LITERATURE
The Woolpack Bookgroup has been meeting for about 10 years, and every
month up to 12 women get together to discuss a book – usually a work
of contemporary fiction. Images went along to see what they thought of
the Ip-art literature programme.
Helen Dunmore
From what was generally agreed to be an impressive line-up of writers,
everyone intended to head for the session with Helen Dunmore. ‘The
Bookgroup has read several of her books over the years – The
Siege, House of Orphans and Ice Cream – and she is a great writer who explores
relevant themes and complex relationships in interesting historical settings.’
At first the ‘literary lunch’ with the very interesting Libby
Purves seemed ‘a rather highbrow type of event’, but the lunch
of sausages and mash made it seem more enticing, if a bit pricey. Another
favourite will be Julie Myerson, who several members had enjoyed hearing
a couple of years ago at the Suffolk Book League; and people were pleased
that this and the Toby Litt talk will involve two of our new University
Campus Suffolk Lecturers. ‘Can I resist Justine Picardie?’ asked
one member, seeing that her talk would touch on so many literary favourites
including Daphne du Maurier and the Brontes.
But this succession of great novelists are only part of the literature
festival – there are places to perform and to learn to write, as
well as a session with some graphic novelists, and an appearance
by the interesting travel/nature writer Robert Macfarlane.
The whole Bookgroup agreed that the children’s literature day on
28th June looks fabulous, though perhaps St Joseph’s is not very
accessible for those travelling by public transport, with some great names
appearing and interesting activities for all ages.
The Bookgroup had plenty of ideas about how the literature festival could
be even better and more inclusive next year, but some of the comments showed
how popular this event will be: ‘Sometimes I see festival programmes
and there’s nothing much I want to see – but this is great!’ ‘I
want to go to almost everything!’ ‘I hope we read books by
some of these people in our group next year.’
Joy Bounds
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