Hello ladies:
I know that you think that I have really dropped out of the whole scene, but I haven't...really I haven't.
I read this book some time ago and I really enjoyed the idea of learning about the chinese culture. I find it fascinating...and I am greatful that I was born where and when I was. I was shocked by the explination of the foot binding and how young it began. I started to see my nieces and how their feet would be well on the way to being bent over and twisted...how did these women walk, work or stand for that matter...don't get me started. The reason these women were mulitated the way they were was for the sexual gratification of their spouses. Crazy stuff. But, we have to remember that women were second class citizens...and unfortunately still are in so many societies.
It was unfortunate too that how the women were treated they mimiced in their own interpersonal relationships. Lily to me was a sad character... She truly fell victim to her own treatment and was just as intolerant to others around her. I agree with Karen when she said that she didn't have a great self esteem/self love etc. (I think it was Karen...) In any case how does one love others if they really don't love themselves.
Interesting book...thanks for the pick!
Tuesday, January 15
Sunday, January 13
Sorry this will be late
I just got the book from the library yesterday- 5 people had holds on it in front of me. Sorry about my tardiness. Your reviews have made me somewhat hesistant to read it as I am not in the mood for a "depressing" book at the moment. But they have also intrigued me so I will dive in... I'll read and post as fast as I can. :)
Saturday, January 12
Lily
I've been very intrigued by the varying opinions on this book. It wasn't until several of you commented on how depressing the book is that I realized that it is depressing. I guess that I viewed it as one woman's life journey, her regrets, and her attempts to make amends. I was proud of Lily for finally seeing the carnage of her life, even though her penitence was too little too late.
The comments that were made about basing one's decisions on their horoscope, and the role of women in that culture made me wonder what kinds of things I would/wouldn't do living in such confinement. In Lily's shoes, how many of us would place compassion over obedience to family honor. I too appreciate how blessed we are to live in this country at this time. We have the choice to be whatever we choose. We are not considered worthless if we never marry or bare sons. Some of the people I admire most in my life are my single friends and family members. I would never want any of them to underestimate the impact for good that they have had on me and others.
I can't say that I disliked Lily, but I was disappointed in her at times. I felt that Lily was very stuborn, and greedily held onto her grudge under the guise of duty. Perhaps that came from her inability to allow others to love her, or her failure to see that she was worth loving. Her relationship with her husband was heartbreaking because he loved her, but she didn't love herself enough to love him back.
Lily's aunt (I can't remember her name right now) was probably my favorite character. She seemed to have an inate ablility to find joy in the mundane.
I was going to apologize to those of you who didn't care for the book, but I think that that is one of the best parts of beloning to a book club. We don't always have to like or appreciate the books that others choose, but it's good to read a variety of genres, see other perspectives, and think about things that we might not otherwise.
I'm excited about reading "Jane Eyre" again. It's one of my all time favorites. I promise that my next pick will have nothing to do with the Chinese culture.
The comments that were made about basing one's decisions on their horoscope, and the role of women in that culture made me wonder what kinds of things I would/wouldn't do living in such confinement. In Lily's shoes, how many of us would place compassion over obedience to family honor. I too appreciate how blessed we are to live in this country at this time. We have the choice to be whatever we choose. We are not considered worthless if we never marry or bare sons. Some of the people I admire most in my life are my single friends and family members. I would never want any of them to underestimate the impact for good that they have had on me and others.
I can't say that I disliked Lily, but I was disappointed in her at times. I felt that Lily was very stuborn, and greedily held onto her grudge under the guise of duty. Perhaps that came from her inability to allow others to love her, or her failure to see that she was worth loving. Her relationship with her husband was heartbreaking because he loved her, but she didn't love herself enough to love him back.
Lily's aunt (I can't remember her name right now) was probably my favorite character. She seemed to have an inate ablility to find joy in the mundane.
I was going to apologize to those of you who didn't care for the book, but I think that that is one of the best parts of beloning to a book club. We don't always have to like or appreciate the books that others choose, but it's good to read a variety of genres, see other perspectives, and think about things that we might not otherwise.
I'm excited about reading "Jane Eyre" again. It's one of my all time favorites. I promise that my next pick will have nothing to do with the Chinese culture.
Friday, January 11
Snowflower and the Secret Fan
"Raising a girl and marrying her off is like building a fancy road for others to use." I think this quote from Snowflower and the Secret Fan sums up the book for me. The quote comes from one of the chants the women sing to Lily on the Day of Sorrow and Worry before her wedding. I don't normally like books or movies dealing with Chinese culture but this book I was actually able to keep my interest. I loved learning about the rituals surrounding foot binding, nu shu, and the relationships between men and women. I had heard of foot binding before I read the book but I didn't realize the practice was performed on 6 and 7 -year old girls. I also didn't know that it killed 1 out of every 10 girls.
