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.
Thursday, November 22
Words from Gina
I can't get over how great this book was. I just want to buy a million copies and hand them out on the street. I have felt so humbled as I have read this novel. My curiosity has gotten the better of me and I've tried to find more information on Sarah Prine. It bothered me that this was "based" on her life, but not her real journals word for word. The real Sarah Prine didn't have time to keep a journal, nor did she have the skill apparently. I just wanted validation that someone really faced each thing that she encountered with that kind of integrity. So I guess fictional or not, I want to be the hard worker, doting mother and loving wife that Sarah Prine was in this book.
In the whole wide world of information on the web, this is the only factual information I could find other than this blog entry by Nancy Turner herself:
In the whole wide world of information on the web, this is the only factual information I could find other than this blog entry by Nancy Turner herself:
The real Sarah Prine is third from the left. Young girl is Nancy Turner's mother at age 11. The tallest lady is Nancy's grandmother, teller of stories and baker of pies, and the lady on the far right is Nancy's great- great grandmother, Roxie Virginia Stockman Reed."
Now, On to the review...
#1--1st person vs. 3rd person narrator
I guess after reading the book narrated by Death, I much prefer 1st person perspective. I like that we know what Sarah's views and feelings are on the matters she faces... I didn't like the way Death interpreted people's actions and why they might have done what they had done. Sarah just stated the facts plain and simply. She didn't judge people unfairly in my opinion, she just followed her honest gut feelings and I think they served her very well. Even in the case of Felicity.
#7--themes: thirst for education, etc.
I don't think it was odd for Sarah to thirst for education like she did. Even in her day. She had an instinct for survival and education was something that would have a hand in her means to keep her family safe. I personally loved how she questioned the doctor's diagnosis and went to find more information on her own. Sure, the outcome wasn't what she had hoped, but she did the right thing and kept all kinds of information at her fingertip even prior to Suzanne's scarlet fever. Also, her realization (per Blue Horse) that education is like a tree... that will stick with me forever.
#2 and #4 together--the heroic in women's everyday lives
I agree with Katie here. All women are heroes. They are! Each of us has a mission in life and each of us has a special work ethic and distinct drive to survive and move forward. It's amazing what we can accomplish in a day, with horrible environments, relationships and whatever else that might make us "fit to be tied" as Sarah would say. I could totally imagine feeling as low as Sarah did after Jimmy died. How did she keep going with a small baby and all that work on the ranch? I think if we each knew what each of us faces, we'd wonder how each of us could move forward as well. But we do and we survive and we are stronger for it.
#9 and #11 together--the relationship of Sarah and Jack
Passionate. Unique. Equal. Unconditional.
I found their relationship so humorous. I could tell they'd eventually end up together because she was always so peeved by him. And even when they were married she'd disown him on every other journal entry. Their chemistry was just wonderful and even though Jack's good-bye was heartbreaking, I knew she'd survive and be fine, just like he did.
#1--1st person vs. 3rd person narrator
I guess after reading the book narrated by Death, I much prefer 1st person perspective. I like that we know what Sarah's views and feelings are on the matters she faces... I didn't like the way Death interpreted people's actions and why they might have done what they had done. Sarah just stated the facts plain and simply. She didn't judge people unfairly in my opinion, she just followed her honest gut feelings and I think they served her very well. Even in the case of Felicity.
#7--themes: thirst for education, etc.
I don't think it was odd for Sarah to thirst for education like she did. Even in her day. She had an instinct for survival and education was something that would have a hand in her means to keep her family safe. I personally loved how she questioned the doctor's diagnosis and went to find more information on her own. Sure, the outcome wasn't what she had hoped, but she did the right thing and kept all kinds of information at her fingertip even prior to Suzanne's scarlet fever. Also, her realization (per Blue Horse) that education is like a tree... that will stick with me forever.
