2020/3 Early Thoughts on Elinor Lipman's The Inn at Lake Devine--mod's choice

[Jan]

Here's the place to discuss early thoughts and impressions of March's moderator's choice, The Inn at Lake Devine. It's a novel set in the early '60s that lends itself to a discussion of the antisemitism of its day. Probably available in your public library.

[Jan]

I went to the library for this book, and the first thing I noticed was that the author has a large number of books on the shelf!

The book is very easy to get into. While for some it'll be a historical novel, the age of the protagonist (adolescent) in 1962 fit me to a T. Or maybe not a historical novel at all since published in 1998! Could it be considered Young Adult?

Right away I appreciated that the character's family is talking about antisemitic issues they experience, first of all, being restricted from the titular inn on the basis of a family name that sounds Jewish. When I was that age I didn't get to respond to such issues since (1) a "genteel" veneer meant they weren't voiced in the public square and (2) my parents were over-protective and unrealisticly optimistic in that regard. Not that I mean I wished I'd experienced more overt antisemitism, but that, since it was kept under wraps, I didn't get to figure out how to respond until much, much later. Well, but in the book, too, the parents didn't want to fully face the issue. Like when the offending proprietor refers to the family's hometown, where a large part of the population are Jews. as such-and-such, MassaJEWsetts, and the parents choose not to hear it.

I look forward to seeing how the plot of this book unwinds!

[Hahtoolah]

I have never read anything by Elinor Lipman before. I just started reading it this evening. Five chapters in and I am finding it absolutely delightful. I can relate to the narrator. I lived in the Boston area around the time this novel takes place, albeit I was younger, and spent a lot of summers at the lakes in New Hampshire and Vermont. Looking forward to finding time in the next week for some good quality time to finish reading this book.

[Stacey B]

Hahtoolah wrote: "I have never read anything by Elinor Lipman before. I just started reading it this evening. Five chapters in and I am finding it absolutely delightful. I can relate to the narrator. I lived in the ..."
We choose it because of the subject. Glad you are enjoying it.
I love the sarcasm and the nerve from Natalie as a kid.
Am almost finished. LMK when you finish it.

[Jan]

It's a comfortable book. Easy reading. Nice for a change!

[Jan]

...almost finished tonight.... 😴

[Jan]

Had to return my copy to the library without a renewal, which was okay since I'd finished. Someone had put a hold on it -- sort of unusual for an older book. Could it have been somebody else in this group, who lives in the same county? 😄

[Michelle]

I am up to Chapter 8 and also enjoying the book, although I was surprised that Natalie’s family was so accustomed to eating ham... many Jewish families of that era would not have been so comfortable eating “high trefe”

[Stacey B]

Michelle wrote: "I am up to Chapter 8 and also enjoying the book, although I was surprised that Natalie’s family was so accustomed to eating ham... many Jewish families of that era would not have been so comfortabl..."

I love the phrase "high trefe" you refer to in your comment.
Didn't remember reading that, but you make a good observation.
Growing up reform, we never had ham or pork chops in our house. We did have bacon.
Go figure. :)