The Handmaid's Tale Discussion Questions

Hello all,

Looking forward to seeing you all tonight (those of you who are about)....

Questions for the Handmaiden's Tale

1)  Conversation in this book has no speech/quotation marks, but speeches do.  In what way does this effect  the tone of conversations in the book?

2) Do you think Luke's response to the take over and money transfer was complacent?  Why?

3) How possible is it that this dystopian future could actually occur? Do you see any parallels in current times?

4) Is objectivity really necessary when studying the Gileadeans? Is it okay to take an academic view point and not take a moral judgement on other cultures? 

5) Do you think the mating ritual is rape? Why/Why not?

6) What do you think we have freedom to and freedom from currently?  Is the distinction important?

7) Who has the 'best deal' - Wives, Aunts, Marthas, Handmaids, Econowives?

See you all tonight

August Reading

Hi All
The book for August is  "And the Mountains Echoed" by Khaled Hosseini,

A Clockwork Orange - Review

A Clockwork Orange - Reactions were mixed but the novel rated highly overall, 6/10.
I selected A Clockwork Orange as it's one of the novels on my 'must get around to it' list.

 and 'The Ratings' are...

Colleen   4/10
Didn't like it, life is to short to waste time reading the violence and foul language found in this novel.

Cynthia   8/10
Loved it, loved the writing. Struggled with the violence. Liked the plot development.

Kerry       7/10
Initially disliked, struggled with power imbalance. Opinion developed with novel as I could make parallels with today. Glad I read it, although not necessarily enjoyed.

Irene        6/10
A tale woven around a social conundrum that is still unanswered.

Tahnee     8/10
An unapologetic, unbridled, riotous read. Loved the language.

Hannah    6.5/10
Thought provoking.

Ann-Marie 6/10

Kaye (unfinished) Initial thoughts are that it's crap.

Debbie    4/10
Glad it's ticked of my reading list.


We should all be well into 'The Handmaids Tale' Margaret Atwood by now. See you next month!

P.S Ann-Marie, were you selecting the next book?

 

Hello my darling droogs,
Hope you found this months reading real horrowshow like.
I expect to see you all this coming Tuesday 4th June 2013.
Please text me on 0408 053 153 to RSVP and let me know if it's milk or milk plus you desire. Tahnee

1.       Should ultra violent literature be allowed?                                                                         

2.       Should there be restrictions surrounding the sale/availability of ultra violent literature? In today's age how would you control for this when anything is freely accessible on the internet?

3.       Where is the balance between free will and censorship/control  for protection of citizens?

4.       Is there a connection between music/literature and violence. Should the musician/author accept some responsibility for the reinforcement, encouragement of certain feelings/attitudes.

5.       Discuss the use of language Nadsat slang?

6.       Anthony Burgess has a large body of work significantly less well know and less violent than his most infamous novella (he laments that he is most well known for what is not his best work).  'A Clockwork Orange' was written after Anthony was told his death was imminent due to an inoperable brain tumour and thought by himself to be his last novel (He lived for a further 33 years).

7.       I'm of the opinion that the film depiction was more inflammatory and had more negative influence on the individual than the book. Do you agree/disagree? (I haven't seen the film, is visual media more dangerous than the written word?)

8.       Are children just clockwork oranges?

9.       Is there a difference between being good because you choose to, or because you're made to?

10.   Would you recommend the novel to someone else?

 

May 13 book club; The last King of Scotland

The general consensus on reading The last king of Scotland was that it was rather drab or blarrr... We felt there was no likable characters to connect to as many found the main character of Dr. Garrigan to be quiet insipid and spineless. Most of  us have seen the movie and agreed that the movie was far more entertaining than the book which probably influenced how disappointed we were in reading the book. The book prompted discussion around politics, medicine and the disappointment we have experienced in reading some so called award wining books as i chose this book based on it winning an award for the authors first novel. This led to discussion around some award winning films also failing to impress.

SCORES

• Hannah - 6/10 Found it difficult to relate to the main character thus story was lost on me.
• Anne - Marie - 2/10 Not finished totally blarr with and emphasis on the blarrrrrr.
• Kaye - 5/10 Found main character uninteresting and blarrrr
• Irene - 2/10 What a wimp
• Deb - 3/10 I did not read the last 20 pages in protest award winning definately not

Apoligies;
    Trilby- i dont know something about twins keeping her busy, We all can't wait to meet them
     Kerry- forgot book club was on
     Tahnee - overseas
     Colleen - MIA

Other Business;
    This months book, "A clockwork orange" by Anthony Burgess, June meeting at Tahnee's place

    July Book club book Handmaids tale by Margaret Atwood @  Trilby's place PLEASE Remember to bring a plate.

