Hello! Here are some teaser questions about Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert (our book for the next club meeting tomorrow night.) For those of you reading along from afar, our next meeting will be on a houseboat on the Mississippi! How fun will that be?! So, anyway, send your questions, thoughts, responses to me via post and I'll take them along with me tomorrow. Here are the questions from the Penguin Reading Guide.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Gilbert writes that “the appreciation of pleasure can be the anchor of humanity,” making the argument that America is “an entertainment-seeking nation, not necessarily a pleasure-seeking one.” Is this a fair assessment?
2. After imagining a petition to God for divorce, an exhausted Gilbert answers her phone to news that her husband has finally signed. During a moment of quietude before a Roman fountain, she opens her Louise Glück collection to a verse about a fountain, one reminiscent of the Balinese medicine man’s drawing. After struggling to master a 182-verse daily prayer, she succeeds by focusing on her nephew, who suddenly is free from nightmares. Do these incidents of fortuitous timing signal fate? Cosmic unity? Coincidence?
3. Gilbert hashes out internal debates in a notebook, a place where she can argue with her inner demons and remind herself about the constancy of self-love. When an inner monologue becomes a literal conversation between a divided self, is this a sign of last resort or of self-reliance?
4. When Gilbert finally returns to Bali and seeks out the medicine man who foretold her return to study with him, he doesn’t recognize her. Despite her despair, she persists in her attempts to spark his memory, eventually succeeding. How much of the success of Gilbert’s journey do you attribute to persistence?
5. Prayer and meditation are both things that can be learned and, importantly, improved. In India, Gilbert learns a stoic, ascetic meditation technique. In Bali, she learns an approach based on smiling. Do you think the two can be synergistic? Or is Ketut Liyer right when he describes them as “same-same”?
6. Gender roles come up repeatedly in Eat, Pray, Love, be it macho Italian men eating cream puffs after a home team’s soccer loss, or a young Indian’s disdain for the marriage she will be expected to embark upon at age eighteen, or the Balinese healer’s sly approach to male impotence in a society where women are assumed responsible for their childlessness. How relevant is Gilbert’s gender?
7. In what ways is spiritual success similar to other forms of success? How is it different? Can they be so fundamentally different that they’re not comparable?
8. Do you think people are more open to new experiences when they travel? And why?
9. Abstinence in Italy seems extreme, but necessary, for a woman who has repeatedly moved from one man’s arms to another’s. After all, it’s only after Gilbert has found herself that she can share herself fully in love. What does this say about her earlier relationships?
10. Gilbert mentions her ease at making friends, regardless of where she is. At one point at the ashram, she realizes that she is too sociable and decides to embark on a period of silence, to become the Quiet Girl in the Back of the Temple. It is just after making this decision that she is assigned the role of ashram key hostess. What does this say about honing one’s nature rather than trying to escape it? Do you think perceived faults can be transformed into strengths rather than merely repressed?
11. Sitting in an outdoor café in Rome, Gilbert’s friend declares that every city—and every person—has a word. Rome’s is “sex,” the Vatican’s “power”; Gilbert declares New York’s to be “achieve,” but only later stumbles upon her own word, antevasin, Sanskrit for “one who lives at the border.” What is your word? Is it possible to choose a word that retains its truth for a lifetime?
Deep and really intriguing, eh? Looking forward to hearing what you have to say!
Monday, July 7, 2008
Monday, June 16, 2008
Our First Discussion and the next BOOK!!!
For those of you reading along with the MN book club, here's a brief update on how our first club went! We met at a Caribou Coffee shop and chatted in one of their conference rooms. It was wonderful. We all had very different perspectives on the book and what aspects of it were most meaningful to us as individuals, as parents, as wives, as women. I really enjoyed hearing what everyone had to say and the stirring conversation that flowed from the reading guide I brought. I will add the questions to the bottom of this post so that you distance clubbers can reflect. We moved onto a lot of the history of Afghanistan and how little we truly know about the governmental changes- how that deeply affects the life and possible escape from that life for the female lead characters. We rolled around the mother/daughter themes quite a bit and how parenting a daughter is significantly different than parenting a son. I have yet to have children, so I reflected more on the being parented point. All of this conversation flowed into a discussion about media and it's misrepresentation of Islam and Muslims all over the world. The women in the group range in age from 28-50+ and we are all in the field of education. At the end of the meeting, we decided to meet on July 8th on one of the readers' houseboat~ how fun... AND we chose our next book... so for July 8th, please, please, please read Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. (Yes, I already read this, and if you notice to the right... it is a top 10) It came at just the right time for me and I can't wait to discuss it with these women. Please send your thoughts to me. I hope you like it! I am so excited to talk about this one!
