Sunday, December 30, 2012
DECEMBER - THE GREAT GATSBY BY F. SCOTT FITZGERALD
LESLEY She was glad it was short. It was written well. Lesley could see the houses, feel the tension of the unlikable shallow characters. They thought they were living the American dream of wealth and parties but they were all unfulfilled and restless. The narrator Nick was not a moral compass either and Lesley did not warm to his character. It was a sad reflection on Gatsby's life that only his father turned up at his funeral with Nick.
PAM said it was a good book. None of the people were very interesting. The language of the book was associated with restlessness with constant references to yawning, flickering and drifting as well as references to ashes, death, powdery etc. Gatsby turned out to be superior morally, taking blame for the death of one of the characters to save Daisy, the love of his life. Daisy married Tom for money and Gatsby had thought he could buy Daisy back with money. This proved unsuccessful. Tom is summed up as most despicable. Nick showed himself to be unreliable and dishonest. He says dishonesty in a woman is quite alright. Pamela loved the book.
WENDY agrees with previous reports. It's well written and she enjoyed it. Gatsby is a make believe person. The book is about a superficial shallow society and Wendy questions "Is anything different today?"
JOAN was interested in the class system, the new money/old money. Joan liked the writing. She was very drawn into the period. The Roaring Twenties or Jazz Age was an era of great change with motor cars, electricity,radio, talking movies, prohibition, women's rights etc. Joan questions whether Gatsby was having illegal grog at his party and was he raided? She enjoyed the descriptions of driving through the badlands (valley of the ashes) to get to New York. She thought the book was excellent.
JANE did not read it but had read the book many years ago. She remembers the decadence and the drinking, the lack of morals. The sad funeral scene seemed to sum up his life. She enjoyed the book.
ROSEMARIE She read it 12mths ago and enjoyed it. She felt it was symbolic of society at the time.
KRIS The book is set in 1922 after the war, in a time known as the Jazz Age or Roaring Twenties. The New York Times noted "gin was the national drink and sex the national obsession".DECEMBE The book is widely regarded as one of the great American novels but was not well regarded at the time. Like Joan I enjoyed the comparison of new money and old money explored in the book. Jay Gatsby, the central character is "new money" and holds lavish parties. There are glimpses of Jay Gatsby's criminal background, the supposed source of his new found wealth. Nick the narrator chooses not to see this. It is a book about shallow, self serving people. It is very well written and worth reading, although there is an aura of sadness and emptiness.
CATHY didn't read the book as she had been away. She may look at the movie after hearing the reviews of the book.
MARIE didn't like first 40 pages. She went to her kindle where she found the book had 4 or 5 stars and there were a few good comments. Marie went back to the book and once it moved into the storyline she started to enjoy it She then wanted to finish the book. The book was not well received at the time it was written. Marie enjoyed it.
KATE agrees with everyone else. The characters were quite shallow. She didn't like or admire any characters.
CONNIE read the very long introduction but couldn't make sense of it. She came back to it after reading the book and it helped put it in context of the era. She didn't like the people in the book and said "she wouldn't have them in her lounge room". "What is a great American novel?" Connie asks. She found the mistakes in geography very frustrating but she could not fault the writing.
JUDY said the book was well written but she felt the emptiness of the book. Judy will see the movie. She felt the language was difficult in some parts and one paragraph had made no sense at all.
ANNE expressed that "Everyone said it all". Anne said some of the language was so lyrical but didn't make sense.
JO She felt the same as everyone else. It was well written. She found the characters shallow and found this annoying. She wondered if it was just her, as it was supposed to be a good book.
JULES said it was supposed to be a great book but she found the first part irrelevant but enjoyed the second half more. Jules is looking forward to seeing the movie saying it should be very lavish.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Topics for 2013 - January to June
January: Santa Sack
Come along a share something you have received for Christmas or read recently.
February: True Australian Crime - suggested by Joan
March: Booker Prize winners - suggested by Pamela
April: various titles by Graham Greene - suggested by Judy
May: stories involving animals - suggested by Sheila
June: Humorous stories - suggested by Kris
Come along a share something you have received for Christmas or read recently.
February: True Australian Crime - suggested by Joan
March: Booker Prize winners - suggested by Pamela
April: various titles by Graham Greene - suggested by Judy
May: stories involving animals - suggested by Sheila
June: Humorous stories - suggested by Kris
NOVEMBER: Miles Franklin Award Winners
Australia’s most prestigious literary award was established through the
will of the writer Stella Miles Franklin, best known for her novel My Brilliant Career.
The Award is presented each year to a novel which is of the highest literary merit and presents Australian life in any of its phases.
The Miles Franklin was first awarded in 1957. Since then, the annual announcement of the winner has become an event anticipated and discussed throughout Australia and around the world.
CONNIE: Dirt Music by Tim Winton 2002 winner
His writing is perfect, but she was annoyed at first by the lack of speech marks, making it difficult sometimes to know who was talking. His descriptions of the coast are the same as in other books. She thought that all the people living in the small fishing village had something to hide, and there was none she could get close to. There was nothing happy in the book.
