Barbara’s Book Club (1), 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 1

November 2025

Washington Square by Henry James

Washington Square- review by Jo Guise

It’s Autumn, it’s chilly, it’s time for a big mug of tea, biscuits and a short, bittersweet novel to while away an afternoon on the sofa. So if it’s a classic you seek may I suggest Washington Square by Henry James.

It has romance, a defiant daughter, a scoundrel who won’t give up his pursuit of her, an unpleasant father and an aunt who gets carried away with the excitement of it all.  You also get a trip to Europe and an
ending almost no one can object to.

If you love the book seek out the film The Heiress with Olivia de Havilland (who won an Oscar for Best Actress), Montgomery Clift and Ralph Richardson.

The Power by Naomi Alderman

The Power- review by Barbara Rafer

Alternatively, if you want to explore the all too frightening possibilities of the near future read Naomi Alderman’s ‘The Power’.

Here she explores the issues of the modern world in the near future, the power of the big tech companies, the responsibilities of those in control, the rise in survivalist groups and the power of the Internet.

Even so, this novel is complex, fast paced, with multi-layered plots, an unexpectedly love story and, perhaps, a sense of justice and faith in the human community.

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