Dear Bookclub,
October at Karen's just feels right with pumpkin charm abounding. Everything fall, from chips to chocolates, put us in a chatty mood, catching up and eventually settling around the table to discuss Sue Meissner's latest book, "Only the Beautiful". The telling of the practice of sterilizing 'unfit' humans, a form of eugenics, with her historic novel was widely appreciated by our group. Meissner's topic choices have always interested us greatly her, and her crafting has steadily advanced with each novel. This page-turner both educated and distressed us.
 |
| a 1930's exhibit by the Eugenic Society |
As of 19 July 2021 it was reported that:
"under new provisions signed into California's budget this week, the state will offer reparations for the thousands of people who were sterilized in California institutions, without adequate consent, often because they were deemed "criminal", "feeble-minded" or "deviant".https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compulsory_sterilization
Meissner's character Rosie cleverly intertwined both synesthesia and sanitariums into the storyline. Please read more about both in the links below:
 | |
| MIT Press Reader "A Brief 200-year History.." |
https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/a-brief-200-year-history-of-synesthesia/
The piece is a great reminder that not everyone sees the world as you do.
 |
| "The Castle" at Napa State Hospital |
Karen's suggestions for an upcoming read:
"The Thursday Murder Club" Richard Osman *chosen
"The Briar Club" Kate Quinn
"All the Colors of the Dark" Chris Whitaker
Up next:
Happy reading,
LK
