Bookgrubs #3
Thursday
Jun 29, 2006
Hi Bookgrubs,
Well book club continues with great enthusiasm and Michelle has kindly chosen the next book…
“Smith demonstrates both an instinctive storytelling talent and a fully fashioned voice that’s street-smart and learned, sassy and philosophical all at the same time. A writer of remarkable powers’
The New York Times
Howard Belsey, a Rembrandt scholar who doesn’t like Rembrandt, is an Englishman abroad and a long-suffering Professor at Wellington, a New England Liberal Arts college. He has been married for thirty years to Kiki, an American woman who no longer resembles
the sexy activist she once was.
Their three children passionately pursue their own paths; Levi quests after authentic blackness, Zora believes that intellectuals can redeem everybody, and Jerome struggles to be a believer in a family of strict atheists. Faced with the oppressive enthusiasms of his children, Howard feels that the first two acts of his life are over and he has no clear plans for the finale. Or the encore.
Then Jerome, Howard’s oldest son, falls for Victoria, the stunning daughter of the right-wing icon Monty Kipps. Increasingly, the two families find themselves thrown together in a beautiful corner of America, enacting a cultural and personal war against the background of real wars that they barely register. An infidelity, a death, then an unexpected legacy set in motion a chain of events which sees all parties forced to examine the unarticulated assumptions that underpin their lives. How do you choose the work on which to spend your life? Why do you love the people you love? Do you really believe what you claim to? And what are the really beautiful things in life – and how far will you go to get them?
Set on both sides of the Atlantic, Zadie Smith’s third novel is a brilliant analysis of family life, the institution of marriage, intersections of the personal and political, and an honest look at people’s deceptions. It is also, as you might expect, very funny indeed.”
Michelle thought that we could have our next Book Club meeting at the end of July sometime and some pub nice and warm with a big fire. How does that sound?
Date: 7pm Wednesday 26th July
Venue: To be announced closer to the time
Hope to see you all there!!
Comments
Jules
July 16th, 2006 at 11:40 am
Jodes mentioned yesterday at breakfast that the Hilton has a big fireplace – perfect for a vino and intellectual converstaion about our latest book!! Can’t wait to see the girls then.
Jason
July 17th, 2006 at 11:41 am
Nice work Julie.
Michelle
July 18th, 2006 at 6:20 pm
I think the fireplace is a compulsory requirement for book club in winter so I look forward to seeing all the girls in the glow of the fire next Wednesday. (I also have a confession to make…. I know I chose the book and all but I have some serious cramming to do before next week – wish me luck!)
Jules
July 19th, 2006 at 12:45 pm
I haven’t even started reading it yet, been v.busy but no excuse……now I have some serious cramming and I promised I would read this one……I’m naughty!! Thanks for the compliment Jase! Nice work from you too.
Jody
July 23rd, 2006 at 11:18 pm
Cool idea. So this week’s bookclub is on at
Time: 7pm, Wednesday, 26th July
Venue: Zeta Bar, at the Hilton at 488 George St, City.
http://www.zetabar.com.au/
Love to see you all there. And if you haven’t read the book, if you haven’t worked it out yet, this is really just an excuse for some girly drinks, so come along anyway!
Michelle
July 24th, 2006 at 8:43 am
This place looks amazing Jodes…. Exactly what I imagined when I said that I wanted somewhere with an open fire. I hope everyone comes along for a fun girly night even if you haven’t read the book as I’m really looking forward to catching up with everyone. See you there!
Che
July 27th, 2006 at 9:54 am
Julie? Who’s Julie? Isn’t it Nanna Banger???!! How was book club last night?So sad I missed it but I had several vodkas for you all and bored all the footballers to death about Zadie Smith – obviously not the right market.