Changed our date from the last Sunday of the month to August 21, since Joy, Ann, Lori, and Claire would be staying at Pembrook for the weekend. We started our discussion out on the back deck....and then the rain and wind came....and we crowded into the dining room.
Book discussed was "Major Pettigrew's Last Stand" by Helen Simonson. The majority liked this book very much. I dont believe that there was anyone who disliked the book. Majority felt that it was well written. Some quoted their favorite paragraphs or lines. The subjects in the book led to discussions about prejudice of race, nationality, and social position.
Marilyn had proposed four books for the October 30, meeting. The highest votes went to "The Bells" a novel by Richard Harvell.
Our September 25, meeting will be held at either Marilyn or Stephanie's house. They will send an email advising location a week or so ahead. Book to be discussed is "The Girl who Fell from the Sky" by Heidi Durrow.
Mary Jo volunteered to have the October 30, meeting at her B&B.
We will not have a meeting in November as it would coincide with Thanksgiving Weekend. Instead we will follow our tradition of holding our Holiday Celebration meeting on Sunday, December 4. The night before, please join Kathy at Pembrook for our annual Polar Express Elfing Excursion and Pot Luck dinner. Those south of our area are invited to spend the weekend at Pembrook.
At our December 4, Bookclub Meeting we will have a Yankee Swap and also collect new Children's books to give to the Campton Fire Department for their annual Santa Toy drive.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
Marilyn's suggestions for October Book Choice
THE BELLS. by Richard Harvell
Born in a belfry in the Uri Valley of the Swiss Alps, where his deaf-mute mother rang the Loudest Bells on Earth, Moses Froben possesses both a remarkably sensitive ear and an exquisite singing voice, enabling him to overcome his humble origins to become Lo Suizzero, the musical toast of Europe in the eighteenth century. In papers left for the son he raised but did not sire, Froben recounts being rescued from his father’s murderous plan by monks Nicolai and Remus and taken to their abbey, where the choirmaster recognizes the boy’s gift and goes to inhumane lengths to preserve it. In the neighboring town, Moses meets Amalia Duft, daughter of the area’s wealthiest man, whose love becomes a beacon for his life even after his castration. Despite an opening note that reveals part of the story, Harvell builds suspense as Moses struggles against the superior forces of the noble family Amalia is forced by duplicity to marry into, reaching a bittersweet conclusion. Taking few liberties with history, Harvell has fashioned an engrossing first novel ringing with sounds; a musical and literary treat.
|
Richard Harvell was born in New Hampshire, and now lives in Basel, Switzerland. He studied English at Dartmouth College. The Bells, his first novel, is an Indie Next Pick (October, 2010) and is being translated into a dozen languages. |
THE WARMTH OF OTHER SUNS. by Isabel Wilderson
The Epic Story of America's Great Migration- Ida Mae Brandon Gladney, a sharecropper's wife, left Mississippi for Milwaukee in 1937, after her cousin was falsely accused of stealing a white man's turkeys and was almost beaten to death. In 1945, George Swanson Starling, a citrus picker, fled Florida for Harlem after learning of the grove owners' plans to give him a "necktie party" (a lynching). Robert Joseph Pershing Foster made his trek from Louisiana to California in 1953, embittered by "the absurdity that he was doing surgery for the United States Army and couldn't operate in his own home town." Anchored to these three stories is Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Wilkerson's magnificent, extensively researched study of the "great migration," the exodus of six million black Southerners out of the terror of Jim Crow to an "uncertain existence" in the North and Midwest. Wilkerson deftly incorporates sociological and historical studies into the novelistic narratives of Gladney, Starling, and Pershing settling in new lands, building anew, and often finding that they have not left racism behind. The drama, poignancy, and romance of a classic immigrant saga pervade this book, hold the reader in its grasp, and resonate long after the reading is done. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
MODOC: THE TRUE STORY OF THE GREATEST ELEPHANT THAT EVER LIVED
