Philomena Nolan, weighing in at 240 pounds, tattooed, with a penchant for smoking, swearing and eating, is not your average "heroine". Hardly the sort of character you would expect to find living in a Dublin convent!

When Philo knocks on the door of the Good Shepherd convent hoping to obtain sanctuary from her abusive husband Tommo, it's not just her own life that is about to be overhauled. She sticks out like a sore thumb amidst the piousness of convent life, but to both the nuns and the old-timers at the day-care centre, Philo's earthiness and honesty bring just the kind of energy they've been missing. While fighting a battle with her weight and a war with social services, which have temporarily placed her four children in a local orphanage, Philo, with her own special brand of philosophy, manages to heal social rifts that have split the community and her family for years.

This book was definitely very different from the usual books that we read at our book club, and whilst it was not to everyone's taste, it did seem to be a winner with the majority of our readers. At times the antics of Philo are hilarious, but it is what I would describe as that dark Irish humour that has you rolling in the aisles one minute and sobbing on the next page. It is an easy read, good for a long journey.

Peter Sheridan is one of Ireland's major contemporary playwrights, as well as a screenwriter, actor, and film director. "Big Fat Love" is Sheridan's first novel.

THE HARMONY SILK FACTORY by Tash Aw
Reviewed by Carol Mungall

The Harmony Silk Factory is set against the backdrop of the limestone outcrops of the Kinta Valley in 1940's Malaya, at the time leading up to the Japanese occupation. It tells of poor boy Johnny Lim's ruthless schemes to attain wealth and fame, told by three narrators: that of his son, Jasper; his wife, Snow; and a friend, Peter Wormwood.  These three accounts leave the reader with no doubt that no one person ever got to know Johnny Lim, as they are, to say the least, contradictory.

In the first part of the book we are given a posthumous account of our "hero", told by Jasper. He describes his father as a thief, an opium smuggler, a black marketeer and a murderer.  He is trying hard to understand who is father was and why he knows so little of his mother or his maternal relations.

The second part of the novel is told by Snow, through the pages of a long lost diary she kept detailing a bizarre honeymoon conducted in the company of three chaperones: a sybaritic mine-owner called Honey; Johnny's English friend Peter Wormwood; and a smooth Japanese gentleman Mamoru Kunichika.

In the final section of the book, the now elderly Peter Wormwood, who is living in an Oriental old people's home, gives us a second account of the events of the honeymoon. This sexually ambivalent, cape-wearing opera-lover seemed to detect in Johnny a guileless innocence that none of the others noticed.

The reader is left to make up his or her own mind whether the confusing and contradictory accounts of this three-cornered portrait of Johnny Lim are a product of the book's maddening inconsistency, or its mysterious appeal.

The Harmony Silk Factory is Malaysian-born Tash Aw's first novel. It was on the long list for this year's Man Booker Prize, but unfortunately did not make the cut to the short list.

e book was extremely well received by the book club members. Though it was felt that living in Malaysia added something to the enjoyment of the book, as it was very easy for us to visualise the countryside Aw describes. We had an in depth discussion regarding various aspects of the book, but specifically Jasper's parentage! I think we were all agreed that our favourite character was the wonderfully flamboyant Peter Wormwood.

Definitely on our highly recommended list.

THE NO. 1 LADIES' DETECTIVE AGENCY by Alexander McCall Smith
Reviewed by Judith Strong

This the first in a series of six delightful novels set in Botswana. The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency received two Booker Judges' Special Recommendations and was voted one the International Books of the Year and the Millennium by the Times Literary Supplement. However the author, Alexander McCall Smith, writes in a very light simple and amusing style, and the books have appealed to my 9 year old granddaughter and also my 92 year old mother! The novel did not appeal to everyone at our book club discussion however - several thought it was too simple and aimed at children, but most of us thoroughly enjoyed the book and some have gone on to read the rest of the series.

The main character, Precious Ramotswe, describes herself as a "traditionally built" lady, who has a genuine desire to help people with their problems. She uses the money her beloved father left her to open the No. Ladies Detective Agency in a shopfront in Gaborone, Botswana. Her only assets are in tiny white van, two desks, two chairs, a telephone, an old typewriter, a teapot and three teacups. She does possess the assets of intuition and intelligence, along with perseverance, a keen knowledge of the human mind and heart, and a steadfast sense of right and wrong. While waiting for customers, Mdm Ramotswe and her secretary spend much time drinking bush tea and discussion life in general. Before long she is hired to look for a missing husband, uncover a conman, and follow a wayward daughter. These may seem mundane concerns, but much of the charm of the book likes in just this ordinariness - the problems that ordinary people confront in the course of their everyday lives. What shines through is deep love for Africa generally and for Botswana and its people especially - she sees it as her duty to help her people solve the mysteries of their lives.

