Tower and Town, October 2018

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The Big Town Read

A book for discussion:

Everyone Brave is Forgiven, by Chris Cleave

On Sunday, 30 September at 5pm, the Town Hall will host many local book groups (and those who simply enjoy delving into a book) to hear Chris Cleave describe his latest work, Everyone Brave is Forgiven. Chris has written other bestsellers, such as The Other Hand, shortlisted for the Costa Novel Award and Gold, published before the 2012 Olympics.

This book is set in London and Malta during the Second World War and is a moving love story. It is an extraordinary book, full of contrasts and beautifully written prose. The clipped voices and self-imposed conventions of the period contrast shockingly with the brutality of war. At times, the reader is almost jolted by the suddenness of these dramatic twists.

The author found love letters written by his grandparents and the story is loosely based on these. However, there are many other interesting themes that the author brings into the book. At the outset, the motives for enlisting in war are treated in a completely new and fresh light. Later, the desire to teach youngsters, without any prejudice, is inspirational to read. The relationship of teacher and pupil and, indeed, between adult and child, is turned upside down by the collapse of war-torn London. Examining the nature of close friendship and love is the issue that the book returns to throughout and will provoke interesting debate in the Big Town Read. This event gives an opportunity to discuss all these and many more issues that can be found in Everyone Brave is Forgiven. It might lead to different views and interpretations of the way that the last World War was lived. It should make for a thought-provoking evening.

The Big Town Read works in partnership with Wiltshire Libraries and with the national charity, The Reading Agency, whose aim is to inspire people of all ages and backgrounds to read for pleasure and enjoyment.