Diane D.'s comments
Diane D.'s comments from the The Random Person's Book Club group.
Note: Diane D. is no longer a member of this group.
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For our Feb/March read, my book club is reading "The Rice Mother" by Rani Manicka. Not yet too far into it, but it is wonderful. Starting in Ceylon in 1916, it is a family saga that is narrated in different character voices throughout the book. When I read it, I feel transported into the story. I was unable to find it in bookstores without placing a special order, and even my particular library branch did not have it, they had to order it in for me.
Hi Loretta and Claire-
I agree with Claire's first sentence, but then there are times when I love a book so much that I must see the movie if it comes out, but I am always afraid that I will be disappointed. But when I saw The Hours, after reading the book by Michael Cunningham, I loved the movie as much as the book. Maybe it was the casting, as well.
I also saw the movie Love in the Time of Cholera which I liked very much, even though the critics panned it. I thought it followed the book pretty much to the letter. Of course, I think the book is a masterpiece, but nonetheless I think the movie was well done.
Suite Francais
You've heard thd saying, Meghan, "So Many Books, So Little Time"
Peg - I held off on buying "Suite Francois" which is the next book I will be adding to this string as it's out next book club selection.
Heidi and Peg - Peg, you were right about the dedication (just checked at Borders and didn't buy anything!) Glass Castle is dedicated to her husband, but in the Acknowledgements she thanks her mother and her father (as well as others). I am still so surprised that she seems to have no remorse towards either one. Heidi I think your last paragraph sums up well; that may be part of why I liked it so much and certainly why I have such respect for Jeannette and the manner in which she told her family story.
Sarah - if you like BN classics and if they have one on Anna, compare it to the Oprah version. if you go with the BN classic, make sure it has a "tree" :) My husband bought me Anna when I needed to read it for book club, and he found the Oprah version the most "reader-friendly".
Popper - I hope Peg's info can help you. I joined my book club about 2 years ago, we are called "Smart Women Read Between the Lines". We all look forward to our meetings and these women are such a special part of my life now. I really hope you can find a nice group to join - or maybe you can start one up?
Oh Peg, I definitely sensed that the grandmother was sexually abusive to Jeannette's father, no doubt.
What jumps out from my memory is when the mother and father were having a HUGE fight and the mother was "hanging out the window" with her dress up around her head...
I am so curious now about the dedication...I will get to a bookstore and find out.
And what about the paternal grandmother! Did she not try to molest her grandson? UGH!
One part that I found touching (maybe the only part) was when the father layed under the stars with the children in the middle of the desert.
I also remember the bridal picture in the front of the book - they appeared so "normal".
Hi Peg -
I absolutely agree with everything you wrote about The Glass Castle, including how the parents did desert the children emotionally. In fact, when I was reading it I wanted to throw it against the wall sometimes as I was so angry. I thought the mother was so selfish and self absorbed, right up until the end when she made the father come back to her. What about how the mother let her mother's house go completely to shambles? The squalor in which they lived was so bad at times it was downright creepy.
Did she not dedicate the book to her father? (don't have it with me right now). Regarding your question on who parented who - the story opened with Jeanette cooking and burning herself and she was what, 3 year old? (again, going on memory). I was thankful that the siblings had each other throughtout their lives.
Peg, so many books so little time!
Peg - I love how your wrote and said Glass Castle was in your near future and then you read it 2 weeks later. Yes, quite a book is right. Didn't you find it interesting how despite her life, she never really spoke ill of her parents? No matter how disfunctional her life may have been, at least the parents never deserted the children.
Sarah - since I recommended Anna I have to pipe in again and join Recynd in rooting you on. When my book club read it, I was new to the club and I thought to myself how will I ever read this book, because it never even crossed my mind to read it...and here I am two years later recommending it.
Hi Peg -
You are right - i am enjoying the Collected Stories by Grace Paley. Most of her stories are quite amusing. And to think that she is also a writer of poetry. What a talented woman.
I loved Anna Karenian by Leo Tolstoy. Get the Oprah version; it was well translated and I referred to the "tree" in the front until I got all the names straight. It's actually a good book to snuggle up to now that the weather is turning.
Trunk Music - Michael Connelly
The Girls Guide to Hunting and Fishing - Melissa Bank
Lost Light - Michael Connelly
Peg - you are not the last person on the planet to read Life of Pi - I am. I've had it, I swear for 2-3 years in my "to read pile"...my book club read it before I joined them. I'll be looking forward to hearing your review.
Heidi - my book club last year read The Glass Castle. It is on my Favorites shelf. It made for a great discussion!
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