Join the AA Reading Group! Every two months we organise an evening in which we discuss a particular book. Works include mainly new and older literary texts, as well as non-fiction about current social and political matters. The sessions are open to everyone and free of charge.

In the next session we’ll discuss Flights, a fragmentary novel by the Polish author Olga Tokarczuk. The original Polish title refers to runaways (runners, beguny), a sect of Old Believers, who believe that being in constant motion is a trick to avoid evil. Set between the 17th and 21st centuries, the novel is a ‘philosophical rumination on modern-day travel’. It is structured as a series of vignettes, some fictional, and some based on fact – among them that of the Dutch anatomist Philip Verheyen's discovery of the Achilles tendon, and the story of Ludwika Jędrzejewicz, the sister of Chopin, who transports his heart back to Warsaw. The novel won the Man Booker International Prize in 2018,

There will be no central presentation of the themes in the book. Instead, you’ll discuss your views, thoughts, favourite passages, points of critique and further suggestions informally in a small group.

The last 20 minutes of the evening are spent in deciding collectively which book we will read next. You’re welcome to join this discussion and to propose a book.

The discussion of ‘Flights’ will take place online on Monday 15th February at 8 pm. If you want to participate, please send your skype name to readinggroup(at)amsterdamalternative.nl