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Batavia - Peter Fitzsimons

I did NOT enjoy reading this book. Still, it had me up til 2am like a slave one night trying to find out how, when and where Jeronimus get’s his come-uppance! And he does.

Well, what a sorry saga! Even allowing for the brutality that was so commonplace in the 17^th Century, and for the tendency events have for expanding in the imagination as they age, the evil described was difficult to grasp. I found myself visualising a trip to those islands and wondering whether there’d be evidence, in some form, of the bloodshed and depravity - surely you can’t wipe away such evil in the space of a few hundred years? I mused. Joe tells me, during his career with the Navy he visited the area.

Makes me shiver.

Yet the narrative was disappointing for me, its style inconsistent and jerky. When I was absorbed I found myself suddenly thrown with unsettling regularity by some inappropriate irony or sarcasm from the author. The bloodshed was certainly gruesome, but in the end repetitive. To document each and every murder (and there were many) seemed not only unnecessary but almost indulgent! So I skipped ahead, wanting to discover how J and the others get caught and are punished, although there was little satisfaction in that when it did finally happen I’m relieved for the sake of my own humanity, to say.

Yet the events of the story are ‘true’ (if there is such a thing) and very real for me and I was certainly confronted by the darker side of the human condition. But the author Peter Fitzsimons is caught, in my view, in the narrow vacuum between report and story and wavers there, brushing against the edges of each and robbing the story of its potential to flow. Still, I don’t regret reading it, for its insight into how life was and how fragile is a society whose fabric is made of fear, desperation and greed.

I read something recently in a New Age journal about a ‘consciousness’ emerging in humanity which emanates from the ‘higher self’, and I began to feel that, yes, despite relentless war, starvation and tragedy, we have evolved, because beside it I see plenty of examples of compassion, generosity and pure love.

But maybe that’s just the naivety of someone insulated from reality by the limited bounds of daily life?

Anyone?

Hazel

What Makes a Successful Book Club Meet-up?

Well, I'm not sure about the full answer to that, but I do know it doesn't require hoards of people, cos I had a spiffing time last night with Naomi, Deborah and Joe.

The Life of Pi gained the tick of approval, and made me wish I'd been able to get hold of the book in time to read it (to my shame I was the only one who hadn't!). My punishment was of course an inability to understand what the hell they were talking about, since the allegorical message of the story is somewhat buried, it seems.

I was left instead with 'My Sister Sif', which the others had read too, I might add. A great read for teenage girls I'm sure, but sadly I'm rather past that stage of life. I'll definitely pass it on to my 14 year-old though.

Discussion was not limited to the books of the month either - Naomi made several suggesions for future reading that got our reading-buds tingling:

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lax - an non-fiction about a woman who, unknown to her, donated cells to science resulting in the heLa cells (correct me if I'm wrong Naomi) that have formed the basis for the mapping of DNA and other bewilderingly complex scientific stuff. We've all benefited apparently, but her family went without. And then her relative (niece I think?) wrote the book. Footnote: she was a black American.

Delta of Venus - of the erotica genre, written on the 1940's by Anais Nin. I'll admit to having steered us in this direction by mentioning DH Lawrence because I'm reading Sons and Lovers. Neither of these writers are guilty or writing anything close to pornography. Quote 'Nin puts such great detail into the psychology behind sexuality, such as jealousy and pride, it paints a picture of human's sexual nature. Her feminine sensibilities allow her to explore risque sex in a way that feels almost clean enough to discuss over dinner...'. you can download the eBook for free. I have.

Read more at http://ebookee.org/Delta-of-Venus-by-Anais-Nin_1760404.html#51WGtfZtQsIqb2H1.99

We also discussed past reading as well as the current reading list which David helped me formulate, and which you can find here.

So I'm off to the library site to get my books (i plan to be a well-behaved organiser this month). Hope to catch up with you all next month - Thurday 3rd May, 6.30, Three Monkey's.

Hazel

Something Weird, and Bad...

Something weird (and bad) has been happening recently - somehow my time doesn't appear to behave the way it usually does (I pray this is temporary). I feel as if I'm rushing about trying to stop up the holes of a sieve as my time pours away. Anyone recognise this feeling?