#2 and #4 together--the heroic in women's everyday lives
I agree with Katie here. All women are heroes. They are! Each of us has a mission in life and each of us has a special work ethic and distinct drive to survive and move forward. It's amazing what we can accomplish in a day, with horrible environments, relationships and whatever else that might make us "fit to be tied" as Sarah would say. I could totally imagine feeling as low as Sarah did after Jimmy died. How did she keep going with a small baby and all that work on the ranch? I think if we each knew what each of us faces, we'd wonder how each of us could move forward as well. But we do and we survive and we are stronger for it.
#9 and #11 together--the relationship of Sarah and Jack
Passionate. Unique. Equal. Unconditional.
I found their relationship so humorous. I could tell they'd eventually end up together because she was always so peeved by him. And even when they were married she'd disown him on every other journal entry. Their chemistry was just wonderful and even though Jack's good-bye was heartbreaking, I knew she'd survive and be fine, just like he did.
Monday, November 19
My words!
What a delightful read! I not only had the print version but the book-on-CD version, so I got to "hear" Sarah's words as well as read them. I suspect, however, that this double-reading of sorts may have prevented me from seeing Sarah's spelling improve over the course of her story. I would happily read the follow-ups to this story, as Amanda tells me they exist. That makes me happy. For now, I will tackle the questions and wax academic.
1. Had it been written in the third-person, this book would change my relationship with Sarah and the other characters. It's hard to say if those relationships would change for the worse. Would I not feel as close to Sarah if I didn't get to read her, writing nakedly in black and white? In terms of character, there can be a sense of mystery in novels that use the third-person. The reader cannot know all a particular character is thinking. (Of course, the same could be argued for first-person narratives. But first-person points of view do tend to reveal more of an honest character: how she thinks and feels, for one.) Third-persons can leave the reader guessing. With Sarah, we did not have to guess how she truly felt about things. She was so frank in her journal (and with others). On the other hand, third-person narratives can be more illuminating when it comes to action. In this novel, the reader might have more information about what exactly Jack was doing out there in Mexico. We might have gotten more history had this book been written from a third-person point of view. I think I have successfully written in the first-, second-, and third-people (!) in this answer.
2. I don't remember exactly how education changes Sarah, besides the fact that she derives a sense of pride from her academic accomplishments. And, as I alluded to earlier, it may have improved her spelling. Education certainly changes her family; her brother went on to become an architect in San Francisco. Sarah's mentions of the Board of Normal Education and the new university in Arizona lead me to believe that she will further pursue her own studies. It seems to me, though, that her greatest "education" was not academic but experiential. Her life itself was her university. Her classes were not Art History or German, but Economics, History of the American West, Botany, Animal Husbandry. I got a great sense of her awe and wonder toward education, and her accomplishments in life as well as "school" prove to me that her mind was top-notch.
3. A physically handicapped friend (she had no use of her arms and used a wheelchair to convey herself) once complained to her mother on the phone: "I'm not special. I just do what I need to do every day to survive." She was griping about her alma mater's recent invitation to come and speak to graduates at an upcoming ceremony. I compare this attitude (of humility, perhaps?) to that of Sarah's in a way. Sarah had little choice but to do what she did to survive. Fortunately, she had enough steel and wits to make it a success. Did Sarah have determination and courage, as the back of this book describes heroism? I felt she did. She was very resilient. At many points, she could have just given up. But she had this sense of determination that was intense. She just kept putting one foot in front of the other, even though she was scared. And that's courage in my book. As for her mother, it seems like it was self-preservation that led her to isolate herself. She eventually healed. But I have to note that she did so only when someone else (Sarah) "dropped the ball." Her mother had to step up. I think that is how many of us grow: When we have to step up and take responsibility.
4. Sarah and Jack are up there with Jane and Mr. Rochester, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. The spark between them was palpable. As for the time-pieces, I guess the obvious answer is that they were always waiting for each other. Sarah had to wait for Jack to come home all the time. Jack had to wait for Sarah to realize she was in love with him. (And also for her husband to die!) I think also they knew their time together was precious. They always had an eye on it.
