ICE Breakers
THE CORRESPONDENT
BOOK OF THE MOMENT
Did your book club enjoy Sybil's life of letters and do you think this was an enjoyable and different novel experience?
Have you discovered any letters left within your own family and friends that have prompted a forgotten story? And has it encouraged you to read between the lines or explained other actions and memories?
Which other female protagonist does Sybil remind you of?
Did you enjoy Sybil’s love interest with Theodore Lübeck and Mick Watts the retired Texan lawyer. Were you rooting for one of these as the best suitor for her?
Evans studied creative writing in Dublin with tutors that included Claire Keegan, a writer that the Den has admired and enjoyed. Were you surprised that this book has been written by a young writer in her thirties?
What do think Evans will write next?
THE ARTIST
MISSED OPPORTUNITY
'The Artist' is set during the period of Cézanne and Van Gogh. Was it easy to imagine Tartuffe as a contemporary and did you enjoy Steeds's storytelling of this world?
Edouard Tartuffe is a domineering artist which Steeds describes in interviews as 'an art monster'. She wanted her audience to consider work that is lost by these 'monsters' and what other pieces and stories may be 'hidden in their shadows'. Did you as readers feel privy to this secret world and the chance to go behind the scenes?
The story of Ettie takes centre stage and perhaps is the main story. Could you see Ettie escaping her life with Tartuffe and was Joseph a suitable match, given what we know and observe?
Is 'The Artist' a worthy winner of the Waterstones Book of the Year, 2025? What did you enjoy about Steeds's writing?
What other authors have you enjoyed as debut novel writers (The Den for example have enjoyed 'The Names' by Florence Kemp and 'In Memoriam' by Alice Winn this year). How does Steeds's novel compare and can we expect more?
THE ELEMENTS
Did anyone in your group read Boyne's earlier novellas, 'Water' and 'Air' in the quartet (first published in 2023 and 2024). Was it easy to pick up from where you and your book club left off?
Did you enjoy the way the four voices were connected and do you think Boyne effectively explored trauma through the elements of water, earth, fire and air?
Do you think this book works best as a novel of four parts or stand alone novellas?
Do you think any of the main characters (Vanessa, Evan, Freya and Aaron) were ever destined to find peace or is their trauma a tragic flaw that they will never escape from?
How does 'The Elements' compare to Boyne's epic rollercoaster novels such as 'The Heart's Invisible Furies' and where can we expect the writer to head to next with his writing?
THE WILD CARD