Stretching the Biblical Re-telling?

I finished Water for Elephants last night! Afterwards I had a hard time putting the book down so I read the interview with Sara Gruen. I'm intrigued by how she used Jacob from the book of Genesis as the backbone for the novel. Honestly, I don't think I would have noticed this on my own, but below are some biblical references that other people noticed. Have any of you made other connections? Is this biblical re-telling a stretch?

• Anagrams: both exact and phonetic: Catherine Hale=Leah, Marlena L'Arche=Rachel, Alan Bunkel (Uncle Al)=Uncle Laban 
• flat rock that he sleeps on on the river bank at the beginning of the book
• the dream
• the animal husbandry for Uncle Laban
• Jacob and Rachel (Marlena) leave with Uncle Al's (Uncle Laban's) best livestock
• Jacob must do an additional seven years of animal husbandry in order to be with Marlena
• he breaks his hip
• some of his children's names are the same 

In the interview with Sara Gruen at the end of the novel, the author admits that at the time she started to write Water for Elephants she was working on another book but stumbled across old circus photos. The photos inspired her to research and eventually write the book. I think incorporating the photos in the book adds a touch of truth. Can't wait to discuss this more next Friday!

Happy reading...

Marit

Meeting #15: Unaccustomed Earth

What a summer finale! I think our discussion last night was one of the best yet. We talked about the Indian/American experience, and how it is perceived from different generations. The book also brought about new challenges for our club. This was our first collection of short stories, and we struggled to agree on a theme that laced these disparate tales together. Some themes that were suggested include: the diaspora experience, love, relationships, family and assimilation/nonconformity.

Since this book was so different from everything else we have read, we all tried to liken it to something familiar:

1. A Seinfeld episode - a seemingly superficial exploration of everyday life (but in reality, it's very nuanced and subtle renderings of the most intricate workings of human nature).
2.  A cocktail party - this book was an opportunity to meet many "characters" in a short period of time. After the party's over, it hard to keep everyone's name and story straight. But it's still so much fun to meet them all!
3.  A foreign film - we're so used to watching (or in our case reading) action packed plot lines that when confronted with something slow moving it can be challenging to adjust to the new pace.

Everyone had something to say about the book's opening quote:

Human nature will not flourish, any more than a potato, if it be planted and replanted, for too long a series of generations, in the same worn-out soil. My children have had other birthplaces, and, so far as their fortunes may be within my control, shall strike their roots into unaccustomed earth. -Nathaniel Hawthorne

Last night we "struck our roots into unaccustomed earth," and began a new Bookettes tradition: we'll now give each book an off-the-cuff grade for technical soundness and artistic merit (if these criteria sound familiar, you were probably a childhood figure skating fan too). Our group grade was an A- / B+. Some ladies felt the stories' endings were rushed, and were unattracted to the book's melancholy tone, while others related well to the themes, and were taken by Lahiri's signature exquisite prose.

Happy reading! I can't wait for our next meeting at Heidi's.

Cheers-

Solveig

Meeting #14: Lovin' Little Bee

Our evening at Rachel's started off with some exciting news: Mitch proposed to Colleen!! Congratulations to both of you.

Rachel's backyard is the secret garden of St. Paul. Absolutely perfect- and so close to everything. We agreed that next bookclub at Rachel's should start off with a shopping trip to Primp (a nearby boutique store)!

Rachel served refreshing dinner and drinks on that hot summer evening. I think it's fair to say that overall we liked the book. Many people commented on how well written and unpredictable it was. We also had an interesting discussion regarding the book's cover and title. I don't know if I can speak for everyone, but I totally judge a book by it's cover and this cover definitely did not clue me into how dark the book would be. Who knew that men --errr, at least that Chris Cleave-- understand women so well. If I didn't know better I would never have guessed this book was written by a man. Part of our discussion also centered on the idea of books that are written from different perspectives. How did Cleave determine what parts to write from who's perspective?

Since this bookclub meeting was almost over a month ago, I'm sure I don't remember all of the details. What else stood out to you? Oh, and please add any pictures that you have!

Looking forward to next Thursday!

-Marit

Calling all Bookettes!

I thought I'd check out the ol' blog today and realized it's been a while since we've made a post. Someone want to write about Little Bee and our time hanging out in Rachel's amazing backyard? I can write up something quick too, but thought I'd give someone else the chance first. Rach, did you snap the picture? Do you know how to upload it to the blog? If not I can show you how or else just email me the pic and I'll post it.

Anyone been reading in some fun locations recently?

Can't wait to see everyone next week! I'm about halfway through the book and am loving it. These stories go together so perfectly, and some really have unexpected endings!

Happy reading!

Carolyn

Meeting #13: Sex Lives of Cannibals

We had a great time this morning discussing The Sex Lives of Cannibals, which for the record, isn't actually about that too much ; )

Read more about what we ATE over on our recipe page!

Next up? Little Bee.

Where we read: The Sex Lives of Cannibals

...at the Jardin des Tuileries (the Tuileries garden) in Paris, right next to the Louvre.

~Christine

Meeting #12: Sarah's Key

Cream and sugar?

Why yes, thank you.

Christine had us over to her adorable apartment this past Sunday for champagne, sandwiches, tea, and dessert. Oh, and to discuss Sarah's Key too, of course ; )

But let's look at the desserts first:

YUM. They were all delectable. I should know. I tasted all of them. 

Here's Chrstine being the wonderful hostess that she is:

Marit and Solveig, the sisters in the group:

We all loved the little frills on these pink napkins. Looks how cute they are stacked on that stool? I just had to take a picture! And of course the I {heart} BC had to make an appearance ... on the sandwich tray (which were amazing, btw. Can't wait for the Curry Chutney Chicken recipe. From Christine. The CCC from C, ha! And the Cinnamon Walnut Scones!)

 

 

A lost of discussing was going on ...

Most of us really liked the book ... some of us found certain characters annoying and inconsistent, but for the most part, we'd recommend this book. And by "some of us" I meant "me." I don't think Solveig's expression in the below photo has anything to do with her taste for the book ; )

The group! (Solveig had to leave early to go serve football celebrities at the Edina Grill)

Cutest party favors! And hostess! (Sorry this pic got a little pixelated ... I think that happened when I tried to lighten it.)

Remember to email Rachel with your vote by Monday! (Meeting will be Thursday evening, July 7)

Hope you are all enjoying Sex Lives of Cannibals! I have yet to crack the cover but I've heard it is hilarious. We'll discuss that Saturday Mary 21 at 10am -- my house!

Carolyn