Tomorrow nights meeting

Hi all,
A reminder that book club is at colleens house tomorrow night. I hope you enjoyed the book and I will try and post some questions later today.
Kaye

March Meeting notes - People of the Book

Hi Everyone,
Thanks for all the great discussion last night.  The book seemed to lead us down lots of other discussion paths!  The general feel for People of the Book was that despite some perhaps superfluous components to the story, the history surrounding the book was a winner.

Ratings and pithy comments (it was a scramble at the end so please let me know if I didn't capture your comment correctly!)
Tahnee - 7/10 For those who love reading margin notes and finding left behind bookmarks.
Kaye - 6/10 A little confusing but still enjoyable
Mel - 7/10 Give more of the people of the book
Meaghan - 7.5/10 Historically fascinating
Kathy - 7.5/10 Enjoyable
Colleen - 5/10 Loved the history
Trilby - 7/10 A page turner more of literary style than trash
Georgia - 6.5/10 A little bit lost in the second read but still historically fascinating

Next month's book is: The Last Painting of Sarah de Vos by Dominic Smith selected by Kaye with the book club meeting to be hosted at Colleen's house.

Have a great month everyone.
Georgia.

People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks

Hi Everyone,

Looking forward to seeing you at my house on Tuesday night.
My address is 605 Victoria Road, Gruyere.  We are in the middle of pool installation so things are a bit of a mess - just be careful as you come through to the garden gate as there is stuff everywhere and holes where the deck will be!

The book for this month was People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks. I've included a character list because there was a lot to take in and a lot of people to remember!

Questions for Tuesday:

1. Hanna was more like her mother than she realised (or hoped) in terms of burying herself in her work.  What were your thoughts on their relationship?  In what ways was Hanna different to her mother?

2. How did you react to the way Australians were portrayed by the author through the character of Hannah?  The book was written in 2008 and set in 1996 (for Hanna).  Do you think Aussies would be portrayed differently now?

3. A review on Good Reads said the following: "I expected great things from Brooks - March is a book I treasure - but this novel is a third-rate Da Vinci code, written with about the same amount of skill."  
What do you think of this comment? Do you agree?

4. The story of the book unraveled backwards.  How did you find this to follow?  Would the story have been better or worse told forwards?

5. Did you come away from the book feeling that there were missing parts to the story?

6. Should the Haggadah have been restored or conserved in the form in which it was found? Is the story of the Haggadah more important than the actual Haggadah itself?

7. When Hanna found out who her father was, what impact did this have on her?  Do you think she changed after this part of the story?

8. What was your favourite historical time from the book?  

9. How does this book compare to other Geraldine Brooks novels?  Would it make a good movie?

Major Characters

Present
Dr. Hanna Heath, 30 year old conservator, from Australia

Dr. Ozren Karaman, the librarian in Sarajevo—saved Haggadah
Alia, Ozren’s toddler in a coma from gunshot during Bosnian war
Amalie Sutter, entomologist in Vienna, studies butterfly wing
Werner Heinrich, Viennese specialist in Hebrew manuscripts, speculates about losts clasps
Razmus Kanaha, chief conservation scientist at the Fogg museum, studies wine and blood stains
Delilah Sharansky, Hanna’s jewish grandmother
Clarissa Montague-Morgan, forensic specialist who examines hair

Vienna 1940
Lola, jew, laundresses’ and janitor’s daughter, hidden by Kamal’s after her family is taken by Nazis
Dora, Lola’s little sister
Rashelo and Lugo, Lola’s parents
Stela and Serif Kamal, wealthy Muslims who hide Lola and save Haggadah
Ina, Isak’s little sister, escapes with Lola
Josip Boscovic, museum director

Vienna 1894
Franz Hirschfeldt, jewish doctor serving Viennese aristocrats
David, Franz’ fencing brother
Herr Florien Mittl, book binder with syphilis (or other STD), steals sterling clasps to pay for medical treatment
Rosalind, Franz’ mistress
Anna, Franz’ wife

