Dreams of Rivers and Seas - Tim Parks

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 He notes that this reflects his tendency to become withdrawn, lose interest in intimacy and be accused of beings aloof as a result of his pain.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!