"East of the Sun" by Júlia Gregson

East of the Sun by Júlia Gregson
Call Number: FICTION Gregson
Autumn 1928. Three young women are on their way to India, each with a new life in mind. Rose, a beautiful but naïve bride-to-be, is anxious about leaving her family and marrying a man she hardly knows. Victoria, her bridesmaid couldn't be happier to get away from her overbearing mother, and is determined to find herself a husband. And Viva, their inexperienced chaperone, is in search of the India of her childhood, ghosts from the past and freedom. Each of them has their own reason for leaving their homeland but the hopes and secrets they carry can do little to prepare them for what lies ahead in India.

*audiobook on hoopla

Character Exploration:
- Analyze the three main characters, Viva, Rose, and Victoria. How do their personalities, backgrounds, and motivations shape their individual journeys throughout the novel?
- Discuss the evolution of the friendship between Viva, Rose, and Victoria. How do their relationships with each other change over the course of the story, and what challenges do they face together?
- Explore the character of Guy Trent, the love interest of Viva and Rose. How does his presence affect the dynamics between the three women, and what role does he play in their lives?
Themes and Motifs:
- Discuss the theme of female friendship in "East of the Sun." How do Viva, Rose, and Victoria support and empower each other, especially in the face of adversity and uncertainty during wartime?
- Analyze the motif of travel and adventure. How does the journey aboard the MV Victoria reflect the characters' personal journeys of self-discovery and growth?
- Explore the theme of love and romance in the novel. How do the romantic relationships between the characters, including Viva and Rose's relationships with Guy, contribute to their individual arcs and the overall narrative?
Historical Context:
- Explore the historical setting of the novel, particularly the portrayal of World War II and its impact on the characters' lives. How does the war shape their experiences and decisions, both at home and abroad?
- Discuss the depiction of British colonial society in India during the 1940s. How do issues of class, race, and privilege influence the characters' interactions and experiences in this setting?
Narrative Techniques:
- Discuss the novel's narrative structure, which alternates between the perspectives of Viva, Rose, and Victoria. How does this multi-perspective approach enhance the reader's understanding of the characters and their interconnected stories?
- Analyze Julia Gregson's use of descriptive language and imagery to evoke the settings of England and India. How do these settings contribute to the atmosphere and mood of the novel?
Social and Ethical Questions:
- Explore the theme of identity and belonging in the novel. How do the characters navigate questions of cultural identity, particularly Viva and Rose as British women living in colonial India?
- Discuss the ethical dilemmas faced by the characters, particularly in relation to issues of love, loyalty, and sacrifice. How do they reconcile their personal desires with their sense of duty and responsibility?
Reader Response and Interpretation:
- Reflect on your emotional response to the novel. What aspects of the story resonated with you, and why?
- Consider the novel's ending and the characters' fates. Did the resolution of the story meet your expectations, or were you surprised by the outcome?

Júlia Gregson is a British author known for her historical fiction novels and travel writing. Here's a brief biography of her:

Early Life and Education: Júlia Gregson was born in 1947 in Monmouth, Wales, United Kingdom.
Career Beginnings: Before becoming a full-time writer, Júlia Gregson worked as a journalist, feature writer, and editor for publications such as the Sunday Times, Good Housekeeping, and Rolling Stone magazine.
Literary Career: Júlia Gregson gained recognition as a novelist with her debut novel, "The Water Horse," published in 1996. She continued to write fiction, with several of her novels focusing on historical settings and themes.

Some of her notable works include:
- "The Water Horse" (1996)
- "East of the Sun" (2008): A historical novel set in India during World War II, exploring themes of friendship and love.
- "Jasmine Nights" (2012): A novel set in post-World War II Egypt, blending romance and adventure against the backdrop of political unrest.
- "Monsoon Summer" (2013): A novel set in colonial India during the 1930s, following the lives of three women with intertwining destinies.
Travel Writing: In addition to her fiction writing, Júlia Gregson has also authored travel books, including "Along the Enchanted Way" (2008), which recounts her experiences traveling through Eastern Europe.
Recognition: Júlia Gregson's novels have received praise for their evocative settings, rich characterizations, and compelling storytelling. Her works have garnered a dedicated readership and critical acclaim.
Personal Life: Not much is publicly known about Júlia Gregson's personal life, as she tends to keep her private life separate from her professional career.
Legacy: Júlia Gregson is regarded as a talented and versatile writer known for her ability to transport readers to different time periods and settings through her vivid storytelling. Her novels and travel writing continue to entertain and inspire readers around the world.

Cavendon Hall by Barbara Taylor Bradford
Call Number: FICTION Bradford
Cavendon Hall is home to two families, the aristocratic Inghams and the Swanns who serve them. Charles Ingham, the sixth Earl of Mowbray, lives there with his wife Felicity and their six children. Walter Swann, the premier male of the Swann family, is valet to the earl. His wife Alice, a clever seamstress who is in charge of the countess's wardrobe, also makes clothes for the four daughters. For centuries, these two families have lived side-by-side, beneath the backdrop of the imposing Yorkshire manor. Lady Daphne, the most beautiful of the Earl's daughters, is about to be presented at court when a devastating event changes her life and threatens the Ingham name. With World War I looming, both families will find themselves tested in ways they never thought possible. Loyalties will be challenged and betrayals will be set into motion. In this time of uncertainty, one thing is sure: these two families will never be the same again. Cavendon Hall is Barbara Taylor Bradford at her very best, and its sweeping story of secrets, love, honor, and betrayal will have readers riveted up to the very last page.
The Tea Planter's Daughter by Janet MacLeod Trotter
Call Number: FICTION MacLeod Trotter
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Call Number: FICTION See
According to Confucius, "an educated woman is a worthless woman," but Tan Yunxian--born into an elite family, yet haunted by death, separations, and loneliness--is being raised by her grandparents to be of use. Her grandmother is one of only a handful of female doctors in China, and she teaches Yunxian the pillars of Chinese medicine, the Four Examinations--looking, listening, touching, and asking--something a man can never do with a female patient. From a young age, Yunxian learns about women's illnesses, many of which relate to childbearing, alongside a young midwife-in-training, Meiling. The two girls find fast friendship and a mutual purpose--despite the prohibition that a doctor should never touch blood while a midwife comes in frequent contact with it--and they vow to be forever friends, sharing in each other's joys and struggles. No mud, no lotus , they tell themselves: from adversity beauty can bloom. But when Yunxian is sent into an arranged marriage, her mother-in-law forbids her from seeing Meiling and from helping the women and girls in the household. Yunxian is to act like a proper wife--embroider bound-foot slippers, recite poetry, give birth to sons, and stay forever within the walls of the family compound, the Garden of Fragrant Delights. How might a woman like Yunxian break free of these traditions and lead a life of such importance that many of her remedies are still used five centuries later? How might the power of friendship support or complicate these efforts? A captivating story of women helping each other, Lady Tan's Circle of Women is a triumphant reimagining of the life of one person who was remarkable in the Ming dynasty and would be considered remarkable today.
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Call Number: FICTION Vincenzi
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Call Number: FICTION Williams
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Call Number: ROMANCE Long
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*E-book on Libby
*Audiobook & e-book on hoopla

Islington Branch Book Club - Past Titles: "East of the Sun" by Júlia Gregson

"East of the Sun" by Júlia Gregson

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