BOOK CLUB

Monthly meetings of our Book Club are now back face to face!

If you would like to take part in discussions please let us know by emailing

whiteleywags@gmail.com

We are a friendly group and we welcome new readers to drop in for a chat.

Third Monday of every month 7.30pm for 8pm start

Upstairs room, Titchfield Mill

Mill Lane, Titchfield, Fareham PO15 5RF

June

Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams

Our introduction to Queenie finds her in a confused and sorry state having suffered an early miscarriage (although she hadn't realised she was pregnant) and dumped by her boyfriend (although she thought they were on a break). Queenie's self-esteem is low but she seems to have hit a self-destruct button, turning up at work but hardly ever doing any and making poor life style choices, especially with regard to having a series of casual, unprotected sexual encounters, which although consensual are toxic. (Please be aware this book contains several graphic descriptions.)

In the second half of the novel there is further explanation of a childhood of abuse and her feelings of never quite fitting in that have led to significant mental health issues. The novel deals with racism and touches briefly on Black Lives Matter. All this should have been very impactful on the reader but didn't quite engage our group, possibly because Queenie isn't particularly likeable and comes across as rather entitled.

Book club score: 5/10