Upcoming Books:
September 10, 2013: Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin
October 8, 2013: Northanger Abbey by Jane Austin
November 12, 2013: "BYOB" (bring your own book): members will each select their own book to read and then come tell the group about their selection.
December 10, 2013: Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves by PG Wodehouse ~ and our annual holiday celebration ~ bring a treat to share & come join us!
Inasmuch as I will be winging my way to Egypt when you meet tomorrow night, I thought I would share a few thoughts about "Say You're One of Them." Given the NCAA playoffs and my impending departure I confess to having read a little more than half the book but I was quite impressed with the author's skill. He's a gifted writer and he captures the essence of African life. "Fattening for Gabon" was quite an awakening for me--I had no idea this was going on in Africa. And of course there is the inescapable grinding poverty. That said, I thought the way "Fattening" was written evidenced a more mature central character than what a 10-yr. old boy would have--unless the narration was that of an adult looking back to when he was 10.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, and although I'm fortunate that I can pick up the French, I wished for a glossary of African words which I think would have meaningfully enhanced my understanding of the short stories.
Best to all,
Wes
PS: I thought the book was a great selection, certainly not something I would have otherwise picked up on my own.
ReplyDelete--Wes