September Book Club 2021

Many thanks to Laura who volunteered her patio for this month's book club. It was a beautiful evening to sit outside for our discussion.  

September's book was A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. We had loved his book, "Rules of Civility," several years ago. 

A "Gentleman in Moscow" is about an aristocratic Russian, Alexander Rostov, who is arrested in 1922 at the end of the Russian Revolution. He is convicted, of being an aristocrat. But, rather than being executed by the Bolesheviks, he is put under house arrest in a luxury hotel, The Metropol, in Moscow. There he lives out the next 30 years of his life. 

(What follows is paraphrased from Amor Towles website)

A novel set in Soviet Russia in an era of austerity in which the hero spends three decades of his life in the confines of a single building might seem dull. But, it's the perfect opportunity for the author to investigate the depths of the Russian soul. 

As the author draws you deep into Alexander's existential malaise, a willowy actress enters the scene. In the kitchen three collaborators convene, connive and, cook. Knives are juggled, passports stolen and disguises adopted. Alexander adopts a daughter. There are many story lines connecting the people who work, as well as live, at the hotel. And, we follow it all with interest until one day in 1954 a well orchestrated escape is executed.

Amor Towles, admits to his own personal love affair with the Russian authors and way of life. He weaves into his story history, food, wine and the culture of a people who endure the long, hard Russian winters. 

I felt from the start that his book was an homage to Dostoevsky as the writing style reminded me very much of Anna Karenina. 

The book rated 4.5

August Book Club 2021

Thanks to Denise for hosting our August Book Club. It was a beautiful day!

Last year, Diana had arranged for her friend and poet, Vivian Nida to recite from her book of poems, "From Circus Town, USA." Diana met Vivian when she was a student in one of her high school classes. They had been in intermittent contact over the years. Vivian grew up in Hugo, Oklahoma and her book of poems is inspired by the circuses that wintered there over the years. Of course, we have a connection to the Endangered Ark Foundation that grew out of those circuses. Vivian's initial visit to book club was postponed due to Covid last year. Our patience was certainly rewarded! Vivian read to us from her book and shared photos of her family, the town and, the circus. She regaled us with charming anecdotes and even brought us Animal Cracker cookies.                                      

Our book for August was "The Lost Apothecary," a debut novel by Sarah Penn.This story is told from the perspective of two time periods. In current day London, aspiring historian, Caroline Parcewell, is spending her 19th wedding anniversary alone. On the eve of this long awaited trip, Caroline finds out about her husband's infidelity. She decides to make the trip alone to give herself time to process her situation. On a field trip she discovers an old apothecary bottle that becomes a clue to the unsolved apothecary murders that happened in London 200 years earlier.

In 18th century London, a female apothecary is carrying on the business of her deceased mother. She has a predominantly female clientele and an underground reputation for selling well disguised poisons that enable some of these women to do away with abusive and oppressive husbands. The book was fairly well received and rated a 3.4.

The book was fairly well received and rated a 3.4.