The author makes the scenes come to life with his amusing description of the simple life in a small African town. Alexander McCall Smith was born in what is now known as Zimbabwe, and taught law at the University of Botswana. He has written many other books on a variety of subjects and is a professor of medical law at Edinburgh University.

Our thanks to Brya who set the scene for discussion by serving us bush tea!

The October meeting will be o Thursday 6th, 11.00am at MANZA House, when we will discuss 'Nine Parts of Desire' by Geraldine Brooks. Please join us for a chat, glass of wine, nibbles and friendship-all welcome.

November 10: Behind the Scenes at the Museum by Kate Atkinson (NB:subjected to availability). Please take note: November book club will meet on the second Tuesday due to the long festive holidays from November 1 - 4.

THE KITE RUNNER by KHALED HOSSEINI
Reveiwed by Brya Wightman

With the wealth of literature we have available it is a joy to find a wee gem, and that is what I believe I found when I read this stunning novel, The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini.

It is set in Afghanistan, a country I know my knowledge is limited and found it a privilege to find a book that delivers a deeper understanding. This is, apparently, the first Afghan novel to be written in English. The themes are universal: family relationships, particularly father and son; the price of disloyalty; the inhumanity of a rigid class system; the horrific realities of war; and the struggle of being an immigrant in a foreign country. 

I have limited this review to a bare minimum as I believe what made this such a great read was having no expectations and knowledge of its storyline.  So if you, like me, enjoy the idea of not knowing, then read no further.  For the rest, or if your curiosity is more than you can control, the outline below is brief, but will give an idea of the type book to see if it suits your choice of literature.

It starts in Kabul 1970's in a quieter time, moves through the Russian occupation and finishes in modern day with the Taliban in control. What makes it work so well is that the characters are limited. It revolves around Amir and starts with his life in Kabul as upper class Pashtuns. Amir enjoys the luxury of education, material comfort and a constant playmate, the son of his father's longtime Hazara servant, Hassan.

Twice in his lifetime Amir is morally tested in his relationship with Hassan. The first time, a victim of his own arrogance, Amir fails his companion and chooses the path of least resistance. The reason, as Amir sees it, is the opportunity to seek approval, love and attention from Baba, his very successful and powerful father. But the scar of betrayal cuts through his soul, one that he never seems to shake.  As Amir both schemes and has changes presented to him to avoid this consistent heartache, nothing seems to work until the day he receives a long distant call from a life-long friend Rahim Khan.  Now he finally has a chance of redemption, though the path presented is not an easy one to take.  What Amir chooses and finds out along the way twists this compelling book to its end. 

This book was well received by the members of the Bookclub, all of whom enjoyed it immensely and would recommend it to all, though it did test our imagination in parts.  It gives you a lot to think about, plus has the bonus of a lot of metaphors and great 'one liner's',  whilst delivering an insight to the Middle East, its culture, and turbulent past.  It delivered what I knew I needed; a start to better understand and visualize the reports we read and see in the news.    

BITTER FRUIT by ACHMAT DANGOR
Reveiwed by Brya Wightman

This story is set in South Africa during the investigations leading up to the Truth and Reconciliation Committee Report.  It is a sad story about a coloured dysfunctional family unit who despite being together, 'belonging' does not exist for them. 

The beginning of the family's story and the book is when Lydia is raped and Silas her husband is forced to watch. Their son, Mickey is one of the products, but there are many other far reaching results that this also produces.

 The book doesn't hold many surprises plot wise, but it becomes more secretive and extreme as it weaves its story through the political climate and interplays the relationships of the main characters.   These individuals revolve around one another, but cannot seem to remember how or why they have a relationship. This desperate nature is reflected through out and it is even in its many detailed intimate and scandalous encounters. It repeatedly seems to reflect an act of possession and need rather than one of communication, love or attraction. 