While I loved immersing myself in the historical customs, I didn't enjoy the relationship between Lily and Snowflower. I was really unsympathetic to Lily. I know that she didn't know how to respond to Snowflower's sad situations but she didn't have to stick to the obedience schtick. I have to say that I did cry at certain points throughout the book--Beautiful Moon's death, when Snowflower's second son died, the mistreatment of Snowflower by her husband--but I did not cry when Lily mis-read the nu shu letter from Snowflower. I couldn't cough up that much sympathy for Lily. Also, did anyone else notice that none of the men have name's except for Lily's husband? None of the boy children are named. They just call them eldest son, second son, etc. Strange. And while Lily did try to make things right at the end for Snowflower's children, I thought it was too little too late. But then again, how much could Lily have done for Snowflower while she was still alive and married? A woman alone was worse than an animal for at least an animal had worth. And to think there are still cultures that have that kind of thinking about women's worth. I am thankful that we as American women have all the choices we do, especially as a single woman :)
Also, reading about the 8 characters and the 12 signs of the horoscope and how much their lives depended on this information was fascinating to me:
"Naturally, I'd like to say that Snow Flower and I followed our horse natures exactly as the horoscopes outline, but horses--and people--are not always obedient. We say one thing and do another. We feel one way; then our hearts open in another direction. We see one thing but don't understand that blinders hinder our vision." I thought this quote really humanizes Lily but she thought this on the day before her wedding, before she knew the truth of Snow Flower's life. Regardless of how she tried to "see something bigger" than her "tiny slice of life I could see from our lattice window," she couldn't see the sorrow happening so close to her. Also, can you imagine following your horoscope and astrological signs so much so that your life decisions and personality are completely based on them? While I enjoy checking out my horoscope and reading my fortune from a chinese cookie (and adding bed at the end of the fortune), I don't actually believe that "this is a lucky day. You receive good news about money and if you decide to do any traveling this weekend--you have picked the right time for traveling." My actual fortune for today! It's a good thing I am actually traveling this weekend. Hmmm....maybe there is something to this horoscope thing ;)
Wednesday, January 9
The Secret Fan
Just another post from me that proves how emotional and easily influenced I am. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I didn't want to put it down. Not a good thing when I've been sick this past week... staying up way too late turning pages.
Since Thursday I've had Lily and Snow Flower on my mind. I think about them in all that I do. Like, These Is My Words, I have compared my life to theirs and feel such gratitude for the conveniences I have, the time I was born and the country I was born into. We are so blessed to live in the United States. It's pretty amazing to think of the small percentage who are fortunate enough to be born in this country and partake of the freedoms we enjoy.
So I dream about the customs of Lily and Snow Flower, I think about them in my sleep, gals! At 5am this morning, I woke with an earache, but prior to waking fully, I realized I was dreaming of Lily and Snow Flower taking care of me with their herbs to draw out the infection in my ear. So I laid there longer obeying what they said and endured the pain a bit longer until I realized where I was.
After reading the other reviews, I see I am the odd ball. Though I did feel detached like Danielle P. explained, I enjoyed the characters. No tears were shed as I read this book. I was calmly in awe the whole way through. Not having contact with the "outer realm", being trained daily on how to be married, being told they were worthless every day, arranged marriage and understanding their lowly place as women. What an unbearable load they carried from the moment their memories began. As appalling as it seems to we Americans, it was their life and it was respectable. I can only praise Lily and Snow Flower for their grace. The only thing I didn't condone was how Lily publicly humiliated Snow Flower. Everything else that played out seemed as good as it could possibly be with the statuses they were afforded.
Yes, communication was limited. Their society was so different from anything we could understand. Stating their true feelings was very risky. Even with the closeness of a loatong, Snow Flower had her reasons for keeping secrets. That said, I respected Lily's bitterness for everyone leaving her out of the loop for so many years. It was an added dagger to the conniving behavior of her mother. Understandable.
The happy part of the book, I found, was that Lily was a better mother than her mother. A common thing we find in life today. We always want to do better than our parents did. Sure, new mistakes are made since we only get one shot at it, but the intention to do better is there.
Thank you for choosing this book. It is piece of Chinese culture I probably would have never picked up myself.
(In my search to find photos of the bound feet, I found and enjoyed this article.)
