"In Sunlight and In Shadow" by Mark Helprin

On April 16th 10 people met to discuss Mark Helprin's "In Sunlight and in Shadow".
People in attendance were Julie, Madeleine, Carol, Kathy, Marsha, Betsy, Donna, Nancy,
Sue and Moi. The book was a tome of 705 pages and most of us had completed it.

Julie ran a tight ship in navigating the meeting and the rough seas of controlling 10
women. She really liked the book for it's lyricism and beautiful metaphors. He painted
a beautiful love at first sight story between the wealthy talented Catherine Hale and the
handsome war veteran Harry Copeland. The author personified the city of New York
and the Hamptons and gave us good insight into the wealthy, the powerful and the corrupt
of the era just after the ending of the second world war.

Kathy and Julie both  liked the author's treatment of Harry's war experiences working for the
pathfinders team individually and jointly. It was disappointing to so many that he did not expand
on the anticipated consummation of the marriage. Many of us hated that the hero Harry dies in
the end but justice was served and he lived for that so that made him a true hero.

The book had many mixed reviews. Some of the complaints were on the length and the said
lyricism and metaphors. Some said 300 pages may have sufficed. Reviewers also noted that
the author had a one dimensional view of women. They were all good and virtuous. Everyone
is entitled to an opinion so no harm done.

Carol chose a book called "The Soloist" by Steve Lopez which is based on a true story of
a homeless musician. A movie was made starring Jamie Fox. The date chosen was June 11th
for the next meeting. If I am incorrect on the date I will send out a post. My debut novel will
be entitled "What Nettie Forgot".

Happy spring reading.

 

"The Chaperone" by Laura Moriarty

 

On January 14, 2014 we met at Chili's to discuss Laura Moriarty's book
"The Chaperone". There were 9 people present. They were Julie, Madeleine, Kathy,
Sarah, Donna, Nancy, Betsy, Janet and Nettie. Everyone completed the book and
liked it.  Some of us did not realize that the character Louise Brooks was an  old
talkie film star of the 1920's.

Betsy did her homework and had her book club questions and topics for discussion.
We felt that the main character was Cora the chaperone rather than the starlet Louise.
Cora and Louise come from Wichita, Kansas where a woman has her place and
she is still constrained not only by her corset but by the mores of the time.
The two women form a "bond" and Cora's world becomes wider because of her
association with a young  rebellious Louise. Remember women were fighting for the
vote, integration of black and white was far away, prohibition was in full swing
and sex and homosexuality were definitely undercover.

This is really not a coming of age story but a coming into one's self as it is Cora who
opens up and flowers while in New York. She was orphaned and sent out on the orphan
trains that went west. Her commitment to accompany Louise to New York was really
more about her quest to learn about her her parents and origins. Though she meets her
mother finally she does not pursue the relationship. When she returns home with a lover
who poses as her brother she continues to grow. She does fund raising for unwed mothers
and is very successful. She also works with the women's movement for rights. So she
becomes very comfortable in her skin and feels she is where she "belongs".
Julie chose a book by Mark Helprin called, "In Sunlight and In Shadow" which is
set in New York City..
It is 720 pages long so we decided to delay the meeting till April 9th.
Happy reading.

  

State of Wonder

On December 11, 2013 we held the meeting at Nettie's

house and there were 10 members present and

2 special guests. Those present were Julie, Nancy, Donna, Kathy,

Betsy, Madeleine, Sarah, Janet and Nettie. We were

happy to welcome Sandy Laramore and Doug Reichl

who joined in the lively discussion that ensued.

Sarah led the discussion with a number of prepared

questions and observations.

The first topic was the ethics of pharmacological

researchers in these remote jungle areas. Was it

best to gain the knowledge they came for, take what they need

and leave the environment and natives intact? Or should they

try to change them? Possibly these people would be impervious

to changes in the long run. Dr. Swenson had the first philosophy as

she ruled her little world with her iron hand.

