Magic Lessons - February 22, 2021

 It is always nice to see all the faces on the screen for our Zoom Bookclub meeting.  Present tonight, Betty, Carla, Colette, Jane, Janet, Linda, Marg, Michèle and Shirley.  The book discussed tonight was Michèle's choice Magic Lessons  by Alice Hoffman.  

Ms Hoffman is an American novelist born in New York City in 1952. She studied creative writing and now lives in Boston.  She wrote over 30 novels, 3 short story books and 8 children's or YA novels.  

Magic Lessons is part of a series of three books about the Owens family, all women.  The first book of the series was Practical Magic written in 1995, The Rules of Magic was written in 2017 and Magic Lessons was published in 2020.  Both of these last two books are prequels, written after the original book.  A fourth book will be published next year about the whole Owens family.  

Magic Lessons begins in the late 1600's and is the story of Maria Owen abandoned as a newborn in the snowy fields of rural England. She is found by Hannah Owens and raised by her until the age of 11.  It becomes evident that Maria has magical powers and Hannah teaches her the Nameless Arts, the herbs and remedies that help for physical maladies a those of the heart. When Hannah is murdered, to save herself Maria leaves England and finds herself on a tropical island in Central America and then goes on to America.  The story follows Maria to Salem, Massachusetts where she travels to find the father of her daughter Faith.  She is arrested and found guilty of witchery.  The story continues when Maria escapes but loses her daughter Faith.  Jolene, who passed away in 2018, would have enjoyed this book since it has a happy ending, tying all the loose ends. 

Most of our members enjoyed the book.  Many found it read like a fairytale and was a page-turner.  The characters were well developed and interesting.  It was an easy read, easy to follow the story and plot.  There are many contrasts in the story, good & evil of course,  selfless use of magical powers as Maria did and selfish use of magical powers as her birth mother Rebecca did.   Many of us felt like yelling at Maria and Faith when they made poor choices, almost always about men! We were definitely immersed in the story! We were also all intrigued by the black soap that all women wanted and bought from Maria. 

Janet pointed out that we have read other books that use magical realism, Yann's Martel's  The High Mountains of Portugal and Gabriel Garcia Marquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude.   She also noted that this is the 3rd book we have read in the last year that is in the time of the Great Plague of London of 1665, The Weight of Ink by Rachel Kadish and Bush Runner : The Adventures of Pierre-Esprit Radisson by Mark Bourrie.   

Maria sang the lullaby The Water is Wide to her daughter Faith as some of us did with our own children.  Thank you Janet for reminding us.   This was a good book to read during these difficult times in today's world, easy to escape to another time, a fairytale. 

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek - January 25, 2021

As we begin 2021, we have become quite good at holding our Zoom meetings, being quite respectful,  waiting our turn to speak and sometimes even holding up our hand when we have something to say! However, we all miss  seeing each other in person every month and of course the food and wine! Present at this evening's meeting were Beth, Betty, Carla, Colette, Janet, Linda, Marg, Michèle and Shirley. 

Our first task this evening was to name the Book of the Year 2020.  We had several excellent books this year and it was obvious in the votes we received. However, Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens was the narrow favourite, Carla's book choice in 2020.  

This evening we discussed Carla's book choice The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michèle Richardson.  Ms. Richardson was born in Kentucky and grew up at the Saint Thomas-Saint Vincent Orphan Asylum.  Her memoir The Unbreakable Child chronicles her experiences at the orphanage and why she along with her sisters and 40 other children who lived at the orphanage, sued the Sisters of Charity in 2004 for the abuse they endured.  Ms. Richardson has written 4 novels along with the memoir.  

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek is a historical novel set in the Appalachian Hills of Kentucky. The heroine, Cussy Mary Carter is one of the last females of the Blue-skinned people of Kentucky. The story takes place during the depression of the 1930's.  The Pack Horse Library Project was a work project to deliver books to remote areas of Kentucky.  Cussy Mary was hired as a book woman and she and her mule Junia travelled her treacherous routes  delivering books, magazines, newspapers and other reading materials to her patrons.  We learned their stories and difficult life in depression era Kentucky. Cussy Mary's strength of character and determination showed in her belief that books and any reading material helped people dream and believe in a better life. 

