Welcome back, Kathleen! We don't have any discussions going on right now, or one in the works. But I think it is high time we planned one. Any ideas?

The last one we did, a couple of months ago, was Brideshead Revisited.

Maybe Martin could tell us his favourite Booker winner and we could discuss that.

I often think I would rather chew off my own ankle than read a Booker winner, although I have enjoyed one or two of the runner's up. So many of the judges and authors appear to be such pretentious 'literary luvvies'. But I suppose it is easier to discuss a book that drives you mad rather than one you enjoy. ;-)
So Kath, how about you choosing something for the next RP read?

OK Vee, I will take you up on that.
I will have a think about it and come up with a couple of ideas.

What about Small Island by Andrea Levy? It's the kind of book I love, with a great story but also some history too.

Kath. I think we did 'Small Island'; a discussion that rather petered out. I made a note that I read the book in January 2006, so it must have been shortly after that.
Any more ideas?

OK, that is probably right Vee.
*puts on thinking hat*

Vee is right. Small Island was discussed here. I remember because I could not find the novel and so never participated. What about Paul Bowles "The Sheltering Sky"?

I'm happy to go with that :-)

"The Sheltering Sky" looks intriguing to me... However, I am wondering if it gets all existential and things....

"The Sheltering Sky" from the back of the book:
"In this classic work of psychological terror, Paul Bowles examines the way in which Americans apprehend and alien culture--and the ways in which their incomprehension destroys them. The story of three American travelers adrift in the cities and deserts of North Africa after World War II, The Sheltering Sky is at once merciless and heartbreaking in its compassion. It etches the limits of human life--when they touch the unfanthomable emptiness and impassive cruelty of the desert"

When I first read it, I found it very thought-provoking, and it's a favorite I often re-visit. I'm not sure if I would label it "existential", however. As a novel, it's hard to categorize, rather in a class of its own, I think. It led me on to read more about Paul and Jane Bowles, who spent a considerable part of their lives living in Tangier, and the Levant, before that part of the world was "discovered" by Americans.

also a movie it has been made from The Sheltering Sky book , directed by Bertolucci

Here is a link that might be useful: The Sheltering Sky

I just reserved a copy at my library!

For more background, some of you may wish to look for "The Dream at the End of the World" (about Paul Bowles' expatriot life in Tangier) and "A Little Original Sin" (about Janes Bowles' life).

From the New Rebublic: "It stands head and shoulders above most other novels published since WW II." (I agree.)

From the Sunday Observer: "Now and then a novel appears which does not repeat the pattern of commonplace existence...but makes us realize that our life is extraordinary. "The Sheltering Sky" is such a novel."

I have the book from the library. Thanks for the additional suggestions, I will look for them.

I'm interested in joining in this discussion as well. Is there a certain date we start the discussion on, or just when everyone finishes the book?

I just finished this last night. Is anyone else ready to discuss it?

Should I begin the discussion, or wait? Why is it I get the feeling no one is reading this?

I've finished the book so am ready whenever

My copy has only just come in from ILL so I am behind the curve here. However, I will try and speed read it this weekend to catch up with you guys.... It looks v interesting.

I just saw this thread. The book is on shelf at the lib so I can borrow it (we are going today).