What We Thought: The Astronaut Wives Club

Evening Readers

The Astronaut Wives Club

by Lily Koppel

Tuesday, May 19

 

The evening’s discussion consisted of a mix of questions and remarks about Lily Koppel’s revelations about the lives of American astronauts and their wives during the intense space race with the Soviet Union. Readers all agreed that the book was a great read, but some had reservations about it. Some wanted more information and details about NASA itself and asked why NASA overlooked the moral lapses of the astronauts. They wondered why more men of the caliber of John Glenn were not selected instead of the ones who strayed from their marriages.

The families were portrayed as an American ideal and afforded rock star status provided with valuable perks far above the usual military benefits. It was decided that military life and the culture of  post-World War II 1950s along with the 1960s before the counterculture kept the wives in the bubble presented by NASA. The test pilots were recruited and represented as “the best of the best” because they were extreme risk takers and lived with the possibility of death every time they flew a mission. Their moral dalliances were just part of a lifestyle that the wives put up with and denied until they could no longer stand it.

The wives were expected to stay home and bake cookies while it was okay for the husbands to have multiple affairs. Depression, alcoholism and divorce were the end result for most wives whose husbands were not killed on the job. The times changed and so did the wives. The close-knit ties and support of the wives for each other appeared to be genuine and helped them through tough times. Some readers felt it was too cloying to be watched by the press and put on television all the time. Others said it was the first reality show and decided that celebrity was the price they had to pay for their extravagant perks.

Some said that too much money was spent by NASA. Others said it was not a frivolous venture but just an extension of the Cold War to keep the Russians at bay. Americans beat the Russians and landed on the moon. There was plenty of money made by a few and the population benefited from the advances technology allowed. We all loved Tang.

When the question was asked, “Who would want to be an astronaut’s wife?” only three raised their hands. Times have changed...We've come a long way, baby!

What We Thought: Baker Towers by Jennifer Haigh

Evening Reader Book Club

April 2015

Baker Towers

by Jennifer Haigh

Baker Towers is a family saga and a love story, a memory of a time and place now gone. Book club members said the reading the book was like eating comfort food. Although there was sadness and tragedy readers were sustained by the way in which families took care of each other and lived their lives. They loved how the characters came together for each other in the end. They were impressed with the authentic portrayal of characters and their lives, the vivid descriptions of a rural company coal town in Western Pennsylvania and life for young women in Washington DC during WWII and right after. Author Jennifer Haigh creates a real sense of a community and brings the mining town to life through a large cast of minor characters who pass in and out of the Novak’s’ lives.

Everyone agreed that the story was written with great compassion for the people who lived and died in the town. There were many emotional moments when readers spoke about particular events and characters that moved them. They recounted personal stories about their own family history as a result of the truths recounted in the story of Bakerton. It was if they were remembering real people and their reactions to them. This led into several serious discussions about the dynamics of family life and ethnic assimilation of Poles and Italians, whose families permeated the story with distinctive ethnic characteristics, working together but living in separate neighborhoods.

The main theme was the need to escape from the town and the miner’s life, but real escape eluded most. Returning home awaited most of the Novaks, along with those who never left. The second-generation children embraced the home of their parents and willingly built a comfortable life there. Others said that they were waiting for a big event but it never came. Some said the event was WWII and the collapse of the Baker Mine and subsequent demise of the coal industry along with Bakerton. Readers also discussed restoration and renewal, family secrets and conflict, personal growth and how choices affect the paths we take in our lives.

Readers remarked that the book was choppy and the switching back and forth led to readers losing their place and having to start over. Others said that this was how the families lived. Everyone enjoyed reading the book and was very enthusiastic when discussing it. Some said it reminded them the Doll Maker by Harriett Arnow,  A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith and At the Water’s Edge by Sara Gruen. Readers were caught up in the history of World War I and II and recommended  the Ken Follett trilogy covering WWI through WWII; Fall of the Giants, Winter of the World, and Edge of Eternity.

Readers are looking forward to discovering more elaboration about the Novak siblings in the author’s current book of short stories about Bakerton, News from Heaven.

Have you read Baker Towers or other books by Jennifer Haigh? Please share your thoughts in the comments! You don't have to be part of the face-to-face book club to comment, and you may comment anonymously if you would like to.

