Our lovely future First Wife, Vanessa, kindly provided a review for 'Bees'. A former literature student, Vanessa may well have just raised the bar for our book reviews. Thanks Ness!!
Here's what she said:
The story: Sue Monk Kidd’s novel centres on the life of Lily Owens, a teenage girl, growing up in Southern America during the time the Civil Rights Act and the movement towards equality for the African American community. Although she lives with her father, T. Ray, Lily is practically an orphan and is haunted by the events surrounding her mother’s death 10 years prior.
After a ‘visit’ from a swarm of bees, Lily’s world is thrown into a frenzy, which sees her and her nanny, Rosaleen escape for Tiburon (A small town in South Carolina, which is Lily’s only real connection to her mother’s life).
In Tiburon, Lily and Rosaleen are taken in by the ‘calendar sisters’, August, June and May Boatwright – 3 African American sisters who not only are responsible for the famous ‘Black Madonna Honey’, but educate Lily in the ways of a world she has only ever seen from one point of view…
Peppered through the novel are references to the life of bees, which punctuate the events of each chapter beautifully, whilst also highlighting a ‘secret life’ we, the reader are unfamiliar with.
The climax of the story is Lily’s conversation with August about her mother and the subsequent final confrontation with her father, which leaves the events of Deborah’s deaths still in mystery, and Lily ultimately finds the life she has always wanted and discovers herself with a whole ‘hive’ of mothers.
The moral: There are many themes and messages which can be derived from “The Secret Life of Bees”, however two of the strongest is the importance of family and one’s ability to demonstrate tolerance. This is not just in the literal sense of tolerating each other’s differences, although the race relationships demonstrated throughout the novel definitely highlight this, it goes further to tolerating one’s self. When Lily was able to let go of the spirit of her mother whom, she kept on a pedestal, she was able to find peace with herself and her role in her mother’s death. Once she had done this, only then, was she able to see clearly that she had established herself within a loving family.
What is the ‘Secret Life of Bees’?: There are many ways this can be interpreted, however I personally believe that the secret life of bees is a term that can be used to describe ‘what goes on behind closed doors’. The analogy of a hive, which is dark and hidden from plain-view, where various activities occur, can be transferred to the notion of until you step over the threshold and into someone else’s life, you can only assume what happens. The ‘coloured folk’ may turn out to be ‘cultured’ or an abusive and distant father may have had kindness in his heart to begin with. As August suggests, “People may start out one way…”. From reading this book, I have taken away a stronger belief in not judging a person until I have walked in their shoes. Until you have done that, you must remember that your hive life may be filled with a buzz similar to theirs and nobody has the right to make assumptions about an individual, their family or their race until they have gained greater insight into their hive of activity.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Book #5 - Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte
And this month's book is...
Here's the questions to ponder while you're reading:
Book Club Discussion Questions
1. Why does Bronte juxtapose Jane's musings about women's social restraints with the mysterious laugh that Jane attributes to Grace Poole?
2. Rochester tells Jane, "if you are cast in a different mould to the majority, it is no merit of yours; Nature did it". Are we intended to agree or disagree with this statement?
3. After Mason's visit to Thornfield, Jane asks herself, "What crime was this, that lived incarnate in this sequestered mansion, and could neither be expelled nor subdued by the owner?". What crime does Bertha represent? Why does Rochester keep her at Thornfield?
4. Does Rochester ever actually intend to marry Blanche Ingram? If so, when does he change his mind? If not, why does he go to such lengths to make Jane believe he does?
5. Rochester's disastrous marriage to Bertha was based on passion, while St. John refuses to marry Rosamund because of his passion for her. What is Brontë saying about the role passion should play in marriage?
6. What does St. John feel for Jane? Why does Jane end her story with his prayer?
7. Jane asserts her equality to Rochester, and St. John. What does Jane mean by equality, and why is it so important to her?
8. When Jane first appears at Moor House, Hannah assumes she is a prostitute, but St. John and his sisters do not. What distinguishes the characters who misjudge Jane from those who recognize her true nature?
