The 39 Steps

Today was my first meeting with the neighbourhood book club. We read the book titled above. The consensus was that the book was “of its time.” The plot twists and turns involved coincidences that were not credible. But it was hugely popular in the first half of the Twentieth Century and influenced many other writers of fiction and detective stories.

I’d say more than half of the time was devoted to non-book topics. Like being scammed by people posing as bank or utility company employees. Or the difficulty of getting through the visa process (I didn’t bring this up--it’s a problem for anyone with a non-native spouse or significant other). Bad service in restaurants was a big theme.

One of the women is very quiet, petite, and proper, sitting in the corner and not saying much. When I said I went to Foyle College, she asked me who taught me English. One of the Sweeney sisters, I replied. Jennifer, not Audrey. Well this little woman was their older sister. So Northern Ireland.

We met at the home of Pearl, whom I had met at an Oxfam event recently. The group is organised by Moyra Jackson, whose husband I knew when I attended All Souls Church. Her daughter is a British diplomat who is married to an American diplomat. They travel all over the world and are not able to tell their parents much about their work. Another member, Valerie, is off this week to the Ryder Cup in Paris with her husband. In short, it’s an interesting group. I’m looking forward to more books and chat with them.
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