The simply astonishing, exhilarating story--complete with high adventure, betrayal, and resurrection--of Modoc, elephant extraordinaire, told by Helfer (The Beauty of the Beasts, 1990). They were born on the same day, a hundred years back, in a Black Forest village: Bram Gunterstein, son of a circus animal trainer, and Modoc, an Indian elephant headed for big-top life with the Wunderzircus, a provincial troupe. Their love for each other develops early, when Bram is just a toddler and Modoc a youthful one-ton package, and Bram's father on his deathbed councils Bram to watch after Modoc. That he does, and the tribulations and pleasures they share defy the imagination: The circus is sold out from under Bram to the sinister Mr. North; Bram stows away on the vessel transporting Modoc, leaving behind the girl of his dreams; discovered, Bram wins over the captain, but the ship sinks during a hurricane; Modoc and Bram float to the shores of India, where Bram learns further tools of the trade at the maharaja's elephantarium; there he lives in a teak-built compound, tends to Modoc, and is honored to have an audience with the sacred white elephant; he woos and wins a woman from the village but is warned that North is on his trail. He strikes out with Modoc to the teak plantations of Burma, is captured by rebels, loses his wife, confronts North, journeys to the US and fashions a spectacular show for Modoc, wins back his earlier love, only to have the elephant sold out from under him again. Helfer (an animal trainer by trade) happens across Modoc and buys him in the 1970s, then Bram appears yet again. The story is told with a heart-tugging warmth that, granted, at times slips into Disney mode, but that feels credible: There is, amazingly enough, a truthful tang to the picaresque proceedings. One glorious pachyderm and one cracking story.
OUT STEALING HORSES. by Per Petterson
Trond’s friend John often appeared at his doorstep with an adventure in mind for the two of them. But this morning was different. What began as a joy ride on “borrowed” horses ends with Jon falling into a strange trance of grief. Trond soon learns what befell Jon earlier that day- an incident that marks the beginning of a series of vital losses for both boys. Set in the easternmost region of Norway, Out Stealing Horses begins with an ending. 67 year old Trond has settled into a rustic cabin in an isolated area to live the rest of his life with a quiet deliberation. A meeting with his only neighbor, however, forces him to reflect on that fateful summer
THE PHYSICK BOOK OF DELIVERANCE DANE. by Katherine Howe
Set in Cambridge and Marblehead, Mass., Howe's propulsive if derivative novel alternates between the 1991 story of college student Connie Goodwin and a group of 17th-century outcasts. After moving into her grandmother's crumbling house to get it in shape for sale, Connie comes across a small key and piece of paper reading only Deliverance Dane. The Salem witch trials, contemporary Wicca and women's roles in early American history figure prominently as Connie does her academic detective work. What follows is a breezy read in which Connie must uncover the mystery of a shadowy book written by the enigmatic Deliverance Dane. During Connie's investigation, she relies on a handsome steeplejack for romance and her mother and an expert on American colonial history for clues and support. While the twisty plot and Howe's habit of ending chapters with cliffhangers are straight out of the thriller playbook, the writing is solid overall, and Howe's depiction of early American life and the witch trials should appeal to readers who enjoyed The Heretic's Daughter. The witchcraft angle and frenetic pacing beg for a screen adaptation. From Publishers Weekly
Monday, August 1, 2011
July 31, 2011 - Meeting at Celia's
Submitted by Lori:
We had a small group for book club yesterday, and although the absent
members were very much missed, the small number allowed us to fit
easily for into Celia's gazebo for an extremely pleasant afternoon.
While enjoying copious (and delicious) appetizers and wine, we
discussed "The Widow's War" by Sally Gunning. Most in the group
enjoyed the book immensely, while a few felt it was perhaps a bit too
simplistic or romantic. The book generated discussion about whether or
not personal desire really would have won out over social mores in
those days of strong religious restriction- and we determined that if
the personal desire was strong enough and the social dictum repugnant
enough, yes, the events in the book could have happened. We also
discussed the status of women in the US, realizing that even as little
as 20 years ago, it was difficult for women to own property and get
credit without a husband or father to cosign. It was fun to hear
Patricia talk about the Brewster area (where this story was set) as it
was 40 years ago and still undeveloped. There was also a lively
discussion about the main character's relationship with Sam (the
Indian man), with opinions ranging from that a white woman wouldn't
have jeopardized herself to such a degree back then to some that felt
she should have ended up with him in the end. As usual, it was a
wonderful afternoon.
