Meeting of April 26th 2010

We met at Jolene's home to discuss this month's book, La's Orchestra Saves the World by Alexander McCall Smith, Jolene's choice. At the meeting Beth, Betty, Carla, Colette Janet, Jolene, Linda, Shirley and Michèle were present.

Mr. McCall Smith is best known as author of The No. 1 Laides' Dectective Agency and he has also written The Portuguese Irregular Verbs Series and In the 44 Scotland Street Series and The Isabel Dalhouse Series. He has also written several non-fiction books in his original professional field of medical law. He was born in Southern Rhodesia which is now Zimbabwe. He has also written several books for children.

All liked the book and found it to be an easy enjoyable read. The story describes in part, life during World War II in rural England. The story and the creation of La's Orchestra brought out England's determination throughout World War II and the bombing to keep everyone's spirits up and not allow the enemy to defeat them. It also brought out the push during the War for all to do their part, however small. La for example, not only conducted the Orchestra but also helped out a local farmer and grew a vegetable garden. Everyone had to do their part. This was also spelled out in La's struggle with her conscious when she found the need to talk to Constable Percy Brown of her suspicions that Lenny Agg had stolen Henry Madder's money and then to Tim Honey about her suspicions that Felix was in fact German and not Polish. She felt it was her duty to protect England. Many stories written about England and WW II, talked about the British determination. Beth referred specifically to Lady Diane Cooper's biography in which she described the determination of the British.

Most of us felt that the last part of the book was a bit rushed as if the author was trying to tie up all the loose ends, La's attempt to participate in demonstrations during the Cuban crisis is a good example.

Many of us liked that she eventually met again with Feliks. Carla compared it to "Love among the Ruins" the poem by Robert Browning. Some of us, however, had not realized the link between Felix's boys and the young men at the beginning of the book who visited Suffolk, La's home and the back garden where she had grown potatoes and the building where the Orchestra practiced and performed.

Meeting of 22 March 2010

Meeting of 22 March 2010

Muse and Views met March 22 to discuss Reading by Lightning by Joan Thomas, Janet's choice at Carla's home. In attendance were Janet, Carla, Colette, Beth, Betty, Shirley, Jane, and Jolene. Carla served wonderful appetizers and cinnamon buns, which were a great hit in 2010 (and would have been almost unheard of in the struggling WWII period of the book :) Roses added to the atmosphere and reminded us that spring is here.

Janet led the discussion, pointing out first of all that she has just finished a book on a similar theme called Purple Hibiscus, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, about a 16-year-old girl from Nigeria in a bad relationship with her Roman Catholic father. In another text-to-text connection, Jane pointed out that on page 249 of her copy of Reading by Lightning, Guernsey (of Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society fame) is mentioned.

Reading by Lightning has won a first-novel award for the author, and everyone loved the historical backdrop about the Barr Colonists who settled in Canada. Janet has a personal connection to this period of Canadian history because her husband is from Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, where many of the Barr Colonists settled. Descendants of these early colonists still live there 100 years later. History does not look fondly on Barr himself, who allegedly made off with money from the people he promised to help prosper in a new land.

Others in the group also found personal ties to situations in the book, including family and faith relationships. Janet wondered if the book was intended to be an extended metaphor, juxtaposing religion, science, Darwinism, and the ambiguity of post-modernism. Since the book is listed in many on-line sites as an example of bildungsroman, we asked Beth to explain the concept to us. "Bildungsroman" is apparently of German origin, meaning "education" and "story." It refers to a literary genre developed in the 1800's, referring to coming-of-age novels, with a young character struggling to come to terms with society and self. Many in our group, however, felt that Lily Piper did not fully mature as a person, since at the end she was still in conflict with her mother and was intellectually shallow at times.

Most loved the book and its writing style, although a few found the slow start frustrating. There were realistic, vibrant, and often humourous descriptions of people and situations, on such varied topics as Brits, wet mittens, epilepsy, and WWII.