9. When Jane hears Rochester's voice calling while he is miles away, she says the phenomenon "is the work of nature". What does she mean by this? What are we intended to conclude about the meaning of this experience?
10. Brontë populates the novel with many female characters roughly the same age as Jane—Georgiana and Eliza Reed, Helen Burns, Blanche Ingram, Mary and Diana Rivers, and Rosamund Oliver. How do comparisons with these characters shape the reader's understanding of Jane's character?
11. What is the balance of power between Jane and Rochester when they marry? Does this balance change from the beginning of the marriage to the time ten years later that Jane describes at the end of the novel?
12. In a romantic relationship, does one partner inevitably dominate the other?
13. Should an individual who holds a position of authority be granted the respect of others, regardless of his or her character?
(This set of questions issued by Penguin Classics Edition.)
Happy reading to all the First Wives!!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Book #4 - The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk Kidd
But for now, here are some questions to ponder as you read The Secret Life of Bees:
Discussion Questions:
1. Were you surprised to learn that T. Ray used to be different, that once he truly loved Deborah? How do you think Deborah's leaving affected him? Did it shed any light on why T. Ray was so cruel and abusive to Lily?
2. Had you ever heard of "kneeling on grits"? What qualities did Lily have that allowed her to survive, endure, and eventually thrive, despite T. Ray?
3. Who is the queen bee in this story?
4. Lily's relationship to her dead mother was complex, ranging from guilt to idealization, to hatred, to acceptance. What happens to a daughter when she discovers her mother once abandoned her? Is Lily right—would people generally rather die than forgive? Was it harder for Lily to forgive her mother or herself?
5. Lily grew up without her mother, but in the end she finds a house full of them. Have you ever had a mother figure in your life who wasn't your true mother? Have you ever had to leave home to find home?
6. What compelled Rosaleen to spit on the three men's shoes? What does it take for a person to stand up with conviction against brutalizing injustice? What did you like best about Rosaleen?
7. Had you ever heard of the Black Madonna? What do you think of the story surrounding the Black Madonna in the novel? How would the story be different if it had been a picture of a white Virgin Mary? Do you know women whose lives have been deepened or enriched by a connection to an empowering Divine Mother?
8. Why is it important that women come together? What did you think of the "Calendar Sisters" and the Daughters of Mary? How did being in the company of this circle of females transform Lily?
9. May built a wailing wall to help her come to terms with the pain she felt. Even though we don't have May's condition, do we also need "rituals," like wailing walls, to help us deal with our grief and suffering?
10. How would you describe Lily and Zach's relationship? What drew them together? Did you root for them to be together?
11. Project into the future. Does Lily ever see her father again? Does she become a beekeeper? A writer? What happens to Rosaleen? What happens to Lily and Zach? Who would Zach be today?
Thursday, August 20, 2009
The Five People You Meet in Heaven - Deconstruction
by Miss Tanya
A little overdue, but as I’ve been honoured with the task of putting together a brief overview of The Five People You Meet in Heaven, by Mitch Albom, which was Book #2 for The First Wives.
Review from My Mum: This book was not as weird as The Lovely Bones. (Not my thoughts, but had to put that in. I’m calling mum an honorary First Wife as she’s not an official part of the club, but is reading all the books.)
Eddie’s Story: The story centres around Eddie. A theme park maintenance supervisor who has filled his life with regrets and convinced himself he has not achieved anything in life. He seems to have lived his life blaming other people for every event that’s happened or situation that he’s been in, without making the most of it. This is until he dies, and then meets five obscure people who played key roles in his life. They each showed him the part they played, and he realised why certain things happened in his life, and how his reaction to those events and situations affected his life and those around him. He finally finds the meaning and purpose he felt he never had – albeit a bit too late.
Moral to the Story: There is a definite moral to this story. Don’t waste your life thinking about what could’ve been or should’ve been. Things happen – sometimes positive, sometimes negative. We all need to give ourselves time to acknowledge what happens and adjust accordingly – but then should accept and move on the best we can. A whole life can be wasted blaming others or ourselves on our situations. In the end there’s only one person that can change it or make it work – US!
