Wednesday, September 29, 2021

September 2021 Bookclub News

 

 

  



 

Dear Bookclub, 

Contemplating the preparation for our exploration into Shobha Rao's "Girls Burn Brighter",  I wasted no time deciding that I would not be preparing Indian fare. 


Table awaiting enthusiastic friends and Indian fare from Curry & More.

 

The banana dessert, however, (always room for dessert), conceptualized with ease*.

 

Avoidance of the discomforting topic aside, our group graciously assembled, enjoyed the Indian fare and tackled an in-depth discussion of Rao's novel. It was wonderful to be together! Quickly embracing the gravity and reality of the horrific situations presented, we focused on the themes Rao recounted. The friendship between Poornima and Savitha was paramount yet the settings and situations seared in our readers' minds. Hardship and humiliation unshakable.

Going around the table with prepared questions forced facing the culturally-fueled dilemmas and appreciation of the women's relationship. We agreed many incidents bordered on the unbelievable but we believed. The author's short-story style was noted by Karen, as chapters often felt chopped. Julie shared a map of her travels to India, giving us a perspective of the location of Indravalli. 

 

(not Julie's map)

 


https://www.deccanherald.com/content/190059/apathy-mars-vatiganahalli-indravalli-colonies.html

 

The larger concern, atrocious treatment of women, could not be owned by this story; it has no setting, no place in time. A reminder of the endless variations on friendship, being a woman and the journey for justice, "Girls Burn Brighter" unlocked the power of our empathy. 

Frustrated by the ambiguous ending, we could only conclude that the author did not 'nail-it'. Some wanted a blatant 'good ending' while Martha shared her belief that the foreshadowing was too bold and therefore diminished the ending. The liberty of a short story did not work for us in this novel, yet Rao's ability to skillfully bring to light this devastating drama is unforgettable.


My suggestions for an upcoming read:

 "Emily's House" Amy Belding Brown* chosen

"Hour of the Witch" Chris Bohjalian

"Persuasion" Jane Austen


Up next:


Happy reading,

LK

 

*https://www.purewow.com/recipes/hummingbird-cupcakes-pineapple-flowers

Tuesday, September 7, 2021

August 2021 Bookclub News

 

 

 

London, the evening's mascot

Dear Bookclub,

Matt Haig's "The Midnight Library" lurked, an object on an imaginary shelf in Sue's living room, while we yapped around her table of libations in the family room. Eventually herded into the living room with the late-arriving golf girls, we settled into comfort to debate. After Sue presented the San Diego Union Tribune's Festival of Books, happening in a few days,  attention turned to the upcoming bookclub selection. Our usual 'tie' between suggestions sparked discussion about who had already read what, the length of the books, declarations of reading books anyway. With a fresh poll, hands raised and throwing in an absentee vote to ensure an odd number to tip towards a winner, "Beneath a Scarlett Sky" was chosen. The evening's delightful guest, Kate's sister, Nellie, wondered if that was it  for our evening's discussion. Oh no! We were warming up for our circle of deep thought

Going around the room, sharing our opinions and impressions about the book, a variety of responses - from being lost to getting bogged down by the regrets to appreciating the relationship Nora had with her brother, the fantasy of the perfect life, and what really happened in the end, .... opened up a larger consideration of the author's motivation. 

Personally, after having read the book twice for different bookclubs, the cliches began to annoy me and I decided to figure out who this author thinks he is, writing an obviou$ bookclub $election for the ma$$e$. I softened. In an interview with The Guardian, Haig is open about his stuggle with depression and anxiety:

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/nov/17/matt-haig-i-wanted-to-end-it-all-surviving-and-thriving-is-the-lesson-i-pass-on 

And another about his newer book, "Reasons to Stay Alive" (nonfiction):

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/jul/01/matt-haig-i-have-never-written-a-book-that-will-be-more-spoofed-or-hated

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25733573-reasons-to-stay-alive 


Sue's suggestions for an upcoming read: 

"Beneath a Scarlett Sky" Mark Sullivan *chosen

"Hour of the Witch" Chris Bohjalian

"Falling" T. J. Newman 


Up next:


Mindful reading,

LK