There was no debate about the merits of this book.  Everyone loved the book and it is a definite page turner.  The writing is excellent, the characters are well-developed. The description of the Appalachian area of Kentucky brought alive the harshness of the terrain, the mountains and the deep connection people had to their part of the world . As a historical novel we learned about the blue people of Kentucky and many of us took the time to read more about this genetic condition.  The Pack Horse Library Project highlighted the desire and thirst people had to read and learn about the outside world.  We were all moved by the drama of arranged marriages, starving children, bigotry and discrimination.  

We were all intrigued by the use of  a "courting candle" by Cussy Mary's father and Carla showed us a photo of one she had found.  It is a Colonial candle holder used as a time-keeper marking the length of time a suitor could visit.  

Thank you Carla for selecting such a beautiful descriptive historical novel that we all enjoyed. 

The Weight of Ink by Rachel Kadish. - November 23rd 2020

We are continuing with our Zoom meetings and they have become very productive.  We all agree however that when we can again meet in person it will be even better!  Present at the meeting were Betty, Carla, Janet, Linda, Marg, Michèle and Shirley.  We discussed Shirley's book choice, The Weight of Ink by Rachel Kadish.  Ms. Kadish is an American author. This is her 4th book.  The Weight of Ink took her 12 years to write.  She teaches creative writing at Lesley University.

This is the story that takes place in London, of two strong women, Ester Valesquez a young Jewish emigrant in the 16th century and Helen Watt a Historian with a specialty in Jewish history in the 21st century.  Helen is asked to evaluate papers found during the renovation of an ancient house in London.  Through these papers we meet Ester who is a scribe for a blind Rabbi.  As the stories evolve we learn of the horrors that Jews endure in the Spanish Inquisition, the rich trade of Amsterdam and their life in London including the plague that ravages the city. We read of Helen's one true love when she spends a year in a Jewish kibbutz. We read of her struggles as a historian ailing as she was, and the trials and tribulation she goes through in her last years working, her struggle to make her mark by discovering the importance of the papers found in the 17th century London house.  

Most of us loved this book, enjoyed the intrigue, the strong women characters and the men that surrounded them, the 16th century mores of London society. Anti-Semitism was as present as today's society.   Of course the description of the London plague and how society coped is very relevant for us today. We learned so much history of those times in London in this story. 

When Helen, as a young woman, decides to spend a year in a Jewish kibbutz, we discover the politics, the norms of a kibbutz and we witness the development of a love story between Helen and Dror the young Jewish man who leads and supervises the young people who come to do their part in the development of the Jewish State. We live the pain that Helen feels when she leaves Dror behind. 

In the 16h century, Ester Valesquez is determined to continue her work as a scribe but also she discovers a thirst for knowledge that she needs to fulfil. She struggles to find balance between her desire for knowledge and her attraction and friendship with Alvaro. 

Some of us found a link with Jane Austen's books, women looking for husbands.  Janet noted that in the time of Ester in London it is the same time that Jean-Esprit Radisson from the book Bush Runner was in London.  There is a lot to learn and enjoy in this book.  

Some of us enjoy books with a happy satisfying ending and although Helen did die before her work and achievements were properly recognized, we felt that there was a good and happy ending.

Thank you Shirley for pushing us into reading this book, heavy and long as it was!  

Books and Meetings 2021

 The list will be updated as members choose their books.

Monday January 25th - Carla's choice The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michelle Richardson, Marg hosting

Monday February 22nd - Michèle's choice  Magic Lessons by Alice Hoffman- Janet hosting

Monday March 22nd - Janet's choice Wild Rose by Sharon Butala- Carla hosting

Monday April 26th - Marg's choice Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah - Jane hosting

Monday May 31st - Betty's choice - Frankenstein by Mary W. Shelley - Colette hosting

Monday June 28th -  -Shirley' choice The Lightkeeper's Daughters by Jean Pendziwol - Linda hosting

Monday September 27th - Colette's choice Becoming by Michelle Obama - Michèle hosting

Monday October 25th - Jane's choice -Hamnet or Hamnet & Judith by Maggie O'Farrell, Betty hosting

Monday November 22nd - Beth's choice The Dig by John Preston - Beth hosting

Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice - October 26th, 2020

 Zoom meetings seem to be the norm and our members are holding strong!  Present were Betty, Carla, Colette, Jane, Janet, Linda, Michèle and Shirley.  We discussed Jane's book choice Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice.  Mr. Rice is an Anishinaabe writer from the Wasauksing First Nation near Parry Sound, Ontario.  He studied journalism at Ryerson University and worked as a journalist at CBC television and radio.  He left CBC in May 2020 to concentrate on his literary career.  He has written a book of short stories Midnight Sweatlodge and a first novel Legacy.  He has also written scripts and journalistic articles.   He recently announced that he is writing a sequel to Moon of the Crusted Snow.  

