May 2016 Recap

An earlier translation with illustrations. I want one! Only available from 'these' sellers priced from $335.99 up to $17,436.12. Not kidding. Nate would notice that on the Visa.

Dear Bookclub,
Another day-in-paradise-lunch-on-the-Veranda kept us from delving too deeply into the grimy nooks and crannies of "The Door". Provoking a variety of reactions, the read transported us as readers to a  new territory of communication, understanding and diversity just beyond the shadows of the horrors of Hungary's past. Strangely refreshing, not unanimously liked, the fairytale (Grimm's) quality piquing the imagination of the cinematic possibilities, Szabo's story dense with Emerence as epic, stirred more questions than certainty. That is the both magnetism and repulsion.

The reference about the cosmonaut that I could not recall (Gagarin) was just one example of the bitter views spewed by Emerence; hard to discuss because the admiration for her generous contributions to her circle loomed large in our memories. What a trick! And I meant to ask, what exactly is a christening bowl? The obvious does not seem to fit its use as a vessel for all that food. Hmmm...so many little wonders. Please tell me your ideas.

TG, your wonder about 'the prize' in the book must be autobiographical as you guessed (from Amazon blurb):
Magda Szabo was born in 1917 in Debrecen, Hungary. She began her literary career as a poet. In the 1950s she disappeared from the publishing scene for political reasons and made her living by teaching and translating from French and English. She began writing novels, and in 1978 was awarded the Kossuth Prize, the most prestigious literary award in Hungary. Magda Szabo died in 2007. 


Finally, the empathy evoked by so many of the characters, (remember the Lieutenant Colonel?) has left a little print on my heart which is how I want to remember this little gem.

I erred in posting the link to the trailer for "The Door" in the previous post - now corrected and here it is again:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fU5fgaWhfqQ

Back to our bubble.. Celebrating Val who defies the definition of defying an 'age'. What a treasure in our midst!

Terrie recommended four fantastic books for the upcoming Septmeber selection:

Ivan Doig  "Last Bus to Wisdom"
Curtis Sittenfeld  "Eligible"
Helen Simonson "The Summer Before the War"
Annie Proulx "Barkskins" *chosen

Enlightenment from Trudy about an app for movie management (new to me!): GoWatchIt

https://gowatchit.com/home

Please sign up to request "The Door" and perhaps our nudging will make it available.

Happy reading,
LK 

May 2016 Bookclub News

Dear Bookclub,
"The Door". An innocuous title for a powerful piece of literature. The unassuming "Door" became tightly focused from the incomprehensible Hungarian to a precise English translation that stirs gratitude for such a process. How easily possible to have never heard of Magda Szabo's work without the efforts of Len Rix and the powers that be in the publishing realm. Ali Smith's introduction to the translated English version becomes more appreciated realizing her personal experience with translators and the enormous faith that is needed to permit the process.

Here is a little blurb about Rix:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/08/books/review/translating-in-tongues.html?_r=0

A glimpse into the thoughts of Ali Smith on translations:
http://authors-translators.blogspot.com/2014/11/ali-smith-and-her-translators.html

Searching high and low for the movie... help please! Directed by Ivan Szabo, (no relation) starring Helen Mirren as Emerence:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1194577/

The trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fU5fgaWhfqQ

I am not so good at finding movies to stream but it must be out there somewhere??? Anyone able to find it?

Looking forward to being together this Wednesday, 12:30, the Veranda.
Happy reading!
LK

April 2016 Recap

 

   
Dear Bookclub,
 Our April gathering, amidst Val's very splendid garden, (featuring roses beyond content with the El Niño spring), had us wheeling in delight as we settled on her veranda, circling a table beneath a cozy wisteria. Launching on a perfect salad, we caught up and eventually landed on our read.

"Circling the Sun", perhaps more aptly titled "Circling Denys", succeeded in a discussion of the spot-on descriptions of Africa and the lack of likability and character development of the Kenyan colony depicted. Tilting toward the dreaded bodice-ripper, Beryl's infatuation with Denys left us wondering about the inconceivable actions of a maternal abandonment: Beryl's being abandoned, Beryl abandoning her son and the author, Paula McClain's own abandonment: her mother vanished when she was four. How this abandonment leaves a distinct hunger in its wake.

unbelievable blueberry cake

Val, very thoughtfully, had previously emailed us her suggested titles for an upcoming read so we were able to come prepared with our indecision:

"The Rainbow Comes and Goes: A Mother and a Son on Life, Love and Loss"  by Anderson Cooper and Gloria Vanderbilt

"Margaret The First: A Novel" by  Danielle Dulton

"Hold Still: A Memoir with Photographs" by Sally Mann *chosen

Touring the garden

 Next up: "The Door" by Magda Szabo

Happy Reading!
LK

PS: Blueberry Cake recipe (I think this is it??!!)
https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2014/02/09/lemon-blueberry-layer-cake/

Mid March 2016 Musings/April 2016 Bookclub Meeting

Dearest Bookclub,

It is a dreary month for San Diego... just kidding. Can't even get El Niño right because dreary is not in the mission statement. So, let's just say it's a good idea to sit inside and read because you can; the weather is non-dictatorial. 