Since Thursday I've had Lily and Snow Flower on my mind. I think about them in all that I do. Like, These Is My Words, I have compared my life to theirs and feel such gratitude for the conveniences I have, the time I was born and the country I was born into. We are so blessed to live in the United States. It's pretty amazing to think of the small percentage who are fortunate enough to be born in this country and partake of the freedoms we enjoy.
So I dream about the customs of Lily and Snow Flower, I think about them in my sleep, gals! At 5am this morning, I woke with an earache, but prior to waking fully, I realized I was dreaming of Lily and Snow Flower taking care of me with their herbs to draw out the infection in my ear. So I laid there longer obeying what they said and endured the pain a bit longer until I realized where I was.
After reading the other reviews, I see I am the odd ball. Though I did feel detached like Danielle P. explained, I enjoyed the characters. No tears were shed as I read this book. I was calmly in awe the whole way through. Not having contact with the "outer realm", being trained daily on how to be married, being told they were worthless every day, arranged marriage and understanding their lowly place as women. What an unbearable load they carried from the moment their memories began. As appalling as it seems to we Americans, it was their life and it was respectable. I can only praise Lily and Snow Flower for their grace. The only thing I didn't condone was how Lily publicly humiliated Snow Flower. Everything else that played out seemed as good as it could possibly be with the statuses they were afforded.
Yes, communication was limited. Their society was so different from anything we could understand. Stating their true feelings was very risky. Even with the closeness of a loatong, Snow Flower had her reasons for keeping secrets. That said, I respected Lily's bitterness for everyone leaving her out of the loop for so many years. It was an added dagger to the conniving behavior of her mother. Understandable.
The happy part of the book, I found, was that Lily was a better mother than her mother. A common thing we find in life today. We always want to do better than our parents did. Sure, new mistakes are made since we only get one shot at it, but the intention to do better is there.
Thank you for choosing this book. It is piece of Chinese culture I probably would have never picked up myself.
(In my search to find photos of the bound feet, I found and enjoyed this article.)
Keep it a 'Secret'
I know Katie said she preferred this novel to The Good Earth. I disagree. I found The Good Earth to be gripping, emotional, interesting. I am sorry to report I cannot use any of those words to describe Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. Because it lacked those characteristics, among others, this book was difficult for me to read.
The themes author Lisa See explored were viable: friendship, betrayal, family dynamics, poverty. She even described some fascinating (if not bewildering) customs: foot-binding, marriage customs in China of the era, medical remedies. (I admit I skipped quickly over the pig-butchering. It didn't sit well with my breakfast. No bacon, but still....) In the end, though, I found that I just didn't care.
A good novel starts and ends with characters I either love or relate to on an emotional level (Elizabeth Bennett, Sally J. Friedman). They tell funny anecdotes, endure heart-breaking situations, and are witty, intelligent, and moral. I neither loved nor related to Snow Flower or Lily. It's possible it's because they "lived" in a country 6,000 miles away nearly 200 years ago. More likely, the characters were not "real" enough -- or likable enough -- for my tastes. Something kept me too distant from them. I am picturing Lily as she almost robotically performs her duties, especially as the new Lady Lu.
As for Snow Flower, though there were hints here and there about her wanting to "fly off," her actions did not corroborate her feelings. As the story unfolds, we learn she was more trapped in her situation than we were led to know at the beginning. Still, I did not find a lot of emotional depth within her. I am willing to listen to an argument that the setting was, in part, at fault. Snow Flower could hardly have flown off anywhere given her poor situation during that era. But I can't help thinking a better novelist could have given Snow Flower more dynamism.
The fact that there are very few real discussions in the book -- mostly just recollections -- also kept me feeling distant from the events and people. Never "hearing" Lily's husband speak was one example of a relationship that meant nothing to me. Was the author also telling us that the relationship meant nothing to Lily either? It's hard to tell.
The slow, cumbersome story-telling kept the novel from being more gripping. It took so long to get to the point. If the author was trying to build up the "before" to make us really understand how good things used to be between Snow Flower and Lily, then she erred on the side of quantity over quality. So many scenes seemed extraneous: sitting up in the ladies' chamber, Lily's older sister's marriage problems, each detail about the secret women's writing.
In addition to the dearth of compelling characters and forward-moving story-telling, the book was plain depressing! Sad story after sad story: Spring Moon's death, foot-binding, marriage to strangers, no mother-daughter love, poverty, civil unrest, opium addiction, miscarriage. The author might have made the book more readable had she imbued a little more sunshine and humor. Just because a book reflects the realities of the time does not mean there is nothing to laugh at.
This book gave me very little to smile about. I don't call it a waste of time; it had its value, especially in its descriptions of the customs of the time. Other than that, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan could fly away as if it were one of a pair of mandarin ducks, and I would not be worse off for it.
