Sunday, April 24, 2016

April meeting (The Theatre of War) - June book (My Brilliant Friend)

We had an almost complete rollup at Stella's place - only Sue Ellyard wasn't able to attend.

Much talk of house buying and selling to begin. Then questions about how this book group got to choose this book. Not a novel. Not our usual kind of book. True. But there were several of us who didn't give the book a go. And some passionate speakers in favour of it.

It was noted that Ros spoke first, unusually. Ros liked the book but noted that it is a self help book - Doerries had things to work out and the books was used to help him and others. Most of the talk about the book focused on the use of Greek theatre in dealing with PTSD in modern war situations. Jane on notes had difficulty in getting people to give her suitable copy for the book report - we tended to go off topic, into some very interesting places!

Lots of discussion of the next book in June. Finally we came back to a writer we did only last year, Elena Ferrente. We all agree we read the wrong book for bookgroup last year, and we are prepared to give her another go. This time we will read My Brilliant Friend - which I hope will please us a bit more.

We will celebrate 30 years of book group in June. It will be a lunchtime meeting at Margaret Lackenby's place at Avoca. Lots of offers for overnight accommodation there or with our other Central Coast book groupers if we want to make it a longer stay.