Each month, we choose the next book together during our session, so everyone has a voice in what we read. There’s no pressure to finish the book - enjoy it at your own pace and come ready to share whatever stood out to you.
For the circle on 4th June, the group have chosen Women Without Men by Shahrnush Parsipur.
Here’s what to do next:
- Get your copy: Please aim to have your copy of Women Without Men before the discussion. You can order it online here or visit your local bookshop or library.
- Read at your pace: Feel free to read ahead, dip in and out, or go through it steadily.
- Invite a friend: If you know someone who enjoys reading and lively discussions, let them know about our group.
- Brainstorm: Come with a book recommendation you’d like to suggest to the group for the next session (Thursday 2 July).
Naomi Grant is an artist and teacher living and working in London. She graduated from the University of Cambridge with a first-class degree in English before joining the Masterclass Programme at the Jerusalem Studio School in Israel. Following this, she completed the Postgraduate Programme at the Royal Drawing School in London. She is a regular contributor to the London Review of Books.
Book Synopses
30 April: Silas Marner: The Weaver of Raveloe
In the quiet village of Raveloe, Silas Marner lives as a lonely and mistrusted weaver, shaped by betrayal and loss. Once a man of faith, he withdraws into isolation, finding comfort only in his hoarded gold. His life changes dramatically with the unexpected arrival of a young child, whose presence awakens his capacity for love and connection. Through this transformation, Silas rediscovers purpose, community, and a deeper understanding of true wealth. His story reveals how even the most broken lives can be renewed through human kindness and belonging.
4 June: Women Without Men
The internationally acclaimed masterpiece from one of Iran's most influential writers - a powerful and essential tale of female freedom
Women Without Men traces the interwoven destinies of five women – including a wealthy middle-aged housewife, a sex worker and a schoolteacher – as they arrive by different paths to live together in an abundant garden on the outskirts of Tehran.
Drawing on elements of Islamic mysticism and recent Iranian history, this unforgettable novel depicts women escaping the narrow confines of family and society, and imagines their future living in a world without men.
Translated from Persian by Faridoun Farrokh.
Longlisted for the International Booker Prize 2026.
2 July: To be announced
Check back in early June to see which book the group has selected.
