Today I presented Orbital, by Samantha Harvey to the group.

There is much contained within the 136 pages of this book, which some likened to a poem. It describes a single day in the lives of 6 astronauts and cosmonauts onboard the International Space Station. Short chapters are divided into orbits, ascending and descending. In just 24 hours, Roman, Shaun, Chie, Anton, Nell and Pietro circle the earth 16 times, experiences 16 sunrises and 16 sunsets at 90-minute intervals, passing over a silent blue planet, through seasons, over glaciers, mountain peaks, deserts and oceans. Crew members describe themselves as an international family, merging with each other and with the ship.  Each character is individual and well developed. 

From low orbit space, perspectives change, political boundaries disappear, humanity becomes one, individuals sense their own smallness in the scheme of things.  The earth appears at the centre of everything, a wounded, vulnerable world shaped by human needs.

Space travellers are likened to explorers of the past, setting sail into the unknown, forging further and deeper, now to the moon or Mars. A human being was not made to stand still. (p.133) 

Apart from perspective, we discussed the wonderful imagery, the role of memory,  the structure of the book, deep philosophical questions, the experience of space travel and much more.

Thank you to all present, for the wonderful discussion.

Book: In the Margins by Gail Holmes (printed 2024)

In the Margins is a historical novel inspired by the life and books of Frances Wolfreston who lived from 1607-1677. Frances was a remarkable seventeenth-century book collector who collected and preserved hundreds of rare literary works, including the sole surviving copy of Shakespeare’s first published work, Venus and Adonis (1593). This collection is one of the most significant surviving collections of the period. It is also one of the scant records to exist that shows what women may have read at a time when female literacy was only around ten per cent. Many of Frances’ books were thin quartos and octavos, some unbound. In addition, Frances wrote in almanacs later in her life.

There are only a few biographical details known about Frances and as a result the author of this book has drawn on Frances’ detailed will and a brief memorial made by her children.

Francis was a hard-working clergyman’s wife who ran a busy household and had many children, including a child with a disability whom she cared for until she died in 1677.

The book is set in 1647 England. As civil war gives way to an uneasy peace and Puritanism becomes the letter of the law, Frances is required to inform authorities where parishioners have failed to attend the new Protestant church. Often these parishioners

were Catholics who could not accept the new church. Recusancy charges could ensue. Penalties could include fines and/or imprisonment and even forfeiture of their lands. As a direct result of this conflict, Frances fails to report a reclusive and mysterious midwife so as to delay the woman being sent to gaol. Francis’ task becomes particularly challenging when her mother, Alice, is arrested and fined for recusancy. Frances attracts the ire of a patron of the parish and is faced with an impossible choice to either comply with the new laws, or risk everything to free the women she cares for.

Frances enjoyed a close relationship with her mother who inspired Frances’ love of books.

The book generated interesting discussion including:

• women of the times as book collectors

• contrasts between of the day and women of today

• equality in marriage

• changes in religious beliefs

• life and relationships in general

• the effects on the community of land repossession and the withdrawal of traditional common land

• attitudes to disease for example, small pox and vaccination;

• support and solidarity of the women in realising:

  o a new confidence and respect

  o trustworthiness

  o improved relationships with children.

Summary:

Beautifully written and deeply moving, In the Margins, is a testament to the way literature can illuminate our inner lives and set us free when the world around us is covered in darkness. The Group agreed that they had each enjoyed reading the book.

Further Reading:

Venus and Adonis (Shakespeare)

Taming of the Shrew (Shakespeare)

Lady Fanshaw’s Receipt Book (Lucy Moore) — An Englishwomen’s Life During the Civil War (Non Fiction)

Book: Time of the Child by Niall Williams (printed 2024)

Discussion Facilitator: Angela

Group: Marilynne, SallyG, Anna, Kathleen, Marjorie, Peta, Barbara, Lucy, Mary and Anne

Discussion:

The group discussed the book which is set in Ireland in the imaginary village of Faha in 1962.

The story revolves around the Christmas season, various members of the village, and in particular, the role of the Doctor Jack Troy, his eldest daughter Ronnie, a young disadvantaged lad who discovers an abandoned baby and the history of a previous occurrence that comes back to haunt Dr Troy.

There is humour and pathos written in lyrical style.

The group was mixed in their feelings - some finding it to be too slow to get anywhere whilst others enjoyed the ‘slow burn’ of the story where nothing much happens quickly and whatever does happen is accompanied by rain!

We talked about the various characters introduced and how they were, in their own way, integral to the village life.

It was suggested that the book’s scenario could be transferred to another place and Captains Flat was mentioned.

I listened to this story on Audible and for those who didn’t get past page 100 (!) I can highly recommend listening to the charming Dermot O’Gorman (?) who will delight in his story telling.

Robert Harris, a former British political journalist wrote Conclave in 2016, a novel about the machinations behind choosing a new pope. The writer describes himself as being, “interested in the acquiring of, exercising of and corrupting effects of power”, so it is no surprise that it follows on from his previous novels about Germany in WW2 and Ancient Rome.

Conclave may have been forgotten had it not been turned into a very successful film in 2023 and the serious illness of Pope Francis this year gives the novel additional relevance.

The central character, Lomeli, a very senior Italian Cardinal is tasked with the job of supervising the Conclave, the process by which Roman Catholic Cardinals vote who amongst them will become the next Pope. Lomeli has not expected to be in this position. He is a former papal lawyer and diplomat and who thinks he is at the end of his career. He feels old, tired, and has lost the ability to talk to God.

The novel opens with the Pope’s death bed and we are immediately caught up in the action.

Something is not right, important information has been hidden and various strong characters and their supporting factions come into play. As the story unfolds Lomeli finds he is gaining votes himself and is horrified. This is not at all what he wants, or is it? Doesn’t every Cardinal secretly wish to become Pope?

We all found plenty to discuss about the book. The action is well supported by small, intricate details about the Vatican and insights into the complicated process of electing a new Pope. We all enjoyed having insider information about this secret world and felt the plot had easily held, and kept, our attention.

There is only one major female characters in the book, a nun called Sister Agnes, but no one felt this reduces the book’s appeal. It led on to a broad discussion about nuns and the Catholic Church, and reminiscences about the fearsomely strict nuns some us experienced at school.

Three plot twists help drive the story forwards: Lomeli preaches a spontaneous sermon and unexpectedly becomes a strong contender for Pope. He is inspired to ask a wronged nun if he hear her confession and gains vital information about one of the leading contenders, and then an unexpected wild-card choice appears,

This is Benitez, an unknown and devout Bishop from the Philippines secretly created a Cardinal by the Pope just before he died. As more of the Cardinals are shown to have feet of clay Benitez and Lomeli become the most likely choices for Pope, until Harris gives the ending an extra twist. Does the ending weaken the book? Most of the writing group said no.

Was the book a success? The writing group unanimously agreed it was.

Did we think Harris was just a run of the mill ‘Airport Novel’ writer. We all felt he was more than that, and some of us were inspired to read more of his novels.

Sally G April 2025