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.

What We Thought: At the Water's Edge by Sara Gruen

Evening Book Club January 2016

At the Water’s Edge by Sarah Gruen

The evening’s discussion was dominated by recurring questions; “What is this book really about? What is the significance of water throughout the story?”  Several themes were evident; World War II and its effects on the residents of rural Scotland, the contrast of class differences between entitled socialites and working people in both England and Scotland, belief in traditional  folklore and practice of folk medicine, and the consequences of societal norms of male dominance and violence against women. There was the question of unusual male friendship interfering with recently married Maddie who was beginning to realize that her marriage and relationship with her husband Ellis and childhood friend, Hank was somewhat unorthodox.

Husband Ellis drank liberally and helped himself to Maddie’s medicine, so much so that she finally threw out her remaining supply. Undeterred Ellis continued on his drug addled spree with no concern for Maddie who was left to fend for herself in an inn full of strangers in the middle of the wild Scottish Highlands. Readers felt the search for the Loch Ness monster was backdrop for the transformation of Maddie from her former life into an authentic woman with true concern and understanding for those in the village and they for her. 

After much discussion it was decided that the Loch Ness monster was not defined or found, but perhaps was behind some of the supernatural events. Readers agreed that the author wrote extensively about the emotional and guarded lives of people. Although the story was a dark one, the group broke into nervous laughter at the absurd situations and antics of characters. Maddie speaking about husband Ellis after a terrifying incident of abuse in the night, “Dr.McLean banished everyone while he examined Meg, so the rest of us went downstairs to wait. As far as I could tell, Ellis had slept through the entire thing. That, or he was dead, but I saw no reason to check. If he was dead, he’d still be dead in the morning."  

Have you read At the Water’s Edge? What did you think? Please share your thoughts in comments.

What We Thought: Skipping Christmas by John Grisham

Evening Book Club

December  2015

Skipping Christmas

John Grisham

You're skipping Christmas! Isn't that against the law?” 

 Spike Frohmeyer

“This is a free country...you can do almost anything you want.”

 Luther Krank

Readers used the book as a springboard for sharing memories of past Christmas celebrations. Readers devoted a great deal of time reminiscing about exotic holiday treats. The conversation turned to recipes for favorite and reviled, local and international delicacies most notably fruitcake, mincemeat and venison hung out to cure on the porch. Nobody had a comment about the smoked trout served at the 

                                                Krank's Christmas party.

Another animated discussion centered around favorite Christmas specials; Emmett Otter’s Jug Band Christmas, Muppet Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens Christmas Carol with Alastair Sim, and of course, A Charlie Brown Christmas. The beloved Christmas character who brought an immediate smile to everyone was Buddy the Elf and everyone at once recited his four  main food groups; candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup.

Readers were not disappointed in the change of the author’s style of writing legal thrillers. Most were already Grisham fans and had read his other books and watched movies based on them. Once they discovered that Skipping Christmas was supposed to be humorous they got in the holiday spirit, stopped looking for dark elements and enjoyed the story. Some even laughed out loud at the absurdity of it all.

When the question was raised, “Who would skip Christmas?” only three said yes. When asked “What would you miss about Christmas?” the answers were tallied and the conclusion was everything! Skipping Christmas was a good idea until it wasn’t. This book served as a welcome break from stress of holiday hustle and bustle. Readers were visibly relaxed and cheerful at the end of the evening and a good time was had by all

Have you read Skipping Christmas? What did you think? Please share your thoughts in comments.