The Ram, Widcombe. April 26th.
This story of dysfunctional family relationships set mainly
in India produced a 50:50 split of opinion in the group, like no other. Some
people liked the constantly changing narrators, some found this odd. Most liked
the plot revolving around the young man discovering his parents and his madness
on the death of his father. Some found the end unsatisfactory despite it's
unexpected twist (not twisted enough for some). Some liked the portrayal of the
characters. We really felt got to know them, except perhaps the father. We all
liked different characters with votes for Paul, the visiting academic
biographer and the mother Helen. Some thought the son John, an accurate
portrayal of a son unable to find his own way in life with distant and
professionally obsessed parents. Others thought him not only completely
pathetic (where did the empathy and care of our professionals go?) but
unconvincing too: too stupid for a Ph D (some of us know otherwise) and not
recognising his father's worldwide reputation.
There was also a mixed reception to the portrayal of India
with some recognising the experience of Indian streets and a foreigner's shock
at the intensity of it all, others critical that, for example, a cheap hotel
had air conditioning (and why not?).
Many liked the philosophical themes, often based on
opposites e.g. loyalty/betrayal that were brought up but felt they were not
explored or explained enough. Some liked the style despite some hiccoughs,
others found it slow and unengaging.
Did we like the frequent allusions to sexual and sensual
attraction (and the occasional encounter)? On balance, yes. This added to the
engagement with the book and the observations e.g. awareness of someone's skin
tone and heat were appreciated. Some rather liked the sexy actor girlfriend but
couldn't believe she'd go for an older man!
Chris B has been reading Tim Parks' autobiographical book,
Teach Me to Sit Still. This explores Tim's journey though his prostate related
pain (or is it?) via traditional medicine and absolute scepticism for any
alternatives though meditation, shiatsu and Buddhist practice. In the book, he
reflects that many of his novels are about people who want to be or are set
apart from the world, event to be point of Alberta’s death wish. He notes that
this reflects his tendency to become withdrawn, lose interest in intimacy and
be accused of beings aloof as a result of his pain. He also observes that these
stories "didn't quite satisfy," "didn't really say it". And
that reflects our experience of his book too!
