Book clubs in Bristol

19th C group of Irish ne'er-do-wells travel to London to show off O'Brian - a giant

I love history, and so the perspectives throughout time were interesting to me in this one. The fluidity of Woolf’s perspective transcends gender also, which I loved.

I love history, and so the perspectives throughout time were interesting to me in this one. The fluidity of Woolf’s perspective transcends gender also, which I loved.

I read the 'time passes' section every other week at this point

Based on true story, the shocking treatment of women in saudi Arabia and the courage and strength they have.

Durrell tells the same story thrice from three different perspectives before advancing the story in the final book of the quadrilogy, which makes for an interesting read in itself. What really makes the quartet however is the vividness of the characters and the atmosphere of mid-century Alexandria - it comes alive as a philosophy and culture since lost to modernity.

Scott Alexander is always great fun to read and this is no exception - like a nerdier version of Good Omens, his asides and allusions are always fun to read and spot. What sets this book apart however is the payoff at the end where he gives a real and sound answer to the theodicy problem that shadows the story - in truth his answer is a rich seam for considering philosophy, rare praise for a light webnovel.