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Radio 2 Fiction Book Club: Landfalls

Landfalls by Naomi J. Williams will be featured on the Radio 2 Book Club on Monday 30 November.

The book was selected with the help of a panel made up of Reading Agency and library staff from across the UK.

We have 10 copies to give away to one lucky reading group! Just visit our Noticeboard.

Read an exclusive extract of Landfalls and get some discussion questions for your reading group.

Landfalls

An epic voyage, undertaken with the grandest of ambitions.

When Lapérouse leaves France in the Spring of 1785 with two ships under his command, he knows that he sails with the full backing of the French government. This is to be a voyage of scientific and geographical discovery – but every person on board has their own hopes, ambitions and dreams.

As the ships move across vast distances in their journey of nearly four years, the different characters step forward and invite us into their world. From the remote Alaskan bay where a dreadful tragedy unfolds, to the wild journey Barthélemy de Lessups undertakes from the far east of Russia to St Petersburg, the reader sees the emotional, physical and mental toll exacted by such an endeavour.

Selection panel review

Our library reading panel really enjoyed Landfalls – here are some of their comments:

“I’m delighted that I was selected to read Landfalls! This is so far from what I’d normally read, but I’m going to be suggesting to a lot of people that they try this when it makes it into the library. The characters are interesting (especially the conflicts between Lapérouse and Lamenon), with a gentle humour obvious in places that makes me smile.”

“I didn’t think I would enjoy this novel, but the charm and humour of the writing drew me in. The detail and reimagining of the La Pérouse voyage really made you feel you were part of the action and on the journey yourself. A true epic read.”

“Early exploration is always a great topic with unknown territory and uncertain dangers. The voyage is a true one that little is known about, so the author extrapolates from what information there is and weaves an interesting story. Each chapter is told from a different landing site and in different ways – first person crew, native inhabitant, letters, eyewitness accounts etc., which means we see the narrative unfold from varying angles, landscapes and viewpoints.”

About the author

Naomi J. Williams was born in Japan and spoke no English until she was nearly six years old. Her short stories have appeared in journals such as A Public Space, One Story, American Short Stories, the Southern Review, and the Gettysburg Review. In 2009, she received a Pushcart Prize. She lives in northern California with her family. Landfalls is her first book.

A word from Naomi

“I’m so delighted that Landfalls has been selected for the Radio 2 Book Club. I’m quite taken by the way the program is a joint effort between radio folks, librarians, and listeners — all of whom are also readers. As a debut novelist and an American, I’m really very honoured to be included.”

Get involved

Tune in to Simon Mayo’s Drivetime show on Monday 30 November to hear a live interview with Naomi J. Williams talking about her book.

We have 10 copies to give away to one lucky reading group! Just visit our Noticeboard.

Have you read Landfalls? You can share your thoughts with us on Twitter, post a review, or add the book to your group’s reading list.

Not a member of Reading Groups for Everyone yet? Sign up now – it’s quick and easy!

Want to find out more? Take a look at the Radio 2 Book Club Twitter feed, find out more on the Radio 2 Book Club website, and follow author Naomi J. Williams on Twitter.

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