Minutes submitted by Ann
Thanks to Lori our
book group continues our monthly meetings on schedule.
Happily Celia was
able to join us on Zoom and lead the meeting to discuss The Engineers
Wife. There were of course diverse
opinions regarding the story of Emily Roebling.
Many of us had not heard of Emily.
She educated herself on bridge building by reading her husbands’ text
books and has been referred to as “the first female field engineer”. Her knowledge of engineering is said to have
been essential to completion of the bridge.
One thought
expressed was that the author’s depiction of Emily was an insult to her true
intelligence. The author in her
“afterword notes” clearly states that the insinuated romantic liaison with BT
Barnum was entirely imagined (I wish I had read that part first). Others noted that this was not intended as a
biography of Emily but was to be enjoyed as a novel set around the building of
the Brooklyn Bridge. They also felt the
inclusion of other historical figures of that era added interest to the story.
Once Wash became
debilitated with Caissons disease Emily gave up her work in women’s
suffrage. An interesting question arose
as to whether we would have chosen to continue that work, or if we would prefer
the work on the bridge.
Book discussion
over, it was pleasant to take a few minutes to check in with everyone. Thank goodness all are well and many projects
are getting completed.
BUSINESS:
Book chosen for August
(Diane):
The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende
Book for July 26
discussion (Claire):
Run by Ann Patchett
Submit............. Discuss
Claire May................. July
Diane June................ Aug
Joy July................. Sept.
Judy (Cathy) Aug................. Oct.
Kathy Sept................ Dec.
Cathy (Judy) Oct.................. Jan
‘21
No mtg. Nov.
Lori Dec................. Feb. ‘21
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