ICE Breakers
LONDON, BURNING
BOOK OF THE MOMENT
Do you remember ‘78/79? Where were you and how did this novel bring this period to life?
What similarities to 2021 stand out for you?
Which of the four characters did you enjoy the most and did you enjoy the love interest? Was there enough?
Did you recognise any of the characters and who they might be based on?
Did you enjoy how the lives of the characters are intertwined and were you happy with the ending?
How does 'London, Burning' compare to any of his other novels read by the group (such as 'Curtain Call')?
CHRISTMAS AT COLD COMFORT FARM
MISSED OPPORTUNITY
Had any one in your group read ‘Cold Comfort Farm’ (or seen on TV) and how endearing was the story? Did you want more? Did you enjoy the other stories by Gibbons?
Did this collection lead you to explore more about Stella Gibbons and how do you think her own life and upbringing affected the nature of her stories?
In what ways has society moved on from the 1930s? And what aspects if any would you like to keep?
What relationships bothered or shocked you? Did you feel any of these these stories were too dated such as ‘Cake’?
Are there places like Delthenham that still exist? Have you ever felt like an outsider as many of the characters are portrayed?
Why do these stories still resonate today and what was the appeal of reading them?
THE WATCHMAKER OF FILIGREE STREET
How would you classify this book? Fantasy/Historical Fiction/Thriller?
Meeting Mori changes Thaniel’s life – how do you think Thaniel’s personality changes and develops as a result of meeting Mori?
The story illustrates the prejudices and difficulties women experienced during this era. In the light of this, do you think Grace was merely brave, or a feminist, or just an academic who excelled at science?
How and to what effect do you think this novel balances magic, imagination, science and politics?
What were your opinions of Thaniel, Mori and Grace and how did this change throughout the novel?
Fate, chance, coincidence and predicting the future – all these elements play an important part – which do you think is the most powerful and integral to the story?
THE WILD CARD