Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead, by Nobel Prize winner Olga Tokarczuk (translated by Antonia Lloyd-Jones) follows Janina Duszejko, an eccentric, astrology-obsessed woman living in a remote Polish village near the Polish border. A former engineer and part-time teacher, she cares deeply about animals. When several local men—hunters and officials involved in animal cruelty—are found dead under mysterious circumstances, Duszejko becomes convinced the animals are taking revenge. As the authorities dismiss her theories, she investigates on her own, interpreting events through astrology and William Blake’s poetry. The story blends dark humor, ecological themes, and mystery while questioning justice, human domination of nature, and society’s treatment of those considered outsiders.
The "Murder, They Read" book group offers members the chance to explore the mystery form—from classic sleuths and gritty detectives to unconventional investigators and amateur gumshoes.
A compelling mystery is selected for each month's reading and discussion, with an eye toward strong writing, memorable characters, and inventive plotting. From contemporary noir to historical mysteries, the group’s selections will span subgenres, eras, locales and cultures, offering something for longtime mystery lovers and curious newcomers alike.
Discussions—held in English—delve into themes, character development, setting, and of course, the crime itself. The goal is not just to guess the culprit, but, through the eyes of the sleuth, to benefit from a literary immersion into another time, place, and/or culture; to appreciate how the author constructs the mystery and what the story reveals about the world it portrays. And of course to enjoy time spent with others who love the mystery genre.
Selections are chosen with these criteria in mind:
-
Available in English (paper or ebook)
-
Standalone/can be read on it’s own, or first in a series
-
Rich in atmosphere, character, or setting
-
Offers an unexpected perspective
Two spaces are reserved for new WICE members. If no new WICE members have registered seven days before the event, those two spaces will become available to the general WICE membership.
Registration opens on Saturday, 07 March.
