Dark Circle, The
Grant, LindaThe war is over and the times they are a-changing ... and nothing could demonstrate this more than Lenny and Miriam Lynskey's arrival at the newly commissioned NHS sanatorium in Kent, in 1949. The 19-year-old twins join a melting pot of fellow tuberculosis sufferers: aristocrats, car dealers, war heroes, merchant sea men and more. Sentenced to the harsh and primitive procedures and treatments of the time, the only glimmer of hope on the horizon is a new wonder drug, but who will be lucky enough to receive it?
With its unique setting, to its engagement with the institutionalisation and medical ethics of the time, this is both a warm and engaging novel and a fascinating slice of medical and social history.
Pages
320
320
Year
2016
2016
Reviews
08-11-2022
A wonderful book to read.
19-10-2022
The book received mixed reviews with scores ranging from 2 to 8 (out of 10), average 4/5. The most frequent comment was learned a lot and made me do some research.
11-04-2022
Discussing the book helped members get a better appreciation of the story. Great discussion!
15-09-2021
Mixed review of this book by our group. Some of us found it a little disjointed, but the historical aspects of TB were interesting.
02-08-2021
Well-written and interesting topic which made for great discussion, with parallels to the current Covid situation.
20-12-2020
Most members of the group enjoyed this one. Set at the end of WWII in a TB clinic that had been private but was now part of the national health service, it has an interesting story line and sympathetic characters. Everyone in the book was anxiously waiting for a cure for TB, which resonated for us, as we were reading it in a time when everyone was waiting anxiously for a vaccine for covid.
22-11-2020
We had a wide ranging discussion, the insight into the England of the 1950s was enlightening, the class system, antipathy to the NHS, the treatment of TB (& presumably other diseases). Several people had memories of family/friends who had suffered from TB and been in a sanatorium. We did find the writing plodding to begin with, but it became easier to read as the characters developed. We found the end was rather trite.
14-10-2020
The writing style of the first few chapters really put a few of our group off and several members put the book down and did not continue. Those of us who persevered, enjoyed the book and the depiction of the treatment used for TB at that time. The style of writing seemd to settle down as the lives of the characters slowed in the sanatorium and perhaps this was intentional on the author's part. Some of us felt that the ending was perhaps just a bit too tidy, but all in all an interesting read.
11-03-2020
We gained a lot of knowledge about TB and the barbaric practices for a cure.
04-03-2020
Overall we enjoyed the writing and the story. It sparked a good discussion about TB - many of us had older family members who had had it/died from it/ been in Sanatoria. For others, they knew little of the disease and were interested. Most of us found the post-sanitorium section a little forced and less interesting.
24-02-2020
There were mixed views on this book, which led to animated discussion. Some really enjoyed it, others felt they couldn't engage with the characters, which they found one-dimensional. But all agreed the story itself was absorbing, and that we learnt a lot about the horrifying way TB sufferers were treated, through lack of knowledge, with the best of intentions.
13-01-2020
The subject had personal relevance and was informative. The conclusion was dissatisfying and not everyone enjoyed the writing. Interesting issues explored ie. cross-ethnic and class barriers; some insights into Jewish beliefs ie. forgiveness and justice. A snapshot of England in the 1950s otherwise unknown.
18-12-2019
We all loved this book. An unforgettable story, beautifully written, tinged with sadness and nostalgia; a delightful journey - now we want to read more by Linda Grant!
11-11-2019
We were split on our views on this book. One half thoroughly enjoyed it, the remainder found it difficult (subject- wise). But all found it interesting. Half of the group gave the book 4-4.5, the remainder gave it 3.
11-11-2019
I personally felt that the subject material was a great topic and a very interesting snapshot of how this disease was treated at the time, but felt the characters didn't feel well developed which reduced my enjoyment of the story. Others in the group disagreed though.
09-10-2019
Mixed bag of responses. Thoroughly enjoyed by most. Great discussion about TB and the colourful characters.
09-10-2019
Two of us found this really interesting. The rest of the group were not so keen, but generally well accepted.