The themes author Lisa See explored were viable: friendship, betrayal, family dynamics, poverty. She even described some fascinating (if not bewildering) customs: foot-binding, marriage customs in China of the era, medical remedies. (I admit I skipped quickly over the pig-butchering. It didn't sit well with my breakfast. No bacon, but still....) In the end, though, I found that I just didn't care.
A good novel starts and ends with characters I either love or relate to on an emotional level (Elizabeth Bennett, Sally J. Friedman). They tell funny anecdotes, endure heart-breaking situations, and are witty, intelligent, and moral. I neither loved nor related to Snow Flower or Lily. It's possible it's because they "lived" in a country 6,000 miles away nearly 200 years ago. More likely, the characters were not "real" enough -- or likable enough -- for my tastes. Something kept me too distant from them. I am picturing Lily as she almost robotically performs her duties, especially as the new Lady Lu.
As for Snow Flower, though there were hints here and there about her wanting to "fly off," her actions did not corroborate her feelings. As the story unfolds, we learn she was more trapped in her situation than we were led to know at the beginning. Still, I did not find a lot of emotional depth within her. I am willing to listen to an argument that the setting was, in part, at fault. Snow Flower could hardly have flown off anywhere given her poor situation during that era. But I can't help thinking a better novelist could have given Snow Flower more dynamism.
The fact that there are very few real discussions in the book -- mostly just recollections -- also kept me feeling distant from the events and people. Never "hearing" Lily's husband speak was one example of a relationship that meant nothing to me. Was the author also telling us that the relationship meant nothing to Lily either? It's hard to tell.
The slow, cumbersome story-telling kept the novel from being more gripping. It took so long to get to the point. If the author was trying to build up the "before" to make us really understand how good things used to be between Snow Flower and Lily, then she erred on the side of quantity over quality. So many scenes seemed extraneous: sitting up in the ladies' chamber, Lily's older sister's marriage problems, each detail about the secret women's writing.
In addition to the dearth of compelling characters and forward-moving story-telling, the book was plain depressing! Sad story after sad story: Spring Moon's death, foot-binding, marriage to strangers, no mother-daughter love, poverty, civil unrest, opium addiction, miscarriage. The author might have made the book more readable had she imbued a little more sunshine and humor. Just because a book reflects the realities of the time does not mean there is nothing to laugh at.
This book gave me very little to smile about. I don't call it a waste of time; it had its value, especially in its descriptions of the customs of the time. Other than that, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan could fly away as if it were one of a pair of mandarin ducks, and I would not be worse off for it.
Mea Culpa
Hello fellow Les Liesuses! Hope you had a good holiday season and the new year is treating you right.
I just wanted to apologize for not being better at posting. I finished reading "These is my words" on time and enjoyed it a lot (though I must confess that the first "chapter" had me a wee bit freaked out I'd have a twangy narration going on in my head for the rest of the book. I'll forever be grateful Savannah taught Sarah how to read and spell better!), but missed posting my review for so long that I got a bit embarrassed to do/say anything about it. I'm so glad it turned into a romance with Sarah and Jack (even with the sad ending) verses the unnerving travelogue of Indian violence, rape, pillage and plunder. It also made me, yet again, grateful for flush toilets (heck! all indoor plumbing and modern appliances) and feminine hygiene products and ob-gyns.
Speaking of the latter, and somewhat explaining my sad participation as of late, is the fact that I am pregnant with our fourth (and probably last) baby and have, quite frankly, been very ill with this one and consequently have become a slacker in many aspect of my life. I just have a few weeks left before I'm done with my first trimester and hopefully things will balance out and I'll start feeling normal again. So, I'm sorry I missed Snow Flower...it sounds really interesting and I was appreciatively aghast at the foot binding pictures (ye gads! I feel bad for ever complaining if my toenails get a bit snaggled-toothed). And I have loved reading all the insightful comments everyone has contributed. You ladies are so smart and insightful and I really appreciate everyone's discussion. It truly is a pleasure to be part of this group and I hope to get back in the saddle, so to speak.
:) Laurenda
I just wanted to apologize for not being better at posting. I finished reading "These is my words" on time and enjoyed it a lot (though I must confess that the first "chapter" had me a wee bit freaked out I'd have a twangy narration going on in my head for the rest of the book. I'll forever be grateful Savannah taught Sarah how to read and spell better!), but missed posting my review for so long that I got a bit embarrassed to do/say anything about it. I'm so glad it turned into a romance with Sarah and Jack (even with the sad ending) verses the unnerving travelogue of Indian violence, rape, pillage and plunder. It also made me, yet again, grateful for flush toilets (heck! all indoor plumbing and modern appliances) and feminine hygiene products and ob-gyns.
