Greetings from Tiglio

Once again, regaled by the elegantly rustic setting, picture postcard views and sumptuous food offered by Isobel and Pete Dodds and the book club members, we eventually got down to talking about Two Women, or La Ciociara, by Alberto Moravia.  This mid twentieth century Italian classic looks at the extreme difficulty and deprivation caused by WWII from the viewpoint of a mother and daughter, who like so many others were forced to leave their home and flee into the countryside with unfortunate results. 

The discussion began with Pietro Bianchessi who talked about the author's background which has subsumed some of the importance of the story and which may have included autobiographical elements. The story is seen as realistic and descriptive of the nitty gritty day to day existence during this difficult period where eventually all normal rules of society fall away and no one is safe or protected from pain even metaphorically as their feet and shins might have been by the Ciociara, a protective piece of leather wound around the foot and up the shin.  Liz added that it represented a criticism of society when Italy loses her innocence over fascism. The final, brutal scene is set in a church begging the question "where is God." Selene cited the comparative trauma, poverty and deprivation suffered by both civilian and military, as well as excellent characterization, suspense, plot and subplot as engaging. Margaret and I had difficulty with the translation which read stilted and dull and we both decided it would be best read in the original.

Opinion was split at about 50-50 as to who enjoyed the book and who didn't for various reasons. Several felt the final rape scene too overpowering and were left disturbed by it.

The discussion was informed and lively and thank you to everyone who participated.

Several titles were put forward for the upcoming meetings which sounded of interest including, How It All Began, by Penelope Lively; Fiesta, by Ernest Hemingway; Driving Over Lemons, By Chris Stewart; but we have chosen: Swimming Home by Deborah Levy for the October meeting.


There will be no August meeting. The book for September 26th is: The Man Who Loved China  by Simon Winchester. 

Thank you again and we'll be in touch closer to the September meeting with time and venue.