Tuesday, October 28, 2008
New Books Are In
The next book: The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox is available at the Reference Desk.
Book Discussion for Away
There were a number of discussion topics covered: immigrant literature, role of women, users, bad sex, emotions (or lack thereof), dreams and the ending. I very much doubt that we came to any firm conclusions but we very much enjoyed the journey.
1. One of the first questions I ask at every book group is: "Would you recommend this book to a friend?"
In the back of the trade paper edition there are a number of questions. Here are some of the ones we found most fruitful.
2. Relationships among family members, particularly parents and children, play an important role in the novel. Compare and contrast the relationship between Lillian and Sophie, Reuben and Meyer, Chinky and the Changs. What is distinct about each family? What is different?
3. Contrast Yaakov's story with Lillian's. How do they each handle the loss of a spouse and children, and how are they changed?
4. Dreams are a recurring theme in the novel. What are Lillian's dreams, both literal and metaphorical? How do these illustrate or inform the larger subject of the American dream?
5. "Not that she is mine. That I am hers, " Lillian says, describing her love for Sophie (p.79 - trade paper). In many ways, love is the primary engine of the plot. How does love define, inspire, and compel characters in the novel? What are some of the things characters do for love? Do you think tht love is portrayed in the novel as a wholly positive force?
1. One of the first questions I ask at every book group is: "Would you recommend this book to a friend?"
In the back of the trade paper edition there are a number of questions. Here are some of the ones we found most fruitful.
2. Relationships among family members, particularly parents and children, play an important role in the novel. Compare and contrast the relationship between Lillian and Sophie, Reuben and Meyer, Chinky and the Changs. What is distinct about each family? What is different?
3. Contrast Yaakov's story with Lillian's. How do they each handle the loss of a spouse and children, and how are they changed?
4. Dreams are a recurring theme in the novel. What are Lillian's dreams, both literal and metaphorical? How do these illustrate or inform the larger subject of the American dream?
5. "Not that she is mine. That I am hers, " Lillian says, describing her love for Sophie (p.79 - trade paper). In many ways, love is the primary engine of the plot. How does love define, inspire, and compel characters in the novel? What are some of the things characters do for love? Do you think tht love is portrayed in the novel as a wholly positive force?
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Book Club Meeting and China Blog
Our inaugural meeting will be Friday, October 24th at 5:00 p.m. in the Library. We will have the library to ourselves.
As you may (or may not) know I am going with a group of faculty to China in support of a grant on Internationalizing Curriculum . Eileen McKee, Julie Delfinado, Roxanne Munch (from our very own book club), Berta Arias, Fred Miller, Max Lee and Jim Ethridge will be going as well. Gisele Atterberry (also a member of our little coterie) won't be going with us to China but will be visiting England instead (she has my deepest sympathies for the dreadful location.) We have created a blog (we hope to have it posted to a college web page soon) and hope to be posting from China. Here is the address: http://jjcchinavisit.blogspot.com/
Be sure to watch as I try, very hard, to stay out of trouble.
As you may (or may not) know I am going with a group of faculty to China in support of a grant on Internationalizing Curriculum . Eileen McKee, Julie Delfinado, Roxanne Munch (from our very own book club), Berta Arias, Fred Miller, Max Lee and Jim Ethridge will be going as well. Gisele Atterberry (also a member of our little coterie) won't be going with us to China but will be visiting England instead (she has my deepest sympathies for the dreadful location.) We have created a blog (we hope to have it posted to a college web page soon) and hope to be posting from China. Here is the address: http://jjcchinavisit.blogspot.com/
Be sure to watch as I try, very hard, to stay out of trouble.
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