There was some confusion, however, about the meaning of the title. Did it refer to the last scene in the book, or to the fact that Lily would read George's letters with his belemnite close-at-hand to ward off lightning? Even the author's comments on amazon.ca were not satisfying. Jane had heard that the original title was to be Problematica (referring to George analyzing fossils), but at the last minute, the publishers apparently had to change it because of another book coming out with the same name.

Most also agreed that the book ended too quickly. We would have liked to see the story carry on so that we could find out what happened to the characters, who were so vividly painted. On amazon.ca, Ms. Thomas herself says that since George was becoming more and more cynical, it's perhaps just as well that we don't see what the war would have made him.

Meeting of February 22, 2010

This month's meeting was hosted by Betty. In attendance along with Betty were Carla, Colette, Jane, Janet, Jolene, Michèle and Shirley. Betty served some excellent cheese and vegetable rolls and chocolate along with a wonderful apple crisp.

This month's book, Colette's choice, The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins is a book originally published as a serial in the "All the Year Round" periodical in 1859-1960. It is considered to be one of the first mystery novels and a pioneer in the publication of sensation novels - tales of women woven around criminal activities. Mr. Collins was a friend of Charles Dickens who was the owner of the periodical.

The book was published in three-volume form in 1860 and along with its publication in book form came The Women in White perfume, cloaks and bonnets and sheet music of The Woman in White waltzes and quadrilles. In the 1982 a U.S. movie version of the book came out and in 1997 a British version of the movie was made. Andrew Lloyd Webber also created a musical in 2005.

The book presented some challenges for several members of our Muses & Views Book Club. The length of the book 645 pages, was difficult for about half of the members present to finish. However, some watched the movie that gave them a good idea of the plot and the characters. Michèle said that the 100 pages she did read gave her the desire to finish the book. Carla, decided to try listening to c.d.'s of the book on a trip to Toronto but the book, read by a person with a decidedly British accent and the description of Marian Halcombe's waist when Mr. Hartright first saw her in the drawing room, ".....her waist, perfection in the eyes of a man, for it occupied its natural place,...." was too much for both Carla and her husband. However, Carla did read the novel, borrowed from her brother, and enjoyed it, once she got past, Mr. Hartright's description of Miss Halcombe's waist.

All those who read it enjoyed the the narrative first person characteristic of the novel. Each person in the novel tells his or her side of the events and the story in their own words. This method of writing helped develop the characters in the novel. All who read it found the story engrossing and had a difficult time putting it down. The novel was a good suspense, and the ending was particularly gripping.

We had some discussion about the frustrations of the Victorian era, class, pre-arranged marriages and the plight of women, how little they could do alone and how much single women were dependent on relatives for their livelihood.

Colette wondered if this was a good choice for the book club, all said that there was a place for the classic novel and a look back at the writing genre of the past. We all thanked Colette for her choice. Jane provided us with two articles written by John Sutherland, The missing fortnight and Why doesn't Laura tell her own story?

Meeting of January 25, 2010

This month's meeting was at Michèle's home. In attendance were Betty, Colette, Jane, Janet, Jolene, Michèle and Shirley. As Framboise made in her creperie called Crèpe Framboise, Michèle made some galettes bretonnes served with a confit d'oignons and a goat cheese served with a fig jam. For dessert, a clafoutis aux pommes et abricots secs as was described in Mirabelle's book.

The first item of our meeting was awarding the "Academy Award" prize for the most well-liked book in 2009. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society which was Colette's book won hands down. Colette gave her prize to Jane since she had originally recommended the book.

This month's book, Michèle suggestion was Five Quarters of the Orange by Joanne Harris. The Book Club read Chocolat by Joanne Harris in 2001. Joanne Harris is a British author born of a French mother and British father. Many of her books are set in France. Five Quarters of the Orange is the last of three books with a food theme, Chocolat and Blackberry Wine are the other two books. She says on her website that this was one of her favourite books to write because of Framboise, the main character. You can read her comments on this link of her website.

