I have read Shantaram quite some time ago - I loved the first 2/3 of the book, but not that much the last 1/3, although I have to admit, I cannot really remember why....

A North Coast Perspective

Posted by Robyn.....

Hi everyone,
It sounds like the first event went off strongly. I am very sorry I was unable to attend. I agree with the comments posted. Thanks ven for organizing blog and posting comments. I have tried repeatedly to make gmail happen and have even had an account previously. I need to wait for tech support. I'm currently reading shantaram so I may not make it the next book in time.
Looking forward to keeping up on the blog though.
Love rob

Re: Getting the Band Back Together - February 2012

Post by Bec....

Hey V, thanks for taking the time to share I totally agree about "The Help"
it could've been so much more but I guess that has been done before. I am
LOVING L in T Cholera - been a while since I've read a book of that
calibre, your comments make me just want to read on... Looking forward to
touching base soon and still looking forward to my first bookclub revival...
xo

Re: March Book Club - Sunday 25th 10.30am

Post from Clan2e

Subject: Re: March Book Club - Sunday 25th 10.30am

 

Hi All, I drove through the Woolloongabba Antique centre on Sunday morning at 10:30am. It was very crowded. People lined up to get into cafes.  No parking at that time of the morning unless you park in surrounding streets. I would suggest a different location.  There's a lovely new little coffee shop in the Stones Corner precinct. It's next to a little bookshop.  I will check it out and see if it's up to our high standards and report back.

 

:)

C

PS. Good luck on Friday Rachelle...hope everything goes well for you and bubby.

 

Getting the Band Back Together - February 2012

It has been a long while between coffees and there has even been  baby or two.... It was lovely for us to get together again on Sunday - We did miss you Robyn and Bec!
We had a healthy discussion about our 2 books of the month, Ti: The Help, Au: Kathryn Stockett; and Ti: Love in the Time of Cholera, Au: Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
2 books - 2 very different periods of time and genre.  Both are stories which explore the intensity of relationships, the meaning those relationships bring to one's sense of belonging, identity and experiene in the world - yet through 2 very differen naratives.
In 'The Help' we are invited to take a peek into the experience of african americans during the african-ameican civil rights movement of the late 1960's, and in 'Love in the Time of Cholera' we are are invited to reflect on the meaning and intensity of love and the impact the notion and experience of love has on the formation of one's identity.

The were many different views expessed in our discussion & I will take author's penwoman ship to characterise the differet levels of our discussion. 
'The Help' is one of the many tea cup, coffee table books definitely worth a read as a modern popular novel.  It brings to the fore some important themes, yet we all agreed it presents a loose and at time flimsy portrayal of what it must have felt like to live with the fear and intergenerational oppression in a racially bigotted and the discriminatory social climate of the times (and generations before).  Kathryn Stockett's attempt to highlight the love and respect which existed between the classes of black and white, is lost somewhat in the reality of abuse, violene and over-riding oppression of segregation laws and behaviours of the time.
'Love in the Time of Cholera' is a beautifully written book.  Every paragraph laden with richness which commanded presence of attention of the reader so as not to loose the potency of the love story.  A book which is to be savoured and not read quickly or when tired.  A remarkable love story spanning more than fifty years.  Oprah said, "one of the greatest  love stories I hve ever read...It is so beautifully written...it will make you ask yourself how long couldyou,or would you, wait for love?".  Characters which will endear themselves and at other times invite you to be less than generous in your appraisal of their character and choices. Sounds just like the nature of caring relationships - love and care always, yet not always approving in our judgement or liking of behaviours displayed in others whom we love dearly.

NOW this is just a very rudmentary start, not at all reflective of all of the perspectives at thte table from our Sunday morning coversation.  Feel free to add posts too....