Here are the discussion questions from the Penguin Books Website.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS For A Thousand Splendid Suns
1. The phrase “a thousand splendid suns,” from the poem by Saib-e-Tabrizi, is quoted twice in the novel – once as Laila’s family prepares to leave Kabul, and again when she decides to return there from Pakistan. It is also echoed in one of the final lines: “Miriam is in Laila’s own heart, where she shines with the bursting radiance of a thousand suns.” Discuss the thematic significance of this phrase.
2. Mariam’s mother tells her: “Women like us. We endure. It’s all we have.” Discuss how this sentiment informs Mariam’s life and how it relates to the larger themes of the novel.
3. By the time Laila is rescued from the rubble of her home by Rasheed and Mariam, Mariam’s marriage has become a miserable existence of neglect and abuse. Yet when she realizes that Rasheed intends to marry Laila, she reacts with outrage. Given that Laila’s presence actually tempers Rasheed’s abuse, why is Mariam so hostile toward her?
4. Laila’s friendship with Mariam begins when she defends Mariam from a beating by Rasheed. Why does Laila take this action, despite the contempt Mariam has consistently shown her?
5. Growing up, Laila feels that her mother’s love is reserved for her two brothers. “People,” she decides, “shouldn’t be allowed to have new children if they’d already given away all their love to their old ones.” How does this sentiment inform Laila’s reaction to becoming pregnant with Rasheed’s child? What lessons from her childhood does Laila apply in raising her own children?
6. At several points in the story, Mariam and Laila pass themselves off as mother and daughter. What is the symbolic importance of this subterfuge? In what ways is Mariam’s and Laila’s relationship with each other informed by their relationships with their own mothers?
7. One of the Taliban judges at Mariam’s trial tells her, “God has made us different, you women and us men. Our brains are different. You are not able to think like we can. Western doctors and their science have proven this.” What is the irony in this statement? How is irony employed throughout the novel?
8. Laila’s father tells her, “You’re a very, very bright girl. Truly you are. You can be anything that you want.” Discuss Laila’s relationship with her father. What aspects of his character does she inherit? In what ways is she different?
9. Mariam refuses to see visitors while she is imprisoned, and she calls no witnesses at her trial. Why does she make these decisions?
10. The driver who takes Babi, Laila, and Tariq to the giant stone Buddhas above the Bamiyan Valley describes the crumbling fortress of Shahr-e-Zohak as “the story of our country, one invader after another… we’re like those walls up there. Battered, and nothing pretty to look at, but still standing.” Discuss the metaphorical import of this passage as it relates to Miriam and Laila. In what ways does their story reflect the larger story of Afghanistan’s troubled history?
11. Among other things, the Taliban forbid “writing books, watching films, and painting pictures.” Yet despite this edict, the film Titanic becomes a sensation on the black market. Why would people risk the Taliban’s violent reprisals for a taste of popcorn entertainment? What do the Taliban’s restrictions on such material say about the power of artistic expression and the threat it poses to repressive political regimes?
12. While the first three parts of the novel are written in the past tense, the final part is written in present tense. What do you think was the author’s intent in making this shift? How does it change the effect of this final section?
Here are the discussion questions from the Penguin Books Website.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS For A Thousand Splendid Suns
1. The phrase “a thousand splendid suns,” from the poem by Saib-e-Tabrizi, is quoted twice in the novel – once as Laila’s family prepares to leave Kabul, and again when she decides to return there from Pakistan. It is also echoed in one of the final lines: “Miriam is in Laila’s own heart, where she shines with the bursting radiance of a thousand suns.” Discuss the thematic significance of this phrase.
2. Mariam’s mother tells her: “Women like us. We endure. It’s all we have.” Discuss how this sentiment informs Mariam’s life and how it relates to the larger themes of the novel.
3. By the time Laila is rescued from the rubble of her home by Rasheed and Mariam, Mariam’s marriage has become a miserable existence of neglect and abuse. Yet when she realizes that Rasheed intends to marry Laila, she reacts with outrage. Given that Laila’s presence actually tempers Rasheed’s abuse, why is Mariam so hostile toward her?
4. Laila’s friendship with Mariam begins when she defends Mariam from a beating by Rasheed. Why does Laila take this action, despite the contempt Mariam has consistently shown her?
5. Growing up, Laila feels that her mother’s love is reserved for her two brothers. “People,” she decides, “shouldn’t be allowed to have new children if they’d already given away all their love to their old ones.” How does this sentiment inform Laila’s reaction to becoming pregnant with Rasheed’s child? What lessons from her childhood does Laila apply in raising her own children?
