Our next book is one that I've been putting forward for a few meetings now, Dark Emu, Black Seeds by Bruce Pascoe, a look back at pre-colonial aboriginal society and technology by looking at the records of the first settlers.
Note: due to a clash with RWPS school performance and general business in December, we are going to push the book group meeting for Dark Emu through to February 1, 2017 at the All Nations as usual.
