Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Spring Book Club Meeting
As you know, Winter's Tale by Mark Helprin was the winner by a very narrow margin. It's a long book so get crackin'! Hee! Anyhow, here is the link for the next meeting.... Please vote by Apr 30th!
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Spring Book Club Vote
Time to vote on the next book:
The Long Walk by Sławomir Rawicz
Labor Day by Joyce Maynard
Winter’s Tale by Mark Helprin
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline
Please vote by April 7th. Thanks!
The Long Walk by Sławomir Rawicz
Labor Day by Joyce Maynard
Winter’s Tale by Mark Helprin
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline
Please vote by April 7th. Thanks!
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Serena Discussion Questions
I got these from LitLovers.
Discussion Questions
1. Explore the novel's use of historical figures and events—Horace Kephart, George Vanderbilt, and the creation of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. How do these characters contribute to the historical texture of the novel? What are the values attributed to these characters? What does the book have to say about the importance of land preservation versus the need for economic interests?
2. How would you describe Serena's philosophy of life? What does she value most? What importance does she place on honesty? In your opinion, did she ever truly love Pemberton? If so, what do her actions in the end say about what she values most in life?
3. The moon, prominent in both mythology and folklore, has traditionally embodied femininity, romantic love, insanity, and life cycles. Serena is associated with the moon throughout the novel, and her name evokes Selena, a goddess of the moon. How does this association deepen the characterization of Serena? Is the author's pairing of the moon with Serena in any way ironic?
4. Although Serena and Rachel have decidedly different personalities, can you see any similarities between them? How do the juxtaposed scenes at the end of Book One—Serena taming the eagle and Rachel carrying Jacob to the doctor—create parallels between these women? How do Rachel's and Serena's childhoods shape their adult personalities?
5. Although many of the novel's events are dark and violent, there are comic moments as well, as in McIntyre's prophecies of snakes falling from the sky. What are some other comic scenes? What purpose do these episodes have in the larger pattern of the novel?
6. There is a hunting episode near the novel's beginning and one at the conclusion. Compare and contrast the characters and actions in these scenes. What foreshadowing can you see in the first hunting scene? How do these connections help you understand the second hunting episode more fully?
7. From the opening scene when he arrives in Waynesville and dispatches Harmon, Pemberton is in control of nearly everyone and everything he surveys. Considering his lifelong position of authority and control through economic and physical violence, why do you think he was blind to Serena's intentions in the end? Does the conclusion change your feelings about Pemberton? Why or why not?
8. Although the novel offers a kind of realism akin to the historical documentary, there are episodes of the otherworldly and supernatural that cannot be explained rationally. What effect do these scenes and characters have on you as the reader?
9. For instance, do you believe in the "second sight" of the blind Mrs. Galloway? What do these examples suggest about the nature of the world and the actions of human beings?
10. Several reviewers have argued that there has never been a character quite like Serena in previous American fiction. Do you agree? Can you think of other female characters who wield such life and death power with such ruthlessness?
Discussion Questions
1. Explore the novel's use of historical figures and events—Horace Kephart, George Vanderbilt, and the creation of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. How do these characters contribute to the historical texture of the novel? What are the values attributed to these characters? What does the book have to say about the importance of land preservation versus the need for economic interests?
2. How would you describe Serena's philosophy of life? What does she value most? What importance does she place on honesty? In your opinion, did she ever truly love Pemberton? If so, what do her actions in the end say about what she values most in life?
3. The moon, prominent in both mythology and folklore, has traditionally embodied femininity, romantic love, insanity, and life cycles. Serena is associated with the moon throughout the novel, and her name evokes Selena, a goddess of the moon. How does this association deepen the characterization of Serena? Is the author's pairing of the moon with Serena in any way ironic?
4. Although Serena and Rachel have decidedly different personalities, can you see any similarities between them? How do the juxtaposed scenes at the end of Book One—Serena taming the eagle and Rachel carrying Jacob to the doctor—create parallels between these women? How do Rachel's and Serena's childhoods shape their adult personalities?
5. Although many of the novel's events are dark and violent, there are comic moments as well, as in McIntyre's prophecies of snakes falling from the sky. What are some other comic scenes? What purpose do these episodes have in the larger pattern of the novel?
6. There is a hunting episode near the novel's beginning and one at the conclusion. Compare and contrast the characters and actions in these scenes. What foreshadowing can you see in the first hunting scene? How do these connections help you understand the second hunting episode more fully?
7. From the opening scene when he arrives in Waynesville and dispatches Harmon, Pemberton is in control of nearly everyone and everything he surveys. Considering his lifelong position of authority and control through economic and physical violence, why do you think he was blind to Serena's intentions in the end? Does the conclusion change your feelings about Pemberton? Why or why not?
8. Although the novel offers a kind of realism akin to the historical documentary, there are episodes of the otherworldly and supernatural that cannot be explained rationally. What effect do these scenes and characters have on you as the reader?
9. For instance, do you believe in the "second sight" of the blind Mrs. Galloway? What do these examples suggest about the nature of the world and the actions of human beings?
10. Several reviewers have argued that there has never been a character quite like Serena in previous American fiction. Do you agree? Can you think of other female characters who wield such life and death power with such ruthlessness?
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Our next meeting is....
Fri 3/7/14 by a very small margin. Location to be determined still.... You've got a month to read Serena!
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Winter Book Club Selection is.......
Serena by Ron Rash. I hope the holidays treated everyone well (within reason of course). I sent an email in Dec to see if anyone wanted to host the next one and I threatened that if no one answered, I would pick our next book. Not a peep from FB or email so I picked something. It is not super new so it should be easier to get it. Amazon Kindle price is $7.99. The library has it in hard copy. It's being made into a movie so I hope we all enjoy it (fingers crossed). Here is the poll for you to vote on the next meeting date. I tried to give a variety of times/dates. Please do the poll by 1/23/14 (that's 2 weeks from now). I will close it on the 24th. Stay warm!
Monday, December 9, 2013
The World Is Flat....(it's a small world after all)
Tweeted our book club pic and got a response back from our author....
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Re: Holiday Meeting is Friday Dec 6th
We're meeting at Chili's in Round Lake (300 E Rollins Rd, Round Lake Beach, IL 60073) at 6:30 to discuss Spending the Holiday with People I Want to Punch in the Throat. At 8:00pm, we'll head over to the Regal Theater to see the 8:20pm show of Hunger Games - Catching Fire.
Hope to see you all there!!!
Sincerely,Hope to see you all there!!!
Anjanette
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Book Club is on FB and has it's own blog at http://woldbookclub.blogspot.com/
Book Club is on FB and has it's own blog at http://woldbookclub.blogspot.com/
On Thu, Nov 21, 2013 at 11:57 AM, Anjanette Wold <anjanettew@gmail.com> wrote:
More details to follow!
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