The next topic discussed was how Dr. Swenson became

impregnated and whose sperm was it. Many theories were

set forth but we agreed that the author may have left this

so the readers could make their own interpretations.

The next topic was what about Marina's future. Some thought

she would return to the jungle others thought she would stay in

Minnesota and would be pregnant.

Sarah pointed out that many times wealthy patrons get characters

named after them in novels. Barbara Bovender was named after

a patron. We discussed the characters of the Bovenders and envied

their free ride to adventures. Sarah doubted that a pharmaceutical

company would have spent that kind of money on such an

uncharted  and uncommunicative course as this project was.

We all envisioned that this would be a great movie and Sarah confirmed

that indeed there was one in the making.

We all loved the beat of the book replete with fire torches,

poison arrows, jungle ululations, anacondas, magic mushrooms

and tree bark. The book was likened to Joseph Conrad's

"Heart of Darkness". 

      Betsy chose the book "The Chaperone" by Laura Moriarity.

The next date chosen was January 14, 2014 which is actually

a Tuesday. We will have it at Nettie's again as the

venue was better for discussion than any of the restaurants

we have tried. We voted Sandy in as a new member and

Doug said he will attend more often.

Happy reading and stay warm!

 

"THE KITCHEN HOUSE" by Katheen Grissom



Last Wednesday a large group of 10 persons met at Chili's to discuss the
debut novel of Kathleen Grissom entitled "The Kitchen House".
Those present were Sarah, Kathy, Julie, Donna, Nancy, Madeleine, Betsy,
Marsha, Janet and Nettie.
Kathy was very well prepared with several good questions about the book.
The first topic of discussion was whether we liked the narrative coming from
2 different voices. Yes we liked seeing the perspective of life on the plantation
from Belle, the black slave and the other from an indentured white girl.
We went on to discuss  the keeping of secrets and how things may have changed
if these secrets had been revealed. The 2 big secrets were the paternity of Belle
and the molestation of Marshall by the tutor.
We had all read the book and agreed that it held our interest to the end even
though it was at times like a soap opera.
We discussed Lavinia's character and how she was weak, lacking in confidence
and willing to marry anyone just for security.
Of course Marshall's character and how the molestation affected him was another
lengthy discussion. We also touched upon the subject of opium addiction which
was popular back then. The uniqueness of Ben and his 2 women and how they
lived in somewhat harmony was also marvelled on.
Kathy also gave us some background on the author and how she became inspired
to writing this book. She said voices of her characters spoke to her. The question
was posed as to whether she would continue the story through the eyes of maybe
two of the offsprings.
December 11th was chosen for the next meeting and Sarah chose a book called
"State of Wonder" by Ann Patchett which is about microbiologists working

in the jungles of Brazil. I think we should all enjoy it as I did but am now reading it for the second time.

OLIVE KITTERIDGE by ELIZABETH STROUT

On September 19th a large froup met at Chili's to discuss "Olive Kitteridge"

which won Elizabeth Strout a Pulitzer Prize.

 Madeleine (with two new knees), Diana, Nancy, Sarah, Julie, Donna, Kathy,

Betsy, Carol, Janet and I attended. All but one of us had read and liked the

book whether they liked the character Olive or not. Olive was a cantankerous,

capricious, brusque, take charge math teacher in a small town in Maine.

She was married to the nicest man named Henry who was beloved by the

townspeople as well as the book club. The Kitteridges are the main characters

in the first chapter and then they are incidental characters in all the other chapters

which are short stories about different inhabitants of the town.

Donna had a printout of a synopsis of each chapter and after she read them we

added our own comments and remembrances. There was a plethora of characters

and some said they would have preferred to have had one story more developed

but I think Strout was still able to develop Olive's character by this writing style.

Although Olive has some flaws she also has a good side as she was

always willing to help others if they needed help whether young or old. She had

a tolerance for young people and seemed to have been loved as well as feared by

her students. She tolerated gays and Republicans.

