Sullington Windmills WI

Our book club had a very mixed reaction to Broken Light by Joanne Harris, with the majority of the group not enjoying it. Those who disliked it found the story difficult to follow and, for some, rather depressing. The magical realism was not to everyone’s taste, and there was also criticism of the amount of discussion around menopause, as well as what some felt was an overly feminist or misandrist tone. Members who had read Joanne Harris before were particularly disappointed, as this was not the type of book they had expected from her.

Those who enjoyed the book appreciated its use of magical realism and its willingness to tackle some difficult and thought-provoking subjects, including menopause and the experience of ageing and becoming invisible, women’s anger and power, male violence and misogyny, abuse and the #MeToo movement. They particularly liked the descriptions of the emotions and physical experiences of menopause, the insights into female friendships, and the similarities to Stephen King’s Carrie. For these readers, the fantastical elements provided an interesting way of exploring some very real and uncomfortable issues.

Despite the divided opinions, everyone agreed that the book was very well written.

Overall, Broken Light certainly gave us plenty to discuss, with opinions ranging from strong dislike to genuine enjoyment. It is clearly a book that tackles big subjects and is likely to provoke a strong reaction, whether positive or negative.

One quote from the protagonist, Bernie Moon, that captures the book’s mix of humour, self-doubt and its focus on women’s experiences is:

“Some women have an inner goddess: I have my inner critic instead, who sounds something like my mother.”

The next book to be read will be 'The Age of Innocence' by Edith Wharton.

This will be discussed on Friday 11th September 2026.

Our latest book club meeting centred on an enjoyable discussion of this month's Agatha Christie novel, 'Why Didn't They Ask Evans?', which proved to be a popular choice with the group. All but one member said they had enjoyed the book, with many commenting on its easy readability and light-hearted, entertaining style.

A particular highlight for many was the partnership between Frankie and Bobby. Their warmth, humour and natural chemistry brought plenty of charm to the story, while their bumbling approach to amateur sleuthing offered a refreshing contrast to Christie's more polished detectives, Poirot and Miss Marple.

The discussion also explored the novel's depiction of life between the Wars. Members reflected on its portrayal of the British class system and the privileged young people who, with time and freedom on their hands, sought excitement and adventure. 

Of course, no Agatha Christie novel would be complete without plenty of twists and turns, and everyone agreed the mystery kept them guessing. While most felt it might not be among Christie's finest novels, it was still considered a thoroughly enjoyable standalone story, full of wit, humour and an engaging plot.

Overall, the book prompted a good discussion, making for another successful morning at book club. For one member, it was their first introduction to Agatha Christie, and they are keen to explore more of her work—a fitting testament to the enduring appeal of one of Britain's best-loved crime writers.

The next book to be read will be 'Broken Light' by Joanne Harris.

This will be discussed on Friday 14th August 2026.

Elizabeth Sawday has been a devoted rose grower since the 1980s and is the proud partner of Apuldram Roses. 

Apuldram Roses is a family run business, originally set up by Diane Sawday in 1979 and now run by Jonathan and Elizabeth Sawday.  The company has been growing and selling roses for over 40 years and are based near Chichester.  As well as selling a wide selection of roses they also run courses and exhibit at national rose shows, winning their first gold medal in 2009 at Hampton Court Flower Show. 

In her talk, Elizabeth shared her insights, joys and challenges experienced through decades of experience cultivating roses at Apuldram.