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Islington Branch Book Club - Past Titles: "Windfallen" by Jojo Moyes

Take a look through previous titles we've discussed at our Islington Branch Book Club

About the Author: Jojo Moyes

Jojo Moyes, born Pauline Sara Jo Moyes on August 4, 1969, is a British author known for her emotionally resonant and bestselling novels. Here's a brief biography of Jojo Moyes:

Early Life and Education: Jojo Moyes was born in London, England, and grew up in London, London and Maidstone, Kent. She attended Royal Holloway, University of London, where she studied English Literature and later pursued a postgraduate journalism degree at City University, London.

Career: Moyes began her career as a journalist, working for various publications, including The Independent newspaper, where she worked as an arts and media correspondent. She later worked for The Sunday Times for ten years, where she became the newspaper's assistant news editor.

In addition to her work in journalism, Moyes has always had a passion for writing fiction. She published her first novel, "Sheltering Rain," in 2002, followed by "Foreign Fruit" in 2003 and "The Peacock Emporium" in 2004. While these early novels received positive reviews, it was Moyes's later works that garnered widespread acclaim and commercial success.

Moyes achieved international success with her novel "Me Before You," published in 2012. The novel tells the story of Louisa Clark, a young woman who becomes a caregiver for a wealthy quadriplegic man named Will Traynor. "Me Before You" became a bestseller and was adapted into a successful film in 2016, starring Emilia Clarke and Sam Claflin.

Moyes has since written numerous bestselling novels, including "After You" (2015) and "Still Me" (2018), which continue the story of Louisa Clark. She has also authored standalone novels such as "The Girl You Left Behind" (2012), "The One Plus One" (2014), and "The Giver of Stars" (2019).

Moyes's novels are known for their engaging characters, emotionally charged storytelling, and exploration of themes such as love, loss, and personal growth. She has received several awards for her work, including the Romantic Novelists' Association Romantic Novel of the Year Award.

Personal Life: Jojo Moyes currently resides in Essex, England, with her husband, journalist Charles Arthur, and their three children. She continues to write and is actively involved in various literary projects and initiatives.

Jojo Moyes's distinctive voice and storytelling style have earned her a loyal readership and critical acclaim worldwide. Through her novels, she explores the complexities of human relationships and the resilience of the human spirit with depth, empathy, and authenticity.

Synopsis

For Lottie Swift, Arcadia has always been magical. The breathtaking art deco house perched above the shoreline of the well-ordered village of Merham seems to stand still throughout the years. It has never changed, not really, but Lottie's fate and fortune have been inextricably linked with that of the beautiful house, and it will forever be fixed in her mind as a symbol of adventure, youth, and of loves lost and gained. Even as her life--and the house--fall into disrepair. Years later another young woman comes to Merham. A designer hired to make over the now-empty Arcadia, Daisy Parsons seeks a new beginning, as Lottie once did. Fleeing a broken relationship and now facing being a single mother, Daisy finds refuge in the house, and something more--a love she thought she would never know again and a friendship unlike any she's experienced before.

Discussion Questions

  1. Character Development:

    • Discuss the evolution of the main characters, particularly Lottie and Tamsin. How do their personalities and motivations change throughout the novel? What factors influence their growth and development?
  2. Setting and Atmosphere:

    • Analyze the role of the setting, a small English village, in shaping the events of the novel. How does Moyes use the rural backdrop to create atmosphere and evoke a sense of place? How does the village setting contribute to the characters' experiences and interactions?
  3. Themes of Change and Adaptation:

    • Explore the theme of change in the novel, both in terms of personal growth and external circumstances. How do characters like Lottie and Tamsin respond to unexpected changes in their lives? What lessons do they learn about resilience and adaptation?
  4. Interpersonal Relationships:

    • Examine the various relationships depicted in the novel, including friendships, familial bonds, and romantic entanglements. How do these relationships influence the characters' choices and actions? What role does communication play in fostering or hindering these connections?
  5. Class and Social Dynamics:

    • Discuss the portrayal of class differences and social hierarchies in the village community. How do characters from different social backgrounds interact, and what tensions arise from these differences? How does Moyes explore themes of privilege and inequality?
  6. Romance and Love:

    • Analyze the romantic relationships in the novel, particularly the dynamics between Lottie and Guy, and Tamsin and Sidney. How do these relationships develop, and what challenges do the couples face? How does Moyes explore the complexities of love and attraction?
  7. Humor and Wit:

    • Discuss the role of humor and wit in "Windfallen." How does Moyes infuse the narrative with moments of levity and comedy, and what effect does this have on the overall tone of the novel? How does humor serve to deepen characterization and engage the reader?
  8. Narrative Structure:

    • Reflect on Moyes's narrative style and structure in "Windfallen." How does she balance multiple plotlines and viewpoints? What effect does this multi-layered approach have on the reader's engagement with the story?
  9. Resolution and Conclusion:

    • Consider the resolution of the novel and the fates of the characters. How does Moyes bring the various storylines together, and what messages or themes are conveyed in the conclusion? Are there any loose ends or unanswered questions that linger after finishing the book?
  10. Authorial Voice and Style:

    • Reflect on Jojo Moyes's authorial voice and writing style in "Windfallen." How does her approach in this early novel compare to her more well-known works? Are there any recurring themes or motifs that foreshadow her later writing?

MLN Materials

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