Join us to discuss James Baldwin’s first novel –

‘I had to deal with what hurt me most. I had to deal with my father.’Drawing on James Baldwin’s own boyhood in a religious community in 1930s Harlem, he tells the story of young Johnny Grimes. Johnny is destined to become a preacher like his father, Gabriel, at the Temple of the Fire Baptized, where the church swells with song and it is as if ‘the Holy Ghost were riding on the air’. But he feels only scalding hatred for Gabriel, whose fear and fanaticism lead him to abuse his family. Johnny vows that, for him, things will be different.

Free, refreshments included. Please let us know you are coming on events@fiveleaves.co.uk

Five Leaves book group is open to all,  come to as many or as few meetings as you are interested in. Your only commitment is to read the book and want to discuss it!

We don’t mind where you get the book but we offer 15% off our book group books generally, in the lead up to each event.