Speaking of the latter, and somewhat explaining my sad participation as of late, is the fact that I am pregnant with our fourth (and probably last) baby and have, quite frankly, been very ill with this one and consequently have become a slacker in many aspect of my life. I just have a few weeks left before I'm done with my first trimester and hopefully things will balance out and I'll start feeling normal again. So, I'm sorry I missed Snow Flower...it sounds really interesting and I was appreciatively aghast at the foot binding pictures (ye gads! I feel bad for ever complaining if my toenails get a bit snaggled-toothed). And I have loved reading all the insightful comments everyone has contributed. You ladies are so smart and insightful and I really appreciate everyone's discussion. It truly is a pleasure to be part of this group and I hope to get back in the saddle, so to speak.
:) Laurenda
Snow Flower...
I'm going to hurry and post now so that Danielle can use my copy of the book for her post.
Although I liked Snow Flower better than The Good Earth (Karen Buxton, was that your choice, too?), I found the book extremely depressing. The Chinese attitude toward women is so frustrating - and I know they are not the only culture with these attitudes. Women are only good for bearing sons - bearing daughters is a disgrace. ARGH! Guess what? Without bearing daughters, there would be no one to bear sons. A woman's identity is based only on her husband and her sons? Women have their own identity, whether they are married or single, whether they have children or not. I found The Three Obediences (pg. 24) to be especially annoying: "When a girl, obey your father; when a wife, obey your husband; when a widow, obey your son." This quote on page 151, "Sons are the foundation of a woman's self. They give a woman her identity...," really ruffled my feathers, as well.
The descriptions of the foot binding experience were excruciating - thanks, Karen B., for the pictures. I had a hard time imagining what the finished product would look like. "Foot size would determine how marriageable I was," (pg. 34).
Lily, who started out as a sympathetic character, became someone I really couldn't like. However, I don't think her story is unique. How many times in history will a person, or a group of people, change with prosperity? As Lily become more prosperous (partly because of her laotong, Snow Flower), she also became proud, judgmental, and pompous. "Now you have abundance in your life, Lady Lu - an abundance of malice, ingratitude, and forgetfulness," (pg. 226). I really couldn't blame Snow Flower for no longer wanting to hang out with Lily. Friends are supposed to love you no matter what, are supposed to help you aspire to be a better person WITHOUT criticizing your every choice.
Of course, from the beginning we knew that something happened between Lily and Snow Flower. I knew on page 69 that it would have something to do with nu shu, the secret language of women - "Much tragedy could result from a wrong reading." Lily might have been able to salvage her friendship with Snow Flower in time if there had been open communication instead of the infestation of bitterness in her heart. I guess that's something we could all do better - instead of being passive-aggressive and harboring ill feelings, COMMUNICATE.
Thanks for choosing this, Karen. I had purchased this book a long time ago to read, but hadn't done so, yet.
Although I liked Snow Flower better than The Good Earth (Karen Buxton, was that your choice, too?), I found the book extremely depressing. The Chinese attitude toward women is so frustrating - and I know they are not the only culture with these attitudes. Women are only good for bearing sons - bearing daughters is a disgrace. ARGH! Guess what? Without bearing daughters, there would be no one to bear sons. A woman's identity is based only on her husband and her sons? Women have their own identity, whether they are married or single, whether they have children or not. I found The Three Obediences (pg. 24) to be especially annoying: "When a girl, obey your father; when a wife, obey your husband; when a widow, obey your son." This quote on page 151, "Sons are the foundation of a woman's self. They give a woman her identity...," really ruffled my feathers, as well.
The descriptions of the foot binding experience were excruciating - thanks, Karen B., for the pictures. I had a hard time imagining what the finished product would look like. "Foot size would determine how marriageable I was," (pg. 34).
Lily, who started out as a sympathetic character, became someone I really couldn't like. However, I don't think her story is unique. How many times in history will a person, or a group of people, change with prosperity? As Lily become more prosperous (partly because of her laotong, Snow Flower), she also became proud, judgmental, and pompous. "Now you have abundance in your life, Lady Lu - an abundance of malice, ingratitude, and forgetfulness," (pg. 226). I really couldn't blame Snow Flower for no longer wanting to hang out with Lily. Friends are supposed to love you no matter what, are supposed to help you aspire to be a better person WITHOUT criticizing your every choice.