Venice 1609
Giovanni Domenico Vistorini, parish priest and book censor. Kept book from being burned.
Rabbi Judah Aryeh Dona reyna de Serena, fled Portugal as a Jew, ostensibly converted to Christianity. Wealthy, supporter of the Geto community. Received Haggadah from family manservant in Portugal

Tarragona 1492
David Ben Shoushan, Hebrew scribe who wrote the haggadah intended as a gift for his nephew; beaten to death by Spanish soldiers
Miriam, David’s wife
Ruti, Miriam and David’s daughter. Takes Rosa’s son and converts him into a Jew by immersion; saltwater gets on the Haggadah
Rueben, Miriam and David’s son who converted and is tortured by inquisition
Rosa, Rueben’s wife who believes her son is still born

Sevile 1480
Hooman, slave owner
Zahra, unnamed girl slave painter
Kebira, old woman in emir’s palace
Nura/Isabella, Emir’s wife
Pedro, Isabella’s brother
Netane haLevi, Jewish doctor
Benjamin, deaf son of doctor

I have been feeling very overwhelmed and it has rendered me mute in acknowledging the generosity of everyone at bookclub.
It has allowed me to put new tyres on my car which not only keeps us safe but keeps me law abiding!!
I would also like to thank you all for keeping book club about book club last month as it was refreshing to discuss and speak &think about something else.
These periods of difficulty in life can be very consuming and difficult to navigate when all security you normally surround yourself by gets stripped away.
Some of you have only met me a few times and this is one if those situations where saying thank you seems so trite and insufficient. But in the absence of something more substantial Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart.
Irene

February Meeting - Molokai by Alan Brennert

Thanks to everyone who made it to our February Meeting to discuss Molokai by Alan Brennert.

Book Selection - I do most of my reading on Kindle these days, Kindle often provides suggestions based on previous reads. Molokai was one suggestion and it seemed to have good reviews, so I thought I'd give it a go. Additionally, I know very little about Leprosy and how those afflicted were segregated at the time, so thought I might learn something along the way.

Meeting Wrap up  - Almost everyone enjoyed reading this book, barring Tamara who found it too sad to call it enjoyable, despite the quality of the novel. Most enjoyed the use of Hawaiian terminology throughout the book and found it added to the narrative and wasn't too distracting (as we have sometimes found in other books). It was generally agreed that the setting was integral to the story and all felt that the novel wouldn't have worked as well elsewhere, the mainland for example.
Most were deeply saddened for Rachel and how she must have felt being separated from her family at such a young age and conflicted as to how we would have behaved in the same situation, given the perceived communicability of Leprosy at that time. Overall a positive read, the narrative of a lifetime (albeit a sad one) managing to hold our interest for the length of the book.

Pithy Comments & Ratings

Average Rating 7/10

Tamara Exposing a tragic past 4/10

Meaghan Total tragedy to unexpected uplift 8.5/10
Georgia Good example of the power of resilience and community8/10
Ann-Marie Strength of the Human spirit 8/10
Colleen The inhumanity of the medical profession 6/10
Mel Really enjoyed it - The strength of one woman 9/10
Trilby Lovely fictional version of a hideous non-fiction event 7/10
Irene Overtly focused on pivotal moments in an otherwise luscious piece of literature 7/10
Tahnee  A sad truth 7.5/10
Beck  First meeting - Welcome

Housekeeping

This months book is 'The People of the Book' by Geraldine Brooks to be discussed at Georgia's.

Aprils book (Kaye's selection) will be hosted at Colleens. Kaye will still post questions and chair the meeting after returning from holiday that day. Book to be announced at next meeting so you don't all read ahead and forget about it by the time the meeting comes around.

We welcomed 'Beck' to her first Book Club meeting and I think we were all relatively well behaved, so she may return.

Mel questioned whether a further breakdown in scoring might be considered i.e. 8.75/10. Much robust discussion ensued with no resolution.

'till March, happy reading : )

Moloka'i by Alan Brennert

Moloka'i

by Alan Brennert

Hello Everyone, 

Looking forward to seeing you all at my house tomorrow night to discuss Molokai.

