University of the Third Age 

Chelmsford

It was of course appropriate that on the 200^th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens that the group read a Dickens classic. The book is 855 pages long in small print and therefore a daunting prospect for some of the group over the busy Christmas period.  

The book, originally called The Personal History of David Copperfield, was originally published in 19 monthly parts commencing in May 1849 and was eventually published as a book in November1850. It is believed that the book was semi-autobiographical and Dickens confessed that David Copperfield was his favourite character. Dickens was a social campaigner and his books describe in great detail the poverty, misery, prostitution, class and penal system of the Victorian era and yet still manages to introduce us to wonderfully comic characters.  

As usual the opinions of the group were widely divergent from ‘marvellous’ to ‘too long’ to ‘the female characters were weak’ but overall was deemed to be an excellent book.  

The ability of Dickens to create characters such as evil Mr. Murdstone and his sister Jane, wonderful Mr.Micawber, kind and loyal Mrs Peggotty, dastardly, conniving, ever so ‘umble Uriah Heep, stoical Mr. Peggotty, generous Traddles, formidable Betsy Trotwood and many more is a tribute to the genius of Dickens.  

The book follows the journey of David Copperfield from boyhood to being a married man in his twenties and details the interaction between him and the characters detailed above.

It is obviously difficult to summarise this book in such a short review, so all I will do is to repeat what one member of the group said and that is ‘It is a masterpiece’ which is an appropriate way to finish this review.

John Raynham

“The Slap” by Christos Tsiolkas – February 2012 

At our February meeting we discussed The Slap by Australian author Christos Tsiolkas.  The novel is set in 21^st century multicultural Australia and tells of the repercussions following a barbecue in suburban Melbourne where a man slaps a three year old boy across the face.  The boy had been misbehaving without any intervention by his parents.

The story is told through the voices of eight characters each in a chapter of their own.  Their reactions to the incident range from believing a naughty boy should be taught some discipline to calling in the police to investigate an assault and with full a range of positions in between.

This was the most controversial book that our reading group has read and we were widely divided over its merits with opinions ranging from “the book is pornographic and should never have been published” to “it’s the best book I’ve read in the last year” with the majority of the group holding opinions somewhere between these extremes.

In spite of our differences we still had a lively and interesting discussion and as usual it was a stimulating and enjoyable meeting.

Andy Moir

“Lovers and Newcomers” by  Rosie Thomas – March 2012

At our March meeting we discussed Lovers and Newcomers by Rosie Thomas.  This novel, about a group of university graduates from the 1960’s who embark on communal living 40 years later, met a mixed response.

Everyone read the 500 page novel and it was generally agreed to be a light easy read with some reservations.  These focussed on the feasibility of the commune idea, whether the characters were realistic especially considering that a number of group members had been to university in the 1960’s and annoyance with the characters’ apparent preoccupation with aging when only in their 50’s!

The Rosie Thomas fans in the group felt that it wasn’t one of her better books and were sorry that this one appeared to have put people off reading any more!

The discussion was certainly interesting, as we exchanged a variety of opinions and views about different aspects of the plot and characters who somehow came more alive during the meeting.

Jenny Moir

“Old Filth” by  Jane Gardam – April 2012

At our March meeting we discussed Old Filth by   Jane Gardam.  Sir Edward Feathers an elderly  judge, AKA “ Old Filth” has retired to England with his wife Betty after a lifetime spent mainly in Hong Kong – hence the nickname Failed In London Try Hong Kong – FILTH. In the winter of his days and especially after Betty’s sudden death he takes to reflecting on his past life.

 Born in Malaysia to a mother who died giving birth to him and with an emotionally cold and distant father who virtually abandoned him to be raised by servants until he was old enough to be sent to England to be educated, his was a disjointed and loveless existence, made bearable by one sensitive and sympathetic teacher and a few friends who were also “Raj Orphans”, billeted with him in Ma Tibb’s house in Wales.

 Confused and distressed by Betty’s death he embarks on a chaotic journey along the motorways of England revisiting friends from his past. The tragi-comic account of this journey reflects the sad nature of Sir Edward’s life. His success as a lawyer has not made him a happy or contented man, as he has been unable to make warm relationships, even with Betty who, in the past has had an affair with Veneering, his old adversary and rival.  Towards the end of the novel as the childhood friends reminisce, the dark secret at the heart of much of Edward’s angst is revealed and this episode is depicted with great poignancy, by Jane Gardam.

 With a few exceptions members of the group were very impressed with this novel. .  Most were moved by the plight of Edward and felt compassion for his suffering as “he wept silently behind his hands in this unknown place.” The novel provides a strong critique of the damaging effects that the Empire wrought on the children of the Empire builders.

 There was general agreement that it was a beautifully written and carefully crafted novel with skilfully interwoven elements of comedy and tragedy.  Jane Gardam writes in a spare, selective style, each word carefully chosen, with no superfluous elements. Some group members have already embarked on their next Jane Gardam novel and most said that they would readily read more of her work. A ringing endorsement!

Ros McGonagle

This page last edited on 29 April 2012