ANA Book Club?

[cindyj]

No, Kaybo, it is not non-fiction - I never read non-fiction   But, as Jan points out, it does have quite a bit of history to it.  It goes back and forth between modern times and previous time periods - WWII all the way back to 1400's or so, I think.  As Steve mentioned, it's rather like many small stories all tied together by "The Book" - has a bit of love to it also.  The writing is very good - characters in it are varied and great, I thought...

See what you think,

Cindy

[JerseyGirl2]

I think that People of the Book is an excellent read! Probably the best of Geraldine Brooks' writings, although Year of Wonders and March are really good, too. Brooks covers a variety of historical settings in her works, does extensive research, and has a real knack for capturing the appropriate sense of time -- the dialogue, environment, etc. all seem to fit well. Year of Wonders is about the 17th century plague in Great Britain and March speculates on the Civil War experiences of the father of Alcott's Little Women. I believe her next book is going to be about the early years on Martha's Vineyard. I don't think anyone will be disappointed with People of the Book!

Catherine (JerseyGirl2)

[Sue]

I saw what book you guys had chosen and so I got it from the library.  I'm enjoying it very much.  Thanks for the tip!!

Sue in Vancouver USA

[Kaybo]

OK - I still haven't gotten past the 1st few pages so if everybody is ready to discuss, go ahead.  It is not that it doesn't seem interesting, it just hasn't grabbed my attention yet and so I do other stuff instead of read...

K

[saralynn143]

I picked it up from the library but haven't started yet. Spent most of today gathering health care receipts to send in for cafeteria plan reimbursement. I thought we might have some extra this year to pre-pay some of my son's orthodontic bill, but no such luck.

Sara

[CHD63]

Not to worry, Kay ......  I'm still in the second chapter.  I am finding it very fascinating.

We just returned from a week at the beach with my sister and husband.  It was so cold at the beach, we watched several DVDs instead of walking as much on the beach.  We watched "The DaVinci Code," which reminds me of the intrigue in "People of the Book."  We also watched "The Red Violin," which in many ways is like the "book" by the way it traveled throughout its history.

It sounds like several others are still reading so I will do my best to get it read in the next few days.

Clarice

[Sue]

I'm in the middle of the book, and I hope I get through this part fast.  Spanish Inquisition gives me the chills.  I thank the Heaven's Above that I wasn't born in that time and place. 

Sue in Vancouver, USA

[Sue]

Actually, I've finished the book.    I learned some things and I hope that I can remember them!  It was interesting and I enjoyed the book, except for the Inquisition part (ick). 

Sue in Vancouver USA

[cindyj]

I must have blocked the Inquisition part out of my mind...I don't remember it...will have to review it.  While I agree the Inquisition was horrible, I do love that whole time in history - yes, I'm strange

Kaybo, hang in there, the beginning was torture for me - I came very close to giving it back to the friend who let me borrow it.

cindy

[Sue]

Interesting how we react to a book.  I was immediately interested and thought: Oh boy, this might be fun!   Hence, the quick read for me.  My aunt gave me back a book I'd given her, because she is interested in WWII era books.  I'd given her Philip Roth's book, The Plot Against America.  I read the first page.  Not interested. 

You forgot that poor man being tortured?  Egad.  I was headed to bed soon after reading that, and I wondered if I would be able to erase that from my memory so I could get to sleep.   That's that whole, what horrendous things people do in the name of religion  thing.      Brrrrrr, chilling.   

Then I googled the book and saw the real book's illustrations.  Fascinating.

Sue in Vancouver, USA

[another NY postie]

This is my first read with ANA group..so am curious...was it just coincidence or just ironic that the mother was chair of neurosurgery and was a skull based neurosurgeon?  Don't think I ever read mengioma and 8th cranial nerve in a book before - at least I understood what they were!  Wonder if author had an AN or knows someone or knows a neurosurgeon...curious...
Cheryl

[NancyMc]

Just checked it out by phone and will pick it up and start it today!  Can't wait!

[Kaybo]

Am finally into it a bit more...really like it once it got into the "stories" (lola)...Cheryl, I had noticed that the mom was a neurosurgeon too!!  No, we don't pick books based on that - just ones that we have heard or that someone has read that might be good!

K   

[cindyj]

This is my first read with ANA group..so am curious...was it just coincidence or just ironic that the mother was chair of neurosurgery and was a skull based neurosurgeon?  Don't think I ever read mengioma and 8th cranial nerve in a book before - at least I understood what they were!   Wonder if author had an AN or knows someone or knows a neurosurgeon...curious...
Cheryl

Hey, Cheryl, glad you've joined us...wasn't that interesting about the mother being a neurosurgeon and picking a tumor on the 8th nerve as her challeging surgery?  I had forgotten about that.  And, interesting description she gave for it.  Yes, it was purely coincidence, though!

Cindy

[NancyMc]

Don't give away too many secrets.  I've got the book, a glass of wine and some California rolls.  Time to escape!