Catherine Chidgey: please come to book club!

So, picture this: It's February 2023, and thanks in part to the launch of Matilda’s Room), my cousin-in-law had this idea to start a book club. We rallied a squad of women – a fabulously random mix. Most of them were like, "I know her, but who are you again?" But they all knew me, the unofficial organiser of this merry band of bookworms. We set one rule: no mandatory book of the month. We do talk about books loosely based on a theme like "that biography that changed your life" or "that NZ book that made you say 'wow'."

And let me tell you, this book club turned into one of my absolute favourite things to come out of 2023. These women – they're the best. We laugh, we share, we dive into the deep end of personal stories. It's like a monthly escape from being mums, wives, employees – you name it. It's our 'us time,' where we recharge our batteries. I also leave with a very full cup – no mean feat for an introvert.

Oh, and our recent Christmas party? Epic! Imagine a room full of laughter, where your face and stomach compete on which hurts more from laughing. It was that kind of night. Book club? Best. Idea. Ever.

We have our first book club meeting of 2024 on the 8^th of February and the theme is Catherine Chidgey. You may have read my recent review of The Axeman’s Carnival (find that here). Quite quickly after reading this one, I then read Pet also by Chidgey. Another five-star read for me, and on this basis I convinced the rest of book club to read any of her books and we will get together to discuss them. I am aiming to read both The Wish Child and Remote Sympathy over summer.

But first.. my review of Pet. Pet is described as a psychological thriller. It is a thought-provoking novel that explores the complexities of adolescence, the need for acceptance, and the influence of authority figures on young minds. The novel is set in 1980s Wellington, New Zealand, and revolves around 12-year-old Justine. Justine is grappling with the recent loss of her mother to cancer, her father's grief and drinking, and her own epilepsy. At her Catholic school, she becomes fascinated by her new teacher, Mrs Price, a charismatic figure who chooses favourites among her students and invites them to her home, hence the title Pet. This favouritism and the subsequent alienation from her best friend, Amy, deeply affects Justine​​.

The narrative alternates between 1984 and 30 years later, providing a dual perspective from Justine's childhood and her adulthood. As an adult, Justine is a mother herself and deals with her father's dementia. This structure adds depth to the story, revealing how past experiences continue to echo in Justine's life​​.

Mrs Price is portrayed as a complex character, both engaging and manipulative. Her influence over her students is profound, leading to a series of events that make this book unputdownable. The story is told from Justine’s perspective and it had me guessing about what was true, and questioning whether Justine was a reliable narrator. Chidgey's depiction of Mrs Price and the school environment is vivid, capturing the essence of the era and the intricacies of school life. The novel also delves into themes of bullying, racism, and scapegoating, set against the backdrop of a Catholic school in the 1980s​​​​.

I loved this book. An easy five stars. This was one I was reading on my lunch break and every waking moment because I couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen. I think I devoured this in a day!

Back to book club.. so at our Christmas party, and after a couple of cocktails, we decided that our first theme of the year was Catherine Chidgey. Our book club is based in Hamilton, and Catherine Chidgey is based in the Waikato, so of course, we had THE BEST idea. We need to invite Catherine Chidgey to book club!

So here goes..

Dear Catherine Chidgey,

Kia ora from your possibly biggest, definitely most fun fans in Hamilton! I'm writing on behalf of book club – a group of book lovers who believe that a good book, like a fine wine, only gets better when shared. And by 'shared,' we mean dissected, debated, and occasionally over-analysed at our once-a-month gatherings where laughter and camaraderie are just as important as literary enlightenment.

We're kicking off 2024 with a theme that's close to our hearts (and our bookshelves): "All Things Chidgey!" It's like Shark Week, but for literature enthusiasts. Your books are the stars of the show, and we're basically the fan club, ready with our wine glasses and possibly too much enthusiasm.

Here's the pitch: We'd be over the moon if you could join us for our first meeting of 2024. Picture this: A beautiful Hamilton restaurant filled with 7 of your biggest fans, engaging in lively discussions about your amazing works. We promise an evening of insightful questions, possibly off-the-wall interpretations, and, of course, delicious food and cocktails (or mocktails).

We meet in Hamilton, a city that’s as charming as one of your narratives, and we're scheduling our "Chidgey Extravaganza" for the 8^th of February at 7:30pm. No need to prepare a speech or anything – just bring yourself!

So, what do you say? Will you join a group of enthusiastic book lovers for an evening dedicated to your literary genius? We promise it'll be fun! Catherine Chidgey, please come to book club, because life is too short to read bad books.