On October 21, we met at Betsy's home to discuss her book.
Betsy outdid herself as a hostess with her lovely table setting as we
sampled 3 delicious gourmet soups accompanied by a green salad and
hot bread. She finished with an apple crisp topped with ice cream.
We had all read the book and most of us had finished it.
Those who attended were Julie, Nancy, Donna, Kathy, Sarah, Madeleine and Nettie.
Most agreed that the writing was excellent but a bit lengthy and it
could have been 200 pages less especially in the beginning.
Once she got into the meat of the story it moved more quickly.
No one judged the ladies on their sexual preference but there
was discussion on the morality of the abortion and the murder although
it was not intended. Had the innocently accused young man
been convicted of the murder it would have changed everything.
We did not believe the women would have let him hang.
We had to admit that women did not have many
choices in that era and so they were almost victims of the times
and their station. Frances was doomed to taking care of her mother
and the house being left penniless by her father and losing her
two brothers. Lillian was married to a cad as it turned out.
So who among us can judge these women?
Some thought Lillian may have used Frances to get out of her
loveless marriage. Some thought that their relationship would have had
to end while others thought the last chapter may have shown
a glimmer of hope for the star crossed lovers.
We had never read a book on Lesbianism and all agreed that
it was good to venture out into new areas besides some of the
themes we have read in the past.
Julie chose a book called "A God in Ruins" by Kate Atkinson
and a date was chosen but I have forgotten it so I am sure someone will
step forward and let everyone know.