I hope to have a few more questions for you by tomorrow, just wanted to get a few up tonight to remind everyone of tomorrow's meeting.

Tahnee

Imagine yourself in the place of Rachel’s mother, Dorothy Kalama. How would you have handled the situation?

What other diseases of more recent times have a similar story?

Did you as a reader regard Leilani as a man or a woman?

Was there a character other than Rachel that had an impact on you? Who and Why?

Was it fair of the nuns to remove Rachel from Uncle Pono's house and bring her to the convent school? Should Rachel have been allowed to stay with Uncle Pono?

Considering the United States' role in the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy, was the American response adequate or not? In recent years a "Hawaiian sovereignty" movement has gathered momentum in the islands—do you feel they have a moral and/or legal case?

January Reading for February Meeting

This months book is Molokai by Alan Brennert.

Happy Reading, see you all at my house in Feb. Tahnee 

Meeting at Colleen's.  The Drover's wife by Henry Lawson.

Almost full house.  Couple of housekeeping tips for next year.  You need two bottles of red and white.  One of each is not enough.  No one drinks Bailys.

Book was well received, everyone liked the quick read.  I feel slightly vindicated for my choice of books at last.

Irene         9     Short and Sweet
Trilby       7     Historically evocative
Kathy       8     Usually hate short stories but this was ok
*Tamara* 10  Lawson the realist        to Banjo Patterson's 
                     romanticism
Tahnee     8     Early Australian at its best
Annmarie 7     It is going to make me read more Henry Lawson
Georgia    9     Short but sweet
Mel          8     The bleakness of early Australia
Colleen    8     The skill to tell a story and have you feel you are there in 
                        time.
Thank you ladies I wish you and your family a lovely Christmas.     

Hello Everyone

The Drovers Wife by Henry Lawson.

Book club at my place (Colleen 0411799558) Chandler Road Seville off Victoria Road.  Last gate on the right.  If not sure follow someone who has been before.

Questions will be handed out on the night.

See you there.

FOUND IT:

November meeting

BOOK: Extinctions

AUTHOR: Josephine Wilson

General overview

Our meeting on Tuesday was a more subdued affair than the uproar at Kathy’s meeting in October, but still a lot of fun, and thanks to all who were able to make it. I’m glad you all survived the stairs, the exhaustive (read “exhausting”) questions and the book itself. 

Generally, the book was considered lightweight on character building, with the main character (Frederick) being insipid, self-centred and “boring”, and some of the minor character being far more interesting, but given a thin veneer by the author.  Some of the recurring themes around regret and the ownership of possessions may have developed the story further. The general view was that actual theme of “Extinction” (whether of a species or individual) was largely unexplored and left the reader feeling unfulfilled.

It was agreed that the unrealistic ending wrapped up the main themes and characters too neatly and that the minor characters’ stories were left hanging without resolution.  All in all, not the best read. Most members were astonished that this book was the Miles Franklin Award winner for 2017, and many wondered “what were the judges thinking”.

Why did I choose this book?

My mum gave be a copy of The Age Newspaper’s monthly book review mag a few months ago.  She does it every month after she’s read it, and I dutifully promise myself to have a look (but never do- I already have too many books I haven’t read yet).  This time, however, with Book Club upcoming, I took a peek. Hoping for a good impression for my first book, I selected (what was then Miles Franklin shortlisted) “Extinctions”. Woe betide me- never again!

Rating and Pithy Comments

Hope I got you all connected to the correct comments….

Anne Marie:        6/10- A bit trite

Tahnee:               4/10- Too many stories not realised. I would have liked to have known more about Caroline.

Colleen:               4/10- Unbelievable mismatched collection of characters.

Tamara:               5/10- Like driving with an erratic driver

Mel:                      5/10- 33% done, and no more!

Trilby:                   4/10- Incomplete

Kaye:                    3/10- Not a complete waste of time

Meaghan:            4/10- A disappointment of unfulfilled characters and storyline.

