Our next book “One of Us” is darkly funny. It’s an intelligent, sharp tale that’s ultimately about the abuse of power, the privileged and politics. It may feel a little depressingly familiar in places but don’t let that put you off – it’s a compulsive read. Author, Elizabeth Day, has an impressive CV and nine books to her credit. She is also the host of the podcast “How to Fail with Elizabeth Day”. She was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 2024.    

Our book reviews:

 Tsotsi  by South African playwright Athol Fugard (1932–2025). The novel was first published in (1980) and republished in several editions including in 2019 Tsotsi is set amidst the sprawling Johannesburg township of Sophiatown, where survival is the primary objective, this novel traces six days in the life of a ruthless young gang leader. Having brutally attacked one of his own gang, Tsotsi is confronted with memories of his own painful childhood, this angry young man begins to show glimpses of his own humanity, potential dignity and capacity to love, even if he has no understanding of these concepts. We were ambivalent in our views. Little enjoyment, possible unwanted images of violence and thankful for our own birth heritage. 

Orbital is a good read. Its unique structure is based entirely on setting, not plot or characterisation.  It takes the reader to places we do not know and reminds us of all the places we do know, but all from a different vantage.  We feel like we are spinning in space, watching our Earth. The novel is short because the author doesn’t develop the characters; which some found a weakness but perhaps the book develops the reader instead - how they might see themselves from this unique, disorientating point.  Worthy Winner of 2024 Booker Prize.

The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai.
We appreciated the insight into the varied aspects of Indian cultures and the beautiful descriptive writing. It was seven years in the writing and won the Booker Prize in 2006. It explored the loss of identity and the way it traveled through generations under post colonialism.

Trees by Percival Everett
Trees is a powerful book about lynching in America’s deep South. The story begins with a string of bizarre murders in the small town of Money. In each murder the same dead black man appears. Soon there are copy-cat murders all over the country. The local police are flummoxed and then very irritated when both state and national black investigators arrive on the scene. One is a woman! Adding to the mix is the waitress in the local diner and “Mama-Zee” who has been recording lynchings her entire life. Oddly, most, but not all of us, found humour in this dark and disturbing story.

The House of Doors by Tan Twan Eng
The group found this an informative book as none of us had knowledge of Panang in Malaysia. The fictional characters were cleverly woven into true stories: Sun Yat Sen, first president of the Republic of China, the murder trial of Ethel Proudlock, and the visit of Somerset Maugham. The novel considered a range of themes: colonialism, homosexuality, hidden lives, revolution, the art of writing.

 Brecon U3A Bookshelf, set up in 1996, concentrates on reading contemporary (21st century) novels and with each new term we have two new books - one to be discussed early in the term and the second towards the end.

Suggestions for books are welcome, bearing in mind  the group comprises both men and women with a wide range of tastes and experience, the cost, and ready availability of publications. The Group is entirely informal, open and friendly and welcomes new members to come and join us at any time - if you have not read the books, come and listen to the discussion and you may feel inspired.

 Good reading!