Because of the number of people that have had to miss summer meetings,
there has been talk of taking a break for a few months each summer.
Those of us at yesterday's meeting decided that we would prefer to
continue through the summers, both for continuity and because the
meetings are still wonderful, even when smaller.
Another point that came up yesterday- we had only appetizers and
wonderful Key Lime Pie prepared by Celia, and felt that it was a
sufficient amount of food for the afternoon. As much as we all like to
prepare food for each other and eat it, we should continue to try to
keep the food offerings simple at these meetings.
The next meeting will be Sun, Aug 21 at Pembrook (Kathy will confirm
the time). It has been moved up one week for Augest since a number of
us will be here already for one of Kathy's trips. The book to be
discussed in August is "Major Pettigrew's Last Stand" by Helen
Simonson.
A book was chosen for the Sept. 25th meeting. By an overwhelming
majority, it was decided that we would read "The Girl that Fell from
the Sky" by Heidi W. Durrow. We did not decide on a place for the
Sept meeting, and are still looking for volunteers. I am always happy
to host in Jamaica Plain, but perhaps there is someone else that would
rather host in NH. We can determine the place at the next meeting.
We missed all of you that couldn't make it yesterday, but still
managed to have a wonderful time :-)
We had a small group for book club yesterday, and although the absent
members were very much missed, the small number allowed us to fit
easily for into Celia's gazebo for an extremely pleasant afternoon.
While enjoying copious (and delicious) appetizers and wine, we
discussed "The Widow's War" by Sally Gunning. Most in the group
enjoyed the book immensely, while a few felt it was perhaps a bit too
simplistic or romantic. The book generated discussion about whether or
not personal desire really would have won out over social mores in
those days of strong religious restriction- and we determined that if
the personal desire was strong enough and the social dictum repugnant
enough, yes, the events in the book could have happened. We also
discussed the status of women in the US, realizing that even as little
as 20 years ago, it was difficult for women to own property and get
credit without a husband or father to cosign. It was fun to hear
Patricia talk about the Brewster area (where this story was set) as it
was 40 years ago and still undeveloped. There was also a lively
discussion about the main character's relationship with Sam (the
Indian man), with opinions ranging from that a white woman wouldn't
have jeopardized herself to such a degree back then to some that felt
she should have ended up with him in the end. As usual, it was a
wonderful afternoon.
Because of the number of people that have had to miss summer meetings,
there has been talk of taking a break for a few months each summer.
Those of us at yesterday's meeting decided that we would prefer to
continue through the summers, both for continuity and because the
meetings are still wonderful, even when smaller.
Another point that came up yesterday- we had only appetizers and
wonderful Key Lime Pie prepared by Celia, and felt that it was a
sufficient amount of food for the afternoon. As much as we all like to
prepare food for each other and eat it, we should continue to try to
keep the food offerings simple at these meetings.
The next meeting will be Sun, Aug 21 at Pembrook (Kathy will confirm
the time). It has been moved up one week for Augest since a number of
us will be here already for one of Kathy's trips. The book to be
discussed in August is "Major Pettigrew's Last Stand" by Helen
Simonson.
A book was chosen for the Sept. 25th meeting. By an overwhelming
majority, it was decided that we would read "The Girl that Fell from
the Sky" by Heidi W. Durrow. We did not decide on a place for the
Sept meeting, and are still looking for volunteers. I am always happy
to host in Jamaica Plain, but perhaps there is someone else that would
rather host in NH. We can determine the place at the next meeting.
We missed all of you that couldn't make it yesterday, but still
managed to have a wonderful time :-)
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