Barbara’s Book Club (7)
It’s a small club, and you’re in it!
Every month, Barbara Rafer and Jo Guise invite you on a literary journey through two captivating books—one classic masterpiece and one contemporary gem.
Barbara’s Book Club- Edition 7
May 2026
‘The Long Weekend’ by Robert Graves and Alan Hodge
The Long Weekend- review by Barbara Rafer
‘The Long Weekend’ by Robert Graves and Alan Hodge is a rarely acknowledged book which charts the social history of Britain between the two world wars.
It records elements of politics, religion, literature, art and social structures amongst other elements in an era often overlooked because of the immensity of the two global conflicts which bracketed it.
Whilst not critically acclaimed when published in 1940 reading it nearly a decade later gives a fascinating insight into a rapidly changing world. What, I wonder, would a modern day equivalent record and challenge?
‘Death In Paradise’ by Robert Parker
Death In Paradise- review by Jo Guise
Let me begin by saying I love Robert Parker – I was hooked on his Private Eye Spenser at first read – even before you could say Raymond Chandler.
After devouring each Spencer novel at least twice I turned to Jesse – who’s the Police Chief in Paradise, fighting baddies, with a liking for drink and the ladies including his ex- wife. Plus a smart turn of phrase especially when breaking the rules.
In Death in Paradise there’s baseball, murder, mayhem, just enough gratuitous violence to make it interesting shot through with homage to Chandler. Policing but not as we know it here!
This book is part of a series but it really doesn’t matter the order you read them in – just turn down the shades, fix yourself a bourbon on the rocks and settle in for an entertaining evening.
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