Many members commented on the excellent character development in this book. Both Framboise and her mother Mirabelle are quite believable and easily pictured. Though both are not particularly "charming" characters, we were still drawn to them. Mirabelle did not seem particularly "motherly" however it became quite obvious that she did everything to keep her children fed, clothed and safe during the German occupation in WW II. Ms. Harris also described scenes and places well keeping your interest in the story.

Members also found the descriptions of the German occupation quite believable and interesting to see how the WW II affected the parts of France where there was no fighting but German soldiers everywhere. Michèle points out that in almost all villages in France there is a memorial to those who died during WW I both not much to honour those who died in WW II. There are some memorials to honour the those who were in the Resistance only.

Some members commented on the mother/daughter relationships in this book, Framboise and Mirabelle, Framboise and her daughter. The book Mirabelle created writing her thoughts and recipes helped Framboise better understand her mother and brought her closer to her own daughter Pistache.

Jolene, who always brings something a bit different and interesting to the discussion saw in the description of "Mother" the Pike as similar to pighead on a stick in Lord of the Flies.

All , in all, everyone enjoyed the book. Michèle suggests those who particularly enjoy Joanne Harris' writing might want to try Holy Fools and The Lollipop Shoes.

Meeting of November 23, 2009

This month's meeting was at Janet's home. In attendance were Betty, Carla, Colette, Jane, Janet, Jolene, Linda and Michèle. Betty's sister Helen came as a guest. The book was Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. As usual Janet provided great hors d'oeuvres, wine, Chai tea and an apricot cake.

This book exposes Mr. Mortenson's experience in Pakistan when he finds himself brought back to health by the people of a village when he has an accident climbing Pakistan's highest mountain. He leaves promising to bring what is needed to build a school. He is one of few foreigners who has worked in remote Pakistan. Many members found his achievements inspirational and were amazed by how much he accomplished with little. They felt that he was a humble person who was willing to listen, willing to admit his errors and he did not bring in North American values but rather worked with the local elders and listened to them.

Mr. Mortenson feels that education can solve many problems such a poverty, bring peace and combat terrorists or at least allow young men an alternative.

Janet thought of the book "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini. Jolene brought up "Paths of Glory" by Jeffrey Archer.

We also talked about the impact of his tireless work with the Pakistan people on his family, his wife and children. In one of the interviews with his daughter, she spoke of how proud she was of him but how little of him she could enjoy.

Meeting of October 26, 2009

This month's meeting was at Beth's home. In attendance were Beth, Betty, Carla, Colette, Jane, Janet, Linda, Michèle and Shirley. This month's book suggested by Linda was The Hatbox Letters by Beth Powning. Ms. Powning lives in New Brunswick. She has written several books and this is her first novel.

The novel is about a woman who has recently lost her husband and is having great difficulty getting through the grief and moving on with her life. Most members enjoyed the book with some reservation. Many felt that a better editor would have helped the book flow better especially the first part that was filled with adjectives and descriptions that were too detailed. One member read the following passage that she had read to her husband:

"She felt young because she wore no underpants, and she'd shrugged back her bathrobe to show Tom how her breasts were like silver spoon backs."

The member told us that she then went to her cutlery drawer and took out teaspoons, dessert spoons, soup spoons and service spoons and proceeded to ask her husband which ones best represented her breasts! We had a good laugh.

Despite the shortcomings of the book, all felt that Ms. Powning represented a subject, grief, that solicited a lot of thoughtful discussion. Many of us talked about grief and how people we knew pulled through it and continued their lives or never really were able to build a life on their own after the death of a spouse. In finally going through the letters from her ancestors that were in the hatboxes, permitted Kate to imagine their lives and the losses they endured. She often imagined scenes from one or two sentences in a letter. Losing herself in the lives of her ancestors helped her in some ways to pull through the grief and eventually begin a life on her own.