The book, "The Duchess," was just a fabulous inclusion. It seemed that as long as Jack had the book, he had a part of Sarah. At first, it seemed a sort of insurance policy. He knew how she longed for the book. She would always pursue it. I think, too, the promises and wonder of that single torn page really gave Sarah a sense of hope of things to come, of possibilities. I think her horizon opened tremendously just from that single page. Her sense of wonder, too, at this page, revealed an innocence and tenderness that really made her a lovable character. Consequently, it was a lovable book.
1. Had it been written in the third-person, this book would change my relationship with Sarah and the other characters. It's hard to say if those relationships would change for the worse. Would I not feel as close to Sarah if I didn't get to read her, writing nakedly in black and white? In terms of character, there can be a sense of mystery in novels that use the third-person. The reader cannot know all a particular character is thinking. (Of course, the same could be argued for first-person narratives. But first-person points of view do tend to reveal more of an honest character: how she thinks and feels, for one.) Third-persons can leave the reader guessing. With Sarah, we did not have to guess how she truly felt about things. She was so frank in her journal (and with others). On the other hand, third-person narratives can be more illuminating when it comes to action. In this novel, the reader might have more information about what exactly Jack was doing out there in Mexico. We might have gotten more history had this book been written from a third-person point of view. I think I have successfully written in the first-, second-, and third-people (!) in this answer.
2. I don't remember exactly how education changes Sarah, besides the fact that she derives a sense of pride from her academic accomplishments. And, as I alluded to earlier, it may have improved her spelling. Education certainly changes her family; her brother went on to become an architect in San Francisco. Sarah's mentions of the Board of Normal Education and the new university in Arizona lead me to believe that she will further pursue her own studies. It seems to me, though, that her greatest "education" was not academic but experiential. Her life itself was her university. Her classes were not Art History or German, but Economics, History of the American West, Botany, Animal Husbandry. I got a great sense of her awe and wonder toward education, and her accomplishments in life as well as "school" prove to me that her mind was top-notch.
3. A physically handicapped friend (she had no use of her arms and used a wheelchair to convey herself) once complained to her mother on the phone: "I'm not special. I just do what I need to do every day to survive." She was griping about her alma mater's recent invitation to come and speak to graduates at an upcoming ceremony. I compare this attitude (of humility, perhaps?) to that of Sarah's in a way. Sarah had little choice but to do what she did to survive. Fortunately, she had enough steel and wits to make it a success. Did Sarah have determination and courage, as the back of this book describes heroism? I felt she did. She was very resilient. At many points, she could have just given up. But she had this sense of determination that was intense. She just kept putting one foot in front of the other, even though she was scared. And that's courage in my book. As for her mother, it seems like it was self-preservation that led her to isolate herself. She eventually healed. But I have to note that she did so only when someone else (Sarah) "dropped the ball." Her mother had to step up. I think that is how many of us grow: When we have to step up and take responsibility.
4. Sarah and Jack are up there with Jane and Mr. Rochester, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. The spark between them was palpable. As for the time-pieces, I guess the obvious answer is that they were always waiting for each other. Sarah had to wait for Jack to come home all the time. Jack had to wait for Sarah to realize she was in love with him. (And also for her husband to die!) I think also they knew their time together was precious. They always had an eye on it.
The book, "The Duchess," was just a fabulous inclusion. It seemed that as long as Jack had the book, he had a part of Sarah. At first, it seemed a sort of insurance policy. He knew how she longed for the book. She would always pursue it. I think, too, the promises and wonder of that single torn page really gave Sarah a sense of hope of things to come, of possibilities. I think her horizon opened tremendously just from that single page. Her sense of wonder, too, at this page, revealed an innocence and tenderness that really made her a lovable character. Consequently, it was a lovable book.
Sunday, November 18
These Is My Words...
I LOVED this book. I would look at it every time I was in a bookstore, but for some reason, I would never buy it. So, thank you Karen for making me finally buy it. I will go ahead and address the questions Karen wanted us to discuss.
