Wharton Photos/Pictures
Reading Group Guide...
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Saturday, November 16, 2013
The Orchardist: Discussion
A small group--only five of us--were there to talk about this well-liked book. One member called it a fairy tale. And it does have those elements. Two wandering orphans lost in the woods. A fairy godmother--the midwife herbalist. A lonely grandfatherly figure a la Gepetto. And a crueler than cruel evil villain.
What it doesn't have are the fairy tale resolutions. There is no Prince Charming to wake up the sleeping beauties. (Although some characters attempt a princely, but hare-brained rescue.) The most evil character doesn't die through the cleverness of a Princess. The Grandfather doesn't transform himself in order to save the young. Disappointing, however, as one member put it--we would have criticized the book mercilessly if it had a happily ever after ending.
And so the book leaves you with unresolved questions but with an appreciation for the simple life that followed the rhythms of the seasons--that was once upon a time.
What it doesn't have are the fairy tale resolutions. There is no Prince Charming to wake up the sleeping beauties. (Although some characters attempt a princely, but hare-brained rescue.) The most evil character doesn't die through the cleverness of a Princess. The Grandfather doesn't transform himself in order to save the young. Disappointing, however, as one member put it--we would have criticized the book mercilessly if it had a happily ever after ending.
And so the book leaves you with unresolved questions but with an appreciation for the simple life that followed the rhythms of the seasons--that was once upon a time.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Feeling as smug and self-satisfied as an ant scoffing at a lazy grasshopper....
Ordered all of the remaining 8 titles for the year and they are stacked in reading order on my bookshelf. I am ready for a long winter. What about you? Are you an ant or grasshopper? Either way, know this --
Next up is:
The Orchardist (linked to NPR review)
by Amanda Coplan
Next up is:
The Orchardist (linked to NPR review)
by Amanda Coplan
Saturday, October 19, 2013
The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers: Discussion
Book: Great. (Majority)
Discussion: Okay.
Post: Too short? Sorry.
A poetic book telling the truth about a modern war--a war with no clear justification, goal, enemy, or heroes. Started by old men who never fought a war who had no exit plan, because they planned on staying there forever. One member didn't want to read it due to the horror it would contain. And didn't come for the discussion. (She was encouraged to read it by a member who thought the book beautifully written; I'll let you know if she does.) Another member came who disliked the book because of its gruesomeness.
Everyone else thought the book captured what it must have felt like to be a young soldier in such a meaningless slaughter of innocence and youth. With beautiful language.
Minor issues: The letter--was it a device or real? What was Bartle's crime? Should that have stayed a mystery?
Guilty that I hadn't finished the book in time and rushed through the last sections, I didn't offer this thought: Does the poetic voice remove you from the horror and keep you as numb as the soldiers became? Or was my speed reading keeping me from feeling the pain?
Politics entered the discussion: Should there be a draft? Would that prevent the U.S. from entering such wars in the future? What has an all professional army done to the country and us? Trained to be killers only; jobs that previously led to skilled worked performed by Halliburton--what is there for soldiers returning to civilian life?
Why was discussion okay? Too much agreement. We have to stop agreeing.
Discussion: Okay.
Post: Too short? Sorry.
A poetic book telling the truth about a modern war--a war with no clear justification, goal, enemy, or heroes. Started by old men who never fought a war who had no exit plan, because they planned on staying there forever. One member didn't want to read it due to the horror it would contain. And didn't come for the discussion. (She was encouraged to read it by a member who thought the book beautifully written; I'll let you know if she does.) Another member came who disliked the book because of its gruesomeness.
Everyone else thought the book captured what it must have felt like to be a young soldier in such a meaningless slaughter of innocence and youth. With beautiful language.
Minor issues: The letter--was it a device or real? What was Bartle's crime? Should that have stayed a mystery?
Guilty that I hadn't finished the book in time and rushed through the last sections, I didn't offer this thought: Does the poetic voice remove you from the horror and keep you as numb as the soldiers became? Or was my speed reading keeping me from feeling the pain?
Politics entered the discussion: Should there be a draft? Would that prevent the U.S. from entering such wars in the future? What has an all professional army done to the country and us? Trained to be killers only; jobs that previously led to skilled worked performed by Halliburton--what is there for soldiers returning to civilian life?
Why was discussion okay? Too much agreement. We have to stop agreeing.
Monday, October 7, 2013
Sunday, September 22, 2013
2013-2014 List Updated April 2014
One member phoned in her recommendation from Montana. Several couldn't attend, but gave recommendations. Thanks to smart phones and smart operators, we were able to get detailed descriptions and thus, able to vote smartly.
January 15th meeting...
The Messiah of Stockholm by Cynthia Ozick
A Review
Here they are:
October 16th meeting....
October 16th meeting....
Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers
January 15th meeting...
The Messiah of Stockholm by Cynthia Ozick
A Review
February 12th....
I Curse the River of Time
by Per Petterson
CHANGED to May 21st meeting...
Old Filth
by Jane Gardam
April 23rd Meeting Book is:
I Await the Devil's Coming
by Mary McClain
CHANGED TO March 12th:
Are You My Mother?
by Alison Bechdel
And the last book for the year...
June 18th...
The Tennis Player
by Abraham Verghese
Sunday, September 15, 2013
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