   Anne Marie has put her hand up for Augusts book club so we will need someone for September.

We also threw up the idea again of perhaps choosing themed books such as books that were made into movies or Biography's ect Hannah suggested perhaps putting some themes into a hat and us drawing a theme. To discuss further at next book club as the last two months we have been running with a dwindled group.
See you all next month

Questions for The Last King of Scotland by Giles Foden

Hi,
 Here are the questions for the current book "the last king of scotland" to ponder or not before Tuesdays gathering.
   1. Why do you think the author named the book "the last King of Scotland"?

   2. What is your reaction to the British Embassy's request for Dr.Garrigan to reason with Amin and in failing that "give him something that will make him reasonable. Calm him down" Then later asking Dr. Garrigan to kill Amin.

   3. In the book there was at times reference made of Amin being akin to Hitler what are your thoughts regarding this comparsion?

4. The question is raised on more than one occasion by both Dr. Garrigan and others of why did Garrigan stay on in Uganda and with Amin even after he became aware of  Amins crimes against humanity. Why do you think he stayed ?

5. By staying in Uganda did this make Dr. Garrigan complicit to what was going on around him?

6. For those who have seen the movie how does it compare with the book?


Hope to see you at my place on Tuesday night
17 Ashley court Seville
phone 0417977175 or 59644480
       Cheers Deb

 

Reading Lolita in Tehran plus make up tips but who can be f@#*

   "Reading Lolita in Tehran, A Memoir in Books" by Azar Nafisi, proved to be a difficult marathon of read for most people. The author would often jump from discussions of literature to people and conflicts in Tehran. I confessed that I read this book before William was born and had the time and energy to concentrate!  Love it or hate it, this books sparked interesting topics of conversation.  We discussed how books can sometimes have an impact on us and sometimes change our perspective on different issues.

   The wearing of the veil played a major role in this book, as Nafisi had strong objections to wearing it, but caved in when given the opportunity to teach classes her way.  The women in her special class, once inside the safety of her home, were able to uncover themselves, revealing an array of colours and styles. We discussed how we usually dress and how we don't necessarily make as much effort, even though we have the freedom to do so.  This lead to Irene's confession regarding a tube of mascara she has kept since she was 16!  Olay cream seems to be the widespread recommended product.

Tahnee 3/10 Cloistered and plodding.  A treatise on classic literature or an account of life in Tehran during the war, spread too thin trying to be both.

Kay 4/10 hard to get into, an interesting account of Tehran in the 80's

Irene 8/10 a detail prose showcasing the influences of personal, professional culture and politics.

Debbie 2/10 really wanted to love it, could not get it

Anne-marie 6/10 provoking perspective

Hannah 8/10 enjoyed the detail accounts of both the books and life in Tehran

Next months book is" The Last King of Scotland" by Giles Foden, at Debbie's house
17 Ashby Court Seville ph 59644480, mob 0417977175
 bye
Hannah





 

Hi all I hope everyone gets this message in time. I am coming down with a cold (the boys gave it to me) and cancelling book club for tonight.  We can have it next Tuesday evening, I hope everyone can make it.

Hope you had a good weekend.
bye
Hannah

reading lolita....questions

Hi there. Hope this makes sense as have baby on lap. one contact lense has just fallen out...

What did you learn about Iran from this book?

Have you read any books in the past that have taught you something about yourself?

Have you read any of the books discussed in this memoir? If so, do you agree with Nafisi's understanding of the novel? If not would you now like to read any of them and which ones?

Discuss the different attitudes towards the wearing of the veil and how "this piece of cloth" effects people differently.

Do you have any issues with censorship in Australia?

Address
36 Railway Rd Seville

bye
Hannah

How to add your book to 'Books we've done'

How to link 'Books we've done' to the relevant blog post

Hope this little tutorial helps you out. It's a little fiddly but not too complex.

• Go into the blog post you want to link.  That means finding the blog post you want and clicking on the header so you are only able to see that specific post and not the whole blog.
• Copy the web address from the address bar on the page e.g.http://firsttuesdaybookclub.blogspot.com/2011/05/do-no-harm-carol-topolski.html
• Log into the blog and go into Dashboard.
• Click on Layout
• On the RHS, there is Add a Gadget, then boxes underneath.  The fourth box down is Books we've done.  Click on edit in that box.
• A 'configure list' window should open. 
• Enter in the name and author of the book in Add List item box
• Click on the link symbol next to the box (between the box and the Add item button)
• A script prompt box should appear.  In that box, paste the web address you copied earlier.
• Click OK
• The add item text book will look all funny now.  This is normal!
• Hit add item!
• The book and author should now appear in the list below the add item text box.  The book and author should be in blue
• Scroll to the bottom and hit 'Save'
• You've done it, you techno wiz you!

