‘The Offing’ by Benjamin Myers, our March book choice, is set in north-east England shortly after World War 2. It is a ‘coming of age’ story featuring Robert Appleyard, a sixteen year old living in a mining community near Durham. It’s summer and he can’t wait to be rid of school to set out on a long trek to the east coast with just a knapsack containing the bare essentials – and no map! Picking up jobs along the way, he eventually arrives at Robin Hoods Bay where he meets Dulcie Piper, an eccentric older woman who introduces him to the pleasures of rich food, sea-swimming and poetry. It is an unlikely friendship, but one which highlights their love of nature and the written word, common interests they share despite their different backgrounds and ages. During his stay with Dulcie, Robert finds out more about her past and why she is so averse to the sea. While Dulcie encourages his love of language and the natural world, Robert is also instrumental in helping her to deal with past tragedy.
The group enjoyed the author’s rich descriptions of nature as well as the themes of friendship, loss and kindness and, as one critic said, “‘The Offing’ is about the best of us”.
Louise Elsome,
‘Bookworms’ Group Coordinator