Connie thought the book was too long, with too much description, but it ended the way it should!
Her final comment was that having read several other books by the author, she had 'read enough of Tim Winton'.
MAREE: Shallows by Tim Winton 1984 winner
Maree really couldn't get into the book. She found the story line (around whaling) to be depressing as were the people involved. She thought it wasn't the kind of book she would want to persist with.
JULIA: Breath by Tim Winton 2009 winner
Julia was annoyed by the lack of speech marks and the fact that there were no chapters. The book was written in the first person and included a lot of swearing. It was only in the last 15 pages that the story returned to the present day. She also found that the relationship between a 15 year old boy and a 25 year old woman was too explicit.
JANE: That Deadman Dance by Kim Scott 2011 winner
The story was set in the 1820s on the coast of the Margaret River. Jane found that the story jumped all over the place and so was difficult to follow. So she didn't read it all.
KRIS: The Great Fire by Shirley Hazzard 2004 winner
The story of a British war hero is set in Japan in 1947 following the war. He writes his observations of war torn Asia and the impending fall of communism in China. Although he has survived the war, he is feeling very battle scared when he meets an Australian girl, 15 years his junior. He falls in love with her as she grows and changes.
Kris thought that the writing was beautiful, very descriptive even though it was sometimes melancholic.
ROSEMARY: Careful He Might Hear You by Sumner Locke Elliott 1963 winner
The story is set in the times of the Depression with great descriptions of the city, particularly Neutral Bay. Two sisters are involved in a custody battle over their nephew P S. He is currently being raised in Neutral Bay by Lila who is poor but caring and happy. When Vanessa returns from overseas, she is determined to raise the boy as she will be able to bring him up the 'proper way.'
It is written from the point of view of the 6 year old, and what he thinks he hears people saying about him.
Rosemary thought that there were wonderful characters in the story, and the writing gave a great sense of what the city was like. She found the ending quite sad.
ANNE: Tirra Lirra by the River by Jessica Anderson 1978 winner
Although it is a small book it is not a simple read. An elderly lady comes back to Australia after 40 years in London. She reflects on her past life....not a happy childhood, a terrible marriage to a cold and controlling husband. Due to the Depression they live with the mother-in-law from hell and she eventually flees London. Although she is artistic, creating beautiful wall hangings in tapestry work, she doesn't realise how good she is.
The title is a quote from Tennyson's lady of Shalott.
PAMELA:The story is framed very much by Nora's concept of Camelot and the lady of Shalott and something beautiful. People cling to unhappy situations through immersion and fear.
JUDY: The White Earth by Andrew McGahan 2005 winner
The story begins in 1992 on the Darling Downs when a small boy is left fatherless when his father dies in a farm accident. William and his mother are left destitute until a mysterious uncle turns up to take them to live in his derelict old mansion.
The story changes between William's story in the present as he explores the property and the story of his Uncle John's past and his life long obsession to own the land.
Judy thought it was a very moving and powerful story covering many themes, including land rites, aboriginal dispossession, inheritance, family loyalty and quite current Australian politics.
WENDY: The Well by Elizabeth Jolley 1986 winner
Wendy's opening comment...."it is close to the 2nd worse book I've read". She thought it was well written and drew her into the story with well drawn characters.
The main character is running a farm when he goes into town one day and comes home with a 14 year old girl. Hesta is obsessed with her. There is no sexuality in the book, they are both just dotty.
The author describes the the counrtyside well, eg the smell of the coming rain.
She was waiting for the grand finale of an ending , but was disappointed and confused, not being able to work out whether the man in the well was dead!
JOAN: All That I Am by Anna Funder 2012 winner
This is her 2nd book (following the publication of Stasiland) and is set in Germany in 1920s to 1930s. It involves a group of middle class writers, activists and dissidents before and during the time of Hitler. They flee to London, one later goes to New York and another to Sydney. These 4 main characters are based on people who really did exist.
It is written in the 1st person and is reflective on what happened, the intrigue, love, betrayal and spying. But it jumps all over the place and hard to get into.
Joan's opinion was that she should have written a non fiction book about these people.
LESLEY: She was also of the opinion that it should have been a non fiction book, as she is very interested in reading about people in history.
She didn't like any of the characters, they were not appealing. She thought them idealistic, and naive. Even though they were passionate she didn't feel anything for them.
She also didn't like the flashbacks, they were often not clear.
It was a good story but the author didn't present it well. Lesley was not sure if she wanted it to be a historical novel or a love story.
JO: Three Cheers for the Paraclete by Thomas Keneally 1968 winner
The story revolves around a Catholic priest who is constantly in trouble with his superiors over his beliefs and actions. Jo thought it was a good book but don't bother to read it if you are not a Catholic.
The Award is presented each year to a novel which is of the highest literary merit and presents Australian life in any of its phases.
The Miles Franklin was first awarded in 1957. Since then, the annual announcement of the winner has become an event anticipated and discussed throughout Australia and around the world.