What We Thought: Night Road by Kristin Hannah

Evening Readers Book Club

January 2015

Night Road
 

Kristin Hannah

Readers expressed strong opinions about the characters and the storyline of this month’s selection. There were obvious favorites among readers while others had opposing opinions. Characters’ actions brought out strong emotions which may have been based on personal experiences but were not expressed as such. Some had a definite dislike of Jude because they believed that she could have been better as a mother. They said they could not have behaved as she did toward her children and their friend, Lexi. Others were more sympathetic and said that no one can judge behavior until they have experienced grief themselves.

One reader said she liked the characters and the dynamics of the story. She felt that the story radiated energy throughout the entire book. She saw a complex social issue and told the story in a realistic way. Even though the subject matter was dramatic she declared that it was a nice read. Some enjoyed the predictability of the events while others were aggravated by it and suggested that this story was more appropriate for adolescents and young mothers because the issue of teen drinking and driving would be more relevant. 

This story is the story of a woman’s (Jude's) life and how she mothered her twins. Tragedy strikes and  she deals with it in a manner destructive to herself and family. The author wrote about the character and the portrayal suits her. Jude did not want to be like her own mother, but she ended up behaving pretty much the same way without realizing it until the conclusion of the story when the back story of her own mother was revealed. Finally Jude was able to embrace her family and her twins’ childhood friend. As a result, she could feel joy and become an authentic daughter, mother, and grandmother.

One member read an essay to the group from “The Art of Forgiveness, Lovingkindness, and Peace” by Jack Kornfield. “To remember the transforming power of forgiveness and lovingkindness. To remember that no matter where you are and what you face, within your heart peace is possible.” This brief essay was a perfect complement to the sentiments expressed by the group. 

Do you agree or disagree? Please add your voice to the discussion by using the comments! 

What We Thought: The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman

Evening Readers

December 2014

The Light between Oceans by M.L. Stedman

The discussion of the author’s debut novel was intense and lasted throughout the evening. Connections were made to present-day situations of adoptions and the care of recovered missing children. Conversation was centered on legal and moral dilemmas of what’s best for the child as opposed to the role of biological parents and parents who have claimed and raised a child as their own. The question was asked, “Would you have kept the baby?” The majority answered “Yes.” But then it was decided that the answer was based on personal feelings and some readers changed their minds about giving up the baby after an undetermined period of time. The life situation of characters Isabel and Tom was far removed from the present day and unique to their time in post-World War I history. However sympathetic we are to what was going on at that time their choices can’t be resolved from our 21^st-century societal perspective.

Hannah, Lucy’s biological mother was confronted with a heartbreaking situation -- the love for her child Lucy and the rejection by her child because of the bond with Isabelle who cared for her in her formative years. Lucy suffered from the separation once she was reunited with her natural mother. Hannah was torn between the happiness of Lucy and her attempts to become a mother to her daughter. Hannah offered to give Lucy back to Isabel in order to keep her daughter from the loss of the only family she has known.  Readers wondered how Lucy recovered from her childhood trauma once she was grown and had a child of her own. They were not sure if things had worked out for Lucy and what memories she had of her early years with both families.

Readers were of the general opinion that the story was fairly realistic for its time in history. They were satisfied with the outcome even though it was sad for all involved. Tom, the keeper of the light house had an obligation to his duty and should have reported the lost child as soon as he was able. He gave into the wish of his wife to raise the child as their own after a second  miscarriage, but then let the true mother know because he couldn’t live with his decision any longer. In the end both Tom and Isabelle did give up Lucy and lived with the consequences of their actions. Readers did not say that anyone lived happily ever after.

This quote from the book invited readers to think about the timing of significant events in life. “There are still more days to travel in this life. And he knows that the man who makes the journey has been shaped by every day and every person along the way. Scars are just another kind of memory…soon enough the days will close over their lives, the grass will grow over their graves until their story is just an unvisited headstone." The title aptly describes the story, Lucy was the light between the oceans of family and her melancholy story will haunt readers for a long time.

A Christmas candy swap lightened the mood of the discussion and was a welcome conclusion to the meeting. Readers are looking forward to the announcement of January’s book selection.

What We Thought: Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian

Skeletons at the Feast
Chris Bohjalian

Skeletons at the Feast was uncomfortable to read because of the unrelenting horror and suffering the characters endured. Readers commented that the focus on members of a wealthy German family who abandon their estate and attempt to reach the British and American lines created another dimension to what is the standard American side of the war. The range of characters, including a Scottish prisoner of war and a young Jewish man in disguise, adds to the complexity of the story and compounds the moral dilemmas that arise throughout the book.