NOTE: Next meeting is Colleen’s.  She has selected “A Drover’s Wife” by Henry Lawson.  She explains

it is a short read, so even those with limited time in the lead up to Christmas can get this one
knocked over.  Thanks again!

Hello all, I put up a post about our last meeting a couple of weeks ago, but it appears not to have "posted"?!? Not sure what I have done.  Will try to resend.  In the meantime, I was supposed to notify those of you who did not attend last meeting that the December meeting is Colleen's with "the Drover's Wife" by Henry Lawson being the text. Again my apologies for stuffing up somehow. 

Hi Meaghan
I'm really sorry but I cant get there tonight.  Hope it all goes well.
Cheers, Georgia.

OK, guys, here are the questions.  Sorry- too many in the end, but there it is.  Thanks for your patience.  My address is 18 George St, Wandin North.  Our drive is opposite Meadow Court, and given the road works, that is not a bad place to park. Hope to see you tonight!

1.      When Fred sees his friend, Tom, struggling with his walker in the heat, he watches but takes no action. What other times in Fred’s life does this occur, and what are the implications? Does this “holding back/ wait and see” approach happen to any other characters?

2.      Is Katie’s experience with the overdose on alcohol pivotal to the story and, if so, does our later knowledge of Martha and Ralph’s relationship put a different spin on Katie’s problems?

3.      At one point, Fred says “A theoretical bridge is perfect, the real bridge is a different matter.  What if the calculation of a load is flawed? I became an expert on disasters…..”. When Fred discusses his unit at the retirement village as being a bridge between his real life and death, is the calculation of the load flawed? Is life a case of “the best laid plans…?”

4.      At one point Fred questions whether anyone truly looks back on their life and can say, “I wouldn’t change a thing”.  What do you think about this notion?

5.      Were you surprised about the relationship between Martha and Ralph?  Do you think this has implications on the plot? How is Martha an important character?

6.      Do you think Fred’s expectations of his family are too high?  Is the conflict he has with Callum about the soccer final realistic behaviour?

7.      Is it possible that Fred’s experience with the dolphin is an analogy of his experience with Virgil?  Did you think at any stage that either the dolphin or Virgil were figments of Fred’s imagination?

8.      Jan expresses to Fred that “Possessions can possess you” – What do you think of Fred’s obsession with objects?  We tend to spend our lives collecting things, and becoming curators of the collections of others- why? At some point in life many people stop collecting and start “decluttering”?  When and why?

9.      Caroline also questions Fred’s values in this regard, saying to her father, “keeping isn’t value”.  What is she trying to say?

10.   At one point Fred comes to understand that he doesn’t like being alone.  Do other characters reflect a sense of loneliness?

11.   Why do you think Caroline’s sense of identity so conflicted? Does the strength of her relationship with her mother falter when she finds out about Martha’s affair?  How are the themes of adoption and abandonment important to the story?

12.   The author writes of Caroline that, “she learned from her mother that in the absence of a real career, a woman had to make things up for herself.”  Do you agree?

13.   Why does Caroline think she is “close to extinction” at the age of 37?  Do you hope she has a child as she desires?

14.   In Caroline’s conversation with Richard, they discuss the nature of destiny.  She says that Fred always thought it was his destiny to be an engineer, but he had hoped to be an architect originally.  Did Fred’s unfulfilled desire fuel Callum’s decision to become an architect?  Are we all influenced by our parent’s unfulfilled dreams?  What implications might that have for our kids?

15.   Does meeting Callum’s carer change Fred’s views on family, or anything else?

16.   Do you feel hopeful for Fred, Jan, Morrison and Callum in their new home? 

17.   Do you feel there is adequate resolution in the story? Is the ending satisfying? 

18.   Do you think your approach to life and/or behaviour with family and friends would be likely to change as a result of reading this story?