The Reluctant Fundamentalist - Mohsin Hamid

February's book The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid was an interesting novel about a young pakistani who found his identity through living in the USA just prior to and post 9-11. 
In our discussion of the novel it was felt that the title was quite misleading as although there were elements to the main character Changez that could be perceived as being fundamentalist in nature, this was not a major focus of the novel.  The smiling reaction of Changez to the 9-11 attacks, was likened by our group to the reaction that is felt when someone who has been outspoken about a topic, then falls on their sword.  Although you may have a chuckle about the situation they find themselves in you don't feel any malice towards them.  Changez attitude to america and his job after 9-11 was discussed with reference to how his cultural heritage shaped his view.  We all felt that his view was influenced by the affect that the attacks had on his homeland which he couldn't reconcile with the affluence that he lived with in america.  We also discussed how weird his relationship with Erica was and how in a way neither of them could live with the reality that they were experiencing.  The ending of the novel was left to the interpretation by the reader, there were three possible scenario's discussed each of which could have been a valid conclusion to the book.  Overall the novel was rated as an average read.

Hannah  - 6   Disappointed, wanted to read more about Changez fundamentalist nature

Irene      - 4   Found the singular narrative alienating

Tahnee  - 5    Articulate, brief, engaging

Colleen - 4    Found it boring

Debbie -  4    Disappointing, sad that society is still racist

Trilby  -  5     Interesting to see two perspectives, challenging

Kerry  -   5     Poignant tale about life changing

Kaye   -   5    Enjoyed the conversationalist style of writing, but, found Changez to be a wishy washy character

April's book - Reading Lolita in Tehran  by  Azar Nafisi (Hannah)

May's book - The Last King of Scotland by Giles Foden  (Debbie)

June's book - A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess (Tahnee)

July's book - The Hand Maid's Tale by Margaret Attwood (Trilby)

The Reluctant Fundamentalist Questions

Hi all

Here are the questions that I have chosen for the Reluctant Fundamentalist.  See you at my house tomorrow night.

1. Why did Hamid call the novel the Reluctant Fundamentalist?

2.At the beginning of the book, Changez says that his companion's "bearing" gives him away as an American.  What does Changez mean by this? What are his deeper implications?

3.How can the reader reconcile Changez's smiling reaction to the 9.11 attacks and his words of being a lover of America.

4.In what way does the novel show us that the way in which people view the world is shaped by their cultural heritage.

5. Does Changes lose or find his identity throughout the course of the novel?

6. Assess how nostalgia is a destructive force in the novel.

7. To what extent do you agree that the fate of both Erica and Changez are similar?

8. For a novel with "fundamentalist" in its title, this work has surprisingly little to say on the subject of religion.  When, if at all, does Changez speak of devout fiath divine right, or deity worship.

Blog updates

Hello all,

I have been faffing around with the blog so there are a few changes

• There is a list of who is holding book club when.  There was some discussion last month about swapping some one around so that Hannah isn't doing a double up - does anyone know what the decision was?
• I have added a box where you can enter your email if you are not receiving email updates. No one should have to do that - I have added Cindy's email and Kaye - I have added your gmail address.  It's more for new members from now on, or if you change email address.
• Cindy - I have invited you to be an author - this just means you can put on a blog post when it is your turn.

Hope the new changes are helpful.

Cheers,

Trilby

February book review. Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides Feb

Hi All,
Tonight we welcomed  new member Cindy Paton to our group and we were introduced to Deb's newest addition Lucca.

The review of Middlesex was varied. Most agreed that the first half of the book was interesting for its historical content and introduction of a little known genetic condition of hermaphrodite.
The family issues of incest and marriage between cousins was discussed and concluded that although not accepted by our culture is part of and has existed through time. We all felt the second part of the book lacked the intensity of the beginning and drag on somewhat.

Kaye...       6....    Didn't not like but didn't like it either.......

Irene...        4....   Uneasy blend between genetics and moral ambiguity......

Hannah...      ....   so far Compelling read ...

Deb ...         7 ....  Great family saga.......

Colleen ...    5 ....  Power of genetics interesting.......

Trilby...        6....   Enjoyed. Felt uncomfortable that hermaphroism was used as an example......

Cindy ...                Historical content fantastic. Trials of someone Else's sexuality amazing. Genetic side        
                              interesting........

