The Children Act by Ian McEwan. Wednesday April 22nd, 7 - 8pm

[Gemini]

I have finished and enjoyed it. My only criticism being it is too short!
Does anyone not have a copy yet? A member has kindly offered to send her unread copy to anyone who would like it.

[Plantaholic]

I have listened to it on Audible, out to make some notes

[Gemini]

How is everyone getting on? Not long now

[Guest]

Bumping this up

[Plantaholic]

bumping this up again

[rosie28]

Hi all ..sorry ladies have unexpectedly got to go to a flower festival meeting at 7 tonight but have read the book and will add my comments later hope that is ok.

[Gemini]

That's fine Rosie I hope you enjoy the flower festival.

Coffee and home made cookies are being brought across from the Coffee Shop as I type, for the reviewers

[Guest]

That's good, I'm getting peckish.

I'd like to kick off by saying that I found the book fascinating for the legal and moral dilemmas tat it presented. However, I did think it was a pity that the all big issues were between fundamentalist presentations of religious beliefs - Jewish, Catholic and Jehovahs Witness rather than including some of the many other difficult matters that judges have to determine between warring parents

[Gemini]

I enjoyed it, and wished it was a little longer, as I said earlier.
Yes, you have point MS. I hadn't really thought of that, but you are right, the big issues were related to religious beliefs.

[Guest]

And what did you think of the way the relationship between Fiona and her husband was portrayed?

[Gemini]

It was not the most interesting part of the story, which to my mind were the cases. They had got used to each other, comfortable, and so it was a shock for Fiona when her husband suggested he embark on an affair. Not what she was expecting I'm sure!

[Gemini]

Just as she got used to being without him, he returned.

[Guest]

Agreed! And I felt that it was noticeable that the authors unstated disapproval of her childlessness and commitment to her work was the subtext to this.

Turning to the cases, what did anyone ( let's hope it's not just the two of us discussing on here) make of the JW dilemma? We're you swayed by by the legal arguments? What did you make of the boy's responses?

[Gemini]

I'm sure Daisy and Plant will be here Minny. Not sure who else. WeeGranny is adding her comments after her holiday

[Gemini]

From the start I wanted the boy to be 'saved' and given the transfusion. An emotional response! I was beginning to be swayed the other way at one point, when it became clear it really was what A wanted. Then of course, everything changed.