Betty was our host for the October meeting. Present were Betty, Carla, Colette, Linda, Marg, Michèle and Shirley. Betty served some lovely cheese including a very tasty cheese ball with crackers and olives.
This month we discussed Linda's choice, Terry Fallis' book Albatross. We have read several of Terry Fallis' books. He is a Canadian author and after his studies in Engineering at McMaster University he worked on Parliament hill, working on Jean Chrétien's federal election campaign and then working on the political staff of the Honorable Jean Lapierre. His work on the Hill was the inspiration for his debut novel The Best Laid Plans. He has published 9 books and is presently working on his 10th book. He twice won the Stephen Leacock Award for Humour.
Albatross is a book about golf, relationships and commitment. The book was generally enjoyed by the members but few saw it as his best effort. The story is about a young student in his last year of high school who discovers through his gym teacher that he has the perfect body measurements to be an extraordinary golfer. The student, Adam Coryell knows nothing about golf and is much more interested in writing. Along with his girlfriend he plans to study English Literature and Writing at the University of Toronto. His teacher Bobbie, convinces him to try it and he becomes an almost immediate excellent golfer, winning a sports scholarship and winning almost every tournament he plays.
Most enjoyed the books finding it charming and sometimes funny, well written . The characters of Adam and his teacher Bobbie were well developed and the relationship between the two was heartwarming.
Members enjoyed the end, all loose ends were tied up. He used his money that he won for good. The romance with his high school sweetheart re-kindled and she became a well-known author. There is no big drama in this book, just a nice sometimes funny story.
Thank you Linda for giving us a good summer read.
