Join us to read four recently-reissued novels of excess and psychological unraveling set against the steaminess of high summer: think sweating cocktail glasses, crying on the dance floor, nights that go on and on and on. These books invite us to examine the disintegration of the self through high-strung confrontations with unrequited desire, narcissistic lovers, dysfunctional family, soured friendships, and rampant misogyny. We promise it’ll be fun.
Book list:
Cassandra at the Wedding, Dorothy Baker (1962)
Lives of the Saints, Nancy Lemann (1985)
Fish Tales, Nettie Jones (1984)
The Love Life of a Cheltenham Lady, Dinah Brooke (1971)
Details:
Each session will focus on a single book, with guided but informal discussion led by Julia and Naomi of Hagfish. We'll blend close observations with broader conversation about historical and political context, style, and the cultural afterlives of these books and writers.
This is an in-person book club! We’ll meet in the backyard of one of our favorite bookstores in Brooklyn, Unnameable Books. (In the event of inclement weather, we’ll meet over Zoom.) The conversation will begin at 7:00 pm and last 60-75 minutes. This is also a BYOB book club! We’ll bring a couple bottles of wine; feel free to bring something cool and refreshing to share.
Location:
Unnameable Books
615 Vanderbilt Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11238
Notes:
Spots are limited. Registration will close on July 1, 2026.
The fee covers the cost of all four books, plus shipping.