Ladder of Years Anne Tyler: Questions

Why did Delia walk away from her family on that Delaware beach? And why did she stay away for so long?

Why doesn't any member of Delia's family ask her to come home? Do you think it would have made a difference?

Discuss how the world Dr. Felson once inhabited changes after his death.

Do you think the father's death has freed the Felson sisters in some way?

Do you think Linda's relationship with Sam mirrors her relationship with her father?

Delia and Ellie are both judged harshly for their decision to leave their families. Do you think society judges mothers more harshly than fathers if they leave?

At the beginning of the novel, Delia sees herself as "a tiny gnat, whirring around her family's edges"? How does her perspective change over the course of the novel?

Eliza insists that Delia has memories of their mother and Delia is incensed that Sam does not remember their very first meeting. Discuss the conflict that arises in this novel over the individualistic and idiosyncratic nature of family history and memory.

At the end of the novel, Delia concludes that "the people she had left behind had actually traveled further, in some ways." What does she mean?

Do you think Nat and Binky will persevere despite all the obstacles in their path?

Delia has to learn how to dine out alone. What other kinds of public activities are awkward to do solo? Does it differ for men and for women?

Belle says, "[M]ost folks marry just because they decide they've reached that stage . . . Then they pick someone out." Do you agree?

Do you think Eliza has been pining for Sam for all those years?Delia finds support in unexpected places and from unexpected people. Did Eleanor's support surprise you?

Eleanor tells Delia that after her husband's death reading the dictionary comforted and distracted her. Discuss rituals and habits that offer comfort in times of need.

What do you think of the ending of this novel? Does it make emotional sense to you?

Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano

After breaking several cardinal rules of bookclub (changing the date at last minute and not actually finishing my own book despite having an extra week!!!). We overcame technological hassles for another delightful evening. I do look forward to evenings where we can see each other again in person.

Ratings & Pithy Comments

Meaghan - 8/10 A likely trauma recovery

Colleen - 7/10 Bit too staged, didnt flow smoothly

Emma-Lee - 5/10 Took me to 70% before it was interesting

Tahnee - 6.5/10 Poignant and hopeful

Trilby - 6/10 Heartrending and hopeful

Georgia - 7.5/10 An insightful and inclusive story through the unthinkable

Mel 7/10 - Heartbreaking and heartwarming

June: Meaghan (book to be advised)

My Brilliant Career by Myles Franklin

AnnMarie                 8
Oh shit!  I loved it but wanted more romance.

Irene                         0
Only came to see AnnMarie.

Kaye                         8
Enjoyed the prose.

Mel                           51/2 raised to a 6
Delightful description  of early Australian literature.

Emma                       6
Came for the cake.

Georgia                     6
Still feisty but not as fun 3rd time round.

Trilby                        6
hang on, hang on, ummmmmmmm hang on, hang on, I can see a validated classic.

Tahnee                      6
Early Australia apply described.

Colleen                     7
Very distinctive of Australian bush living conditions of the time.

Next meeting (February)  at Kaye's place.  Not sure if she is Beenak Road or Monbulk Road.  On the corner anyway.

Book:  Pachinko by in Jin Lee

March: Georgia
April: Emma-Lee
May: Mel

Thank you everyone for a lovely night and good-bye to AnnMarie who is abandoning us.

 

Hello Everyone


Book club at Colleen's 1840 Warburton Highway Woori Yallock.
The large lit up sign 'Yarra Valley Craft Retreat' will show you the driveway.

My Brilliant Career by Myles Franklin

#1          Is it obvious to you that it has been written by a girl and not a man.

#2          Do you think this book identifies strongly as 'Australian' as apposed to English literature.

#3          Would you class this story as more a story of romance or a story of the Australian bush as it
               was in the early 1900's.

#4          Do you think Sybilla made the right choice given the limited opportunities for girls in her
              time and place.

#5          Do you think Myles Franklin was a trail blazer of her time, considering there were few other
              female writers of published works in the 19th and early 20th centry.

              Myles Franklin never married and died at age 75 but her name lives on in literary circles                      with the Myles Franklin and Stella literary prizes.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

Educated

Thanks for coming ladies

Anne-marie- 8/10 Riveting

Kaye- 7

Tahnee- 6/10, On the foibles of memory and family

Trilby- 8/10, Educated to safety

Mel- 6.5/10, The enduring power of education.