Overall Review: This is not a book I would normally have picked up, however I was immediately captured by the suspense the author managed to create. A good read – definitely book club material. I wouldn’t have got anywhere near as much out of it had it not been discussed with the wonderful First Wives. A special acknowledgement to (almost) First Wife Vanessa’s analysis of the five people representing different religious icons and basic beliefs. Well done, Vanessa – gave us all a different perspective (and new standard to live up to for our discussion!) Overall score of 3.5/5.
5 People I’d Like to Meet in Heaven: This is written on the belief that after I meet these 5 people, I can join my family/friends in joyous eternity. Not necessarily in this order.
1 – Johnny Depp, for one night of fantasy driven passion (time goes slow in heaven, doesn’t it?)
2 – Lance Armstrong, to be inspired and work out where such strength (both physical and mental) comes from.
3 – Harry Potter, to learn some magic.
4 – Pink, for a party and spot of karaoke (of course I’ll be able to sing in heaven).
5 – Oprah, for cake, coffee, gossip and girl talk.
No morals to the story there, but gee it’d be fun wouldn’t it?
A little overdue, but as I’ve been honoured with the task of putting together a brief overview of The Five People You Meet in Heaven, by Mitch Albom, which was Book #2 for The First Wives.
Review from My Mum: This book was not as weird as The Lovely Bones. (Not my thoughts, but had to put that in. I’m calling mum an honorary First Wife as she’s not an official part of the club, but is reading all the books.)
Eddie’s Story: The story centres around Eddie. A theme park maintenance supervisor who has filled his life with regrets and convinced himself he has not achieved anything in life. He seems to have lived his life blaming other people for every event that’s happened or situation that he’s been in, without making the most of it. This is until he dies, and then meets five obscure people who played key roles in his life. They each showed him the part they played, and he realised why certain things happened in his life, and how his reaction to those events and situations affected his life and those around him. He finally finds the meaning and purpose he felt he never had – albeit a bit too late.
Moral to the Story: There is a definite moral to this story. Don’t waste your life thinking about what could’ve been or should’ve been. Things happen – sometimes positive, sometimes negative. We all need to give ourselves time to acknowledge what happens and adjust accordingly – but then should accept and move on the best we can. A whole life can be wasted blaming others or ourselves on our situations. In the end there’s only one person that can change it or make it work – US!
Overall Review: This is not a book I would normally have picked up, however I was immediately captured by the suspense the author managed to create. A good read – definitely book club material. I wouldn’t have got anywhere near as much out of it had it not been discussed with the wonderful First Wives. A special acknowledgement to (almost) First Wife Vanessa’s analysis of the five people representing different religious icons and basic beliefs. Well done, Vanessa – gave us all a different perspective (and new standard to live up to for our discussion!) Overall score of 3.5/5.
5 People I’d Like to Meet in Heaven: This is written on the belief that after I meet these 5 people, I can join my family/friends in joyous eternity. Not necessarily in this order.
1 – Johnny Depp, for one night of fantasy driven passion (time goes slow in heaven, doesn’t it?)
2 – Lance Armstrong, to be inspired and work out where such strength (both physical and mental) comes from.
3 – Harry Potter, to learn some magic.
4 – Pink, for a party and spot of karaoke (of course I’ll be able to sing in heaven).
5 – Oprah, for cake, coffee, gossip and girl talk.
No morals to the story there, but gee it’d be fun wouldn’t it?
Friday, July 24, 2009
Book #3 - Rebecca, by Daphne Du Maurier
The First Wives have talked about exploring a few classics at some point, and the time has finally arrived. We will be dipping our toes into the ocean of classic novels by reading "Rebecca" by Daphne Du Maurier. Following are some discussion questions to bear in mind while you read...
Discussion Questions
1. Is Rebecca a ghost story? Why or why not?
2. Discuss the role of Mrs. Danvers in the novel.
3. Discuss the character of Maxim. How are his actions consistent or inconsistent with this character?
4. Is justice served at the end of the novel? Why or why not?
5. Discuss the role of Manderley in the novel--both the house itself and its grounds and beach. How does setting contribute to the book's plot? To the book's tone?
