|
|
||
|
||
|
 |
The British Council reading groups meet in Berlin in our partner bookshops and libraries.
Choice of dates for June meetings to discuss "The Sense of An Ending" by Julian Barnes- Winner of the Man Booker Prize 2011
Shallow, poorly educated Kitty marries the passionate and intellectual Walter Fane and has an affair with a career politician, Charles Townsend, assistant colonial secretary of Hong Kong. When Walter discovers the relationship, he compels Kitty to accompany him to a cholera-infested region of mainland China, where she finds limited happiness working with children at a convent. But when Walter dies, she is forced to leave China and return to England. Generally abandoned, she grasps desperately for the affection of her one remaining relative, her long-ignored father. In the end, in sharp, unexamined contrast to her own behavior patterns, she asserts that her unborn daughter will grow up to be an independent woman. I. Pour-El, Des Moines Area Community Coll., Boone, IA 
The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes Written in beautifully cadenced prose, The Sense of an Ending is a mature writer's reflections on love and marriage... on family and friendship, on work and death.'
Julian Barnes was born in Leicester in January 1946. He has written nine novels, including Flaubert’s Parrot, which was shortlisted for the 1984 Booker Prize, won the Geoffrey Faber Memorial Prize, and lead to Barnes being the first Englishman to be awarded the Prix Medicis); England, England, which was shortlisted for the 1998 Booker Prize); and Arthur and George, which was shortlisted for The Man Booker Prize in 2005. He lives in London. Reviews "The Sense of an Ending has the markings of a classic of English Literature. It is exquisitely written, subtly plotted and reveals new depths with each reading." Dame Stella Rimington, Chair of the 2011 Man Booker Prize judges
“Barnes builds a powerful atmosphere of shame and silence. . . . As ever, Barnes excels at colouring everyday reality with his narrator’s unique subjectivity, without sacrificing any of its vivid precision. . . . Novel, fertile and memorable.” The Guardian “Compelling. . . . His reputation will surely be enhanced by this book. Do not be misled by its brevity. Its mystery is as deeply embedded as the most archaic of memories.” Anita Brookner, The Telegraph “A dexterously crafted narrative of unlooked-for consequences.” The Sunday Times
"A brief but potent work about memory, class, sex and the way we imperfectly bear witness to our own lives.... Each of Barnes's meticulously written sentences bears lingering over, and the novella's impact has a visceral power." Winnipeg Free Press
There are currently six British Council reading groups in Berlin- reading and discussing books in English. They are made up of people who love to read and discuss books. Here is how they work. Members choose a book for discussion, everyone reads it and the group then meets to talk about it. The meetings are friendly and informal and are held monthly. Each group has a facilitator who helps to guide the discussion.
Regular meetings will be held about once a month at times convenient to the members of the group. HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL THERE BE IN A GROUP? Large numbers make it difficult for everyone to contribute so groups will be made up of ten to twelve people. IF I JOIN A GROUP, WHERE WILL I BE ABLE TO BUY THE BOOKS? We will tell you where you can buy the books when you join the group. CAN ANYONE JOIN THE GROUP? Yes. However, the discussions will be done in English and so you need to be able to express yourself in the language to be able to take part. I'M INTERESTED IN TAKING PART, BUT I DO NOT LIVE NEAR ONE OF THE CITIES MENTIONED ABOVE. WHAT CAN I DO? You can join other readers worldwide on the enCompassCulture website. The site is produced by the British Council Film and Literature Department to provide a virtual space for Reading Groups around the world to meet, discuss books and talk to authors. It includes the best contemporary UK and Commonwealth literature (fiction, poetry, drama, auto/biography, travel and science). |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||
 |
||
| The British Council is the United Kingdom's international organisation for educational and cultural relations. Registered in England as a charity. © British Council 2012. Privacy statement. |
|
|||
|
|||
 |
 |
© British Council |
|