Georgia- 7/10, Early experience shaping identity but a work in progress.

Emma-lee- 7/10, The world is a bigger place once books become available.

Can't make it AGAIN

Hey Irene, sorry I will not be at book club tonight.  I hope you all have a good time.  Miss it!  Be back soon. Meaghan

Book Club Tonight

Good Afternoon ladies,
Book Club for Sound and the Fury on tonight hosted by me at Colleens. Thank you Colleen especially as we are swimming in mud!!
I have too many questions so shall try Nd cull before 7.30.
Also FYI my babysitter has pulled out so I shall have rugrats with me but shall be utilising the convenience of an electronic babysitter so hopefully not too many interruptions.
See you tonight.
Irene

Nine Perfect Strangers - Liane Moriarty

Anne-Marie - 6/10 A lot of unfilled potential

Emma - 8/10 What the hell!

Tahnee - 4/10 All ok until the LSD came out

Trilby 5/10 - Yet to finish

Kaye 7/10 - Always suspect of health resorts

Next months book (Irene's) is 'The Sound and the fury' at Colleen's house.

Happy reading

Mel x

Americanah Comments

Hi all

 

Irene - 8/10 - Involved intricate yet elegant yet interspersed with indulgence

AnneMarie - 7/10 - No comment, unfinished

Kaye -  6/10 - Unfinished - not sure where this is leading

Colleen - Read the wrong book but turned up anyway and stole brownies

Tahnee - 8/10 - Worth the read, manage in parts to be both ugly and illuminating

Mel -  6/10 - Gave me a new perspective on race

Emma - 6/10 - I'm engaged but would have to loved to read the end

Trilby - 7/10 - Unsatisfying end but an interesting review of race

Americanah book club questions

Adichie said she thinks there is “a tendency in American fiction to celebrate work that fundamentally keeps people comfortable.” How does Adichie reject or embrace keeping the reader comfortable in Americanah?

Adichie commented on likable characters in fiction, saying, "women writers are expected to make their female characters likeable, as though the full humanity of a female person must in the end meet the careful limitations of likability.” Did you find the characters in Americanah likeable? Why or why not? Are there some characters you liked more than others? If we demand likeable characters, what does this need say about us as readers?

Ifemelu’s experience with the tennis coach is a low point in her life. Why does she avoid being in touch with Obinze afterward (157–58)? Why doesn’t she read his letters? How do you interpret her behavior?

How much does your own race affect the experience of reading this or any novel? Does race affect a reader’s ability to identify or empathize with the struggles of Ifemelu and Obinze?

Why is it important to have the perspective of an African writer on race in America? 

What did the arc of Aunty Uju's character (a strong woman who chooses to rely on, and believe, the promises and financial backing of wealthy men) make you feel? Chimamanda sprinkles versions of this character throughout the story: Aisha at the braiding salon, Rayinudo, etc. What statement do you think Chimamanda is making about these women in comparison to Ifemelu, and do you agree with her? Were they one-dimensional portrayals, or did Chimamanda subtly infuse them with a kind of strength that only came to fullness within female companionships?

 How did you feel about Ifemelu's cutting off of communication with Obinze? Did you feel sympathy for Obinze, empathy for Ifemelu's withdrawal from life, etc?

What did you think of the conclusion - were you sympathetic to Ifemelu and Obinze's love story?



See you at 7.30pm.

Trilby

No change to book club - see you Tuesday 2nd April

I was ever hopeful that I would be able to seamlessly change but you lot actually have lives ;) so I will leave it for Tuesday. Sorry for the kerfuffle.  See you on the 2nd, 7:30pm, 3/25 Seymour Street Seville.  I will try to get the questions out to you on the weekend.

Trilby

Proposed reschedule for April

Hello all

I have foolishly double booked myself for next Tuesday (2nd) and was wondering if we could reschedule to the Wednesday (3rd) (or any other day that week!)

Please let me know in the comments or text me on 0403 361 483.

Trilby 

Book for April - Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

Hello all,
The book for April's book club (at Trilby's house) is Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

See you then!

