The Alice Network by Kate Quinn

 

We met at Linda’s to discuss her book “The Alice Network” by Kate Quinn. Linda had prepared very well as she led a great discussion. The book was set between the two great wars and went back and forth from one to the other.

It was about a female spy recruited to the Alice Network in France during World War I and an unconventional American socialite searching for her cousin in 1947. They are brought together in a mesmerizing tale.

Some of the characters were based on real people who worked for the underground in France. The two women were on a mission to find the truth no matter where it led them.

Linda had a lovely  salad, clam chowder and key lime pie.

Doug chose “The God of The Woods” by Liz Moore

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

Madeleine hosted us for our discussion of  her book “Demon Copperhead “ by Barbara Kingsolver. This was a bestseller and PULITZER PRIZE WINNING novel. It is a poignant, coming of age story set in Appalachia where the author grew up. It is a heartbreaking narrative of the opioid crisis and its effects on that poverty stricken area of America. There were many unforgettable characters and we learned a lot about the Hillbilly lifestyle.

We all agreed that the only way out of this depression and way of life was education. One pharmaceutical company Purdue Pharma owned by the Sackler family knowingly marketed an addictive drug and targeted a vulnerable sector of society . It was very sad but the protagonist seemed like he was going to overcome his challenges in the end. Sarah later informed us that the author donated a large part of the proceeds from this book to the care and rehabilitation of these addicted people.

Madeleine had a lovely Ina Garten vegetarian soup and healthy salad and bread.

Linda chose “The Alice Network” by Kate Quinn.