OUT Cambridgeshire Reading Group

We chose between the following books:

Michael Arditti - Easter
A week in the life of a London parish church exploring human nature in its vast array of manifestations. The characters have to face up to issues of cultural, religious and community identity, sexuality, HIV, disappointment, hypocrisy, transformation. We see the church at its worst and at its best. Patrick Gale says 'Easter is a big book in every sense'. (391 pages)

Jamie O'Neill - At swim two boys
An award winning novel about two teenage boys, and the love that develops between them during the first world war and the 1916 Irish uprising. (643 pages)

Lawrence Scott - Aelred's sin
A young man from Trinidad comes to England after hearing that his brother has died. He uncovers the life story of his brother who had struggled to reconcile his sexual desires with his life in a monastery. In parallel runs a similar story from history - that of the 12th century monk, Aelred of Rievaulx and his book 'Spiritual Friendship'. And ghosts from childhood and the 19th century are brought to light. (445 pages)

Colm Toibin - The blackwater lightship
A young Irishman is dying of AIDS. The book explores the relationship between his family and his friends, and how people of different viewpoints and beliefs come to terms with each other. (273 pages)

Arditti, Michael - Pagan and her parents
Candida Mulliner and Leo Young are the closest of friends, living together but loving separately. When Candida dies, she leaves her daughter, Pagan, in Leo's care. However, Candida's parents refuse to accept that Leo, as a gay man is a suitable person to bring up a child. (437 pages)