We finally managed to meet to discuss this book. It generated much discussion even if we didn't all enjoy the book. The three of us who saw the play, appreciated the shock of the ending - which on stage and on page caused a sharp intake of breath. Most enjoyed his prose but found the characters difficult. It was interesting seeing the beginnings of unionisation with the desciptions of man exploitation of an other's hardship. No quarter given, no charity handouts, a hard hard life.
Rona, was unable to make the meeting but saw the play and sent these comments "My comments for book club on Steinbeck's Nobel prize winning epic mmmmmmmmm, I loved reading it although it was at times a bit like eating sensible salad rather than delicious full fat cheese. What I mean is that the quality of writing and descriptions of such harrowing times were superlative, but not easy to read. I knew quite a bit about the Highland clearances which affected families in a similar way but we were not taught anything about American history when I was at school,so I feel informed and moved by the plight of the fictional family portrayed, my three words would be harrowing,epic,poetic.......particularly the last scene." Rona's precis encapsulates the discussion we had.
Words used to describe the book: beautifully descriptive, haunting, labouring, remarkable, bloody boring (Anneka). The book was marked highly between 7 - 9 out of 10.
Rona, was unable to make the meeting but saw the play and sent these comments "My comments for book club on Steinbeck's Nobel prize winning epic mmmmmmmmm, I loved reading it although it was at times a bit like eating sensible salad rather than delicious full fat cheese. What I mean is that the quality of writing and descriptions of such harrowing times were superlative, but not easy to read. I knew quite a bit about the Highland clearances which affected families in a similar way but we were not taught anything about American history when I was at school,so I feel informed and moved by the plight of the fictional family portrayed, my three words would be harrowing,epic,poetic.......particularly the last scene." Rona's precis encapsulates the discussion we had.
Words used to describe the book: beautifully descriptive, haunting, labouring, remarkable, bloody boring (Anneka). The book was marked highly between 7 - 9 out of 10.
Next Book
Midaq Alley by Naquib Mahfouz
Next Meeting
Thursday 19th November
at
234 Munster Road
(please let Boos know if you are coming as space is limited - no prams!)
Midaq Alley by Naquib Mahfouz
Next Meeting
Thursday 19th November
at
234 Munster Road
(please let Boos know if you are coming as space is limited - no prams!)