Of course, from the beginning we knew that something happened between Lily and Snow Flower. I knew on page 69 that it would have something to do with nu shu, the secret language of women - "Much tragedy could result from a wrong reading." Lily might have been able to salvage her friendship with Snow Flower in time if there had been open communication instead of the infestation of bitterness in her heart. I guess that's something we could all do better - instead of being passive-aggressive and harboring ill feelings, COMMUNICATE.
Thanks for choosing this, Karen. I had purchased this book a long time ago to read, but hadn't done so, yet.
Sunday, January 6
These Is My Words
Ladies,
Your reviews of These Is My Words, make me glad I chose it. Actually, my daughter-in-law, Heather, told me about this book last summer. Her book club was reading it. I bought the book and devoured it. As I was reading the ending (on an airplane, of course) I started to cry and thought . . . my daughter-in-law wouldn't have cried. Besides, I am on an airplane! I can't start bawling on an airplane! Then when I talked to Heather about it, she said she just sobbed when Jack died. Next time I won't put such a cork in my emotions :)
I read this book last summer, so I hope I can remember all the thoughts that I was wishing I could share with someone then. I chose the questions I did because I really wanted to discuss them so here are my responses: (I loved reading your reviews!)
1--I think the 1st person narrator is what hooked me in the first place. Seeing the world through Sarah's eyes (HER journal) was far more interesting than hearing it in the passive voice of the outside observer. Besides, I LOVED figuring out things (like her love for Jack) BEFORE she did.
2--Most of us have a desire to "figure things out," to understand the world and our place in it. For Sarah, this was a passion and education was her answer. There were other themes in the book as well. One was, what does it take to be a hero? Another was how do we cope with grief and/or adversity? Still another was who is really good and who is bad (appearance vs real intent--Sarah kept thinking Jack was bad, when he wasn't. She thought she was bad when she wasn't)? What is the place of religion in our lives? And the overriding theme of family, commitment, and love . . . what a great story!
3--I loved your thoughts on heroes/heroines. I think you each hit it on the mark. I thought I'd address the 2nd part of this question: Mama's mental illness. I think there is a reason we don't know her name. She becomes the universal--mother. I also thought that her withdrawing, healing and/or replenishing until someone really needed her, was significant. Who hasn't wished they could "just go away and come back when things are better" when life gets too hard? November 1, 1894 "No wonder Mama went away in her head when Clover passed. And then Papa. I am going to visit my Mama tomorrow and tell her I am sorry for everything I ever did that caused her sorrow . . and for ever wishing . . that she would come back. She probably wanted to stay there. It's a wonder she came back at all. If I knew how to make myself go away in my head, I declare I would." And yet, Sarah deals with it all. March 30, 1900 when April runs away to get married Sarah says, "Well this hurt my heart, and yet . . . I will never turn away." Mother love.
4--Sarah and Jack . . . what a love story. His death, trying to save a baby that wasn't there, broke my heart. (Katie, do you remember the story of Mom jumping and of a moving camper to save our family? Dad was driving the truck, but Mom didn't see him get it. She thought we were rolling. She hit the road, face first and was a mess! She did it to save her family.) Sarah described him as "always bursting through walls, always riding off cliffs, fight[ing] the world's woes . . . He was always safe doing what he wanted to do, and because he quite the Army he died being a Fire Chief." But Sarah also saved people. I loved that way Katie described them . . . truly equals.
I am glad you enjoyed reading "These Is My Words" and I look forward to future selections!
--Karen S.
Your reviews of These Is My Words, make me glad I chose it. Actually, my daughter-in-law, Heather, told me about this book last summer. Her book club was reading it. I bought the book and devoured it. As I was reading the ending (on an airplane, of course) I started to cry and thought . . . my daughter-in-law wouldn't have cried. Besides, I am on an airplane! I can't start bawling on an airplane! Then when I talked to Heather about it, she said she just sobbed when Jack died. Next time I won't put such a cork in my emotions :)
I read this book last summer, so I hope I can remember all the thoughts that I was wishing I could share with someone then. I chose the questions I did because I really wanted to discuss them so here are my responses: (I loved reading your reviews!)
1--I think the 1st person narrator is what hooked me in the first place. Seeing the world through Sarah's eyes (HER journal) was far more interesting than hearing it in the passive voice of the outside observer. Besides, I LOVED figuring out things (like her love for Jack) BEFORE she did.
2--Most of us have a desire to "figure things out," to understand the world and our place in it. For Sarah, this was a passion and education was her answer. There were other themes in the book as well. One was, what does it take to be a hero? Another was how do we cope with grief and/or adversity? Still another was who is really good and who is bad (appearance vs real intent--Sarah kept thinking Jack was bad, when he wasn't. She thought she was bad when she wasn't)? What is the place of religion in our lives? And the overriding theme of family, commitment, and love . . . what a great story!
