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The next book is Midwinter Sacrifice by Mons Kallentoft. See below:
http://www.richardandjudy.co.uk/books/Midwinter-Sacrifice/171
Jamrach’s Menagerie – Carol Birch

The last book we read was Jamrach's Menagerie by Carol Birch. Hear the Richard and Judy podcast (no 7 in the iTunes list)
Here's a video interview with Mary Kavanagh, a book club member, who remembers the actual Jamrach's Menagerie / shop in the East End as a child. She has clear memories of seeing an elephant walking down a local London street, coming from the docks. Jamrach would take orders for exotic animals from wealthy people who'd keep them as pets.
Interestingly, her nephew had a hand in the publishing of Carol Birch's book. Here's an illustration of the exterior and interior of the shop.
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Name
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?/10
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Comment
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Lynn Stone
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5
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Thoroughly enjoyed the non-fictional part of the book introducing the history of the local area I had not previously known about
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Xanthe Pitt
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3.5
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Started to enjoy the book because of the factual basis but found the language very irritating and a bit too tedious to continue. In retrospect I should have carried on!
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John Benbow
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7
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I really enjoyed the first 2/3 of the book, the very lively prose and vivid characterization. However, I found the overall balance of the plot skewed and the ending contrived – an enjoyable read, nonetheless.
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Ruth Abela
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7
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Learning about local history encourages me to read more. I liked the start of the story due to the factual part.
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Rachel McCormack
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8
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Never would have read this had I known what the subject matter would be, but very glad that I did.
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Patricia Shaw
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7
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Enjoyed most of the book – lost at sea went on too long, ending unconvincing but the language was good.
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Carolyn Lindsay
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7
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Very easy to listen to – the story flowed. Also, loved the fact that the book began in the East End and was factual.
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Jo Tissier
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7
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Found this book a compelling read. Slightly disappointed with the ending.
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Mary Kavanagh
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7
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Found this book very interesting at first, but the shipwreck seemed to go on for ever. Did not like the cannibalism.
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Reviews
Solar by Ian McEwan
The book club score the book 5.6
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Lynn
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4/10
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Disappointed, found it didn’t engage me_ a penance having to read it. Would be very interested to know what dad group make of it.
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Xanthe
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6/10
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Interesting to see the male perspective
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Tracy
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4/10
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Disappointed with solar content and ending!
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Jo
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5/10
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Finding it heavy going, but will persevere with it.
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Emma
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8/10
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Interesting and intriguing, the first 10 pages make me want to read on…
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Mary
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4/10
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Boring - Greedy man!
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Gaby
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6/10
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Wee in the snow will stay with me for a while!
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Rebecca
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7.5/10
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Trendy and touches lots of issues which are current, but dark humour and not so nice characters
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Danata
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6/10
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Comic episodes lift a disappointing addition to the the stable of McEwan books!
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Jo
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7.5/10
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Really like the self realising character faults and the David Brent office cringe humour. Thought the author deserved points for tackling the issue of the environment
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Carolyn
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3/10
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Question the motivation of the author, not convinced. Couldn’t really engage or care about the central character
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