1. 1st person vs. 3rd person narration: The question at the back of the book states “…one may feel that Sarah is neither honest with herself nor correctly interpreting others’ actions or feelings.” Well, isn’t that real life? We all live our lives in our own 1st person. We all interpret others’ actions and feelings based on our own experiences. People can experience the same event without experiencing the same event. We all have our experiences, thoughts, knowledge, etc., which influence how we interpret what happens around us and to us. I liked that it was in 1st person. I loved that everyone around Sarah knew that Jack was in love with her, but Sarah didn’t see it? On March 28, 1882, Captain Elliot came to visit. Mama kept telling Sarah to fetch him stuff, but also to comb her hair. Savannah helps Sarah “spruce up.” On July 4, 1882, Savannah “accidentally” slops milk all over Sarah’s work dress, then tells Sarah that her other work dress was covered with mud so that Sarah will have to wear her new dress during another Captain Elliot visit. I learned more about Sarah from how she saw things around her than I would have learned, I think, from an all-knowing third person explaining Sarah.
2. Sarah’s thirst for education: Sarah’s education changed the whole book…literally. Sarah’s diary entries at the beginning of the book are grammatically rough. As she reads and learns, her narration improves. I’m glad Sarah wanted to improve herself – she wasn’t going to resign herself to her lot in life. However, I think Jack said it best (August 28, 1886), “Education doesn’t keep a person from being a fool, and the lack of it doesn’t keep a person from being intelligent.” Seeking education is a good pursuit – however, being educated doesn’t make one smart.
3. The heroic in women’s everyday lives: I think every woman is heroic. Let’s start with Sarah – a couple of events stand out. The first one is when she defends Savannah and her sisters from those filthy men. And although I don’t agree with Ulyssa’s not fighting back, isn’t she a heroine for living her Quaker beliefs even in the direst of circumstances? The second event that show’s Sarah’s heroism is the fact that she eventually forgives Jimmy. He was the person she should have been able to trust the most, but he ended up betraying her (from the beginning). It took awhile, and it took some suffering, but she ended up forgiving him in the end. There’s a paragraph Sarah writes on October 6. 1887: “After I got my bread dough set to rising, I cleared off the table of flour and got out my gun cleaning rags and brushes and oil, and made sure I was ready for trouble.” Sarah had to cook, clean and then “be prepared for trouble.” Although women today don’t necessarily need to cook from scratch or clean their guns, they still need to defend their homes from outside dangers. Mother’s today have the same desires as Sarah, I think, “[o]ur children weigh hard on my heart, and thinking about them growing up honest and healthy, or just living to grow up at all, makes a load in my chest that is bigger than the safe at the back, and more valuable than all the gold inside it.” I don’t have children, but I have the same desires for my nieces, nephews and their children.
4. The relationship between Sarah and Jack: I thoroughly enjoyed the relationship between Sarah and Jack. They were each so independent, yet dependent on their love for each other. It gladdened my heart watching Jack treat her like an equal, not like a possession – not only did Jack treat her like an equal, she acted like an equal. I’m glad that Sarah finally got the experience the kind of love that she envied so much watching Albert and Savannah. I enjoyed watching Jack tease her, I enjoyed the fact that Sarah’s family kept trying to push her into a relationship with him, but she had no clue. The reading group question at the end of the book asks, “What is the significance of Jack and Sarah exchanging time pieces for their wedding gifts to each other?” What do you guys think?
1. 1st person vs. 3rd person narration: The question at the back of the book states “…one may feel that Sarah is neither honest with herself nor correctly interpreting others’ actions or feelings.” Well, isn’t that real life? We all live our lives in our own 1st person. We all interpret others’ actions and feelings based on our own experiences. People can experience the same event without experiencing the same event. We all have our experiences, thoughts, knowledge, etc., which influence how we interpret what happens around us and to us. I liked that it was in 1st person. I loved that everyone around Sarah knew that Jack was in love with her, but Sarah didn’t see it? On March 28, 1882, Captain Elliot came to visit. Mama kept telling Sarah to fetch him stuff, but also to comb her hair. Savannah helps Sarah “spruce up.” On July 4, 1882, Savannah “accidentally” slops milk all over Sarah’s work dress, then tells Sarah that her other work dress was covered with mud so that Sarah will have to wear her new dress during another Captain Elliot visit. I learned more about Sarah from how she saw things around her than I would have learned, I think, from an all-knowing third person explaining Sarah.