The descriptions of time and place were very well done. Readers said that this story must be told so the truth of the Holocaust is realized and never forgotten. A question was asked, how could the German people live with themselves after the truth is revealed and denial is no longer possible? This led to a discussion of what does any government tell their people about what is going on in the country and the world at large. How complicit are citizens in events affecting the population and how can they be informed about them? What is the moral obligation of people to support their government?

Readers were surprised by the sympathy they felt for the ordinary German people portrayed by the author, and were moved by the way that people from such different backgrounds were able to band together on their journey and form a kind of family. The conclusion of the book was sad but not unexpected, and readers were left with hope for survivors' new lives, perhaps in Israel.

The evening ended with a spirited discussion about the emotions generated about the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 and the Boston Marathon bombing on Patriots' Day 2013, and then a surprise phone call at the very end of the night from author Chris Bohjalian, who said he would read today's blog post!

This is second book by author Chris Bohjalian that has been selected by a Holmes Book Club. The Afternoon Readers discussed The Night Strangers last October.

What We Thought: Blink by Malcolm Gladwell

Blink: the Power of Thinking Without Thinking
by Malcolm Gladwell

The author "examines how people process the information they receive through first impressions and how these impressions, which Gladwell calls rapid cognition, can be channeled into productive thinking.”        

                                    

Blink, a work of nonfiction, generated as much intense discussion as any of the novels read by book club members. Readers did not hold back on their impressions of the author’s observations and conclusions. Most said that what he wrote about was commonsense and possibly mind reading. That what he said was obvious. He spent a lot of time repeating his explanations, and then talked about exceptions. 

The discussion was not so much about whether or not the group liked the book, but rather how the outcome of the studies accurately reflected the science behind the premise of experts who concluded that instincts influence decision making. The group questioned how so much effort could be spent on mundane subjects, and then said it was interesting and useful information. 

The marketing studies about colas and jams interested readers, and everyone who commented on them had a different opinion about the author’s point of view. Again people said that marketing strategies are targeted to an audience with common sense and that the marketers don’t always understand the consumer.

Readers wanted more explanations about how to make snap judgments in a positive way and visuals to illustrate the facial recognition and body language studies. It was said that he wrote a lot about what happens but not how to make things happen. He didn’t explain his points well enough to suit some; for example, when one should or should not act on first impressions. How can we make good snap judgments based on rules and experience when lives are at stake? Another reader said that the same research done by a different person could come up with a different conclusion. It happens all the time. She mentioned recommended healthy diets as an example.

Some readers grew tired of the book early on and didn’t want to spend more time on it. Others were immediately captivated by it and others said they continued reading until they caught on to what he was writing about and then they finished the book.

The discussion followed the book club members’ analysis of the book. Some agreed, some disagreed, and some changed their minds without being aware of what was happening to the dynamics of the group. Blink was a great read and a great choice for the book club.

Have you read Blink? What did you think? Please share your thoughts in the comments!

Combined Book Club Potluck: The Art Forger by B.A. Shapiro

The Art Forger

by B.A. Shapiro

The Evening and Afternoon adult book clubs enjoyed an August potluck supper on Tuesday evening. A variety of colorful summer salads including tomato and mozzarella slices garnished with fresh basil, taco salad, and a cowboy bean salad extravaganza was served buffet-style along with finger sandwiches, meatballs, baked chicken, corn chowder, fruit salad, and assorted chips with salsa. A sparkling lime sherbet punch added pizzazz to the menu.

After the main course, club members adjourned to the library’s reading room for a book discussion accompanied by dessert. The dessert table was awash in chocolate treats; whoopee pies, chocolate pudding cake, frosted marble cake, and a banana cream pie with mile high meringue.

Book club members engaged in a lively discussion about the motives of the art thieves and forgers. Several spoke passionately about what they thought was the fate of the paintings stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. All of their scenarios were plausible. Harder to define were the motives of the thieves and the ultimate owner of the treasures. Was it greed or narcissism? What is the value of a stolen painting, if it isn’t shared with others who can appreciate beauty? Has the statute of limitations expired and who is the true owner now?

Is there a statute of limitations on recovering stolen property? “Time is often the enemy of crime investigators; the trail quickly gets cold. But time has changed the Gardner case in one way that could increase the chances of the paintings' being recovered: The statute of limitations has passed for prosecution of the theft itself. And the US attorney in Boston now says he will not prosecute anyone who has the paintings and offers to return them.

