Sunday, March 27, 2016

A Painted House

A small but dedicated group of Book Club members met in the exquisite rustic elegance of Le Trine to discuss  A Painted House by John Grisham. It is the story of a family's struggle with its cotton farm narrated by its 7 year old protagonist. The book was suggested and selected as something of a departure from Grisham's usual oeuvre, and that it was. Most members present enjoyed its description of Arkansan cotton farming in the early '50's. Boo felt it had emotional intensity and appreciated Grisham's refreshingly different writing style. Janet cited its tension and manner of breaking down assumptions, the portrayal of American class conflict, thought it was a good read, a good portrayal of making the best of a bad lot, and noted its reference of the transition to industrial methods. Elliot felt it was efficiently written in characterization but didn't get under the skin, however it was authentic and realistically horrible. Helen enjoyed its imagery and descriptiveness and felt she was right there in the cotton field at times. It gave her sympathy with their situation. It was a good read overall.

Thank you to everyone who came, contributed and participated.

 The upcoming meetings are as follows:

April 13 at Helen's, Follow Your Heart by Susanna Tamaro

May 18 The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga, venue to be announced

July 24 at Janet and Elliot's Doctor Thorne, Anthony Trollope

Other suggested titles were:

God in the Ruins by Kate Atkinson

The Miniaturist by Jesse Burton