Wednesday 5th August
Bookclub
The Bookclub had another enjoyable meeting in June immediately before the England team started their world cup campaign with an encouraging victory against Croatia.
Just a couple of hours before kick-off, we had a lively discussion on books and welcomed some more new members. Thanks to everyone who came and we hope to see you all again.
This month we shared views on the classic To The Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf (recently voted one of the best 5 books of all time), The CIA Book Club by Charlie English (about sending books across the iron curtain as part of the cold war), the Booker Prize winning Flesh by David Szalay, a reimaging of Huckleberry Finn, James by Percival Elliot, and The Names by Florence Knapp (how a name can affect identity, memory and sense of belonging).
The Bookclub is a friendly, informal community for anyone who enjoys a discussion on books over a drink with a wide group of people.
If you want to join us just read one of the titles below (or more than one if you have time) and come along and tell us what you think. We guarantee a warm welcome and some lively discussion.
The Lighthouse Bookclub
Our next meeting is Wednesday 5th August and this month's titles are:
* Classic – The Turn of the Screw by Henry James (≈160 pages)
A governess arrives at a remote country house to care for two children who may be haunted by sinister spirits. As strange events unfold, the narrative becomes increasingly ambiguous and psychologically tense. Henry James explores fear, repression, and unreliable perception. The novella leaves open the question of whether the ghosts are real or imagined. It remains one of the defining works of Gothic fiction.
“A masterpiece of ambiguity and psychological terror.” — The Guardian
* Factual – Lifeboat at the End of the World by Dominic Green (≈320 pages)
A work of reportage and reflection examining communities facing environmental and political instability. Green explores survival, resilience, and human adaptability in a rapidly changing world. The narrative combines travel writing, history, and contemporary analysis. It asks how societies respond to uncertainty and crisis. The book is both thought-provoking and urgent.
“An intelligent and deeply engaging meditation on survival in an age of uncertainty.” — Financial Times
Modern Fiction – Seascraper by Benjamin Wood (≈320 pages)
A literary novel exploring ambition, memory, and isolation in a coastal community. Wood examines how the past shapes personal identity and relationships. The sea becomes both setting and metaphor for emotional uncertainty. The narrative combines psychological depth with lyrical prose. It is a reflective and atmospheric work.
“Benjamin Wood writes with remarkable sensitivity and elegance.” — The Observer
* Modern Fiction – The Pretender by Jo Harkin (≈384 pages)
A historical novel centred on Lambert Simnel, the boy who claimed the English throne during the Wars of the Roses. Harkin blends political intrigue with humour and humanity. The novel explores identity, performance, and survival in a dangerous world. It reimagines historical events through vivid storytelling. The result is both entertaining and thought-provoking.
“A brilliantly inventive historical novel full of wit and energy.” — The Times
* Modern Fiction – The Beginning of Spring by Penelope Fitzgerald (Jan’s Choice) (≈256 pages)
Set in Moscow before the Russian Revolution, the novel follows Frank Reid after his wife abruptly leaves him and their children. Fitzgerald creates a subtle portrait of a society on the edge of transformation. The narrative explores exile, uncertainty, and emotional restraint with quiet precision. Everyday events gradually reveal deeper social and psychological tensions. The novel is both delicate and deeply atmospheric.
“Penelope Fitzgerald’s finest novel, beautifully poised between comedy and melancholy.” — The Guardian