6. Discuss the elements that make Rebecca a work of gothic literature.
7. Discuss the role of Jack Favell in the story. Does he help to shed light on Rebecca's character? How does he impact the plot?
8. Analyze the heroine's marriage to Maxim. How does their relationship develop during the course of the novel?
Happy reading everyone!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
The Lovely Bones - Deconstruction
Time waits for no bookclubber, and with our next meeting less than a week away its time to publish the debrief from The Lovely Bones - with or without comments from everyone. Three out of six is not too bad, but I feel sure we will do better with the next review!!
What would you score The Lovely Bones overall?
Vanessa: 4/5
Tanya: 3.5/5
Jen:4/5 - the subject matter was at times too yucky to give it 5/5 but gee it was close!
Which character would you like to hang out with and why?
Vanessa: Grandma Lynn - she's ballsy and loves red lipstick.
Tanya: Grandma Lynn 'cos I reckon she'd be good value and have a more objective perspective on it all. Oh, and Hal Heckler because he's described as being really good looking, rides a motorbike and doesn't appear to have any girlfriends (obviously in this fantasy I am young, hot and single).
Jen: I would love to hang out with Lindsey for a while because she seemed to be such a strong, independent woman. She was sporty and a bit of a go-getter so I think I'd enjoy her company.
General comments:
Vanessa: I have walked past this book at bookstores so many times... it was lovely to discover what lay beneath the cover...would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good emotive and explorative read!
Tanya: I did enjoy this book but was hungry for more. The author seemed to skim over some areas and I wanted more depth or reasoning behind certain scenes - like Susie's influence over things on Earth, "the edge of the grave" and the initial suspense around Mr Harvey that just disappeared once he left town. I really enjoyed the description of heaven and the theory behind a person's soul being able to hang around and watch over loved ones if they decided. I liked Lindsey and how she handled grief, but she seemed to come away from it all with the greater ability to move on (besides Grandma Lynn). Overall, the book was a page-turner. I found myself wanting to read more, even though I wasn't fully satisfied. I think this book will translate well into a movie and I cant wait to see it!
Jen: I would never normally pick up a book about a child who is raped and murdered, but this book is written from such a unique perspective, and its written with a delicacy that makes the gruesome scenes bearable. When Lindsey broke into Mr Harvey's house my heart was racing and I could NOT put the book down until I knew what happened - I was right there with her and bloody scared!
What would you score The Lovely Bones overall?
Vanessa: 4/5
Tanya: 3.5/5
Jen:4/5 - the subject matter was at times too yucky to give it 5/5 but gee it was close!
Which character would you like to hang out with and why?
Vanessa: Grandma Lynn - she's ballsy and loves red lipstick.
Tanya: Grandma Lynn 'cos I reckon she'd be good value and have a more objective perspective on it all. Oh, and Hal Heckler because he's described as being really good looking, rides a motorbike and doesn't appear to have any girlfriends (obviously in this fantasy I am young, hot and single).
Jen: I would love to hang out with Lindsey for a while because she seemed to be such a strong, independent woman. She was sporty and a bit of a go-getter so I think I'd enjoy her company.
General comments:
Vanessa: I have walked past this book at bookstores so many times... it was lovely to discover what lay beneath the cover...would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good emotive and explorative read!
Tanya: I did enjoy this book but was hungry for more. The author seemed to skim over some areas and I wanted more depth or reasoning behind certain scenes - like Susie's influence over things on Earth, "the edge of the grave" and the initial suspense around Mr Harvey that just disappeared once he left town. I really enjoyed the description of heaven and the theory behind a person's soul being able to hang around and watch over loved ones if they decided. I liked Lindsey and how she handled grief, but she seemed to come away from it all with the greater ability to move on (besides Grandma Lynn). Overall, the book was a page-turner. I found myself wanting to read more, even though I wasn't fully satisfied. I think this book will translate well into a movie and I cant wait to see it!
Jen: I would never normally pick up a book about a child who is raped and murdered, but this book is written from such a unique perspective, and its written with a delicacy that makes the gruesome scenes bearable. When Lindsey broke into Mr Harvey's house my heart was racing and I could NOT put the book down until I knew what happened - I was right there with her and bloody scared!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Meet the first wives...