That's how I missed the last meeting - a clash of things that I needed to do.

Still, I'd like to share my thoughts on the books for the month:
The Man Who Loved Children - I could not read this! I hated that mother and cringed at every cruel remark and evil deed against her children. She really touched a nerve for me. Consequently I only got through about 30 pages.
I Capture the Castle - Sorry, but I have to give a double negative this month - I really had no idea where this story was heading and so just could not sustain it.
At least this month's reading looks  more promising!

I think David was right we need take a look at our reading list and discuss some changes at the next meeting. I've already got some ideas I'd like to put forward and I think we should compile a re-vitalised list. Anyone got any thoughts on that? David?

Want to know what I, (like a good, dis-obedient Book Club Organiser) read this month?
Anna Karenina.
And I'm still reading it. It's long, but so what? I've an idea where it's going, and I want to go with it.
Anyone else read it and got any comments to make? (don't tell me the ending please).

Ok, so get your name down for next month and let's make it a cracking, fun and informative evening for all. See you there!

Hazel

February Meet Up

Richard Dawkins and his non-fiction book 'The God Delusion' so grabbed our attention on Thursday evening, that our second read, The Men Who Stare at Goats, barely got a look in (ironically).

Proof in itself of the power of religion. In fact it was clear to me that my attempt at an analysis of the text, in written form no less, was superfluous to requirements and probably inadequate (and I'm not complaining here). So, my attempt at introducing more structure to our meetings was a flop! Hey ho, that's the way it goes.

But we had a great evening, with three new members - Mark, Glenys and Katalin making a substantial contribution alongside Joe, David and Janine (Janine's appearance was a lovely surprise since we thought she was in the NT!). What a pooling of knowledge and insight there was.

David, who, relative to me at least, is a walking encyclopaedia, had me fascinated whilst he patiently explained the details of History, Biology, and Geography that gave background to the book. Details I missed when I was apparently too busy daydreaming in the classroom 35 years ago.

It seems that we're a relatively small informal group, who enjoy the unpredictable flow of conversation that emerges in the cosy environment of The Three Monkey's and that this is what sets us apart from other book clubs. I like it that way. I just hope that our members do too. Am I right, or am I wrong?

Anyway, this month, for our meeting on 1st March the reading is:

The Man Who Loved Children - Christina Stead

I Capture the Castle - Dodie Smith

Sorry David - I know you're not impressed. David recommended the following (click the links):

The Existential Jesus
Reflections of Consciousness in The Bicameral Mind!

and, not a book but interesting:
Hammurabi

I found both of these were available at the library.

November meeting

Erin, Ben, Joe, Lynn (a new member), Elaine, Hazel F, Julie and myself met at the 3 Monkeys last night, and, amid the lasagne, muffins, salad and coffee, discussed the merits and responses to The Handmaid's Tale, which were variously, disturbing, thought-provoking, enjoyable and unenjoyable.

Joe read the wrong book - Freedom, by Jonathan Franzen, which he was glad of, because he adored it (Joe - it was, in fact, a recommendation by Sue from last month. I think he would like to thank you Sue.) It so grabbed him that he turned into a hermit and ate into it's not insubstantial body with gusto - apparently. The suggestion was made that it could be a good read for the summer break.

I managed to bring the conversation around to A Prayer for Owen Meany, last month's read.

Room was our 2nd book for the month. With some interesting insight from Ben and Hazel Funch, we were led into a discussion about what 'reality' is and how that differs depending on life experience and perspective.

Erin, as always, was well-informed and spoke eloquently about all the books and re-told a short story from DH Lawrence, one of our authors for next month. I was particularly impressed by Erin and Ben's attendance since they also had a birthday party to go to. Thank you Erin and Ben for your valuable input.

Now for next month we have:

So Much for That, Lionel Shriver
Lady Chatterley's Lover, DH Lawrence

current reading

Current reading for the 4th April 2012 meeting:

The Life of Pi   Yann Martel
My Sister Sif  Ruth Park