Brompton Library
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Brompton Library
210 Old Brompton Road, London, United Kingdom
Join us at Brompton Library every 3rd Wednesday of the month for coffee (or tea), some delicious cake and a chat about books.
We have chosen some of our favourite classics to discuss, please see below for the list:
Do you know that Elizabeth Gaskell was born in Chelsea in 1810, 29th September? (in Lindsey Row, Chelsea, at the house which is now 93 Cheyne Walk).
Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell, often referred to as Mrs Gaskell, was an English novelist, biographer, and short story writer. Her novels offer detailed studies of Victorian society, including the lives of the very poor. Her first novel, 'Mary Barton', was published in 1848.
For Coffee, Cake and Classics we are reading and discussing her Gothic story ‘The Old Nurse's Story’ on 17 September.
Join us in April for Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare.
Much Ado about Nothing is famous Shakespeare’s comedy about love and lovers; those who pretend to hate each other, like Beatrice and Benedick, and those whose love and future wedding was almost ruined by jealousy and nasty gossips (Hero and Claudio).
"I can see he's not in your good books", said the messenger.
"No, and if he were I would burn my library.”
William Shakespeare,
“Some Cupid kills with arrows, some with traps.”
William Shakespeare,
“I wish my horse had the speed of your tongue.”
William Shakespeare,
In May, we are talking about Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky.
Crime and Punishment is a timeless psychological masterpiece by Fyodor Dostoevsky. The novel is not only a gripping crime thriller but also a deep examination of morality, guilt, compassion, reconciliation, possibilities of redemption and the salvation of the human soul. Dostoevsky’s main character, Raskolnikov, believes he has the right to commit M**der for the greater good. The gruesome M**der is planned and done. What the reader is left with is a fascinating study of the human conscience, Raskolnikov’s internal conflict, his mental descent into madness, self-doubt and guilt.
Our choice for June is The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde.
When handsome young Dorian Gray sees a painter's portrait of him, he is transfixed by its reflection of his own beauty. He is troubled by the knowledge that the painting will remain forever youthful and handsome while he himself grows older. Dorian lives a life of hedonistic indulgence, knowing that only the painting will show his moral corruption.
December
BYOB - Bring Your Own Book
December's book will be your choice! Which books come to mind when you hear 'classics'? Tell us about it in our December session of Coffee, Cake and Classics.
Choices, choices... which one to choose? My favourite book? Books that I LOVE to read again and again?
In search for the answer I contemplated dipping madeleine into a sensuous warm linden tea in my New-Moon-mug. No sooner had the warm liquid mixed with the crumbs touched my tongue, than a shudder ran through me and - I still could not decide.
Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again. I fell asleep thinking about families, how all families are alike; whereas each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. Books about families, love, marriage, friendship... We all know the truth, the one which is universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. Even Edward wants to marry Bella, since no measure of time with her would be long enough, only 'forever' sounded perfect.
Someone wisely said, long time ago, that “We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep.”
Tell us about your favourite book/s.
In November we will be disccusing Atonement by Ian McEwan.
“This is a book about how a single event ripples through time. But more importantly it is about perspective and how that same event can differ wildly.”
Book review by Christopher Hook
“Ian McEwan's symphonic novel of love and war, childhood and class, guilt and forgiveness provides all the satisfaction of a brilliant narrative.”
In October, we are celebrating Black History Month. We are disccusing Small Island by Andrea Levy.
British writer Andrea Levy explores her Jamaican roots in her novel Small Island.
“I am English, but all my writing has been trying to understand my Jamaican heritage, family, ancestry. Everything I get excited about is because I have that heritage. “
This year’s theme for Black History Month is “Reclaiming Narratives” and marks a significant shift towards recognising and correcting the narratives of Black history and culture.
In September we are disccussing Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen to mark the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s Festival in Bath.
Jane Austen was born in Steventon Hampshire on December 16, 1775.
Next year, 2025, marks 250 years since this remarkable author came into the world. To celebrate this momentous year in Austen history, the Jane Austen Festival will be holding some extra special events throughout the 2025, in addition to the ten days of Jane Austen themed events which make up the September Jane Austen Festival.
The 2025 Jane Austen Festival will take place from Friday 12 to Sunday 21 September 2025.
The Jane Austen Festival
Ten wonderful days of celebrating all things Austen in the beautiful city of Bath.
The Jane Austen Festival in Bath is the largest and longest running Jane Austen Festival in the world. The first Festival in 2001 took place over a single weekend and has since grown into a 10 day programme, drawing over 5000 people from around the world.
The festival begins with our Regency Costumed Promenade, which has been filling the streets of Bath with over 900 people in Regency dress and since 2004 holds the Guinness World Record for the ‘Largest gathering of people dressed in Regency costumes’. Full of bonnets, soldiers, and drummers the backdrop of Georgian Bath transports visitors back to the time of Jane Austen.
Join us in August for Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi.
In an unassuming cafe, there is an urban legend which the strong-willed yet heartbroken Fumiko wants to uncover. She takes us on her own journey, and along the way we meet the other proprietors of the cafe, who share three more heartbreaking yet life-affirming journeys they take to relive the past.
Join us for “Tea, Madeleine and Proust” at Brompton Library, on Wednesday, 19 June.
150 years ago, on 15 April 1874, the first impressionist exhibition opened in Paris.
Remembering her childhood, Lélia Pissarro reaches for Proust’s image of the “petite madeleine”, a cake that opens the floodgates of memory. Monet’s poppy field does that for me because we had an Athena framed print of it in the living room when I was a kid. Looking into it, now as then, I am released from time.
Monet - 'The Poppy Field', 1873
The War of the Worlds is considered a landmark work of science fiction. When H.G. Wells published his novel in 1897, he probably could not imagine the impact of his work.
Science-Fiction turns our dreams of distant worlds, unearthly creatures, parallel universes, artificial intelligence, expendable employees, into fiction. It evokes a sense of wonder and inspires a spirit of questioning what makes us and keeps us human.
Whether you’ve read Wells, Ishiguro, Ursula Le Guin, or enjoyed Edward Ashton’s troubled Mickey7’s adventures, join us for Coffee, Cake & Classics in May.
Come to tell us about your favourite Sci-Fi novel, or film.
In July we discussing Clock Dance by Anne Tyler.
Clock Dance is the story of Willa, someone who has always done something to please others without considering herself.
But, when a stranger asks her to help out another stranger, she says yes and finds her own happiness.
Also check out other Festivals in London, Arts events in London, Literary Art events in London.
Tickets for Coffee, Cake & Classics can be booked here.
| Ticket type | Ticket price |
|---|---|
| General Admission | Free |
| Donation | Free |