Readers questioned whether there were other undetected forged paintings displayed in museums as the plot in Shapiro’s book. Although the book is fiction, the art techniques discussed are authentic. This feature added to the enjoyment of the story which some said satisfied their preference for “true” historical fiction. Many members have been to the Gardner museum both before and after the theft and spoke highly of the building and the collection. Others said that they are now inspired to visit based on the comments of the group. If your name is Isabella, you can register for lifetime free admission at the museum. If your name isn't Isabella, you can still receive free admission on your birthday. Also, since Isabella Stewart Gardner was a big Red Sox fan, you can wear your Red Sox gear and receive a $2 discount off of admission, too!

The Art Forger was a very successful book selection and it sparked a terrific discussion about the many layers of deception that result in art forgery and theft. The Boston setting was a plus for readers and enhanced the story’s credibility. The author took a real event and crafted a complex and exciting story with an unexpected twist at the end.

What We Thought: The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

The Rosie Project
by Graeme Simsion

Don Tillman’s goal is to find a wife. He says, “There is something about me that women find unappealing. I have never found it easy to make friends, and it seems that the deficiencies that caused this problem have also affected my attempts at romantic relationships.”

"All of us have to make some accommodations and allowances if we are to live with another person.”  -- The Rosie Project

Book Club members were in agreement that The Rosie Project was very entertaining and a great read. Comments about the quirky character traits of Don and his “friend” Rosie Jarman were generally well received. There were some outrageous scenes in the course of the story but all in all the characters were portrayed realistically. After Don made accommodations in his professional and daily life, he set his sights on improving his social life. Although he made the search for a wife more complicated than was necessary, he met his match in Rosie, who was not looking for a mate and who at first struck Don as highly unsuitable. Their adventures together changed their feelings for each other. They had so much fun together that their story evolved into a romantic comedy, surprising both of them!

Don’s best friends, his fellow genetics professor Gene and his wife Claudia, a psychologist, formed the major part of Don’s social life before Rosie enters the picture. Gene mentored Don about his search for a wife even though he was a poor role model of domestic bliss. Gene’s goal to sleep with a woman from every country challenges the tolerance of his wife. Don may not be the only person who has character flaws interfering with his social life.

Some of Don’s traits worked to his advantage, he had a terrific memory and a determination to use it beyond what ordinary people could have imagined. He memorized an entire book of alcoholic drinks and mixed them so well at a fancy party that he impressed the owner of the club who offered him a job on the spot. His proficiency in DNA collection and testing demonstrated his empathy for Rosie in her successful search for her biological father.

There was some discussion about Don having some traits of Asperger’s syndrome. Some said that he reminded them of the character Sheldon in the TV comedy The Big Bang Theory, and that the same actor would be a great choice to play Don Tillman in the movie version of The Rosie Project. The celebrity who came to mind to play Rosie was Cyndi Lauper in her younger days.

Book club members are looking forward to the next book about Don and Rosie married and living in New York City. The Rosie Effect is scheduled for release in December of this year.

Have you read The Rosie Project? Share your thoughts with the Evening Readers Book Club in the comments!

If you haven't read it yet, check out the opening of the book here.

What We Thought: The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey

“In my old age, I see that life itself is often more fantastic and terrible than the stories we believed as children and that perhaps there is no harm in finding magic among the trees.”  -- The Snow Child (A letter to Mabel from her sister)

The evening’s discussion elicited sincere, heartfelt and profound comments from members of the book club. It was said that the author’s creative writing encouraged creative reading. People said they were not certain that Faina, the snow child was a real character but then they offered evidence that she was. Maybe the fairy tale took over the reality of life or maybe life was the fairy tale.

Not everyone was familiar with the Russian folktale of the Snow Child who was cold until she fell in love, her heart warms and she melts. Everyone drew parallels with stories from their childhood, most notably Frosty the Snowman as well as the shape shifting selkies from Ireland. The discussion intensified as it continued throughout the evening and readers debated the place of fantasy and its manifestation in everyday life. Elements of the relationships between all of the characters touched readers hearts. Family connections were transformed by the introduction of Faina into the lives of Mabel and Jack as well as with their neighbors and good friends, George and Esther Benson. The story of Mabel and Jack and their encounter with Faina created a lot of thought provoking reactions about the characters. Beautifully written descriptions about the wildness and remoteness of the Alaskan landscape enhanced the romance of the story.

“I will change the ending and have everyone live happily ever after. We are all allowed to do that, are we not? To invent our own endings and choose joy over sorrow.”  -- The Snow Child (A letter to Mabel from her sister)

What We Thought: Looking for Me by Beth Hoffman

Looking for Me is one of five finalists for the 2014 Kentucky Literary Award. The Southern Kentucky Book Fest partnership’s award will go to a work of fiction by a Kentucky author or with a significant Kentucky theme that was published in 2012 or 2013. Her good friend, Julie Kibler is a finalist as well for Calling Me Home. The winner will be announced on April 25.

