Book # 7 ~ Shannon's Pick: Bird's of a Lesser Paradise by Megan Mayhew Bergman

I chose Birds of a Lesser Paradise by Megan Mayhew Bergman for a few reasons. First, I love short stories. Second, I thought people may like some stories more than others, giving a greater chance you won't hate the whole thing!  Third, I got the book when I was on vacation in Vermont. I like to buy a book by a local author and Bergman lives in Vermont.  Finally - I love her turn of phrase and hope you like it too. Happy Reading. 

~ Shannon

South of Broad: Review by Dorothy

Emma: Review by Carissa

 Emma

     I know Jane Austen warned us in the intro how unlikeable Emma was but I didn't realize that every character would fall into that category.  I suppose that isn't entirely the case...Jane Fairfax was grateful for the Campbell's bringing her up, very patient with her family,  she was strong in setting boundaries for the intrusive Mrs. Elton and handled Frank Churchill like he deserved.  She was by far my favorite character in this book.  The Weston's seemed like lovely people as well.  They truly cared for their friends as shown by their scheduling a dinner party and dance around Mr. Woodhouse's extremely particular needs and taking deeply to heart Frank's mishandling of Emma.  Emma was so selfish it was unbearable.  Mr. Knightley came off as much more pompous than he did in the movie where he showed such feeling.  Harriett is basically Emma's hand puppet.  Mr. Elton has chosen to spend the rest of his life with the only person more obnoxious than he is, that being said I found myself celebrating the entry of the extremely annoying Mrs. Elton just to break up the monotony.  

     I am afraid I wouldn't have fared well in that era.  Sure there are days when I long for the most pressing thing on my schedule being a visit from a friend, but every day?  No thank you.  I do think it is a fascinating glimpse into the lives of people so different from myself and my environment.  It reminds me a bit of 'Downton Abby' where the girls are really only expected to behave like ladies, find a good match and marry.  At least in this PBS drama the women have minds of their own and much more depth. A movie that I remember watching and liking is 'The Jane Austen Book Club' and now that I have read 'Emma' I realize what an undertaking this was. 

     Taking all of the above into account I am really glad we read this book.  It's a classic and I have always wanted to read Jane Austen.  She has a fascinating mind, I may even give 'Pride & Prejudice' a shot one day.

Book #6 ~ Dorothy's pick: 'South of Broad' by Pat Conroy

We begin round two...

I've been having quite a time choosing a book for club.  Finally decided on 'South of Broad' by Pat Conroy.  He is one of my favorite writers, many characters and incidents in his books come from his own life.  I hope everyone enjoys it.

~ Dorothy

Emma: Review by Dorothy

Grandma asked that I re-type her review as she is having trouble with her electric typewriter.  I love seeing the review in her own hand so I uploaded it as well.

May 1, 2013

Emma by Jane Austen: Review by Dorothy

I started to write this review Wednesday morning, but had to give up as I was going to Bridge Club.  But I was glad I did, as when I got home from Club, I had the movie of Emma in the mail from Netflix. I watched it that night.  It was interesting to see the books characters come to life.  I hadn't pictured Gwyneth Paltrow as Emma, but she did a good job and the movie was very true to the book.

I haven't read a classic in years. I have read some of Jane Austen's books, first time, I think for Emma.  It was so different from what I am used to reading, and I wish it had had more action and less talk.  Obviously life was different then, but all they ever did was go visiting to hear the latest gossip, or, as Emma did, spend her time trying to arrange marriages, but only if they met her standards.  Emma was a very self-centered young lady, and hard to like.  Mr. Knightley was the only sensible character in the book, so that fact that he ended up marrying Emma gives hope that Emma will start showing the maturity she has lacked in the past.

 

  

Garden Spells: Review by Shannon

     LOVED IT! I really enjoy magical realism as a style of story and this one combined cooking, gardening and magical realism. It was a great read. It sparked a wonderful dinner discussion when I told Andy and Katherine about the book and asked them what they would like their magical power to be.  Katherine wanted to be like the little girl and be able to know where everything belonged.  Very enjoyable read!

~Shannon

Sutton: Review by Shannon

     It's the bookclub clique, I would not have read this book if it were not part of bookclub - but I'm glad that I did. I was pulled in to the story and found myself hearing references to "Slick Willy" in the media while I was reading the book and after.  I did have this unsettled feeling when I would read about the relationship and that was certainly a foreshadowing of the ending. I KNEW something was off!  What a great take on memory and legacy.

~Shannon