Trilby

Book club tonight

Hi Kaye, I will be attending tonight, cheers Meaghan

book club 5th March

Hi Everyone,
book club is at my house tomorrow night (5th) for those of you who haven't been to my place the address is
61 Monbulk-Seville Rd Seville,  first driveway on left after roundabout, lemons for sale sign on driveway.


Hope to see you all


Questions


1. Why did Sarah decide to be enclosed as an anchoress? Her reasons may be multiple.


2. What choices were available to Sarah?


3. In the book of Genesis, Eve takes and eats the forbidden fruit, traditionally represented as an apple. There are two apples in THE ANCHORESS. What is their significance?


4. Why do you think the story of St Margaret was so important to Sarah?


5.Do you think Sarah should have told Anna that she knew Thomas raped her?


6. The word “holy” is from the Old English hālig, meaning “that which must be preserved whole or intact,” and is connected with the Old English word hāl, meaning health and wholeness. In current usage it is a word layered with expectations: love of God, niceness, meekness, obedience, piety, and so on. Sarah hopes and prays that she will become holy. Does she? If she does, in what ways?


7. Isabella says very little, but Sarah says she has helped her decide to stay. What do you think Sarah means?


8. In what ways does Ranaulf change?


9. The novel is set more than seven hundred years ago; does it have any relevance to women today? How?

Hi all,
Tonight’s Bookclub questions for “After Darkness” by Christine Piper.

1. How did the books title reflect the story told by Piper? What was the ‘Darkness’?
2. How did you find the 3 narratives? Why do you think the author chose to tell the story as she did?
3. What feelings did the book evoke?
4. Which character did you find  most attractive? Why?
5. If you could choose one key message what would it be?

See you tonight.  Lot 1, Karloo Lane, Seville.

Anne-Maree

The Survivors by Kate Furnival

Tahnee 6 enjoyable but a bit fanciful towards the end
Trilby 5 a page turner but suffered in comparison to the simplicity and truth of the previous novel
AnnMarie 7 ahh mmmmm oooh uh ummm not very articulate but acceptable
Colleen 5 started out well but finished like a fairy story

A tiny group but enjoyable night, AnnMarie saved it from being a family function.  Those who didn't attend missed out on a Christmas present.

February book After Darkness by Christine Piper at AnnMaries

Merry Christmas

THE SURVIVORS

Book Club is at Colleen's 1844 Warburton Highway Woori Yallock. 7.30pm

Questions are not done yet.  You will receive them tonight.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz - Heather Morris

Thank-you to everyone who came to Book Club last night. We all have busy lives; however, I always appreciate the conversations we have and seeing you all when Book Club comes around. Cake and wine probably helps...

The Tattooist of Auschwitz - Heather Morris

A rare thing saw us all quite liking this book, which doesn't happen very often here at TFTBC.  Wine glasses were smashed (yes plural) and a motion was passed that all pithy comments must be original material. Someone rated my Peach and Pineapple champagne cocktail 'tasteless' and a pregnancy was announced - those that didn't attend will have to wait until next month  to find out who did what : ).

Kaye                         7/10 A story of love and survival.

Ann - Marie              8/10 What Kaye said.

Emma-Lee                8/10 Love was the power.

Georgia                     7/10 The things we do for love ba ba ba ba bah

Mel                           7/10 A remarkable tale of human survival.

Colleen                     8/10 Another war story that needs to be told.

Irene                          7/10 Too novelised, truth was distracted by fiction.

Trilby                        7/10 Left his mark on may people, in more ways than one.

Tahnee                       7/10 Lest we forget

Viv                            7/10 Story of beauty found amid an ugly world.

Apologies:                 Tamara, Meaghan


Our next meeting is our Christmas Breakup, there is no meeting in January.

Decembers meeting will be at the Yarra Valley Craft Retreat https://yarravalleycraftretreat.com.au/ in Woori Yallock.

The book we will be discussing is 'The Survivors' by Kate Furnivall.



Happy Reading 'till December - Tahnee x

The Tattooist of Auschwitz Book by Heather Morris

Hello All, Book Club, is at my house tomorrow. I am yet to post questions, but am looking forward to seeing you all. Tahnee x