This was submitted by Helena Winston who studied at St. Cross College and who is a PhD. candidate in Art History at CUNY.
On February 8th, the Oxford Book Club met for the first time to discuss City of Djinns: A Year in Delhi by William Dalrymple, illustrated by his wife, Olivia Fraser. While the book piqued the group’s interest in some particular historical periods and people in Delhi, the overall sense was that it fell a bit flat. The author refrained from revealing much of himself in the narrative and did not appear to have been much transformed by his experience. Although a fun and easy book to read, it was unfortunately largely forgettable.
Participants in the discussion also took time to briefly mention books they had recently read:
• Ripples of Battle: How Wars of the Past Still Determine How We Fight, How We Live, and How We Think by Victor Hanson was given a strong review.
• Paris to the Moon by Adam Gopnik was considered fairly interesting.
• The Dante Club by Matthew Pearl was felt to be fairly good, and fit the bill for a well-written historical mystery.
• The Flashman Papers, a series of books by George MacDonald Fraser, was thoroughly enjoyed.
The Oxford Book Club’s objectives are to provide a forum for the discussion of new literature, the meeting of new people, and the opportunity to develop interests outside of daily work life. Their next book will be Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood.
Discussion will take place 6 pm March 21st, at Aquamarine LLC, 40 W. 55th St. Suite 5A between 5th and 6th Ave.
All are welcome!
