March 2022 Newsletter

 

 

Dear Bookclub,

Amy Tan's memoir, "Where the Past Begins",  gave Lori a-Lori-opportunity, if ever there was one, for a beautifully hosted evening. Adorably appropriate cocktail napkins(see above) and a mouth watering menu including 'fabulous Charm Thai Kitchen spring rolls and delicious soba noodle salad*', as reported by Diane, with 'dumplings and green tea ice cream', as noted by Sue, set the stage.

Happy Bookclubbers

Not being present, I can only recount what I have faintly learned about the evening: discussion was good, thanks to questions created by Lori which added depth and highlighted the many aspects of Tan's life. Phew! I feared a book burning when Lori first sent me some pictures:

Reading and listening to Tan's book, transported me, entertained me and inspired me to reread "The Joy Luck Club", as Karen's recent rereading further sparked the notion. Her mention of the book's Mahjongg scenes really set the wheels in motion.

 

drawn by Angie Wang, circa 1989 from NY Times Book Review of "The Joy Luck Club"

Most enjoyable, I marveled at the writing, and of course the richly crafted stories. Coming upon this quote from a positive review by Carolyn See of the Los Angeles Times : "The only negative thing I could ever say about this book is that I'll never again be able to read it for the first time." I have to disagree. Guessing it has been about three decades since I'd first read it, the 2022 reading hit me like the first time. Struck by the pulling back of the curtain on the Chinese-American experience, I devoured it. "Where the Past Begins" did tint the novel for me as the insight into Tan's relationship with her mother illuminated the possible motivations and intentions I can only surmise may have led Tan's writing.

 

 Lori's suggestions for an upcoming read:

"The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue"  V. E. Schwab

"The Forest of Vanishing Stars" Kristin Harmel"

"West with Giraffes" Lynda Rutledge *chosen

 

Up next:

 

Happy reading,

LK

PS *Vegetarian Soba Noodle Salad recipe from Lori:

https://giadzy.com/recipes/vegetarian-soba-noodle-salad/