Agawam Pageturners Book Club's Discussion of Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones

Most everybody in the group enjoyed reading Mister Pip. The book tells the story of Mr. Watts, the only white man left on an island in the South Pacific, and how he teaches the children about the book Great Expectations. It is set in the midst of a civil war. Most loved the style of writing. One woman commented on Jones' use of fragments, and the magical weaving of reality and fantasy. Another woman said the book had so many layers, and it was the best book she read in a long time. They found it interesting when Great Expectations was taken away how the children and Mr. Watts reconstructed it in fragments. One woman commented on how it showed the love of reading books can save your life. Another commented on why the book was stolen by Matilda's mother, Delores, and it was pointed out by the group that Mr. Watts was not teaching about God, like the mother wanted, but instead Great Expectations which does not mention God. People found it interesting that she hid the book from the soldiers, even when it meant all the village's posessions and then later all the village's houses were burned. However she stood up to bear witness to God, when Mr. Watts was killed by the soldiers. One woman had a problem with Delores coming forward because she believed she put her daughter Matilda at risk for rape (which Delores ended up saving Matilda from by giving up her own life), and putting Daniel and his grandmother into the hands of the soldiers. Another woman disagreed with her so it made for an interesting discussion. Other points brought out were that Matilda wrote the name of the Pip in the sand along with her ancestors because Pip was as real or more real to her than ancestors she never met. A couple of people identified with Matilda's feelings on this subject. Another point was Matilda saying that Great Expectations gave me permission to change my life. There was extensive discussion with personal examples on how reading can change one's life. In regards to violence in the book for one it was too much, but most agreed that in a civil war moral values change, and people are swept along with the group. Overall this is an excellent book for discussion.

Book Review of Lung Cancer by the American Cancer Society

It is an easy to read, but very factual book, going through all the steps of diagnosis, treatments, and effects. A very useful glossary is in the back. They also include web sites. If the ACS is called, they will send the book for seven dollars. It is an excellent reference paperback.

Anonymous

Book Review of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

Synopsis: A writer in London begins a correspondence with a Book Group on Guernsey Island. We learn how these people suffered during World War II, and how a book club can help them rise above a tragedy. Impressions: I especially liked that the book was written in the form of letters which made it easier to follow. I learned a lot about the war's effect on this area. Again, I was made aware of the power of reading to overcome life's suffering.

Rose

Book Review of the 19th Wife by David Ebershoff

This book interwines two stories. The first is the story of Ann Eliza Young who became the 19th wife of Brigham Young, leader of the Mormons after Joseph Smith. Eventually she divorced him and lectured around the country telling her story in hopes of ending polygamy in the United States. The other is a modern day story of Jordan Scott, who was thrown out of a breakway sect of Mormonism that still practices polygamy. Jordan's mother has been accused of murdering Jordan's father, and Jordan is trying to find a way to prove her innocence. This book gave an excellent depiction of the early history of Mormonism in this country and the horrors of polygamy. It also opened my eyes to the fact that polygamy is still occuring in breakaway sects (not recogonized by the official Mormon Church, The Church of Latter Day Saints) in this country today, but not practiced within the official Mormon Church, The Church of Latter Day Saints. They stopped practicing polygamy in 1890.

Joanne, Staff

Book Review of The Centurion's Wife by Davis Bunn and Janette Oke

This novel tells the story of the centurion who investigates the disappearance of Jesus' body. It also tells the story of Pilate's niece who is forced to marry the centurion and also forced to infiltrate the followers of Jesus to see if they are plotting against Rome. The novel made the people I have read about in the Bible come to life. It gave insight to political, religious groups and figures such as Pilate, Herod, the Sanhedrin, the Pharisees, etc. It gave a glimpse as to what it would have been like to live in the days after the crucifixion of Jesus. I would like to read it again.

Bonnie

New January Books

Here are the links for the books that were purchased in January: Adult, Children, Teens.

Agawam Pageturners Book Club's Discussion of Abundance: A Novel of Marie Antoinette by Sena Jeter Naslund

The group in general enjoyed reading this novel. However, most of the group did think it could have used some more editing to pare it down a bit. Several people voiced the fact that Marie had an abundant, extravagant life as Queen of France. She had elaborate clothes and hair styles; she gambled large amounts of money; she supported her relatives; she kept a separate house, a gift from her husband Louis XVI; she had numerous servants. One reader suggested she broke the economy with her extravagance while the people suffered. Several readers disagreed. One reader pointed out that the court's portion of the budget was only 6%. Another reader pointed out that funding the American Revolution broke France's budget, and another reader pointed out that funding the French and Indian War (before Louis XVI was King) put the country in great debt. The reader pointed out that Louis XVI tried to raise taxes on the nobility but was shot down. Most of the group found Louis XVI to be weak and a wimp. He often listened to the wrong person. They were amazed at his inexperience with sex. Poor Marie Antoinette could not become pregnant for seven years because of the King's thought that sex would drain his strength. Because Marie had no children for so long, rumors spread that she was a lesbian, which was untrue. In fact, she was in love with a Swedish Count, but no sexual affair between the two ever took place. One reader commented that Louis and Marie had a sexless marriage (with the exception of procreating their children). They were companions to one another, and she was his chief influence according to historic sources one reader pointed out. Another reader brought out that Marie was imprisoned her whole life, she went from the home of a powerful mother, Empress of Austria, to her life at the French Court, where she was very restricted. One reader brought out the fact that at the French Court, Marie trusted the wrong people, and she identified with that, having done so herself. When discussing the revolution, readers pointed out that revenge was the motivating factor, and it took a dimension of its own in a mob mentality. The group was glad to have read the book and learn so much about a fascinating person and time period in history.