Sue couldn't put this book down! Everyone seemed to enjoy it on some level, even though Carol played devil's advocate and made us think about validity, stereotyping (rampant) and men who write women in first person. Foods that you want to hold Captive were delish!!
The first time we have read an author a second time and this book is very difficult to compare with Girl in Hyacinth Blue. Forest Lover is an intriguing story of a woman artist, torn between her traditional acceptable life and her impassioned need to paint native totems. Amazing, but frustrating and somewhat confusing.
The fictional tale of the Father of the Little Women characters, based on Louisa May Alcott's father, Bronson. Altogether, it was difficult to know whether it was truth, fiction or too outrageous to believe.
Terry's mom entered sweepstakes to keep the family finances from falling into total chaos. Her mom was a brave, funny woman with a gift for clever words and luck when it counted the most. Really good read!
Flava History
Literature that escaped us as only 2 people finished this book about an Indian family coping with integration into British Society and their friends, a boring rather weird family. Traditions figure strongly--even staying friends with people you don't share anything with... or maybe its just old habits. I cannot say one way or another...
Women's friendships often take many forms and in 1800's China, the tradition allowed a special friend, an 'old same', if you were lucky. Snow Flower and Lily were a very lucky pair of friends, sharing footbinding, marriage prospects and life's despairs. Great!!!
We had a lot of trouble really liking the aptly-named Gogol, but we were intrigued by the loose threads, the questions the author posed, and the JUXTAPOSITIONS she used. No question, she writes beautifully. Many parallels to White Teeth (above), but we all finished this one!
Food you come home for was worth coming home for!!!
This complicated novel discussed women's relationships: with their mothers, daughters and friends. We agreed that Ursula DeVane, whilen not a sympathetic character, overstepped the bounds of her friendship with Justin during the enforced hike in the woods. And would you say Ursula was glad to have known Justin? 'Things to drink with tea' were sweet and delicious!
Comparisons to 'The Crimson Petal and the White' abounded, as well as our amazement at the grimness of life in the Victorian slums. Don't read this one over lunch, especially if you like avacados! As we always ask, did this have a hopeful ending? Well, there was some disagreement over that!
Funny, wacky and ultimately we couldn't decide whether we liked it or not. Who was Ramona? Did she learn from her life? Will her daughter Blandina follow in her steps? Food that smelled good--- lots of Italian! and a wicked chocolate cake!
Isn't it amazing what can inspire passion-- even obsession in people? We never thought of collecting orchids as a passionate endeavor! What are you passionate about? Great discussion, this book stays with you! Exotic food was good!
This odd little book had some major dropped stitches! While we loved the descriptions and the projects, most of the characters were unlikeable or didn't act true to character. For the most part, the discussion lagged. Luckily, we had 'Home Made Food' to keep us happy!