Chapter One Book Group
Chapter One is a community of friends committed to enriching our lives through shared experience of the written word and meaningful discussion. The group was established in January 2008 and is currently celebrating its sixteenth year.
Each month, Chapter One dives into a new book selected directly from group nominations. Selections can vary as much as our members.
The group continues to meet and celebrate literature each month in the Chillicothe area of Ohio.
March 2025
Tell Me How Long the Train’s Been Gone by James Baldwin
Fiction
Published in 1968
Tell Me How Long the Train’s Been Gone is a deeply introspective and emotionally charged novel that explores the complexities of identity, love, and race in America. The story centers on Leo Proudhammer, a successful Black actor grappling with his internal struggles and the consequences of his past choices. Through Leo’s reflections on his relationships, particularly with his white lover, his family, and the pressures of his career, Baldwin paints a poignant portrait of the intersection of personal and societal conflict. As Leo confronts his own vulnerabilities, he faces the inescapable weight of racial and sexual identity in a world that demands conformity while rejecting authenticity.
Set against the backdrop of the turbulent 1960s, Baldwin examines themes of alienation, desire, and the quest for self-understanding. The novel is a meditation on the cost of success and the toll of systemic racism, as well as the emotional toll of living in a world where love and acceptance often come with painful limitations. With his signature eloquence, Baldwin explores the struggles of being Black in a white-dominated society, the scars left by past traumas, and the difficulty of reconciling one’s dreams with reality. Tell Me How Long the Train’s Been Gone is a raw and powerful work that challenges the reader to reflect on the complexities of human relationships and the personal sacrifices made in the pursuit of freedom and self-acceptance.
This meeting for discussion of Book #207 is currently scheduled for March 22nd at 5PM.
April 2025
Casino Royale by Ian Fleming
Fiction
Published in 1953
Casino Royale introduces readers to the legendary British spy, James Bond, in his first thrilling adventure. Bond, also known by his code number 007, is sent on a high-stakes mission to the Casino Royale in France, where he must face the notorious Le Chiffre, a Soviet operative and master of baccarat. Le Chiffre is in desperate need of a win to recover funds lost by his organization, and Bond’s mission is to stop him by defeating him at the card table, all while navigating the complex world of espionage, betrayal and danger. Bond's wit and charm are put to the test as he risks his life in a battle of both skill and strategy.
As the tension builds, Bond finds himself entangled not only in the high-stakes game but also in a passionate romance with the beautiful Vesper Lynd, a British Treasury agent with secrets of her own. The novel explores themes of loyalty, trust, and the vulnerability hidden beneath Bond's stoic exterior. With sharp writing, intense action, and a glimpse into the origins of one of literature's most iconic characters, Casino Royale lays the foundation for the captivating series of espionage thrillers that would follow, cementing James Bond as a timeless figure in the world of spy fiction.
This meeting for discussion of Book #208 is currently scheduled for April 19 at 5PM.