Vanessa
Q. What is the best thing about the first wives book club?
It gives me a chance to expand my reading repertoire and hang with some lovely first wives….very important since I’m a first wife in training!
Q. What is your all time favourite book?
A prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
Q. If you could meet any author in the world, who would it be and why?
Hmmm….good question….maybe William Shakespeare (Does he count as an author?), I’d love to ask him how and why he invented the word ‘bubble’ – such a cool claim to fame!
Q. What is your favourite colour?
PINK! (But am partial to Red lipstick)
Bev - currently busy reading, more details soon!
Jen
Q. What is the best thing about the first wives book club?
A great bunch of people who inspire me to read more than I otherwise would, and Bev’s sensational baking!
Q. What is your all time favourite book?
Its hard to pick just one, but probably Dr Seuss’s “The Sneeches” because I’ve loved it for a LONG time.
Q. If you could meet any author in the world, who would it be and why?
Me! I’m not an author yet, but its one of my dreams.
Q. What is your favourite colour?
Red
Karen - currently busy reading, more details soon!
T
Q. What is the best thing about the first wives book club?
The company. It's a completely adult indulgence. The Bev Hewett Special Muffins!
Q. What is your all time favourite book?
3-way tie based on number of times I've re-read them. The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy Series by Douglas Adams, the Harry Potter Series by J K Rowling and the Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer.
Q. If you could meet any author in the world, who would it be and why?
Hmmmm...J K Rowling in the hopes we would become BFFs and in a fit of generosity she would gift me a million or so?? Nicholas Evans so I could give him an ear-bashing about why he should never have ended The Horse Whisperer that way?? Maybe Harper Lee so I could ask whether it was really her or Truman Capote who wrote To Kill a Mockingbird.
Q. What is your favourite colour?
Again, a 3-way tie between Red, Blue and Green. Honestly, I'm really not that indecisive....
Merryn - currently busy reading, more details soon!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
What's the time?
Hi there,
Okay, so the First Wives Book Club might have been set on Grenwich Mean Time up until now. But hey, I was just testing to see who'd notice....
Yeah, right.
We're on Melbourne time now people - look alive!!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
And the next book is...
Stay tuned for the final post on The Lovely Bones - coming soon...
I am looking forward to getting stuck into our next read - I wonder who I'm going to meet in heaven??
Monday, June 15, 2009
One more day to go...
Only one more reading day until the First Wives Book Club meets again - hooray!
I didn't know that there was a movie of The Lovely Bones, but here are a few still images from the movie. The first image is heaven (of course!)
Susie Salmon wearing the hat that was found after her murder. She looks just like I had imagined her to look - I love it when that happens!
Thats enough pictures now - I think I can smell a movie night coming up with the First Wives sometime soon.....
See you tomorrow night ladies!
x
Thursday, May 21, 2009
An update...
Some people just have a way with words don't they?
I am completely hooked on The Lovely Bones so far. I have been engrossed, appalled, entrigued, horrified and inspired to consider what my heaven might look like. And I'm only halfway!
I hope the other first wives are happily turning the pages - even as I write this...
27 more reading days (and for some people a Fijian holiday) until our next book club meeting - I can't wait!
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Welcome!
Welcome to the blog of the First Wives Book Club.
The inaugural first meeting was held last night. There was a considerable amount of non-book chatter (chatter is what we do best) followed by a first class brainstorming session about what form the First Wives Book Club will take.
A more complete post will be added to this site as soon as possible, but for now all you need to know is the first book selection. So here it is:
Title: The Lovely Bones
Author: Alice Sebold
Stay tuned...
The inaugural first meeting was held last night. There was a considerable amount of non-book chatter (chatter is what we do best) followed by a first class brainstorming session about what form the First Wives Book Club will take.
A more complete post will be added to this site as soon as possible, but for now all you need to know is the first book selection. So here it is:
Title: The Lovely Bones
Author: Alice Sebold
Stay tuned...
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