June’s book for the Bee Moor WI book club was ‘A Gentleman in Moscow’ by Amor Towles.

On the whole we all enjoyed this book, set in the backdrop of the Bolshevik Revolution Count Alexander Rostov was under house arrest in a hotel. The story tells of the Count’s trials, tribulations, friendships and romance through the Metropole Hotel. We all enjoyed the friendships and how they were interwoven throughout the book. The book has funny moments as well as poignant and reflective.

We all thought the book was beautifully written and the history was very accurate, however some people thought more historical detail could have been added. It’s well worth a read and we await the film coming out soon with Kenneth Brannagh playing the Count.

July’s book was ‘Exit West’ by Mohsin Hamid

The main themes of the novel are emigration and refugee problems. The novel is about a young couple, Saeed and Nadia, who live in an unnamed city undergoing civil war and finally have to flee, using a system of magical doors, which lead to different locations around the globe.

Exit West was enjoyed by group, the first part of the book flowed better than the rest. Discussion about doors and how they were necessary to speed the story up and also as an allegory of the flood of people arriving. Descriptions of Saeed’s religious needs were thought excellent and Nadia’s covering up to protect herself continued when she arrived in London, did this suggest that she still didn’t feel safe? Again, another good thought provoking read.

Over the summer the book club will be reading for September’s meeting:

• Idaho by Emily Ruskovich
• The Lost Man by Jane Harper
• Scrublands by Chris Hammer

If you’d like to join the Sale Moor Women’s Institute and the Bee Moor WI book club, email beemoorwi@yahoo.co.uk for more details on how to join.