Our French-Asian Feast

…And discussion was as good as the feast!

Everyone loved The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery.  It was a well told story with excellent character development.  A tightly written work, Barbery told the story with an economy of words.  We appreciated that some chapters conveyed her thoughts in only one sentence.  Much like Renee was described as hedgehog, the book was also a bit of a hedgehog, hiding under the prickly philosophy that started the story. However, the philosophy in the beginning of the book did not seem to trouble any of us.

We were all struck by Renee’s final thoughts especially the thought that when she dies her husband will also be truly dead because she was the last to remember him.  We also discussed how observant it was of Barberry that in the end it is the little things, little observations or actions that count and are what people remember us by much like the camellias on moss, or peanut butter and blackberry jam sandwiches

Special thanks to Jamie for the delicious ratatouille and for hosting.  We had brie with blackberry jam, Camembert cheese, sushi,  gyoza,  fruit, macaroons and madeleines.

If you haven’t read the book, the audio is very highly recommended!

It is from the LitLovers site.

Read-Think-Talk About a Book

Print out this handy chart and tuck it inside your book.

• Does the author’s use of language (diction and syntax) draw you in, or put you off?

• How would you describe the style: lyrical, pompous, complex and wordy, easy and straightforward, humorous, or offensive?

• Are the characters convincing? Do they come alive for you? How would you describe them — as sympathetic, likeable, thoughtful, intelligent, innocent, naive, strong or weak? Something else?

• Do you identify with any characters? Are you able to look at events in the book through their eyes — even if you don’t like or approve of them?

• Are characters developed psychologically and emotionally? Do you have access to their inner thoughts and motivations? Or do you know them mostly through dialogue and action?

• Do any characters change or grow by the end of the story? Do they come to view the world and their relationship to it differently?

• Does the plot hold your interest? Does it keep you turning pages? Does it move briskly or unfold slowly?

• What is the story’s central conflict? Is it between characters, a character and society, a character and nature? Is it internal—an emotional struggle within the character? Does the conflict create tension, even suspense, to hold your interest?

• How is the story told— in chronological order? Or does the author play with time, veering back and forth between past and present?

• Is the plot simple or complex? Are there subplots related to the main plot—or separate, distinct story lines, operating independently and merging at the end?

• Were you surprised by the ending? Was information withheld till the end? Were there cliff-hangers at the end of chapters? Did that irritate you or make you want to read on?

• Can you think of the work’s themes, or its larger meanings? What might the author be trying to get at, to say?

• Symbols intensify meaning. Can you identify any in the book—people, actions or objects that stand for something greater than themselves?

• Does the author use irony—a different outcome, or reality, than expected. Irony mimics real life: too often the opposite of what we want or intend happens.

We decided to tackle a few modern classics.

February 24- Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barberry

March 31- Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte-Kelly host

April 28- The Color Purple by Alice Walker-Roberta host

May 26- A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson-

June 30- Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie- Donna host

July/August A Hitchhiker’s Guide Through the Galaxy by Douglas Adams- Karen host

Fahrenheit 451 and Olive Kitteredge for the fall

No, this is not a New Years resolution, but it is time to start updating this blog.

Thank you Holly for hosting this month and thanks to Rick for the tasty crock pot lasagna.  The group discussed the book Wicked by Gregory Maguire.  We all felt it a little short of our expectations.  We were surprised by the sexuality in the book – Karen especially, since she knew a number of 6th graders who read the book.  The book had a well thought out structure but we were disappointed in the character of Elphaba.  She started out as such a strong character but just fizzled by the end.  Those who saw the play said they much preferred it than the book.  The play more satisfactorily explored the relationship between the witches.

Thanks to Mahbod Seraji for speaking with us about his book by Skype.  It was a wonderful conversation and a beautiful evening at Lynn’s.  We always have good food, wine and conversation and tonight was no exception.  Thanks to Karen and Tom for setting this up and I am happy to say that the Barrington Library is now featuring this book for book clubs!

I personally would love to have Amy’s recipe for Taboulleh (sp):) It was fabulous.

Cheryl

2 c. sugar, divided

1# butter

4 eggs

2t. baking powder

6 1/2 c. flour

3/4 c. almonds, chopped fine (I left these out)

Mix 1 c. sugar with butter until white & light. Mix remaining sugar with eggs. Stir mixtures together; add baking powder and flour; mix well. Add almonds. Divide dough into 6 portions; roll each part as thick as a child’s wrist. Place on a greased cookie sheet.  Bake @ 325 for 30-45 mins. Cool slightly; when easy to handle, cut diagonal slices the width of a finger. Lay slices on cookie sheets and dry thoroughly in a 250 oven about 1 hour.  Watch carefully and turn.  Cool and store in airtight container.