Margate Bookshop Bookclub

26th August 2026

Fort Road Hotel Bar

Discussing Gaining Ground by Joan Barfoot at Fort Road Hotel Bar

6.30pm

A milestone novel of feminist selfhood first released in 1978, Gaining Ground follows Abra, a wife and mother with a seemingly idyllic life, who one day leaves her family with no explanation, only a note asking them not to come after her. Freed from all roles and responsibilities she lands at a cabin in the woods with no mirrors, no clocks, no memories of her life before... only solitude, silence and the steady satisfaction of growing her own food. The book opens as a young woman comes knocking at the cabin, claiming to be a daughter whom Abra can barely recall.... 'Daughter? A strange word. Is this her? And what will this mean?'

The Bookclub is open to all and there’s no requirement to read every book and turn up to every meeting, come whenever you fancy!

The wonderful Fort Road Hotel hosting the meet-ups in their basement bar with a delicious selection of drinks and snacks.

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