‘He was troubled. It came off him like a smell. He was running away from something or someone.
She’d heard Dublin in his accent. Not the colourful Dublin of Moore Street, less earthy than that, but his roots were definitely in the capital. Coming here put plenty of distance, almost four hundred kilometres, between him and Dublin’
– The Book Club
[ About the Book ]
A tragic accident leaves the tight-knit book club in the small seaside town of Fairweather reeling. Then stranger Tom McLysaght arrives in the community, and the members of the club find their lives changing in ways they never could have imagined.
None of them realise that Tom is hiding a secret. On the surface, his move to Fairweather was to escape his highflying life in London and to put some much-needed distance between him and his ex-fiancée – but deep down Tom knows that there are some things he cannot run from.
As the months pass with book club gatherings, secrets are shared and hurts begin to heal. New friendships might be the last thing on their minds but the members of the book club are about to discover that opening themselves up to other people might be the only thing that will help them all to live, and to love, again.
[ My Review ]
The Book Club by Roisin Meaney was just published June 10th with Hachette Ireland and is described as ‘a heart-warming novel about friendship and finding a way home.’ I am no stranger to Roisin Meaney’s writing and I always know that I am going to come away with a smile on my face and a warm glow in my heart on turning the final page. The Book Club did just that with it’s wonderful array of characters and gorgeous storyline.
The name of course was always going to be a winner for me. A novel centred around a book club was sure to have some quirky personalities and Roisin Meaney creates a great picture vividly depicting the main cast of seven as they are slowly revealed to the reader.
The Book Club is set in the fictitious small seaside town of Fairweather in Co. Kerry with a community that has suffered its share of upset and drama over the years. For Beth, and her granddaughter Lil, the sadness of their own personal tragedy has never left them. An earth-shattering event changed the course of their lives forever and up to now, Beth, retired from her teaching job, has been a pillar of strength to Lil. Beth, a very active resident of Fairweather, used to run the local book club from a purposely upcycled shed in her garden. Here she receives book donations from a variety of sources and has a small library set up that she opens to all, both local and tourist. As a sadness fell upon her, she felt the book club was no longer for her but with the encouragement of friends she resumed the club and started to step out from beneath the cloud that follows her around. But Lil is incapable of moving on and Beth is very concerned for her.
The arrival of a stranger to Fairweather shakes things up a little when Tom McLysaght comes to town. Tom takes a short term rental on the property adjoining Beth’s, a property that belongs to her family. Beth sees something in Tom. She sees a lost soul, someone looking to escape and Beth respects his privacy, not one to gossip, But Fairweather asks questions of Tom, as other residents are curious about this stranger. He reveals little, yet is pleasant to all who cross his path.
Tom McLysaght has a secret, one that he is ashamed of and wants to keep buried. Moving to Fairweather is a means to an end for Tom. He needs this time out, this time away from his life. Having walked away from his perfect life in London, Tom is happy just to melt into the shadows and regroup. But Tom was very unprepared for such a close-knit community and slowly but surely he finds himself immersed in the day-to-day humdrum of life in Fairweather. But can he move on as long as he keeps his secret to himself? Can Beth ever come to terms with the tragedy in her life? And will Lil ever open up and let the world in again?
Roisin Meaney writes about people with familiar personalities that we all have crossed paths with at some point in our lives. The publican, the retired teacher, the shop owner, the delivery-man all come to life in The Book Club with gorgeous descriptions and colourful language. The importance of the local community is a very strong theme throughout The Book Club and, unfortunately, is something that is being slowly lost in many towns and villages in society today. Our busy lives have led to neighbours now barely recognising each other, oblivious to the concerns and sorrow of each other. If we lose our sense of belonging, our sense of being needed we lose something very valuable indeed. Roisin Meaney explores this and more in The Book Club treating the reader to a very captivating and feel-good experience. The Book Club is another joyous read, with the occasional sniffle and plenty of heartening moments that leave the reader wrapped up in a cosy embrace. Storytelling is a gift and Roisin Meaney continues to have it in spades.
[ Bio ]
Roisin Meaney was born in Listowel, Co Kerry, She has lived in the US, Canada, Africa and Europe but is now based in Limerick, Ireland. This Number One bestselling author is a consistent presence on the Irish bestseller list and she is the author of fifteen novels including three stand alone novels set in the fictional island off the west coast of Ireland: One Summer, After the Wedding and I’ll Be Home for Christmas. Her other bestsellers include: The Last Week of May, The People Next Door, Half Seven on a Thursday, Love in the Making, The Things We Do For Love, Something in Common, Two Fridays in April, The Reunion, The Anniversary, The Restaurant and It’s that Time of Year. She has also written books for children.
Twitter – @roisinmeaney
Website – http://www.roisinmeaney.com
Lovely review Mairéad xx
Nicki thank you. Much appreciated xx