Summer holidays, beach days or time out from a busy week, anytime is a great time for reading and joining a book club is an excellent way to get social.
Last Thursday it was time for KarryOn Book Club’s first gathering to discuss and review the book ‘Euphoria’ written by Lily King.
Together with Dymocks, KarryOn invited Book Club members to the first monthly gathering at KarryOn’s headquarters in Surry Hills, Sydney.
This month’s book was ‘Euphoria’ by Lily King
KarryOn has been working with the well-read people of Dymocks to handpick a monthly book with a travel theme from Dymocks Bookstore. Each member received the book by post and were encouraged to read the book over four weeks. At the end of the month the members met up to discuss the book over a glass of wine.
“The KarryOn Book Club is great initiative and I’ve had so much fun tonight discussing the book and it’s a great way to meet new and interesting people”
Nikki Watson
The evening was full of laughs and discussions
Book Reviews:
Euphoria is full of heady romance and danger, which combined with the exotic setting and bygone era makes it an unstoppable read.
Bankson, the narrator, is instantly likeable. King quickly establishes your empathy and allegiance for him by opening the novel with Banksons suicide attempt and explaining early on his troubled upbringing, the tragedy of his two brothers and his search to establish independence from his Father, a man of science. When he meets Nell and Fen you can sense his relief at no longer being alone in the tropics and you soon form an attachment to the trio.
King keeps the pace moving with a good rhythm, with action interspersed with hints of nostalgia and childhood recollections from Nell and Bankson. Furthermore, King treats the descriptions of the native Papua New Guinea tribes with respect, shying away from objectifying them or providing judgement of their way of life and actions. Instead, she paints a vivid picture of the Tribe’s lives and allows the readers to form their own views; which results in an impactful message around Western greed and social norms.
There was difficulty in developing a bond for Nell, her character came across as too remote and perhaps slightly under-formed. Despite being given snippets of her childhood, her character is portrayed from a slightly one dimensional perspective. It could be due to a difference in era but the fact that she stays with the bullish, violent Fen creates a lack of respect for Nell, you will her to make her escape as she is clearly the more talented anthropologist and more ethical in her treatment of the Tribes than Fen.
There is a mastery of description in the novel, you can taste the sweat, the smells of the jungle and the chemistry between the three competitive Anthropologists is electrifying. The sense of foreboding is prevalent throughout the writing, from starting with the suicide attempt to the heavy use of nostalgia, peppered with moments of reflect and regret about life not lived fully, you are keenly aware that tragedy is looming which heightens the thrill of the novel and maintains its pace.
– Nikki W
I have never read a novel like this before, I’m normally someone who would read lighthearted romance books. Euphoria still had the romance but just in the not so glamorous way I’m used to. Even though haunting at times I was totally engrossed in the book and the love triangle that evolved between Nell, Fen and Bankston. Euphoria definitely made me curious on Margaret Mead’s life – which I have read up on since.
– Natalie F
Whilst it started off slowly and it is a little difficult to “get in” to the book, once it evolves, you find yourself drawn into the world of the 3 main characters. The first chapter does nothing to endear the reader who knows not who these people are (there is no mention of their names!), it does make you want to read further to find out what that is all about. Their characters are revealed and shows Nell is an intelligent and dedicated female, which draws men closely to her. Not for her looks or beauty but for her intelligence and this is refreshing. The world in which these characters are brings back the times of what you think may have been simpler times but weren’t …
This book is well written but not for the “fluff” readers out there as it will make it extremely hard for them to understand and become involved in the book.
– Celeste A
I was hooked as soon as I started to read Euphoria. I found the topic very interesting and, considering the story is based on true events, found it almost impossible to put down. A good balance between tragic love story, suspense and cultural exploration, it is a well-written book that kept me curiously turning the pages.
– Naomi H
What I loved the most about the book was the strong female lead character and the how beautiful the book was written. With an intelligent story line including interesting characters set in an exotic location made it almost impossible to put the book down. If you are looking for a good summer read that is both sensual and intellectual than Lily King’s Euphoria won’t disappoint.
-Julia G
I opened Lily King’s book with no expectations, unsure if the description on the rear cover was of a book that would hold my interest, being a speed-reader, who has to go for hefty books to keep myself entertained.
I was enthralled. Inspired by the journeys’ of a real life anthropologist, the descriptions of the New Guinea tribes, the bored, unaware, alcoholic expats, the amazing river landscape and the three protagonists were truly engaging.
I felt the heat, the wet and the dust, the isolation of both Bankson and Nell and all the ego driven idiocy of Fen. I read it in one session and would absolutely recommend it as a great read.
Thank you.
– Diana Jane Freeman
It is rare that I will gulp down books in a short period of time, but I couldn’t put ‘Euphoria’ down. I loved being able to read more on the real life of pioneering anthropologist Margaret Mead, who inspired the book, while getting lost in the love triangle of the lead characters. An explosion of intellectual creativity and a lot of sexual tension this is an easy read for Summer and a great one to share with friends!
– Candice M
A great book for people who like to feel a sense of adventure! This book was beautifully written, which is always important to me, but most of all I loved the plot lines centring around the character’s occupations as anthropologists. This provided the richly visual backdrop to the story, the places they visited and the people they met in a way that was amazing but also believable and authentic. I did prefer the first half to the second, and the book left me wanting more – but maybe that’s not a bad thing!
– Gemma Gillard
