Free and The Snow Ball • Book Club, episode #140

We're joined by friend and journalist Phil Chaffee to discuss FREE by Lea Ypi, a memoir of her Albanian childhood and of life amid the collapse of Communism. The book won the Royal Society of Literature’s Ondaatje prize and was shortlisted for the Baillie Gifford non-fiction prize and was on many a best-book of 2022 list. Both our book clubs read this one, but what did they make of it? We'll be reporting back.

We’re also discussing THE SNOW BALL by Brigid Brophy, a swirling, sensual feast that takes place over one night at a New Year’s Eve masquerade ball. The novel was published in 1964 and was something of a scandalous sensation at the time. It has recently been re-released to much acclaim, but what did Kate's book club think of it?

We’ll also have some trusty follow-on recommendations to help you find your next great read.

Booklist

BORDER by Kapka Kassabova

SECONDHAND TIME by Svetlana Alexievich

HOMELAND ELEGIES by Ayad Akhtar

MISS PETTIGREW LIVES FOR A DAY by Winifred Watson

50 GREAT WORKS OF ENGLISH LITERATURE WE COULD DO WITHOUT by Brigid Brophy, Michael Levey and Charles Osborne.

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