Under the trumpet vine

That's the way to do it! Our last book group of the year, in the shade of the vine on Irene's terrace. She laid on a lovely spread, and some fizz too. Pity all of us couldn't be there.

We talked about a book of short stories, Lucky Strikes, by Ukrainian author Yevgenia Belorusets. Safe to say that a couple of people abandoned it, and those of us who did read it found it baffling. Except Irene, who really enjoyed it, which was good as the discussion might have been a bit sterile otherwise! 

At least some of our bafflement was probably due to not fully understanding the literary and political context of the stories, written in 2014 and addressing the separatist revolt. When I was halfway through, I stumbled across a long translator's note hidden at the back, and I did manage to grasp a bit more after that. Still can't say I liked it though.

A, who chose the book, not only didn't show up to the meeting but reportedly hasn't even read it! Naughty :) Anyway, we had a good time as always.