Geneva International Book Club

Italian literature has a long and distinguished history that goes back to the XIIth century. Through time, Italian literature has reflected the country's travailed history, marked by prolonged political fragmentation until 1861 as well as social unrest. For Italian authors, the novel has been a way to grapple with Italian identity itself, as different areas of Italy spoke different dialects and written literary Italian became codified as a national language. More recent decades have seen the emergence of literary movements such as neorealism, postmodernism and autofiction. The case of Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan novels represent the official entrance of Italian fiction on the international scene.

This presentation will focus on authors who are potentially less well-known to a foreign audience but who embody significant themes of regionalism, class, gender, historical memory and new identities amongst others. Presented by Francesca, an Italian who is currently stranded in Switzerland.

Location: Maison des Associations, salle Albert Jacquard
Starting time: 7:15 pm sharp
Presenter: Francesca

Format:
Part 1: Presenters provide a short overview of the pre-selected books, highlighting some of the reviews and critics and other relevant background. Members who have read any of the books can contribute.

Part 2: Participants vote for the book to be read and discussed in an upcoming book discussion meeting.

Dilara’s father has dementia. Dilara hires builders to adapt her apartment for him, but when the renovation is complete she discovers that instead of a new bathroom, the builders have installed a Turkish prison cell. At first she is outraged. her family are exiles – they left Turkey many years ago and have never been back. The last thing she wants is a piece of her estranged homeland appearing uninvited in her new home.

But as the weeks pass, her indignation gives way to curiosity. Beyond the cell door, she glimpses the guards and hears the prisoners and smells the sesame scent of freshly baked simit. Even as she struggles to care for her father, to keep the family finances afloat and stop the wheels coming off her marriage, Dilara is drawn back again and again to the mysterious prison cell, and through it to a city that once belonged to her – back to Istanbul.

LOCATION: Maison Internationale des Associations, salle Albert Jacquard
Starting time: 19:15 sharp
Presenter: Güniz
Format:

• Members introduction (5-10 minutes)
• Book presentation (20-30 minutes)
• A brief history of the author’s life
• A short summary of the book
• Main ideas/themes
• Group discussion (45-60 minutes), members' personal views on the book, opposing ideas, etc.
• Announcement/info on next meeting (5 minutes)

Note: reading the book is not a "must" to attend the meeting, but encouraged if you want to actively participate in the discussion.

We look forward to seeing you all!