November Book Club

Hi all, book club this month is at my place. Note the date is second Tuesday of the month (14/11/17), due to Cup Day tomorrow. Watch this space for questions coming soon. Please let me know if you will be coming. Thanks! Meaghan

A somewhat boiseterous October meeting

Book: Leave Me
Author: Gayle Foreman

Overview of the gathering

The tone of the meeting was set when most members opted for wine and Trilby's champagne! Overall a well received book that struck a familiar note with all of us. The group was difficult to manage, rarely answered my well thought out questions and veered between boisterous laughter, humorous story telling and reflection on personal life changing moments. The ending was deemed a resounding failure and let the book down but for many was enjoyable none the less. Thanks for a very enjoyable evening ladies :)

Why did I pick this book?

Working two jobs with a tight deadline so I missed last meeting, hastily scrolling for 'book club books' inside my car while my children stood on the doorstep screaming 'mum why don't you come inside' pretty much sealed the deal when I read the blurb.

Rating and pithy comment

Ann-Maree 8/10 'I loved it'
Kaye 8/0 'Couldn't put it down - tempting to escape like that'
Meaghan 8.5/10  'Disturbingly familiar martyrdom'
Trilby 7/10 'Realistic harried housewife, unrealistic love story'
Tahnee 6.5/10 'Let down by the poor ending'
Kathy 8/10 'Made my tantys look relativelyy minor'

Hi Kathy, thanks I will be there.  Cheers, Meaghan

Hi all,

Book club is at my place tomorrow night. Questions below. If you could let me know if you are coming that would be great. FYI if you haven't read the book (or is it just me who leaves it late) it is short and a super quick read - you can still fit in a sneaky effort between now and then ;)

Thanks,
Kathy

Title - Leave Me
Author - Gayle Foreman

1. How realistic is Marbeth's life in the beginning (prior to having the heart attack) ? Would this story resonate with men?
2. Do Maribeth's actions resonate with you? Have you ever harboured similar secret desires to escape?
3. How did you feel about Marbeth's decision to leave her twins? Her husband? Her mother? Her job?
4. Marbeth can't remember the letter she wrote when she left - how does this speak to her state of mind at the time of writing? What role does the letter have in how the story unfolds.
5. What role does money and financial stability play in this story.
6. What role did the supporting characters play in bringing Marbeth back to wholeness? Sunita, Todd, Stephen and Janice.
7. What responsibility does Jas have for Marbeth's actions? In the end was this a relationship of love or secrets? Can it be rebuilt?
8. Are you satisfied with the ending? Would you have preferred a different ending and if so what would it be?

November Book

Hi all, this is a test as I am using the blog for the first time, so I hope this works.... The book I have selected for November is "Extinctions" by Josephine Wilson. Happy reading.

September Meeting Report - Homegoing - Yaa Gyasi

Well despite Mel being the only RSVP (the new system is working well) we had 6 attendees brave the inclement conditions, and my orange flan.
The book was generally well received which was a relief given the resounding success of my last selection. It generated interesting discussion and I'm thankful for everyone's contributions, book club discussions are some of my favourite conversations.

Why did I purchase this book:

Accidental sleepy kindle purchase!

Rating and pithy comment:

Ann-Marie: Loved It.                                               8/10

Meaghan: Enlightening tear jerker.                         8/10

Kaye: Epic generational saga.                                  6/10

Trilby: A tale of passed on generational woe.         8/10

Mel: White man, black land.                                 6.5/10                  

Tahnee: A beautifully told version of history.         8/10

_________________________________________________________________________________

Absent friends

Georgia: So far so good...has me at hello.               Unrated
__________________________________________________________________________________

Coming Up

Septembers' Read/Octobers' Meeting:   Leave Me - Gayle Foreman @ Kathy's

Octobers' Read/Novembers' Meeting:    Book TBA @ Meaghan's

Novembers' Read/Decembers 'Meeting: Book TBA @ Colleen's

Homegoing - Yaa Gyasi

Homegoing - Yaa Gyasi @ Tahnee's house

1.       How important is it to “know where you come from”.

2.       Did you have a favourite character that resonated with you or chapter?

3.       Yaw teaches his students that history is one interpretation of the story and you must consider whose story is missing. What stories were you told as ‘history’ that you later found to have a different interpretation for another group of people?

