Walton Book Social

We’re delighted to be working with Walton Vale Community Shop to bring a free monthly book social to their community hub. Our next meet-up takes place on Thursday 22 October from 6pm - 8pm, and we’ll be discussing Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers.

1957, south-east suburbs of London.
Jean Swinney is a feature writer on a local paper, disappointed in love and — on the brink of forty — living a limited existence with her truculent mother: a small life from which there is no likelihood of escape.

When a young Swiss woman, Gretchen Tilbury, contacts the paper to claim that her daughter is the result of a virgin birth, it is down to Jean to discover whether she is a miracle or a fraud. But the more Jean investigates, the more her life becomes strangely (and not unpleasantly) intertwined with that of the Tilburys: Gretchen is now a friend, and her quirky and charming daughter Margaret a sort of surrogate child. And Jean doesn't mean to fall in love with Gretchen's husband, Howard, but Howard surprises her with his dry wit, his intelligence and his kindness — and when she does fall, she falls hard.

But he is married, and to her friend — who is also the subject of the story she is researching for the newspaper, a story that increasingly seems to be causing dark ripples across all their lives. And yet Jean cannot bring herself to discard the chance of finally having a taste of happiness...

But there will be a price to pay, and it will be unbearable.

How the book social works:
- Reserve your free ticket.
- Pick up a copy of the book from your local library or bookshop.
- Enjoy the book at home and join our WhatsApp group to stay connected with the group..
- Join us for a relaxed social on Thursday 22 October from 6pm - 8pm, to discuss the book.
- Walton Book Social is open to over 18s only

Any questions? Send us a message.