February 2024 Bookclub News

 

 

Stone Woman Abraham Verghese

 Dear Bookclub,

Lori's dining room table was maxed out with our very well-attended February meeting to discuss Abraham Verghese's "The Covenant of Water". Treated to Indian food, we gathered and caught up. 

 

 

Moving into the family room, our discussion formalized with discussion points and an opportunity for each member to share their thoughts and feelings about the book. Adored for the vivid story, the rich saga reflected the deep effort by Verghese's ten-year-dive into the work, which we also greatly appreciated. We barely knew which way to turn; the novel spoked out into so many directions, each creatively layered with unique and well-developed characters. Somehow, this genius author threaded the spokes into the fabric that was the book without feeling forced or artificial. It did not happen easily for him as you can see in this white board depiction. Please see more and delve into his process with a visit to the Oprahdaily website:

https://www.oprahdaily.com/entertainment/books/a43869039/abraham-verghese-the-covenant-of-water-visualizing/

Abraham Verghese watercolor 2017

 

 

Abraham's art is not only with the pen - er - keyboard... he is also a visual artist and a sculptor (see above). Aiding him in his creative process, he described his 'reusing a statue as a literary device'... the full explanation as quoted here from Verghese on Oprah's website:

"I wish I knew how the Stone Woman came into existence. In Cutting for Stone, Bernini’s Ecstasy of Saint Teresa was pivotal. I only got to see that remarkable work (in Rome at the Cornaro Chapel, Santa Maria della Vittoria) after completing Cutting for Stone. I can’t fault readers for assuming that I consciously reused a statue as a literary device in The Covenant of Water. The fact is, it was only while talking to Oprah on her podcast that I realized I’d done so! Once I decided that Elsie was an artist, I knew she would sculpt. When it turned out it would be important, and carry through the whole story, I molded this clay model with my hands. It still sits on my writing desk."

For more on Bernini's Ecstacy of Saint Teresa:

https://contemplativelight.org/ecstasy-in-stone/

Finally,

Lori, kindly sent us links to Oprah's 6-part conversation with Abraham Verghese which is excellent. It has taken me weeks to eek out this little blog, and listening to this accomplished human describe what else he does, besides writing, makes me feel teeny-tiny.  Here again are the links. Please enjoy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JESD6vnvcs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MPtIHmfyAI 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_oMs9dwYlI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyVAeIjZF-s 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSyHfdJ2nRY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kGokrhhiCI 

Lori's suggestions for an upcoming read:

"Heaven and Earth Grocery Store" James McBride

"The Women" Kristin Hannah *chosen

"Endurance" Alfred Lansing

Up next:

Happy reading,

LK