Monday, March 30, 2015

March meeting - May book

March meeting discussed Only the Animals by Ceriden Dovey. Beautiful autumn day at
Margaret's place. New rule- start discussing the book by 3 pm.
Bit of reluctance about the discussion. Yes, she can form a sentence. Some of the animal stories worked, eg the mussels channeling Jack Kerouac. Her research was thorough, eg the elephant behaviour. However the concept was ambitious, telling key moments of history not only in animal voices but in reference to famous writers.
When it didn't work it was annoying. It then seemed pretentious. It had a serious moral message,about humans relationship with animals. This could be very disturbing. Quote on p 179 suggested that only the animals know what it is to be human.
An interesting if not entirely successful book that at least some of us will pass on to others.

April meeting is at Ros's place on Anzac weekend. Ros wants us dressed appropriately, she says. Book is The Children Act.

May meeting at Jane's. The new book is The Ghost Estate by John Connell, an Irish writer who was mentored by David Malouf. You are going to have to buy or borrow the book, I don't have a copy to share.

Regards
Patricia