This story that takes place in a small Northern Anishinaabe community can be considered a thriller. As winter is beginning to settle in, some members of the community are hunting to ensure their food supply.  The story begins with Evan Whitesky who has just killed a large male moose.  When he gets back to his community with the moose carcass that he plans to share with family,  the community begins to lose it's sources to the outside world, cable goes out, cell phone service dies and soon even landlines don't work and they lose their power source.  The band council meets and decides on a plan to survive what they believe is a temporary problem.  As the plot unfolds, life becomes more and more difficult and when strangers from down south arrive, a struggle for the survival of the community unfolds. Evan becomes a leader in the struggle to maintain their traditional life.  

Every once in a while, we read a book that all of us enjoy tremendously and Moon of the Crusted Snow is one that was enjoyed by all of our members.  It surprised some of us.  We all found the book to be suspenseful, well written with a good plot, thoughtful with well developed characters even the evil characters are well developed.  There is humour and tragedy in this story.   One member mentioned that it reminded her of Lord of the Flies. As the community finds itself completely isolated, struggles begin in an attempt to survive. 

Several of us mentioned that we learned several things about First Nations traditions,  it had an educational aspect weaved into the story.  Many of noted that Mr. Rice incorporated several problems facing indigenous communities such as alcoholism,  suicide, drug abuse and the effects of residential schools but without them dominating the story.  His writing skills are excellent. 

Thank you Jane for this wonderful book selection that we all enjoyed.  Jane has given us a couple of interesting links. 

Waubgeshig Rice

Screen adaptation and sequel

Bernadette by Maria Semple - September 28, 2020

 Our September meeting was again via Zoom.  COVID-19 has not relented!  Present were Betty, Carla, Colette, Janet, Linda, Marg, Michèle and Shirley.  We discussed Colette's book choice Where'd You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple.  Ms. Semple is an American novelist and screenwriter.  She has written 3 novels and written scripts for television programs such as 90210, Mad About You and Ellen among others.

This novel is about a family living in Seattle.  Bernadette, an architect suffered a catastrophic event in her career when in Los Angeles and has been dealing with psychological problems since impacting her family, husband Elgin and daughter Bee.  Bernadette and Elgin promise their daughter anything she desires if she gets all A's in her last year of middl school and Bee chooses a family trip to Antartica.  The majority of the story is told through correspondance, mainly Bernadette's emails, notes and documents.   

Opinions from our members was quite varied, some enjoyed it, some saw it as "magical realism", some as a comedy with laugh out loud episodes.  Some found the whole book absurd and unrealistic and difficult to finish.  Many found it difficult to get into the story but it picked up after Bernadette disappeared and daughter Bee began to search for her.  We learn a lot about Bernadette's accomplishments and her downward spiral into agoraphobia.    

Part of the variety of opinions on this book was probably the effects of COVID-19 that has impacted all of our lives.  Some who have yet to see it might want to watch the movie that is apparently better than the book.

The Rosie Result by Graeme Simsion - June 22, 2020

Our June meeting before our summer break was held again via Zoom.  Hopefully by September we will be meeting again in person! Present were, Beth, Betty, Colette, Linda, Janet, Michèle and Shirley. We discussed Beth's book choice The Rosie Result by Graeme Simsion.  This is the third of a series that we have read of the Rosie books.  Mr. Simsion began his adult life as a data modeler and went on to be an author, screenwriter and playwright.  Along with the Rosie trilogy, he has published books on data modelling, a novel with his wife called Two Steps Forward and The Best of Adam Sharp. He lives in Australia with his wife Ann Buist and two children.  

