So let's see, We are almost halfway through 2011. And it's our cardinal duty to keep the blog updated :). Trying to relieve some pressure from our blog editor, I am trying my hand at blogging(mind you it's my first time and a real big thing since I am basically an invisible presence in the Internet)
I am going to try and sum up the books we have read in the first quarter. Obviously each book deserves its own post... maybe soon but for now... here's what we have done so far..
1. Lolita, Vladimir Nabokov - Yes, everyone knows it's a controversial book. But this book literally brought the warriors out in each of our book club members. A book club in essence is a place to contribute, comment and argue the hell out about the book :) and we did have a very successful meeting in this regards. Of course, I still do not agree with some broad views about the characters and intentions I believe we finished the night making our views clear and planting a seed for countless future discussions (Yes!! I am writing the blog so it's my side of the story :) )
2. Sarah's Key, Tatiana de Rosnay - Hah! the book written by a distant relative of Two-face(Batman's nemesis). I admit it, I was moved to tears while reading the first part of the book. I travelled with Sarah all the way through her metamorphosis from innocent child to horrified victim and finally to grieving soul. I was hoping that the key would somehow magically return her back to happier times and redeem her sorrows. The moment when Sarah opens the cupboard after coming back was a point that all the emotions reached a crescendo and then the music stopped. It felt like watching a crucial fight scene in 'Lord of the rings' to suddenly changing channel to watch 'The Animal'(a crass Rob Schneider movie).
In the meeting albeit, we did end up with interesting theories about what would have forced the author to turn from Dr.Jekyll to Mr. Hyde(including ghostwriters, sudden vacation end, loss of self esteem etc., :)). They say you can't appreciate good wine without knowing what bad wine tastes like. The authors accomplishment was to prove this point in a single book.
3. Heretic's Daughter, Kathleen Kent - Moving onto Heretic's daughter, we haven't had the meeting yet so not revealing the story. But just wanted to say, of all the books that I have read in this genre(drama in general) so far I like this the best. ;) (I know I am going to be ripped apart for this statement in the next meeting ). The location references in the book( Billerica, Andover etc.,) and the real life characters the book was based on made it more believable in a sense elevating it from fiction to Documentary. It's gonna be an interesting discussion, I hope!!
And a note before good bye... The trailer of the movie based on "The Help" just got released[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0dWCXCjX9o] and I feel that they make it look like a feel good story.. What's up with the happy happy colors and music. Feels like they have lost the essence of the book. Oh well.. all movie adaptations disappoint true book fans.
And I end this blog with a quote from my life coach 'Oprah Winfrey' ;) - "Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right"
