The Seventh Son by Sebastian Faulkes - January 2026
At our January meeting we discussed The Seventh Son by Sebastian Faulkes. The novel begins when a young American academic Talissa Adam answers an advert to act as a surrogate mother for a billionaire's IVF project. When Talissa acts as a surrogate for Mary and Alaric, Lukas Parn, a billionaire, uses his London institute to secretly combine Neanderthal DNA with a modern human egg, to create a hybrid child, Seth.
As Seth grows up he is markedly different from a typical human with unique, non-sapiens cognitive functions and heightened intuition. The novel then describes what happens when the truth about the experiment gradually becomes known and Seth attracts unwanted attention and persecution from the outside world.
Whilst we agreed that Sebastian Faulkes writes well, as frequently happens the group was divided in their opinion about the book. Some people enjoyed the book but most of us didn’t like it and we all agreed that he has previously written some much better novels.
The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’ Farrell - February 2026.
At our February meeting we discussed The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’ Farrell. The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell is a 16th-century historical fiction novel which reimagines the life of Lucrezia de’ Medici, who marries the Duke of Ferrara, Alfonso, at age fifteen. The novel is inspired by the historical mystery surrounding her sudden death at age sixteen. The story follows a dual timeline, beginning in 1561 at a remote hunting lodge where 16-year-old Lucrezia realizes her husband, Alfonso II d’Este, Duke of Ferrara, intends to kill her. The narrative then flashes back to her childhood in Florence to explain how she reached this point.
As frequently happens the group was divided in their opinion about the book. With comments ranging from “I found the book rather tedious, the over description of clothes and decor was distracting and frankly boring. It made the book over long and difficult to finish”. To “The descriptions of surroundings and period features, as well as the status of women was vivid and memorable. The twist at the end of the maid being killed in bed instead of Lucrezia was a masterful touch”.
Brighton Rock by Graham Greene - March 2026
At our March meeting we discussed Brighton Rock by Graham Greene.. Brighton Rock, published in 1938, is a noir thriller set in 1930s Brighton, featuring Pinkie Brown, a 17-year-old sociopathic gangster whose gang murders Fred Hale to avenge the death of their former leader. In order to cover his tracks and to silence her, he manipulates and marries a naive waitress, Rose. He is pursued by the tenacious, justice-seeking Ida Arnold who briefly met Hale and suspects foul play when his death is ruled a heart attack. Ida acts as an amateur detective, investigating Pinkie.
The novel contrasts absolute evil with naive innocence, exploring themes of damnation and Catholicism.
As frequently happens the group was divided in their opinion about the book. With comments ranging from:
“My critique of Brighton Rock is fairly short. I found the plot totally unconvincing and the characters, Pinkie, Ida, Dallow etc. implausible. That a seventeen-year-old had such control over a gang of mature, although petty criminals, beggars belief, nor does Ida’s quest to bring Pinkie to justice convince.”.
To
“I loved the book and Greene’s writing, ready to read another. I felt the plot rolled along at an enjoyable pace, the characters were superbly well drawn, the background scenarios of Brighton were really effective in supporting the scene”.
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen - April 2026
Our April book was Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen, the book was chosen because it is the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth. The novel was the first one that she published and follows the Dashwood sisters, prudent Elinor and romantic, emotional Marianne, who following their father’s death have to move with their mother and younger sister from a wealthy lifestyle in a large mansion to a humble cottage in Devonshire. The novel follows the sisters as they endure heartbreak before learning to balance emotion and reason, with Elinor marrying Edward Ferrars and Marianne marrying Colonel Brandon.
We all agreed that whilst we eventually became involved in the story and enjoyed the novel it was not as easy to read and well written as her later novels.
Three days in June by Anne Tyler - May 26
Our May book was Three days in June by Anne Tyler. The2025 novel follows Gail Baines, a socially awkward teacher and mother, during a highly stressful weekend surrounding her daughter Debbie's wedding. In just three days, Gail grapples with losing her job, navigating the unexpected arrival of her ex-husband Max with an elderly cat needing a new home, and dealing with a revelation about the groom’s possible infidelity.
We all enjoyed the book with the exception of one member who said “I felt that nothing much happened, and it was like a snapshot of everyday life…….. Overall, not my cup of tea.” The rest of us agreed with the sentiments of The Times review printed on the back cover “Quietly magical...Tyler turns the stuff of everyday life work, marriage family into something truly special,” and we agreed that we would like to read more of her novels.