Interesting, imaginative, thought-provoking and sometimes just plain weird.

The Tenth of December by George Saunders was a fascinating read and a really well crafted set of provocative and compelling stories. We had a small group to discuss this interesting author and his most recent work, but still managed to have a good discussion about how odd yet skillfully written they were.

The consensus was that we admired this work. It was clearly well-crafted and quite imaginative while delivering a good dose of social commentary. Two of the stories stood out to the group. The first, "Victory Lap" is a stunning portrait of overbearing, perhaps but not necessarily well-meaning parents, a son whose life was structured almost, but just not completely, to the point of obliterating his own judgement and personality, the next door neighbor, a schoolmate and her abductor. What would the son do as he witnessed her abduction? If he helped, what would be the cost? If he didn't, what would be his damage? The characters were beautifully drawn with spare details and telling inner dialogue, the story line disturbing on many levels. Yet this story was just setting the table for the offerings to come.

The second story that really resonated was "The Semplica Girl Diaries".  Keeping up with the Jones is a time-honored tradition but it typically doesn't involve the high stakes of this scenario. The narrator wanted a gift for his daughter's birthday, and like so many,  struggled with comparisons to those with more resources. What followed was a calamitous set of decisions that found his family facing ruin in the wake of his youngest daughter's moral outrage and action. The narrative in this story was exceptional, information unfolding with perfect timing, quietly creating a scene of pointless exploitation that somehow was Petrie dish of the narrator's collapse of judgment.

So, the conclusion? We admired these stories, maybe even liked them but not one of us wanted to be friends with this author. What kind of world view is this?  I loved this book and was so impressed with the stories. My usual response would be to buy another from the same author, maybe even two or three. Not this time! This time, I am going to admire him from a distance, at least until I can regain my bearings with the human race. Maybe then I can indulge in his wholly transporting writing about a world I don't want to inhabit.

Many thanks to those who brought the usual yummy things for us to enjoy while having a spirited discussion! Count back to when you first came as our group recently (in May) passed our seven year anniversary! Julie, Jean and I are the only original members still in the group as far as I can recall. Pipe up if I missed you. Mary came soon thereafter and we have grown from there. Thanks to everyone for being a part of the group!

Our next meeting is at Julie's (if still convenient) on August 11 at 6:30 pm. Our next book, suggested by Lynn, is the first in the Accursed Kings series, called The Iron King by Maurice Druon. For you series fans, this is the first of seven. Nothing like having some direction for future reading! Here is the writeup Lynn sent on:

"Sporting an enthusiastic introduction by George R. R. Martin (in which he calls the book “the original game of thrones”), this is the first U.S. publication of the first volume of French novelist Druon’s seven-volume historical saga, collectively known as The Accursed Kings. Originally published in 1955, the novel is set in the year 1314. Philip IV, the king of France, has disbanded the Knights Templar, arresting, torturing, and executing most of them. Relations between France and England are as strained as they have ever been. Philip’s increasingly desperate search for money to pay his massive debts has virtually bankrupted the country. Against this sprawling backdrop, Druon tells the story of Robert of Artois, a French lord whose lands have been taken from him by his greedy aunt and whose efforts to reclaim his birthright will lead to all-out war between France and England. Unlike Martin’s multivolume Song of Fire and Ice, Druon’s saga is based on real history and features real people as its central characters. It’s historical fiction on a grand scale, full of political intrigue, family drama, and characters who, while drawn from life, are larger than it. Fans of historical epics who have not yet discovered Druon’s saga will be thrilled with this one." --David Pit

Historical fiction, a great time period, a part of history new to me, what's not to like? Hope to see you all there. Julie, weigh in if you can't host, Ashley has also offered. As I mentioned, we had a small group last week, so please post your comments.