3--I loved your thoughts on heroes/heroines. I think you each hit it on the mark. I thought I'd address the 2nd part of this question: Mama's mental illness. I think there is a reason we don't know her name. She becomes the universal--mother. I also thought that her withdrawing, healing and/or replenishing until someone really needed her, was significant. Who hasn't wished they could "just go away and come back when things are better" when life gets too hard? November 1, 1894 "No wonder Mama went away in her head when Clover passed. And then Papa. I am going to visit my Mama tomorrow and tell her I am sorry for everything I ever did that caused her sorrow . . and for ever wishing . . that she would come back. She probably wanted to stay there. It's a wonder she came back at all. If I knew how to make myself go away in my head, I declare I would." And yet, Sarah deals with it all. March 30, 1900 when April runs away to get married Sarah says, "Well this hurt my heart, and yet . . . I will never turn away." Mother love.
4--Sarah and Jack . . . what a love story. His death, trying to save a baby that wasn't there, broke my heart. (Katie, do you remember the story of Mom jumping and of a moving camper to save our family? Dad was driving the truck, but Mom didn't see him get it. She thought we were rolling. She hit the road, face first and was a mess! She did it to save her family.) Sarah described him as "always bursting through walls, always riding off cliffs, fight[ing] the world's woes . . . He was always safe doing what he wanted to do, and because he quite the Army he died being a Fire Chief." But Sarah also saved people. I loved that way Katie described them . . . truly equals.
I am glad you enjoyed reading "These Is My Words" and I look forward to future selections!
--Karen S.
The Book Thief
Ladies,
I am finally going to post my reviews of the last 3 books!! (Thank heavens for Christmas Break . . . I have read & read!) I will do them in order: The Book Thief, These Is My Words, then Snow Flower. I asked Katie if I should just drop out of book club during the school year and she said, "No." I hope late reviews are better than no reviews :( I really DO enjoy reading and am glad I have Les Liseuses to give me a reason to do something I love!
Anyway . . . about The Book Thief: Laurenda . . . thank you so much for selecting such a powerfully moving book! I loved the quotes that Katie used in her review. I thought Zusak's writing style was so creative. I don't think I have read anything quite like it. I also loved the characters. They seemed real, genuine and believable. I could even see a little of my grandmother in Rosa (a little gruff and cold on the outside, but a warm heart inside). The way the mayor's wife was disabled by grief and the way Liesel brought some life back to her was poignant and again--believable.
And Max . . . the complexities of wanting to live and yet feeling like being alive betrayed the dying were so heart wrenching. My brother-in-law felt something similar when he came back from Vietnam. He felt guilty for being alive when he knew that other "better" men died.
I, too, wondered if Liesel married Max. I wanted to know more about what happened to her. And yet, the discussion and thinking that occurs because Zusak DOESN'T give all the answers enhances the impact of the book.
Laurenda--I am like you . . . the history buff part of me really loved hearing the human side of the factual story. I know something about the German experience from people that I have known. My son, Matt's, first soccer coach was the son of a member of Hitler's SS. (Thankfully, he was only an accountant. He was a member of the Church and his experience at the end of the war was miraculous!) I also worked with two Germans (Emil and Emmy) in a factory that my uncles owned. Emil had a wooden leg because of his experience on the Russian front. (He would NEVER talk about what happened there.) Emmy was almost stereotypically German. She worked in the sewing room and was happy as long as she was IN CHARGE (even if being in charge meant she cleaned the restroom as well).
As many of you have commented, The Book Thief made me think. I have always been appalled by man's inhumanity to man. I can only hope that I would have the courage to risk my life to save another's. Perhaps when we spend time to help someone who needs us, we ARE giving our life for them. Perhaps . . .
--Karen S.
I am finally going to post my reviews of the last 3 books!! (Thank heavens for Christmas Break . . . I have read & read!) I will do them in order: The Book Thief, These Is My Words, then Snow Flower. I asked Katie if I should just drop out of book club during the school year and she said, "No." I hope late reviews are better than no reviews :( I really DO enjoy reading and am glad I have Les Liseuses to give me a reason to do something I love!
Anyway . . . about The Book Thief: Laurenda . . . thank you so much for selecting such a powerfully moving book! I loved the quotes that Katie used in her review. I thought Zusak's writing style was so creative. I don't think I have read anything quite like it. I also loved the characters. They seemed real, genuine and believable. I could even see a little of my grandmother in Rosa (a little gruff and cold on the outside, but a warm heart inside). The way the mayor's wife was disabled by grief and the way Liesel brought some life back to her was poignant and again--believable.
