The Reading Group Reads...
The Harmony Silk Factory by Tash Aw
A LAST MINUTE CHANGE of venue found us in rather closer proximity than usual
but none the worse for that - hope you recovered quickly, Janet. The nibbles
were excellent, the wine and the discussion flowed.
An enigmatic book this; it was quite fascinating what different people got from it. The central character is seen through the eyes of three different people: the son; the wife; and the friend. Set during the second World War, with the Japanese about to invade Malaysia, it tells the strange and elusive story of Johnny Lim, a talented, inventive and ambitious man. The man plays a significant part in each of their lives, and we see that view. But how much of the man do they see? How much of the man do they know? Each draws their own conclusions. But how much of what they see is the real man? Is their judgement justified? Are they fair to him? What we come to understand is that their perceptions colour their view of him. And are we any nearer to understanding the whole man from having the advantage of their different views? Can someone ever be known completely?
This is the skill of the writer and the cleverness of the book, for he makes us question our conclusions, our own perceptions of people. How accurate are our judgements of people? How fair? What better justification of a novel's worth?
A fascinating book, well worth reading, but even more worthwhile talking about it afterwards. An invaluable discussion.
Our next book is "The Time Traveler's Wife" (American spelling) by Audrey Niffenegger. Wednesday May 3rd, Kent House, on the High St (opposite the children's playground for new members) and the June book is Middlemarch by George Elliot at 2 Heath Rd.