Water For Elephants (better late than never)
Wow, this post is late in coming but, as nobody ever really reads the posts, I don't think anyone will mind.
Our last bookclub gathering, to discuss Water For Elephants, went really well. We had a great showing, a great venu and great weather to go along with it. Sheri was there, along with Amanda, Teresa, Sara (and Pfred) and a new reader, Charlotte O'neill. We missed Ellen and Amy and Amy (Amy Anderson who has not been able to attend, yet, but has read some of the books. We look fwd to the day when the schedules work out)
The group met at Central Market (Central...do you think they should call the Central Market (South) South Market?) The food was excellent and plentiful (you rarely find finicky eaters amongst a group of athletes).
I had printed out some questions and we actually took sometime to go over them. I believe, on a whole, the book was enjoyed by everyone. Here are some examples of the questions and subsequent answers.
1. Who did you, upon reading the prologue, think murdered August? What effect did that opening scene of chaos and murder have on your reception of the story that follows?I thought Marlena murdered August and it didn’t really affect me other than let me know there was a thriller to come.
4. In connection with Jacob's formal dinner with August and Marlena in their stateroom, Jacob remarks, "August is gracious, charming, and mischievous" (page 93). How would you describe August? I would describe August, after having read the book as cruel and ill tempered and possibly bi-polar.
8. After the collapse of the Benzini Brothers circus and Uncle Al's having "done a runner" (page 314), Jacob realizes, "Not only am I unemployed and homeless, but I also have a pregnant woman, bereaved dog, elephant, and eleven horses to take care of" (page 317). What expectations did you entertain for Jacob and Marlena's --- and their menagerie's --- future after they leave the Benzini Brothers circus? How do the elderly Jacob's memories of Marlena and their life together confirm or alter those expectations? I thought they might go into some sort of entertainment business. Doesn’t seem as if that happened but I couldn’t tell for sure what all they did after the circus went under.
Our next book club is to be held, Nov 29th, 7pm at The Hula Hut. We will be discussing The Power of The Dog. This is our last book for this session so please bring book suggestions for next time. You might want to bring a couple in case others have already read your book.
Our last bookclub gathering, to discuss Water For Elephants, went really well. We had a great showing, a great venu and great weather to go along with it. Sheri was there, along with Amanda, Teresa, Sara (and Pfred) and a new reader, Charlotte O'neill. We missed Ellen and Amy and Amy (Amy Anderson who has not been able to attend, yet, but has read some of the books. We look fwd to the day when the schedules work out)
The group met at Central Market (Central...do you think they should call the Central Market (South) South Market?) The food was excellent and plentiful (you rarely find finicky eaters amongst a group of athletes).
I had printed out some questions and we actually took sometime to go over them. I believe, on a whole, the book was enjoyed by everyone. Here are some examples of the questions and subsequent answers.
1. Who did you, upon reading the prologue, think murdered August? What effect did that opening scene of chaos and murder have on your reception of the story that follows?I thought Marlena murdered August and it didn’t really affect me other than let me know there was a thriller to come.
4. In connection with Jacob's formal dinner with August and Marlena in their stateroom, Jacob remarks, "August is gracious, charming, and mischievous" (page 93). How would you describe August? I would describe August, after having read the book as cruel and ill tempered and possibly bi-polar.
8. After the collapse of the Benzini Brothers circus and Uncle Al's having "done a runner" (page 314), Jacob realizes, "Not only am I unemployed and homeless, but I also have a pregnant woman, bereaved dog, elephant, and eleven horses to take care of" (page 317). What expectations did you entertain for Jacob and Marlena's --- and their menagerie's --- future after they leave the Benzini Brothers circus? How do the elderly Jacob's memories of Marlena and their life together confirm or alter those expectations? I thought they might go into some sort of entertainment business. Doesn’t seem as if that happened but I couldn’t tell for sure what all they did after the circus went under.
Our next book club is to be held, Nov 29th, 7pm at The Hula Hut. We will be discussing The Power of The Dog. This is our last book for this session so please bring book suggestions for next time. You might want to bring a couple in case others have already read your book.
posted by Marlawanda at 5:55 AM
1 Comments:
I've read the book (uh... there's more than one Power of the Dog?) and the date works. Yay!
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