CONNIE: Dirt Music by Tim Winton 2002 winner
His writing is perfect, but she was annoyed at first by the lack of speech marks, making it difficult sometimes to know who was talking. His descriptions of the coast are the same as in other books. She thought that all the people living in the small fishing village had something to hide, and there was none she could get close to. There was nothing happy in the book.
Connie thought the book was too long, with too much description, but it ended the way it should!
Her final comment was that having read several other books by the author, she had 'read enough of Tim Winton'.
MAREE: Shallows by Tim Winton 1984 winner
Maree really couldn't get into the book. She found the story line (around whaling) to be depressing as were the people involved. She thought it wasn't the kind of book she would want to persist with.
JULIA: Breath by Tim Winton 2009 winner
Julia was annoyed by the lack of speech marks and the fact that there were no chapters. The book was written in the first person and included a lot of swearing. It was only in the last 15 pages that the story returned to the present day. She also found that the relationship between a 15 year old boy and a 25 year old woman was too explicit.
JANE: That Deadman Dance by Kim Scott 2011 winner
The story was set in the 1820s on the coast of the Margaret River. Jane found that the story jumped all over the place and so was difficult to follow. So she didn't read it all.
KRIS: The Great Fire by Shirley Hazzard 2004 winner
The story of a British war hero is set in Japan in 1947 following the war. He writes his observations of war torn Asia and the impending fall of communism in China. Although he has survived the war, he is feeling very battle scared when he meets an Australian girl, 15 years his junior. He falls in love with her as she grows and changes.
Kris thought that the writing was beautiful, very descriptive even though it was sometimes melancholic.
ROSEMARY: Careful He Might Hear You by Sumner Locke Elliott 1963 winner
The story is set in the times of the Depression with great descriptions of the city, particularly Neutral Bay. Two sisters are involved in a custody battle over their nephew P S. He is currently being raised in Neutral Bay by Lila who is poor but caring and happy. When Vanessa returns from overseas, she is determined to raise the boy as she will be able to bring him up the 'proper way.'
It is written from the point of view of the 6 year old, and what he thinks he hears people saying about him.
Rosemary thought that there were wonderful characters in the story, and the writing gave a great sense of what the city was like. She found the ending quite sad.
ANNE: Tirra Lirra by the River by Jessica Anderson 1978 winner
Although it is a small book it is not a simple read. An elderly lady comes back to Australia after 40 years in London. She reflects on her past life....not a happy childhood, a terrible marriage to a cold and controlling husband. Due to the Depression they live with the mother-in-law from hell and she eventually flees London. Although she is artistic, creating beautiful wall hangings in tapestry work, she doesn't realise how good she is.
The title is a quote from Tennyson's lady of Shalott.
PAMELA:The story is framed very much by Nora's concept of Camelot and the lady of Shalott and something beautiful. People cling to unhappy situations through immersion and fear.
JUDY: The White Earth by Andrew McGahan 2005 winner
The story begins in 1992 on the Darling Downs when a small boy is left fatherless when his father dies in a farm accident. William and his mother are left destitute until a mysterious uncle turns up to take them to live in his derelict old mansion.
The story changes between William's story in the present as he explores the property and the story of his Uncle John's past and his life long obsession to own the land.
Judy thought it was a very moving and powerful story covering many themes, including land rites, aboriginal dispossession, inheritance, family loyalty and quite current Australian politics.
WENDY: The Well by Elizabeth Jolley 1986 winner
Wendy's opening comment...."it is close to the 2nd worse book I've read". She thought it was well written and drew her into the story with well drawn characters.
The main character is running a farm when he goes into town one day and comes home with a 14 year old girl. Hesta is obsessed with her. There is no sexuality in the book, they are both just dotty.
The author describes the the counrtyside well, eg the smell of the coming rain.
She was waiting for the grand finale of an ending , but was disappointed and confused, not being able to work out whether the man in the well was dead!
JOAN: All That I Am by Anna Funder 2012 winner
This is her 2nd book (following the publication of Stasiland) and is set in Germany in 1920s to 1930s. It involves a group of middle class writers, activists and dissidents before and during the time of Hitler. They flee to London, one later goes to New York and another to Sydney. These 4 main characters are based on people who really did exist.
It is written in the 1st person and is reflective on what happened, the intrigue, love, betrayal and spying. But it jumps all over the place and hard to get into.
Joan's opinion was that she should have written a non fiction book about these people.
LESLEY: She was also of the opinion that it should have been a non fiction book, as she is very interested in reading about people in history.
She didn't like any of the characters, they were not appealing. She thought them idealistic, and naive. Even though they were passionate she didn't feel anything for them.
She also didn't like the flashbacks, they were often not clear.
It was a good story but the author didn't present it well. Lesley was not sure if she wanted it to be a historical novel or a love story.
JO: Three Cheers for the Paraclete by Thomas Keneally 1968 winner
The story revolves around a Catholic priest who is constantly in trouble with his superiors over his beliefs and actions. Jo thought it was a good book but don't bother to read it if you are not a Catholic.
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