This book is not read for the pure pleasures that comes from a great storyline, nor is it a book that has characters that endear you.  It was a short listed for the Man Brooker Prize 2004, and the quality of writing certainly shows this. Achmat Dangor is particularly good at getting characters across that have you so emotional that you would like to give them a good talking to, or give strong suggestions for counselling.  That is the effectiveness and the power of this book.

The book clubbers month but all agreed on recommending this book, but perhaps it is even better quoted in a review by Chloe Peacock "Be warned, I was left feeling quite hopeless for these people - this is not a story which will cheer you up."

THE LINE OF BEAUTY by ALAN  HOLINSGHURST
Reviewed by Rebecca Fastier

The Line of Beauty' written by Alan Hollinghurst won the Man Booker prize in 2004 and as such now carries the expectation of an exceptional read. Our discussion group had mixed reactions, some people very impressed and others, not at all. Unlike most of the books we read this is not a plot-driven novel. It is told from the perspective of Nick but in the third person and this technique gives a slightly distancing, slightly ironic episodic nature to the events told. In this respect the novel is reminiscent of 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald, where the narrator, another Nick uses a detached tone to tell us about the elegant life-style of Gatsby in 1920, Long Island, NY. The similarities of the two Nicks' continue in that both are new-comers to the upper class wealthy life-styles they suddenly find themselves living and they are both quite in awe of their new friends easy acceptance of their many priceless possessions. In this case, Nick, an Oxford graduate and small-town boy, moves to London to continue his post-graduate research into Henry James. He accepts accommodation in a fine Notting Hill residence with the family of one of his college friends. This is a very successful, rich, and upper-class home. The husband, Gerald, is an eager, confident member of Margaret Thatcher's government; the mother, Rachel, from an 'old' titled English family is elegantly nonchalant about her many rare antiques and paintings. The son, Toby, a nice guy but seldom at home and the daughter, Catherine, a manic depressant who had previously attempted suicide. There is an unstated understanding that Nick should repay their hospitality by watching over Catherine and ensure nothing drastic occurs.

Nick soon becomes a part of the heady, yuppie gay club scene of 'Thatcherite' London. It is exciting with money gained and spent lavishly while the young flirt with cocaine and Aids. Not one of the characters is particularly likeable, some of the gay affairs almost too graphic and until the final chapters, the momentum of the book is generally slow. Tension has been sacrificed for elegant and effortless descriptions of mood and place, and these become the chief joy of the book. It is a pleasure to read such flowing, witty prose, and is described by many critics as, 'finally, an English masterpiece'. As such, I am sure, just like Scot Fitzgerald's and Henry James' commentaries on their contemporary societies, Hollinghurst's depiction of the 'Thatcher' years and yuppie gay men in London, will become a classic. It is a beautifully crafted and written book, well deserving its title, 'The Line of Beauty'.

MAO'S LAST DANCER by LI CUNXIN
Reviewed by Judith Strong 

This book is richly detailed autobiography which most of the group enjoyed reading. It is an inspiring story for anyone interested in Chinese history throughout the Communist regime as Chinese Legends and childhood stories highlight it. In this memoir, a Chinese boy from a loving, hardworking and impoverished background, whose destiny lies in working as a peasant, suddenly sees his life change when one of Madame Mao's officials recruits him to join the Beijing Dance Academy. He was one of the very few children selected from all over China. Chosen only for his physique, age and resilience to pain, he was forced to leave home at the age of 11 - this turned his life around and he struggled with the steep learning curve ahead of him.

The lack of previous interaction with different people combined with the hardship he endured at the academy just worsened his social skills. Gradually he became an introvert and retreated from others to focus solely on his dancing. Writing this book provided an outlet for Li to share his amazing story with the rest of the world. The small, personal details bring to life Li's emotions, for example one lonely day at the academy Li comforts himself in a willow tree, crying. The tree symbolizes life and nature, which he desperately missed in the cold environment of the academy in the middle of the built up city.

After seven years at the academy, Li was chose to spend a summer with the Houston Ballet, which forever changes his perception of the West and Chairman Mao's Communist philosophy. Miraculously, he was allowed back for a further year to Houston, after which he defected to the West. It would be difficult to criticize this book as it is well balanced between descriptions of this childhood, life at the academy, and his accomplishments as a professional dancer in U.S.A. It is a story of courage, of a mother's love, a boy's longing for freedom - an inspirational story told with dignity and pride.