Well, that was about the most fun book club meeting we have ever had. It was a delight and joy to see everyone laughing and talking and catching up. We had a full house with thirteen showing up!
First, our book exchange - a riot! We decided on a Yankee Swap (or White Elephant) format, where everyone's wrapped book went under the tree and we pulled numbers to select one. The person selecting could pick any of the books already opened if they didn't like their own choice. Most were pretty happy with their choices, but it was clear that the Barbara Kingsolver book "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" was the big winner of the evening. It changed hands three times at least! Enough to make it our February selection, along with Michael Pollan's "Omnivore's Dilemma".
We were supposed to write a quick note (without our names) on why we had selected that particular book to gift and for those who remembered the directions (not me by the way) it made a big difference and gave some context to the book. This was fun and funny, let's do it again next year!
Sadly, by the time we sat down to dinner and "House of Mirth", it was a bit difficult to focus on an in-depth discussion. It sounded like everyone really liked it, several commented that they had never before read this book and one person said she had never read Edith Wharton!! OMG! Luckily, they got through it all, mostly enjoying it.
One excellent comment was that the writing lost its luster toward the end as Lily Bart sank further. Lynn thought perhaps that was because the author was no longer writing about the world she knew and so became less able to convince us.
Many of us agreed that the world Wharton created was very believable indeed, at least up to that point. The descriptions and characterizations were just wonderful, and while the people seemed so narrow and shallow, they did seem very authentic. Lilly Bart herself was a wonderfully drawn character, stuck in her world but unable to bring herself to do what it took to stay a part of it. I found that relatively admirable, others were impatient with her unwillingness to act on what she knew was necessary.
Net, net a fabulous evening. Our next meeting is set for Jan. 14, tentatively at Maggie's. The book is "Round House" by Louise Erdrich (another of my favorites). The books for February are "Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan and "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" by Barbara Kingsolver. These are both food books, so should be fun to have two views.
Thanks to all who came, I am so happy to be part of such a wonderful group. See you in the New Year!
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