Robert recounts how, as a callow teenager, the Second World War “had awakened within me a sense of adventure, a wanderlust to step beyond the end of the street where the flagstones finally gave themselves to the fields … to explore whatever it was that lay beyond this shimmering mirage that turned the horizon into an undulating ocean of blossoming greens”.

The book was selected with the help of a panel of library staff from across the UK. Our readers loved The Offing – here are some of their comments:During their meals Dulcie almost retrains Robert’s relationship to food. Growing up with food shortages Robert had never developed an appetite. Yet, with Dulcie he discovers that food can be sublime. From the inviting smells and appearances of a dish to its delicious taste. I struggled with the book at times. Not because of all the religious connotations, I let these wash over me, but more with the language fourteen year old Madeline uses in her diary entries. This was not the language I would assume, rightly or wrongly, would come easily and naturally to a teenager on the brink of puberty. I found myself more interested in the older Madeline, and how she was responding to treatment than to the younger Madeline and her journey to being institutionalised.

The novel is written in quite lyrical language, with lots of description of the landscape, the seasons, food, the sky. One member described it as “ really a book of poetry, but written as a novel”. As a book group based in the North East ourselves we enjoyed all the local references, even if some members found the early chapters a bit too slow moving. However even they were soon swept up into the story and most people found it difficult to put the book down after that. The writing is very atmospheric and perfectly evokes high summer in the meadows and on the coast. See Europe at the very least while you can, because soon enough someone else will decide to try to destroy it again. And, God knows, they like to rope the young into their messes.’” Set in the summer following the end of World War II, 16 year old Robert Appleyard sets off on foot from his small mining village in the North East of England. On the coast he meets Dulcie, an eccentric older woman whom he stays with for a while. Their friendship changes his life. Dulcie is tall, outspoken and unconventional – I pictured her as (Meryl Streep as) Julia Child in the movie Julie & Julia. She introduces Robert to whole new ways of thinking: that not everyone believes in God, that Germans might not be all bad, that life can be about adventure and pleasure instead of duty. “The offing” is a term for the horizon, as well as the title of a set of poems Robert finds in the dilapidated studio, and both literature and ambition change his life forever. Bright, languid and unpredictable, the novel delights in everyday sensual pleasures like long walks with a dog, dips in the ocean and an abundance of good food. I can’t think of another book I’ve read that’s quite like it – how refreshing is that?This novel follows the classic "young boy goes on a journey, meets a Master/wise person and learns what life is really about" structure, only with some weird subplot about publishing poetry. The wise person in this case is an older woman who happens so have a hut for the teenager to live in, and although it's just after world war II she also happens to have a food chamber filled to the brim with exotic food and expensive liquor. There is also a timelessness to Robert and Dulcie’s discussions. I was completely mesmerised by Dulcie’s story and admired the frank way in which she would speak about her society. War, freedom, nature, creativity, love, language. These are some of the things which occupy the minds and conversations of Robert and Dulcie. I was sixteen and free, and hungry. Hungry for food, as we all were – the shortage continued for many years – yet my appetite was for more than the merely edible.” It’s Durham and summer and just after the war. Robert has just left school. Before starting work he decides to walk down the coast. At Robin Hood’s Bay he comes across Dulcie, an elderly lady living in a cottage within sight of the sea. Their summer together and their friendship changes both their lives. Dulcie is a really interesting character – she’s had a rich life, full of people and places and experiences. Her greatest love was a woman poet called Romy. I was absorbed by her love for Romy, her sorrow at her death – and by the inspiration she gave to Robert – leading him to a rich life too. The writing style is poetic, to match the poetic leanings of the narrator. A lovely summer and a lovely story.” About the author Either My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George or Danny the Champion of the World, which had a massive impact on me as a child.