Claire took a deep breath and sat down. “Yes, in fact I think London is an excellent place to grow up, because this is a real city with real problems and not a fucking fairytale!” She was surprised by her own anger. The immediate silence that followed was almost loud. “I'm sorry, Mum,” she said, in a more measured tone, “but that's the way it is. We are staying in London, no matter what.”
Her mother called her stubborn and unreasonable, but Claire didn't mind her criticism anymore. She had her place in the family: she was the difficult one, the one with her own mind. And she knew now that it would always be like that.
****
It was one of those days between seasons, when summer draws to a close and the mornings suddenly become much cooler. They breathed the late September air, fallen leaves, the crisp smell of autumn. Anthony put the collar of his jacket up, wrapping his arm around her to keep her warm. Claire looked at him from the side. Whatever happens they would still have each other. They had discussed it over and over again, and maybe this is was as good as it gets. To have someone you could stick things out with. Since her decision, she felt a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Though it was still very early, the waiting room of the clinic was completely full.
Couples and single women were sitting silently, reading or watching a tennis match on the little TV in the corner. Claire couldn't help but stare at the women, guessing their age, scanning their faces for signs of hope and fear. She overheard a muttered conversation between two of them, comparing the numbers of follicles they had produced. Even here in the waiting room of a fertility clinic there was competiton.
Although she felt calm and together, her palms were moist when the doctor came in and called their names. It was their initial consultation. The doctor looked like a friendly angel, with her white coat and merciful smile. But the angel didn't beat about the bush; her words were clear. “You have no time to waste. The sooner you start the better.” She went on to show them statistics of the clinic's success rates. The graphics on her computer screen were impressive as she talked them through the whole procedure. She spoke about follicles and blastocysts, acronyms like IUI and ICSI.
“We offer counselling as well, of course. For some couples this can be the most stressful time in their lives. And I'm afraid you'll have to take at least a month off work,” she said, looking at Claire. “This is a full-time commitment. You will have to come in every day for blood tests and scans, up to three times a day and sometimes at very short notice.”
Claire nodded; it sounded like a hell of a schedule.
“Not exactly the most romantic way to have a baby. Being conceived in a petri dish,” Anthony said as they left the clinic, clutching a brochure with a smiling baby on it and a whole folder of consent forms under his arm. “But we knew that, didn't we?” Claire replied calmly.
The sun peeked out from behind the clouds now and then, immersing London in bright light for a few minutes before hiding again. For a moment they just stood there as if they weren't quite sure what to do next. “Let's walk through the park,” Anthony suggested and took her hand.
At this time of day, Regent's Park was almost empty. “Look at this,” he said, his fingers combing through a stretch of tall silver grass. It was surprisingly soft. She plucked a blade and stroked him, the tender tip of the grass gliding over his skin. She saw the fine hair on his forearm stand up, forming goosebumps, just like the rippling of water when one threw a stone into a still lake.
Suddenly they both looked up as a flock of birds flew overhead, a black compact cloud. There was no lead bird; the group flew as a single unit. As if following the lead of an invisible conductor, they formed synchronised shapes in the sky. A perfectly coordinated aerial dance. Then, as if by mutual agreement, they changed direction.
At Legend Press, we only publish books that are well worth talking about, that will generate conversation, as well as being written by some of the world's top writers and being fantastic reads. After all, the reactions and conversations they generate are what makes books so unique, thought-provoking and so amazing.
A vital part of book conversations are book groups and to be of assistance we've listed a few questions in no particular order that may be worth considering. Whether you take them into account or not, we expect this book to generate debate and please feel free to send us any comments:
1. How do feel towards the central character, Claire, through and at the end of the novel?
2. Claire and her group of friends are a rangle of midthirties character without children. What was your reaction towards them and their depiction?
3. At the time of writing, IVF is a hot topic and is accepted to greatly varying lengths in different countries. How do you feel towards the issue following
The
Sky is Changing
?
4.
The Sky is Changing
also reflects on nationality and identity â do you feel this led more to a sense of freedom for isolation in the characters?
5. What are your thoughts on the relationship between Claire and Nora, and Nora's mother, Mrs Ross?
6. How do you feel towards Claire and Anthony's relationship and their desire and efforts to have children?
7. Do you have any thoughts on the structure, pace and style of the narrative? What effect did it have on you, the reader?
8. The book is set within large cities and includes the fall-out and reaction to terrorist attack. Did you have any thoughts on the setting?
9.
The Sky is Changing
touches on increased tension and inner-city intimidation. What effect do you believe this has on Claire and Anthony by the end of the novel?
10. The novel is the first in English by Zoë Jenny â author of the all-time highest-selling debut novel by a Swiss author. What are your overall thoughts on
The
Sky is Changing
?
I hope you enjoyed this fantastic novel. Please come
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