Book clubs in York

One online review stated, “it’s the distinctive Japanese sensibilities, in slow-paced almost no-sight-to-end kind of storytelling that’s worked its magic on me. The simplicity in the language, interspersed with musical poetry… makes falling in love with the generously beautiful and uncomplicated so easy. Why do some relationships have to be troublesome? And why are the best so hard to have?” I’ve read it twice and each time it reminded me of Howards End and that crucial human need for deep connections to colour life’s daily grey. It’s a tender story of love that defied differences, the typical and social norms — but without much drama, frills or pretentiousness. Simple, beautiful, poetic, poignant, but with so much hope.

A dreamily atmospheric book about a pair of married psychical researchers who move into a reputedly haunted house in order to prove or disprove the local stories. The subtlety of the hauntings; the slow trickle of information that the wife receives without being aware—-because how many of us imagine that our most fleeting thoughts might be whispered into our subconscious by someone we can neither see with our eyes or hear with our ears? And the husband, desperately jealous of his wife’s off the charts psychic gifts and unable to perform sexually, suddenly finds himself sexually attracted to his wife again. Is it just the new environment? Is it some sort of physical, hormonal change in him? Is it an eighteen year old boy who was desperately in love with his young stepmother? No clear answers come as the tension between the couple and the intensity of the haunting build. The author’s extensive reading in early 20th century spiritualist literature adds an overlay of the scientifically presented romanticism of the time, and the changes in light and shadow throughout the day are almost a character themselves. A book so good that after having bought and read the paperback to death, I sought out and bought the hardcover.

Beautifully written, can re read and enjoy every time.