Themes: restoration and renewal, family secrets and conflict, personal growth, and how choices affect the paths our lives take.

Readers were impressed with the scope of the story, the authentic portrayal of characters and their lives, vivid descriptions of rural Kentucky as well as Charleston, South Carolina. One reader who has lived in Charleston remarked that the descriptions of neighborhoods, historic houses, beautiful gardens and fountains were accurate and brought back memories of time spent there.

Everyone agreed that the story was written with great passion that only a woman could have felt. There were many emotional moments when readers spoke about particular events and characters. It was if they were remembering real people and their reactions to them. This led into several serious discussions about the dynamics of family life. One thread was about how different generations deal with family secrets. Nowadays, people are generally more open when talking about sensitive topics such as war-time experiences, family history, and family relationships.

Everyone in the group was pleased with the growth of the main character Teddi and her transformation from a country girl with an interest in old furniture to a successful artist and businesswoman who created a beautiful and satisfying life for herself. She was able to come to terms with having an emotionally distant relationship with her mother as well as with the mysterious disappearance of her younger brother. You don’t always get what you want in life but you can create the life for yourself that you need.

Readers remarked that the book was choppy but agreed that the switching back and forth did propel the story along. Some wanted more elaboration about certain events. They felt that enough wasn’t explained about Teddi’s parents and her brother. All in all, everyone enjoyed reading the book and was very enthusiastic when discussing it. Some said Looking for Me reminded them of other book club books; the Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh and The Memory of Running by Ron McLarty.

SPOILER ALERT -- If you haven't read the book yet, you may want to stop here!

Readers were surprised at the last word ending the book: Menewa. It is a Native American word meaning "Great Warrior" and was given as a name for a red-tailed hawk in a story told by Teddi to her brother Josh when he was a young child. She said that the raptor was chosen over all the other red-tails to be his guardian. Later, as an adult visiting the family farm in Kentucky Teddi saw a red-tailed hawk and felt a connection to her brother. When Teddi gifted the farm to be used a wildlife sanctuary, the caretakers named it Menewa in honor of her brother Josh. Menewa is evoked at the conclusion of Teddi’s story in recognition of love for her brother and her hope that someday they might be reunited.

What We Thought: Doc by Mary Doria Russell

Why didn’t Doc go home to Georgia and his family? How did unmarried women support themselves in the Old West?

Members had sympathy for John Henry "Doc" Holliday, despite his criminal, and some would say immoral, behavior. It was suggested that his having a terminal illness, tuberculosis, influenced his reckless acts, but all agreed he was a true gentleman at heart.

The wild and lawless society of the Old West didn't have much use for dentistry, Doc's chosen profession, so he had to turn to gambling on card games for income. The atmosphere in saloons where he “worked” put him in contact with nefarious characters and loose women. All in all, members of the group felt sorry for Doc, as he was portrayed by the author, and felt that his reputation as a gun fighter, card shark, and womanizer was based more on rumor than fact. Unmarried women of the Old West faced a hard life unless they had money and family to depend on. There was no welfare at that time so women and children were on their own.

Education was limited and employment and business opportunities were scarce and generally available for men only. Many women turned to prostitution as a common occupation; however, once in the “sporting” life it was difficult to leave it even if they wanted to change the direction of their life. Doc’s empathy and regard for “working girls" impressed readers, who felt that his appreciation and defense of them was unusual for men of his time.Maria Katarina "Kate" Harony was a determined woman who was able to live that life in the way she wished. It was decided that she and Doc had a dedicated relationship that worked for them. 
Book club members enjoyed reading Doc because the characters were believable and the events were so well written that the scenes were vividly remembered, e.g. Doc playing the piano at the Christmas party with Kate and the Jesuit priest from Kansas, Alexander Von Angensperg,dancing.
This passage was acknowledged by all as a good example of the humor that threads through this work of historical fiction: “For the rest of his long, eventful life, Alexander Von Angensperg might have topped just about any war story told in a Jesuit residence. He could have listened, and nodded, and acknowledged each man's most colorful adventure, and then achieved an awed, respectful silence with just six words: 'I heard confessions in Dodge City.'”