 

There seemed to be a theme of suicide  running throughout the book. In the final

chapter after her husband dies she seems to have lost her spunk but decides to

feed her hunger and wants to live and takes an older widow as a lover though he

is a republican who voted for G.W. Bush.. Kathy read some passages one of which 

indicated that age should not deter hungers of the body and soul.

 

I read that HBO will be doing a mni series based on the book and Frances McDormond

will play Olive, I can see it it...perfect casting.  

.

October 30th which is a Wednesday was chosen for the next meeting. Kathy chose

a book called "The Kitchen House" by Kathleen Grissom which is about a 7 year old

orphaned Irish girl sent to a plantation in the south who has to live with the black

slaves. The relationship between the black slaves and the white kitchen help is her

story. Looks very interesting. 

"A Blade of Grass" by Lewis De Soto

On July 30th we met at Carol's lovely Mystic Bay condo

which is the new home of the Santas.

Those present were Julie, Kathy, Madeleine, Nancy, Carol, Janet,

Donna, Betsy and Nettie.

Carol made a healthy  steak salad with corn bread

and nice fudgie brownies. It was a treat.

We had a discussion of the book and most people

had read and liked it.

It was written by a man who had grown up in South

Africa during apartheid but eventually migrated

to Canada.

So the story is about a white woman named Maritt

who marries a farmer and they have no other family when

they move to a very remote region on the southern

border of South Africa. He is killed by black

insurgents and she is left adrift in a strange land. 

Having no family and other home she decides

to make the farm her home with the help and

companionship of a black servant Tembi.

The story delves deeply into the friendship

of the two women as they cross racial lines 

as well as servant-employer  lines.

There are many travails and hardships such

as a plague of locusts, famine, loss of

cattle and electricity and the ever encroaching

 war between the blacks and the whites. When most of the

whites leave the area she is still present and manages

to survive with the help of some black drifters.

There are some shifts in loyalty on the part

of the black woman Tembi especially when

a black man who is a love interest enters the picture.

But in the end all the two women

really  have are each other. The white lady dies

but we think the book ends on a note of hope as

Tembe once more sets out to plant some seeds in the

hope of establishing a home.

This was a very sad time in history and this story

was just one man's view of that appalling period

of apartheid.  

 

We decided to meet again on the 18th of September.

If I am wrong on that please correct me.

Donna chose another Elizabeth Strout book

called "Olive Kitteridge" which is several

different stories which has a tie in to one character

who is Olive Kitteridge.

 





The Burgess Boys

On June 26th a meeting was held at my house to discuss "The Burgess Boys" by
Elizabeth Strout. This was a very well attended meeting.as we had Madeleine, Julie,
Nancy, Kathy, Betsy, Janet, Carol, Sue, Diana and me. Most had read the book and
Madeleine led a very orderly discussion,
Most people were not instantly taken by the book and felt it was more of a character
development rather than a riviting story. Most of the characters were strongly disliked
except for Bob who had a sweet soul and loved his brother despite the abuse handed
out by Jim day in day out. The sister Susan was the only resident still left in Maine and
she had practically stopped living once her husband left her and went to Sweden.
Jim's wife Helen was discussed and his marital infidelities examined. Pam and Bob's
after divorce relationship was wondered about. Finally the car accident that Bob
thought he was guilty of causing was discussed at length. Jim was hung by the book
club jury and many did not see a reconciliation with his wife happening. Bob on the
other hand finds true happiness with a Unitarian Minister.
The second story of Zach and the pig's head incident against the Somalis was also
discussed. Immigration has been a current issue in today's political scene and we
all had opinions as to what immigration means to the American landscape.
Diana chose a book called "A Blade of Grass" by Lewis De Soto about a young
woman set on the border of South Africa. The last Tuesday of July was chosen
so see you all on July 30th. Carol has volunteered to host at her Mystic Bay Condo.
Reminders will be sent out.