Must share this musing, a take on an Esquire magazine article on "The 80 Best Books Every Man Should Read":

http://lithub.com/80-books-no-woman-should-read/

We've come a long way baby? Yes, Beryl Markham's shaking the gender lock was remarkable. And what happens in today's global society suggests the disconnect persists yet progress is undeniable. Is McLain's take on Markham a 'Best Book Every Woman Should Read'?



 

"Circling the Sun" promotes the womanly spirit in Paula McLain's novel about Beryl Markham. As Jean Zimmerman declared in her July 28, 2015 NPR book review:

'Paula McLain has created a voice that is lush and intricate to evoke a character who is enviably brave and independent. Markham's self-stated challenge is overcoming the "horrible crimes [of] being a woman and daring to think I could be free." Soaring high over the Atlantic at the age of 28, she finally embraces the freedom she seeks when she learns to defy gravity.'

To read the entire review:
 http://www.npr.org/2015/07/28/426741186/an-airborne-adventurers-journey-in-circling-the-sun 


However, not so fast. Alexandra Fuller's July 31, 2015 New York Times review takes issue with McLain's portrayal - not to 'take away' from Markham's achievements. Fuller states, "McLain’s rendition of Markham as a flapper with a penchant for adventure is exasperating.." Feeling McLain's produced another best-selling bodice ripper at the expense of the fairer sex; is that us as the female body of readers?

Check out entire review:
 http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/02/books/review/circling-the-sun-by-paula-mclain.html?_r=0

 Val has invited us to her home for lunch on April 6 at 1 PM for our next meeting. See you there!

Happy reading,
LK

March(!) 2016 Recap

Dear Bookclub,
"Ordinary Grace" hit the sweet spot of our ever-changing, emotionally-discriminating gray matter. A litany of deaths was easily digested given William Kent Krueger's artful presentation of a time and a place and a beautifully developed community of characters. We rejoiced! Tantalized by the promise of a sequel, we imagined who would be the center of the upcoming work.... Jake seemed most plausible but we shall see.

Terry indulged us on a gorgeous day in her home of many settings. Initially settled on the patio, we skirted any book discussion as Terry excused herself to last minute meal prep. The move to the dining room where we feasted on perfectly poached salmon opened our analysis of "Ordinary Grace" which was a collective admiration of the novel.

Irresistibly started before I remembered to photograph!

A glorious chocolate dessert aided in our continued agreement to chose Oliver Sacks' memoir for an upcoming selection. Terry's suggestions:

"On the Move" by Oliver Sacks *chosen
"Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates
"Refund: Stories" by Karen E. Bender

The dining room continued to coddle our relaxed moods with enjoyable conversation(not to be confused with brilliance), delving into unsolicited advice and good shows to watch (see below).

Memory aide moment:
"Narcos" - Colombian drug tale - Netflix https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcos

Chelsea Handler Does Marriage - Netflix https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chelsea_Does

and something about the New Yorker ... not quite sure if this is it? Trudy?
http://www.amazon.com/The-New-Yorker-Presents-Season/dp/B00RR12SS2

Next up: Paula McClain's "Circling the Sun".
Happy reading,
LK

March(!) Bookclub News

Dear Bookclub,
Hoping this reminder that our March bookclub meeting is this week, February 24 is not a shocker! Terry will be hosting at 12:30 in her home.

William Kent Krueger, a 'gypsy-child' became rooted in Minnesota at age 30 and has been writing Minnesota ever since. "Ordinary Grace" is his first literary fiction work; he has written fifteen Cork O'Connor mysteries with more on the way. Delving into the google, I discovered a very charming writer and encourage you to spend a little time reading about him via his website. There is a 13 minute interview that is great (click 'About'). Snagged by his blog story describing him ditching the sequel to "Ordinary Grace" as it was set to go the publisher, I became more and more interested in knowing this William Kent Krueger. (Don't despair: a new sequel came to him fully-formed which will be interesting to consider when it is published.) Add another layer to your appreciation of  "Ordinary Grace" with Krueger cruising:

http://www.williamkentkrueger.com/

Happy reading!
LK

February(!) 2016 Recap

Dear Bookclub,
Chase is becoming a regular member. We have always been very tolerant of members who don't read the books; he will probably be reading them soon. (Chase, you are always welcome!)

 

Nona teaching Chase to read

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discussing "Orhan's Inheritance", with the consensus that Aline Ohanesian's compelling novel, well-written, reporting a noble message, unfortunately falling numb onto over-loaded war-is-hateful senses, did not deter Chase from being sweet and cheerful. Thank goodness! He represents all that is hopeful!

Chase's support team:

With the intent of searching for uplifting literature, we considered the following for an upcoming selection:

"The Tsar of Love and Techno" Anthony Marra
"A Constellation of Vital Phenomena" Anthony Marra *chosen
"The Heart Goes Last" Margaret Atwood
"The Lost Landscape" Joyce Carol Oates


Are we looking for bibliotherapy? Absolutely! We have had an overdose of war literature. We need an antidote. And because, I do believe that reading can make you happy, please click here:



http://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/can-reading-make-you-happier

Hopefully, our next selection, " an unforgettable novel about discovering the terrible price of wisdom and the enduring grace of God" or "Ordinary Grace", as described on William Kent Krueger's website will give us a new pattern of thought.

Jeepers. I hope this closing is OK....
Happy reading,
LK