Many members felt she had a good sense of place. Her descriptions of rural New Brunswick, of her home and garden, the river and the sea made it easy to visualize her surroundings. Those of us who are gardeners enjoyed her descriptions of the garden she and her husband Tom had created over the years.

We discussed the reasons why some people seem to survive grief and manage to build a productive and fulfilling life afterwards and that others have much more difficulty getting past the loss of a spouse. Some felt that women who have had an independent life before or during their relationship probably found it easier to build a life on their own after the loss of a spouse while others felt that it depended on making a decision to give of themselves through, for example, volunteer work.

One of our members who had read the book several years ago went back to her notes and had then thought that maybe the writing style, the jumbled thoughts and short sentences of the beginning of the book and then the more thoughtful descriptions and more flowing sentences may have been used to portray how grief affected Kate. At the beginning she was overwhelmed by the loss and unable to think straight and as time passed and she began to accept more her life, the book's writing style changed, became more fluid, easier to read.

Finally all members said that they enjoyed the book with some reservation.

Books and Meetings in 2010

This list will be updated as members give us their choice of books.

Monday January 25

Michèle choice - Five Quarters of an Orange by Joanne Harris; Michèle hosting

Monday February 22

Colette choice, The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins, Betty hosting

Monday March 22

Janet's choice - Reading by Lightning by Joan Thomas; Carla hosting

Monday April 26

Jolene's choice: La's Orchestra Saves the World by Alexander McCall Smith; Jolene hosting

Monday May 31 (please note this is the 5th Monday of the Month)

Beth's choice: Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy; Linda hosting

Monday June 28

Shirley's choice The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill; Colette hosting

Monday September 27

Jane's choice: The Boy in the Moon by Ian Brown; Shirley hosting

Monday October 25

Carla's choice: Collaborator of Bethlehem by Matt Beynon Rees; Colette hosting

Monday November 22

Linda's choice: Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay; Beth hosting

Meeting of September 27, 2009

This month's meeting was a Colette's home. All members were present, Beth, Betty, Carla, Colette, Janet, Joan, Jolene, Linda, Michèle and Shirley. We also welcomed a new member Jane. We had not met since June, and we had a good chat about our summer activities, weddings being the major subject of discussion. Colette and Jane provided us with wonderful Chinese hors d'oeuvres, pot stickers and small egg rolls. We were also treated to a wonderful blueberry pie made by Colette's husband.

This month's book, recommended by Carla was Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. Carla's son married this summer, a woman of Chinese heritage. She described the parts of the wedding ceremony that were very similar to the customs described in the novel when Lily marries; the groom and his entourage go to the bride's home to bring her to the wedding and the bride's family and entourage let her go with reluctance; the Tea Ceremony performed by the groom; the red envelopes with money offerings.

The majority enjoyed the book, especially getting insight into another culture , the value of women in the household, how her family's place in society controlled her life, the requirements on her from childhood to old age. If a girl did not realize a good marriage, she had little value to her family. The story also told us about foot binding and Nu Shu that is women's writing, sworn sisters and Laotong or old sames.

Beth discussed the writing style. She felt that it had a formal melodramatic quality to it but was very readable. Many members felt that the book was sad. Beth also pointed out that many themes in the book are universal, the relationship of women friends, the difference between our relationships with women friends and our relationship with our husbands; the often tenuous relationship with in-laws. She also talked about how Lily refused to see the pain and hurt she had caused her Laotong Snowflower, until she was bluntly told by the sworn sisters and how she tried repent for her actions after Snowflower's death. It showed how our interpretation of the importance of our place in society can make us blind to the impact of our actions and words.

The book generated a lively discussion about the foot binding, women's place in society depending in what society you are born, family ties and how little or how much they have changed depending on your culture. An example is how we treat our elders. Many older societies such as the Chinese do not tend to leave their elders in seniors homes as western society does.

The book was a good read, interesting with a good flow and informative giving us insight into another culture. Thank you Carla!