The Rosie Result, continues the life story of Don Tillman, a University professor.  Don and his wife Rosie and son Hudson have moved back to Australia after spending some time in the U.S.A. The book deals with the life education of Hudson who is having difficulty readjusting to life in Australia and school.  Don, who is having a few problems of his own at the University, decides to take a leave of absence from teaching to help Hudson.  To ensure financial security, he decides also to open a cocktail bar.  Throughout the story as Hudson's challenges are described and as the Don's attitude and "solutions" come out there are hints that Hudson may be on the autistic spectrum and/or have Asperger syndrome.  Rosie and Don struggle to decide if they should let the school test Hudson, not wanting him to be labelled.  

As his other Rosie books the characters are well developed and there is interesting rapport between the characters.  It was suggested however that there was not as much humour as his other books and that the relationship between Don and Hudson could be frustrating at times. It was interesting to read how Hudson, realizing what his parents were trying to do, takes over the "Hudson Project" and understands what is required of him in society if he is to have a "normal" life.  

Though Don's circle of friends he had acquired in the first two books that helped him cope with life were present in this book, some of us felt they were not as interesting in this book.  Several of us felt that this was not as interesting a novel as the first two. However, the reality of autism and Asperger's in the school system was well described and the frustration of parents with the educational system well explained through the situations as they arose with Hudson.  

All in all, it followed this family well and concluded the "project" but most of us felt it was not as good as the first two books of this trilogy. 

The Home for Unwanted Girls by Joanna Goodman - May 26, 2020

This is the third month that we have met online using Zoom.   We discussed Linda's book choice, The Home for Unwanted Girls, by Canadian author Joanna Goodman.  Present were Beth, Betty, Carla, Colette, Janet, Linda, Michèle and Shirley.  We were also very fortunate to have the author Joanna Goodman join us for a good hour of our meeting.

Before discussing this month's book we revealed the "academy award" of the best book we read in 2019.  Circumstances prevented us from awarding the lovely book bag that Shirley made and announcing the winner before this month.  Linda's choice for 2019, Requiem, by Canadian author France Itani was our choice for Best Book.

The Home for Unwanted Girls is the story of a young girl, Maggie, the daughter of a French mother and an English father living in the Eastern Townships of Québec.  It is the 1950's and when Maggie falls in love with a young poor French farmer and becomes pregnant, her parents send her to live with her aunt and uncle and force her to give up the baby.  Maggie's father does not want his daughter to marry a poor French farmer; he has ambitions for her.  Maggie's daughter, that she names Élodie, is sent to an orphanage with the hope that she will be adopted by a good family.  In alternating chapters, we follow Maggie's life and Élodie's life. Élodie finds herself caught up in the horrid nightmare of the Duplessis Orphans in Québec and Maggie begins a new life with an English husband chosen by her father.

This is an historical novel that reveals in great detail the horrific life that illegitimate children had when, because of federal funding, the Premier of Québec Maurice Duplessis passed a law that allowed orphanages to certify the children as mentally ill and the orphanages to become mental institutions.  Also highlighted in the background, is the uneasy side-by-side lives of the French and English that existed in Québec in that time period and, some say, still exists in modern Québec.

It is safe to say that all members of our Club loved this story.  Most of us found the incidents of Élodie's life in the mental institution difficult to read. But because Ms. Goodman alternated between Maggie's life and the description of Élodie's horrifying life, as readers we had some relief.  All our members thought the character development was excellent: we knew Maggie and Gabriel; we could feel the intensity of their love for each other.  We understood Gabriel's anger and felt the pain of loss Maggie felt and the need she had to find her daughter.  Both of Maggie's parents were vivid characters, the difficult relationship between the two well described as well as Maggie's relationship with each of her parents.

Ms. Goodman told us that originally she wanted to tell her own mother's story, of a young ambitious girl raised in a "mixed" family with a  French Catholic mother who had come from a poor background and an English Protestant entrepreneur father.  In the research she did about Québec and the precarious relationship between the French and English, she stumbled on the Duplessis Orphans story and she then knew that the story she would write would be about Maggie and Élodie.

The 20 years of research she did has allowed her to also write a sequel that will be out in Fall 2020, called The Forgotten Daughter. She tells the story of Élodie and of Véronique Fortin, a separatist who falls for the journalist, James Phénix, Maggie's son.

We wish to thank Joanna Goodman for participating in our Bookclub meeting.  It was an excellent conversation with her that we enjoyed thoroughly.   Thanks to Linda for suggesting this book!