What we thought: The Good Father by Noah Hawley

Evening Book Club

April 2016

The Good Father, Noah Hawley

“What made him ditch his comfortable life and embrace an act of barbarity? I have read the reports. I have watched the footage, but the answer continues to elude me. More than anything I want to know. I am his father, you see. He is my son.” Dr. Paul Allen, chief of rheumatology at Columbia Presbyterian.

Readers expressed different opinions about the characters and their motives. Some were more sympathetic to the doctor and his quest to understand how his son Daniel could have assassinated a leading political candidate. Most were expecting a conspiracy to explain the crime. Others were not sure that Doctor Allen was a good father and that he did the best he could to care for Daniel after divorce. Others said children can suffer through the worst life circumstances and still come out fine. Children in the same family can often grow up completely opposite of each other. Readers generally agreed that Daniel was driven to kill the senator. Whatever was in his mind and whatever triggers set him off was bound to happen no matter what in his life influenced him. He was an angry young man.

Readers were not very interested in the political aspects of the book. They felt that there was already enough information about people who attempted and succeeded to assassinate other political figures. The explanations got in the way of the story. The main interest was Dan’s family and the people he met along the way to the conclusion of the story. In the end there was no rational explanation for Dan and his actions. Dan may have known but he did not reveal it to anyone, except to say that he was the shadow son and should have died in a childhood accident. It was left for the family, acquaintances and survivors to come to closure and deal with it in their own way in their own time.

Conversation was centered on what ifs and how alternative outcomes could have been influenced. In the end it was decided that the story went in the direction that was preordained. Other conclusions would not have fit.

The evening’s discussion concluded with a question about the author’s intention in writing the story. Did the author write it with a book club selection in mind? All agreed that this is an important book and a difficult one to read, but were glad that they were able to finish it. The discussion continued after the readers left the group. Readers will still talk about as time goes on.

Have you read The Good Father? What did you think? Please share your thoughts in comments.

What we thought: Little Bee by Chris Cleave

Evening Book Club

March 2016

Little Bee, Chris Cleave

“Britain is proud of its tradition of providing a safe haven for people fleeting [sic] persecution and conflict.”

   From Life in the United Kingdom: A journey to citizenship (UK Home Office, 2005)

Readers discussed Little Bee as if it was a true story rather than fiction. The author described the events in the character’s lives and the emotional impact so well that the story stayed with everyone. As readers discussed the story there were many different opinions on the motives of characters and how they could have changed the outcome of their actions. Little Bee was the most sympathetic character along with Charlie who identified with Batman. The relationships with Charlie’s mother Sarah, her husband Andrew and lover Lawrence from the Home Office complicated reader’s understanding about their lives and why they did not always behave reasonably. Little Bee grew up and suffered great trauma in Nigeria stirring up the middle class British lives of the other characters.

Early in the discussion readers commented about how they did not like the ending or really understand where the author was going with it. They did say that they appreciated the beauty of his writing even though it left them with a melancholy feeling. None the less, readers did finish the book and were eager to talk about it and their hope that Little Bee would have a better outcome. They didn’t express the same feeling for the British characters with the exception of Charlie the Batman.

Readers discussed the treatment of immigrants in Britain which inspired the author to write Little Bee’s story. Some were familiar with issues of migration and found it difficult to understand the desperation leading people to leave their country to start new lives in a foreign nation. There was some discussion of the current state of immigration today. Readers asked, “What do we do with them and where does it stop?”

“When horror and darkness descend, asylum seekers are the ones who get away. They are not all Einsteins or Conrads of course. Some of them are horrible people. And that’s just it—they are like us: they are people. Many are above average in terms of far-sightedness, motivation and resilience. A fair proportion are the people you want to have on your side. Whatever the solution to the refugee crisis—and I don’t suggest there is a simple one—it will be a monument to our dehumanization if we allow the new anti-refugee rhetoric to erode our first feeling of empathy.”  Chris Cleave, author  October 9, 2015

Readers recommended books that they felt added to the topic of discussion. Some of the titles were previous book club selections.

Gold, Chris Cleave

Incendiary, Chris Cleave

The Secret Keeper, Kate Morton

Orphan Train, Christina Baker Kline

The Fault in Our Stars, John Green

Sunset Park, Paul Auster

Man’s Search for Meaning, Viktor E. Frankl

Two documentaries, Lost Boys of Sudan and The Good Lie

Have you read Little Bee? What did you think? Please share your thoughts in comments.

What We Thought: The Three Fates by Nora Roberts

Evening Book Club

February 2016  Three Fates by Nora Roberts

All three Halifax adult book clubs, Evening, Afternoon and Mystery Readers joined together to enjoy a pot luck supper. The meal was served buffet style featuring a variety of salads and soups; Asian, antipasto, garden salad, fruit and cole slaw with vegetable bean and stuffed pepper soup. Deviled eggs were a tasty treat along with corn pudding, macaroni and cheese squash casserole homemade mashed potatoes and white bread. Keeping with the international theme of the story hummus, pizza and Irish bread added to the choices on the table. Hot cider and assorted flavors of spritzers complemented the menu. After the main course all readers adjourned to the Library’s reading room for a book discussion accompanied by desserts; festive frosted white cake, berry rugelach, s’mores on a stick, and chocolate treats. 

Readers whole heartedly contributed to the lively discussion and all enjoyed the book. For many this was their introduction to Nora Roberts. They were surprised at the steamy romantic passages but then were reminded of some of  bolder selections of  past book club discussions; Beat the Reaper by Josh Bazell, Hank and Chloe by Jo-Ann Mapson and Garden of Lies by Amanda Quick in particular. Some readers were put off  by the violence in the story but thought it was overshadowed by humorous incidents, especially the comeuppance of evil antique dealer, Anita who was ‘so rotten it was delicious’.

After much discussion it was agreed that the author’s strong point is her descriptions of characters in The Three Fates as well in her other books. They could picture them from the descriptions and interactions with each other. Tia, Cleo, Rebecca and Eileen were unique women who fit into their roles. Malachi, Gideon and Jack were well liked and appreciated for their romantic and sensitive qualities. Although Mikey, Cleo’s dancer friend made a brief appearance his character was remembered by everyone. When readers were asked who would you pick among the men, the answer was a resounding, “All of them!”

Readers concluded that the story line about fate was not predetermined and that choices made will influence outcomes. Spin the yarn and decide what to do with it cut it and follow the chosen path. 

Have you read The Three Fates?  What did you think? Please share your thoughts in comments.