4.       What did you think of the method of storytelling i.e. one individuals story per chapter?

5.       Was there a chapter or character that you would’ve liked to have been further developed?

6.       Complicity was a significant factor of the continuing “success” of the slave trade. Who was complicit in this novel and what could have been done, if anything, to put a stop to the slave trade. What other historical events have continued on the back of complicity.

7.       Was there a character or chapter that you could not connect with or that didn’t seem to fit?

8.       The novel covers both gender based and racial based oppression, through the ages. Are there other forms of oppression that also feature?

A Family tree

Effia's Family

Cobbee Otcher: Effia’s Father

Baaba: Cobbee’s first wife, not Effia’s biological mother, but reluctantly raises Effia until she can send her away in marriage

Effia Otcher: Fante, married to James to strengthen relationship between village and white men

Fiifi: Effia’s half-brother

James Collins: Governor of Cape Coast Castle, marries Effia

Quey Collins: Fante and British son of Effia and James

Cudjo Sackee: Quey’s friend from a prominent Fante village

Nana Yaa Yeboah: eldest daughter of powerful Asante king, forced into marriage with Quey

James Richard Collins: Fante, Asante and British: Quey and Nana’s son

Amma: James’ first wife whom he doesn’t chose and doesn’t love

Akosua Mensah: Asante, James’ second wife

Abena Collins: only child of James (Unlucky) and Akosua; drowned by missionary when her daughter is a baby

Ohene Nyarko: Abena’s lover

Akua Collins: only child of Abena, raised by missionaries in Kumasi, nightmares of firewoman; becomes the Crazy Woman; lives in Edweso

Asamoah Agyekym: Akua’s Asante husband, becomes the Crippled Man

Abee and Ama: Akua’s children whom she burns to death in their sleep

Nana Serwah: Asamoah’s mother who exiles Akua

Yaw Agyekum: Akua’s son who Asamoah saves from being burned, becomes history teacher

Esther Amoah: comes to clean for Yaw and becomes his wife

Marjorie Agyekum: Daughter of Yaw and Esther

Esi's Family

Maame: Esi’s and Effia’s mother.
Big Man Asare: Esi’s father, skilled and brave Asante warrior who foolishly rushed into conflict, but realized his folly after he was rescued and earned nickname, “It takes a big man to admit his folly.”

Esi Assare: to befriend Adbronoma, Esi sends word to Abronoma’s father that his daughter is a captive. Esi is sold as a slave and raped at the Castle and sold into slavery in U.S.

Abronoma: houseslave for Maame, captive from another tribe.

Ness Stockham: Esi’s daughter, field slave to Thomas Allan Stockham in Alabama

Pinky: Mute slave girl on Stockham’s plantation

Sam: Ness’ husband chosen by the slave owners. Hung by slaveowner

Kojo Freeman: Ness and Sam’s son, taken to Baltimore by Ma Aku

Ma Aku: Asante woman who takes Kojo north in U.S.

Anna Foster: Kojo’s wife, kidnapped when pregnant and commits suicide after H is born

H Black: Kojo and Anna’s son, arrested after the Civil War and sold to work in coal mine in Alabama

Joecy: friend H met as a convict in coal mines and seeks out in Pratt City when released

Ethe Jackson: woman H met before his time as a convict and who he seeks out when released

Wille Black: daughter of H and Ethe, gifted singer, moves from Pratt City to Harlem

Robert Clifton: Willie’s husband from Pratt City who is a very light-skinned black man
Eli: poet of sorts who is transient in Willie's life

Carson “Sonny” Clifton: Willie and Robert’s child

Josephine: Willie and Eli’s child
Amani Zulema: singer and drug addict

Marcus Clifton: Son of sonny and Amani

Approximate Time Periods

Effia and Esi: 1760’s to 1780’s

Quey and Ness: 1800 to 1820’s

James and Kojo: 1820’s to 1860

Abena and H: 1860s to 1890s

Akua and Willie: 1890s to 1920s

Yaw and Sonny : 1940s to 1980s

Marjorie and Marcus: 2000’s