Tahnee...      6 ....  Historically rich narrative. Enjoyed detailed character development. Manages to take  
                             a tricky topic without sensationalism.........

Maryanne ...  6 .... Liked style and  historical element. Second half didn't engage.

Kerry...........  7....  loved that the story was being narrated from the perception of a mutated Gene.
                              Made me think how hit and miss genetics really are......



March Book Club is at  Kaye's and her book is   The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid.

and April's is at Hannah's ...Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi

April's book

Hi there fellow readers!
The book I have chosen is "Reading Lolita In Tehran" by Azar Nafisi. See you next month.
Hannah

Hi All and a Happy new Year...

Middlesex......Jeffrey Eugenides

1.   do you identify more with Cals story because he"s the narrator......

2.   Did you identify with all the charaters as Cal "Inhabited" each one..

3.   The story moves backward and forwards throughout Cal"s narration ..it starts just b4 Cal's birth and       then moves backwards we only met Cal midway ...Why do you think the story is told this way and     does it influence the way you view the larger themes i.e.   like Desmodena and Leftys early life and  
       marriage.


4.    Did you find it interesting to be exposed to so much  contemporary  History
      throughout the story.... war between Greece and Turkey...the rise of the nation of Islam...WW2,
      and the Detroit Riots.....how do you think this influenced the lives of the charactors.

5.   Where you shocked by the stroy of Desdemona and Lefty's relationship...do you think it was
       morally wrong?



6.    how does Cal's experience reflect on the Nature vs Nurture debate.

7.    Why does Cal decide to live as a Man.

8.     Do you think Dr. Luce had CAl's best interests at heart.

9.      Do you think that the Obscure Object had more of an influence than anyone on Calliope's life.

         How and Why.....

10.    Do you think Cal was happy with his decision to live as a Man


See you all at   224 Schoolhouse Road. Woori Yallock.


A reminder that supper is now being supplied by Hostess.


             
 
         



     

March's book

Hi everyone, my book for March is the Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid.  See you all in february Kaye

The inaugural AGM of the First Tuesday Book Club was held on 4/12/12.  The reports are as follows.

The Secretary:  No report she absconded with the president.

The Treasurer:  No report she absconded with all the money.

The President:  No report.  See above.

So the rest of the plebes left made all the vital decisions necessary to keep the club running smoothly.

No. 1.   As of next year the host for the night is the only one to supply sustenance, that excludes

             Hannah who can't control the urge to bring something along.  Please let her in if she does.

That's it, major problem covered.  We then moved onto the book.

ABANDONED WOMEN BY LUCY FROST

Tahnee:        Didn't read the book but carried out a giant cover up to hide the fact that she didn't
                     read the book.  Please not that she didn't read the book.

Hannah:        Not finished.  (Better than Tahnee)  Looking forward to conslusion.

Kerry:           7  Fascinating look back at history of the women who pioneered the colony.

Irene:            7  Unhappy naration on the human capicity for cruelty.

Trilby:          6 Overly long, interesting but tended to merge into one long story of unhappiness.

Debbie:         No Show

Kaye:            Cherries

Colleen:        7  Showcases terrible like for women.  Women are still fighting for ewuality.

Overall everyone quite liked the book.  It showed the hardships women went through.   We had a round table dicussion  on who, if taken back in time, would have surrived the ordeal.  It was an overall death march, except for Tahnee, we would have all died in childbirth.

Thanks ladies for a great night and a great year it has been enlightening.
Next year is as follows.  Please take note.

February  Kerry. m Middlesex by Jeffery Eugenides.
March      Kaye
April        Hannah
May         Debbie
June         Tahnee
July          Trilby + 2
August     Hannah
September  Annmarie
October    New girl
Novemver  Irene
December  Colleen        

Follow up from Novembers meeting

Hello all,

Following our discussion about twins births and subtle ways of saying no - here are some links if you are interested.

Twins born over 48 hours apart 

Subtle signals of no/go away


Cheers

Trilby

ABANDONED WOMEN BY LUCY FROST

Women played a big part in the settling of Australia but have been largely overlooked in history.  Lucy Frost shows us a small window into the lives of some of our earlier ladies and the part they played in the early colony

 

Do you think these women were criminals or simply victims of circumstance?

 

Was shipboard life a respite that the women did not fully appreciate?

 

What a terrible situation for the children involved.  The English and their rules have a lot to answer for.  What do you think?

 

These women were used and abused like mongrel dogs.  Can you even comprehend how tough each and  day of their life was.   Placed back in time do you think you would be one of the survivors?