Whitley Bay Book Group: The Loney by Andrew Michael Hurley

Our first book of 2017, Andrew Michael Hurley’s Costa Winner of 2015 The Loney, was a suitably dark and gothic tale for a dark and cold January night.

Whilst not being much loved (a star rating of 2.4 out of 5), it did give us a lot to think and talk about whilst we unpicked the many layers and themes. It’s a book that’s virtually impossible to discuss without giving away spoilers – even to list the themes we talked about would do so. What I will say here is that, despite the story not being everyone’s cup of tea, most members did note how very beautifully and evocatively it was written. The landscape in particular was wonderfully drawn, and was almost a character in its own right.

We also chose our next set of books, which will take us up to July, when we take our summer break.

Wednesday 8 Feb – My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante

Wednesday 8 March – A Spy Among Friends by Ben Macintyre

Wednesday 12 April – The Muse by Jesse Burton

Wednesday 10 May – The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry

Wednesday 14 June – The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick
This is our Read Regional title, and local libraries should all have copies of the book in due course. There will be a number of public events with the author that we will be able to attend – we can discuss that when the campaign details are announced.

Wednesday 12 July – The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick
We will also be be choosing our next set of books at that meeting.

The Whitley Bay Book Group meets on the second Wednesday of the month from 7.30pm-9pm at the Windsor Hotel, South Parade, Whitley Bay, led by facilitator Cathy McCracken.