Our group meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm to 9:00pm in the library or in the garden, weather permitting. For further information please contact Fiona White on 07941 634899.
There is a charge per meeting to help support the Library. Periodically one of us does a book review, see below.
This is a brief review of our latest book (Sep 2026), which was enjoyed by all, with our usual mix of opinions.
Wednesday Evening Book Group
The Names by Florence Knapp
The book opens with a mum, Cora, setting out to register her son’s birth having been instructed by her controlling (and, we soon learn) abusive husband, to name him Gordon following in the family tradition. Cora dislikes the name Gordon both for how it sounds and what it stands for and discusses other names with her nine year-old daughter, Maia.
Maia likes Bear – soft and cuddly but strong and brave. Cora likes Julian, sky father.
The book then splits into chapters for each of the three names and spreads across 35 years following their lives and the other family members. There is a seven year gap between each section which adds to the suspense and interest as the author slowly releases information about what has happened in the interim.
The themes are: Domestic abuse and coercian across the lives of all the characters.
Fate v Autonomy – whether our identities are shaped by nature, the names or the choices we make.
Endurance of Love – despite all the hardships, the book tells of family relationships and ties.
It is an unforgettable and deeply engaging book.