2. Sarah’s thirst for education: Sarah’s education changed the whole book…literally. Sarah’s diary entries at the beginning of the book are grammatically rough. As she reads and learns, her narration improves. I’m glad Sarah wanted to improve herself – she wasn’t going to resign herself to her lot in life. However, I think Jack said it best (August 28, 1886), “Education doesn’t keep a person from being a fool, and the lack of it doesn’t keep a person from being intelligent.” Seeking education is a good pursuit – however, being educated doesn’t make one smart.
3. The heroic in women’s everyday lives: I think every woman is heroic. Let’s start with Sarah – a couple of events stand out. The first one is when she defends Savannah and her sisters from those filthy men. And although I don’t agree with Ulyssa’s not fighting back, isn’t she a heroine for living her Quaker beliefs even in the direst of circumstances? The second event that show’s Sarah’s heroism is the fact that she eventually forgives Jimmy. He was the person she should have been able to trust the most, but he ended up betraying her (from the beginning). It took awhile, and it took some suffering, but she ended up forgiving him in the end. There’s a paragraph Sarah writes on October 6. 1887: “After I got my bread dough set to rising, I cleared off the table of flour and got out my gun cleaning rags and brushes and oil, and made sure I was ready for trouble.” Sarah had to cook, clean and then “be prepared for trouble.” Although women today don’t necessarily need to cook from scratch or clean their guns, they still need to defend their homes from outside dangers. Mother’s today have the same desires as Sarah, I think, “[o]ur children weigh hard on my heart, and thinking about them growing up honest and healthy, or just living to grow up at all, makes a load in my chest that is bigger than the safe at the back, and more valuable than all the gold inside it.” I don’t have children, but I have the same desires for my nieces, nephews and their children.
4. The relationship between Sarah and Jack: I thoroughly enjoyed the relationship between Sarah and Jack. They were each so independent, yet dependent on their love for each other. It gladdened my heart watching Jack treat her like an equal, not like a possession – not only did Jack treat her like an equal, she acted like an equal. I’m glad that Sarah finally got the experience the kind of love that she envied so much watching Albert and Savannah. I enjoyed watching Jack tease her, I enjoyed the fact that Sarah’s family kept trying to push her into a relationship with him, but she had no clue. The reading group question at the end of the book asks, “What is the significance of Jack and Sarah exchanging time pieces for their wedding gifts to each other?” What do you guys think?
Friday, November 2
The Book Thief (Karen Buxton)
I'm finally posting again after a very long break. With our move and
all of the things that are to be done, I haven't had much time to
read, but I did slowly make my way through this book. I really
really liked it. I think that I'd now be pretty good at swearing in
German, but I'll refrain.
I thought Gina's comments about listening to the book on CD were
interesting. I don't think that I would have liked listening to a
creepy guy read to me. I read through the author's comments at the
end of the book, and he mentioned that he kept revising Death's
character and personality so that it wasn't so creepy. It's
interesting that the publishers chose someone with such a voice.
Anyway, I loved learning about what it must have been like living as
a citizen in Nazi Germany. I really enjoyed reading the "Children of
the Promise" series for that same reason. Especially post war era in
Personally, I really liked
stereotypically thoses sorts are soft and loveable on the inside.
Hans, of course, was the ideal father figure. He was kind,
compasionate, with an endless ability to love. I don't believe that
he used Leisle as a replacement for his own children, she needed to
be loved, and he needed to love.
I was heartbroken that Rudy died, but prepared for it. I several
times in the book figured that Max and Leisle would find each other
in the end, but the author was never really said that they married.
That was my assumption considering that she spent the remainder of
her life in
life and marriage.
I've had the opportunity to visit
the feelings that I felt in that place, and wondered how the the
German people felt as they passed by it while it still held
prisoners. It's a sacred place where many people grew to know there
God through their suffering.
I always post so late, that there really isn't anything that I might
add that hasn't been said already. Thanks for the great book picks.
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