This
meeting was held in a sunny meadow beside a sparkling pond. Seated
beneath a canopy, we sipped sangria, sampled hors d'oeuvres, and
discussed the book while the chefs (Steve and Kelly) prepared our
lunch - a feast of ribs, pulled pork, beans, and coleslaw. After
lunch some waded or sat on the dock while Lori swam with the
salamanders. Lunch finished off with Kathy's blueberry cake and we
sat for a few hours just enjoying the moment.
Thank you Diane, it was absolutely a marvelous day! And big thanks to your son and his wife--we could have sold tickets to this meal. Not only great chefs, they were enjoyable company.
The book discussion was lengthy. Some felt the original case worker may have liked V. She dressed her and bought food that she knew V would like. Victoria deliberately makes herself unlovable. We felt this was because she fears that if she allowed anyone to get close they also would abandon her. Is Victoria's abandonment at birth the only reason for her difficultly with relationships? Victoria’s aunt suffered a mental disorder, could V suffer from a disorder or perhaps depression? Why did she hate being touched? There were varied opinions regarding Elizabeth and her reason for wanting V. How could she not go to the adoption hearing? It led us to consider that she was using V only to bring about a relationship with her sister, and when that failed she no longer felt a need to try and make a family with Victoria. We discussed not only Renata's impact on V's life but her lack of anger when V started a competing business. Our opinion at the ending of the book was that although V wanted to be part of a family, things would not go well for Victoria and Grant.
Due to the book’s topic, we discussed the problematic deficiencies in today’s state programs for foster homes and child care. Lastly we ended on a cheerful note with Celia’s printed flowers for each of us with the name and the meaning.
Thank you Diane, it was absolutely a marvelous day! And big thanks to your son and his wife--we could have sold tickets to this meal. Not only great chefs, they were enjoyable company.
The book discussion was lengthy. Some felt the original case worker may have liked V. She dressed her and bought food that she knew V would like. Victoria deliberately makes herself unlovable. We felt this was because she fears that if she allowed anyone to get close they also would abandon her. Is Victoria's abandonment at birth the only reason for her difficultly with relationships? Victoria’s aunt suffered a mental disorder, could V suffer from a disorder or perhaps depression? Why did she hate being touched? There were varied opinions regarding Elizabeth and her reason for wanting V. How could she not go to the adoption hearing? It led us to consider that she was using V only to bring about a relationship with her sister, and when that failed she no longer felt a need to try and make a family with Victoria. We discussed not only Renata's impact on V's life but her lack of anger when V started a competing business. Our opinion at the ending of the book was that although V wanted to be part of a family, things would not go well for Victoria and Grant.
Due to the book’s topic, we discussed the problematic deficiencies in today’s state programs for foster homes and child care. Lastly we ended on a cheerful note with Celia’s printed flowers for each of us with the name and the meaning.
Next meeting: September 25, at Claire's condo in Breton Woods
Book: "The Boys in the Boat"
October 23 meeting at Marilyn's. Book selected at the August meeting for October is "The Art of Racing in the Rain" by Garth Stein.
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