Hi all and special thanks to Kathy Baker for hosting. We had a lovely beef bourguignon and party favors! It doesn't get much better than that, especially since all the other goodies were wonderful that everone brought along.
As vor the book, we had a really interesting discussion as most of us liked it. Mostly, it fell along the lines of people who liked this type of sci/fi fantasy work and those who did not. Those who did really liked how well the characters were drawn, particularly the youngest Hemstock, Letti. She seemed to some to have been created her age and size in order to be of help to the young narrator (never-named) in a form that would not have been scary or offputting like the older Hemstocks. Each of the characters was well done and their worries and dreams plausible enought to make the story hold together.
The character Ursula was quite interesting as she worked to give everyone what they wanted and in the process gained total control of all around her. The way the author moved so seamlessly from the fanatasy to the real world was really well executed. So many times I had to go back to find where the story began to diverge - suddenly I just found myself somewhere else!
Those who did not like the book felt it was a bit contrived. Mary mentioned that she is not a fan of this type of fiction as it just makes up its own rules. In that way the writer can manipulate the story however he or she wants. Perhaps to some that is the very reason to read fantasy, to get away from the limitations of gravity and societal norms among other things.
All in all, it was a good read for most and mercifully short for some. Our next book is The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. We will be at Maggie's on April 7. Does that work for everyone?
Our May book is Tale of Two Cities at Wendy's, at least that is what is in my motes, let me know if I got that wrong.
Thanks everyone!
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