The Bawdeswell Book Club  meets on the first Thursday of every month at the Old Workhouse Bar – new members are always welcome.

This month’s book club choice was the first novel by the young Nigerian writer and was shortlisted for the Orange Prize for Fiction 2004. It was the first novel for some time that was enjoyed by all members of the group.

“Purple Hibiscus” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

The novel is set in Nigeria at the time of civil unrest and a military coup.  It follows 15 year-old, Kambili, and her older brother Jaja, as they strive to deal with an overbearingly strict father who controls them completely, scheduling every moment of their lives. He is a modern colonial man who outwardly gives the impression of being a very religious and loving family man, but at home his wife and children live in fear of him. When Kamali and Jaja are forced by the political unrest to stay with their aunt and her family they discover a house full of laughter, very different from their own home. They meet their grandfather, whom their father refuses to acknowledge because he still worships ‘pagan gods’, and see a different side of the Catholic Church. The family secret is eventually revealed with disastrous consequences.

It is a well written book that balances suspense and sensitivity. It provoked many positive comments from the book club members and much discussion. It is a thought provoking book and yet it was an easy and interesting read.

Linda Rose

Our next meeting is on Thursday, May 4^th  when our book choice is “Beyond Black” by Hilary Mantell