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This is the fourth book that Nicola’s Book Club will read in Season 15, the theme of which is “Fantasy and the Fantastic”. Jessamy Harrison is eight years old. Sensitive, whimsical, possessed of a powerful imagination, she spends hours writing, reading or simply hiding in the dark warmth of the airing cupboard. As the half-and-half child of an English father and a Nigerian mother, Jess just can’t shake off the feeling of being alone wherever she goes, and other kids are wary of her terrified fits of screaming. When she is taken to her mother’s family compound in Nigeria, she encounters Titiola, a ragged little girl her own age. It seems that at last Jess has found someone who will understand her. TillyTilly knows secrets both big and small. ... Subscribe to read more
Readers struggled with this book finding it a very hard read. They didn't warm to any of the characters who they described as unlikeable. They thought the writing style was a bit heavy going at times, with too many passages composed of exceedingly long sentences. Some readers found the alternation of the protagonist's different lives confusing. However, they did enjoy the descriptions, which gave them a good sense of place. They also liked the fact that the chapters were relatively short giving them some respite from the laboured language! Some readers appreciated the slow rhythm of the story, whereas others found this particular aspect of it more frustrating than anything else. Some gave... Subscribe to read more
Nicola is a lover of books, and equally a lover of world cultures. She believes that books represent the first step of a journey, a journey that frequently has an unknown destination. Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s collection of essays “Moving the Centre” is one of Nicola’s great inspirations: it points to a wealth of stories from different cultures around the world, cultures which do not always get the visibility their rich heritage deserves. Nicola’s mission is to share these stories, her passion for books and her literary insight with readers the world over.
Former proprietor of Nicola’s Bookshop in Brussels, Nicola has developed her knowledge and enthusiasm for literature over many years. Through this website Nicola now reaches out to a wider audience. Read more