What We Thought: The Age of Desire by Jennie Fields

The Evening Readers Book Club discussion of Jennie Fields’ The Age of Desire began with a show of hands of how many members liked the book. Most did, and a few said they loved it. Some were put off by the content and did not finish reading it.

Members who liked the story were not happy with the selfish and indulgent behavior of practically all of the main characters, especially Edith Wharton. She was careless and carefree in the pursuit of a passionate relationship with an unsympathetic lover at the expense of her marriage and respect of her one lifelong, true friend and confidant. It was decided that Edith’s behavior was typical of the time period, the Gilded Age, and her place in it as a wealthy woman and famous writer. People are a product of their times and unacceptable and uncomfortable behavior today would have been tolerated and even recognized as normal then.

It was decided that the book was not a chick book, but was true historical fiction and for the most part an accurate representation of a particular time frame in the life of Edith Wharton. Members were satisfied with the epilog and Edith’s life after she ended her affair with the journalist William Fullerton and divorced her husband. Finally she dedicates herself and her resources to find fulfillment in helping others. She also realizes what a great friendship and collaboration her former governess Anna brought to her life. Sadly, she came to this realization very late in life and did not have much time to make up for her neglect.

All were fascinated with pictures of The Mount -- Edith’s grand country place in Lenox, Massachusetts -- and the connection with Brockton, Mass. The Mount has been fully restored and is a tourist destination with lovely gardens and an enormous mansion.

What We Thought: The Memory of Running

Combined Book Club Potluck!

This evening’s Book Club meeting began with a hot and cold dish supper enjoyed by everyone.  Afternoon and Evening Book Club members look forward to the biennial event show casing tasty treats including vegetarian casseroles and home style favorites of chicken, spicy sausage and other tempting ingredients.

After dinner the group moved from the Community Room to the Library’s  front room for desserts; decorated cake, trifle, cookies, and even chocolates and a discussion of author Ron McLarty’s The Memory of Running. This book evoked strong reactions and opinions about family issues and the treatment of psychiatric disorders during the past fifty years.

 

All agreed that the author wrote a beautiful story about difficult subjects. There was enough humor to lighten up the overall sadness of the character’s lives. Familiar locations in Rhode Island enhanced the background of events as the characters moved through the highs and lows of life.

The story revolved around family and the love and devotion of parents and children as well as goodness radiating from all of them. The Memory of Running is a story of hope and resilience that exists throughout experience despite life’s trials.

This quote from one of the group inspired Book Club members and was a fitting conclusion to the evening’s program, “In a dog-eat-dog world Smithy wore Milk-Bone underwear.”

What We Thought: Rules of Civility by Amor Towles

The evening’s discussion of Rules of Civility by Amor Towles was highlighted with a lovely assortment of refreshments tied to the theme of 1930s-era entertaining. Members served themselves from an overflowing bowl of non-alcoholic mint green punch reminiscent of gin drinks which the characters drank liberally throughout the book. Cookies and bar nuts accompanied drinks and put everyone in a jolly mood.

 

After much discussion it was decided that the book more or less accurately presented the time period of the 1930s and the effects of the Great Depression on different levels of social classes. Choices made by the characters and results affecting them were a major theme. The choices varied depending on the circumstances and morality of characters and determined the courses of their lives. Some choices were well-considered, especially by Katie who enjoyed a contented and successful life. Others, like Tinker, learned the hard way what can happen when choice is made without conscience. Eve, the character with the most spunk, was adventurous and spontaneous. She was admired by most, but not a model of propriety for anybody.

 

Some lives and careers were cut short by ill-considered and quickly made decisions. Did Eve ever contact her parents after leaving New York for home? We decided that the author left it unknown so readers would think about it.

 

The author has written a sequel, a novella about Eve (Eve in Hollywood) after her character leaves the story, but no one was very interested. One member commented that she thought of Eve as Jean Harlow. Members were reminded of their own youthful adventures and contrasted them with the wild and carefree antics of those in the story. All of the members enjoyed hearing about high times at dances and nightclubs on and off the Cape. When asked who would recommend this book to a friend, all raised their hands. 

Favorite Quotes

“In our twenties, when there is still so much time ahead of us, time that seems ample for a hundred indecisions, for a hundred visions and revisions -- we draw a card, and we must decide right then and there whether to keep that card and discard the next, or discard the first card and keep the second. And before we know it, the deck has been played out and the decisions we have just made will shape our lives for decades to come.”

“How rich does one have to be to buy a very handsome man?”

From Rules of Civility by George Washington: “Never bring a fork to your mouth when you have a knife in your hand.”