And Max . . . the complexities of wanting to live and yet feeling like being alive betrayed the dying were so heart wrenching. My brother-in-law felt something similar when he came back from Vietnam. He felt guilty for being alive when he knew that other "better" men died.
I, too, wondered if Liesel married Max. I wanted to know more about what happened to her. And yet, the discussion and thinking that occurs because Zusak DOESN'T give all the answers enhances the impact of the book.
Laurenda--I am like you . . . the history buff part of me really loved hearing the human side of the factual story. I know something about the German experience from people that I have known. My son, Matt's, first soccer coach was the son of a member of Hitler's SS. (Thankfully, he was only an accountant. He was a member of the Church and his experience at the end of the war was miraculous!) I also worked with two Germans (Emil and Emmy) in a factory that my uncles owned. Emil had a wooden leg because of his experience on the Russian front. (He would NEVER talk about what happened there.) Emmy was almost stereotypically German. She worked in the sewing room and was happy as long as she was IN CHARGE (even if being in charge meant she cleaned the restroom as well).
As many of you have commented, The Book Thief made me think. I have always been appalled by man's inhumanity to man. I can only hope that I would have the courage to risk my life to save another's. Perhaps when we spend time to help someone who needs us, we ARE giving our life for them. Perhaps . . .
--Karen S.
Friday, January 4
The book with the gramatically incorrect title.
I started a post about a month ago, got interrupted, and never finished it. I should not have chosen to start working a retail job during the holidays. I haven't had any time for myself, let alone my family. I apologize, Katie, for not posting within the acceptable timetable, but I still wanted to add my two cents.
I loved "These is my Words". The beginning was very depressing, but once I got past the first five tragedies I either became calloused, or the events weren't as traumatic. Perhaps it was my enjoyment of the book or the fact that I now live in Texas, but for a while, I had a difficult time not speaking like a hick. Maybe that is my true nature, and the real challenge is trying to sound educated in my daily life.
That brings me to the "education" theme of the book. I loved and admired Sarah's thirst for knowledge. We all tend to make assumptions about other people, and I appreciated how she was able to shove other people's disrespect in their faces. Her interaction with the banker and her ability to see right through Felicity were prime examples. We tend to become so accustomed to the environment in which we live, that we start to believe that it is the norm. After having lived in Utah for so long, and being surrounded by college students, when we first moved to small town, oil field, Texas I was rudely awakened to the fact that not everyone has a college degree, and that I was a snob. My apologies if I've mentioned that before, but it was such a poignant moment for me. The fact that Sarah was perceived as being uneducated gave her an advantage in many ways. She was often overlooked and used it to her advantage.
I believe that Sarah's greatest enemy was her own insecurity. Jack loved her for all the reasons that we loved her character. It's human nature, I suppose, to overlook our strengths, and focus on our weaknesses. Sarah was a hero simply because she always rose to the challenge.
I loved Jack. It's hard not to love a "Rhett Butler".
I realize that I have completely neglected the "Group Discussion Questions". I'll try to follow the rules better next time.
I loved "These is my Words". The beginning was very depressing, but once I got past the first five tragedies I either became calloused, or the events weren't as traumatic. Perhaps it was my enjoyment of the book or the fact that I now live in Texas, but for a while, I had a difficult time not speaking like a hick. Maybe that is my true nature, and the real challenge is trying to sound educated in my daily life.
That brings me to the "education" theme of the book. I loved and admired Sarah's thirst for knowledge. We all tend to make assumptions about other people, and I appreciated how she was able to shove other people's disrespect in their faces. Her interaction with the banker and her ability to see right through Felicity were prime examples. We tend to become so accustomed to the environment in which we live, that we start to believe that it is the norm. After having lived in Utah for so long, and being surrounded by college students, when we first moved to small town, oil field, Texas I was rudely awakened to the fact that not everyone has a college degree, and that I was a snob. My apologies if I've mentioned that before, but it was such a poignant moment for me. The fact that Sarah was perceived as being uneducated gave her an advantage in many ways. She was often overlooked and used it to her advantage.
I believe that Sarah's greatest enemy was her own insecurity. Jack loved her for all the reasons that we loved her character. It's human nature, I suppose, to overlook our strengths, and focus on our weaknesses. Sarah was a hero simply because she always rose to the challenge.
I loved Jack. It's hard not to love a "Rhett Butler".
I realize that I have completely neglected the "Group Discussion Questions". I'll try to follow the rules better next time.
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