6. At several points in the story, Mariam and Laila pass themselves off as mother and daughter. What is the symbolic importance of this subterfuge? In what ways is Mariam’s and Laila’s relationship with each other informed by their relationships with their own mothers?
7. One of the Taliban judges at Mariam’s trial tells her, “God has made us different, you women and us men. Our brains are different. You are not able to think like we can. Western doctors and their science have proven this.” What is the irony in this statement? How is irony employed throughout the novel?
8. Laila’s father tells her, “You’re a very, very bright girl. Truly you are. You can be anything that you want.” Discuss Laila’s relationship with her father. What aspects of his character does she inherit? In what ways is she different?
9. Mariam refuses to see visitors while she is imprisoned, and she calls no witnesses at her trial. Why does she make these decisions?
10. The driver who takes Babi, Laila, and Tariq to the giant stone Buddhas above the Bamiyan Valley describes the crumbling fortress of Shahr-e-Zohak as “the story of our country, one invader after another… we’re like those walls up there. Battered, and nothing pretty to look at, but still standing.” Discuss the metaphorical import of this passage as it relates to Miriam and Laila. In what ways does their story reflect the larger story of Afghanistan’s troubled history?
11. Among other things, the Taliban forbid “writing books, watching films, and painting pictures.” Yet despite this edict, the film Titanic becomes a sensation on the black market. Why would people risk the Taliban’s violent reprisals for a taste of popcorn entertainment? What do the Taliban’s restrictions on such material say about the power of artistic expression and the threat it poses to repressive political regimes?
12. While the first three parts of the novel are written in the past tense, the final part is written in present tense. What do you think was the author’s intent in making this shift? How does it change the effect of this final section?
Friday, May 2, 2008
And the winner is....
The first book in the "Thirsty Read" Book Club is.... A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini! Woo Hoo.... our first meeting is on June 10th so those of you reading along online, that's your due date for any conversation or discussion pieces you want to add to the blog. I'll take it all with me to our first club time!!!! I'm so excited so get reading!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Elephants and the CIA
Odd title for a post, yes?
Yes, it has been awhile since I've posted but that doesn't mean I haven't been reading! I read "Water For Elephants" and enjoyed it. It was a gritty, detailed novel of the traveling circuses and life as a part of that community. The only thing I had difficulty with was reconciling the author, a female, with the main character- a male. I don't know why I had such difficulty with this- perhaps because the novel was fairly graphic and written from a male perspective. I've never had a hang up with the author/character connection until now... hmmm...
And now the CIA piece of this post... My grandma (my 90+year old grandma) loves Vince Flynn novels and I've decided to tackle one. Tackle is a good term for my reading experience of this one. I'm currently reading "Consent To Kill" and it's taking me awhile to get through it. It's definitely not my "type" of book, however I thought I'd give it a try. It's good... lots of guys killing each other... interesting... political intrigue... it's about as thick as the Bible... yeah- we'll see. I'll post when I finish it!
Be looking for the announcement of our first book for the Thirsty Read Book Club. Once I post the title, we will have until early June to read it, reflect, and join the club!
Yes, it has been awhile since I've posted but that doesn't mean I haven't been reading! I read "Water For Elephants" and enjoyed it. It was a gritty, detailed novel of the traveling circuses and life as a part of that community. The only thing I had difficulty with was reconciling the author, a female, with the main character- a male. I don't know why I had such difficulty with this- perhaps because the novel was fairly graphic and written from a male perspective. I've never had a hang up with the author/character connection until now... hmmm...
And now the CIA piece of this post... My grandma (my 90+year old grandma) loves Vince Flynn novels and I've decided to tackle one. Tackle is a good term for my reading experience of this one. I'm currently reading "Consent To Kill" and it's taking me awhile to get through it. It's definitely not my "type" of book, however I thought I'd give it a try. It's good... lots of guys killing each other... interesting... political intrigue... it's about as thick as the Bible... yeah- we'll see. I'll post when I finish it!
Be looking for the announcement of our first book for the Thirsty Read Book Club. Once I post the title, we will have until early June to read it, reflect, and join the club!
Coming Soon- The Thirsty Read Book Club!
Yes, that's right! A book club! I've longed to be in a book club for years and now it's finally happening. I am a teacher as well as a photographer and reader, so some of my colleagues and I at school are forming a book club. We are going to meet once a month and read a book in the interim to discuss at each meeting. I thought it would be great to open this up to friends and friends of friends to be a part of this online! I know some of you who are across the country would love to read with a club and just not have the time commitment to meet. So, when we have a meeting, up until that point, those of you who are reading along with us from afar, please post comments, questions, etc. on the blog and I'll take those to our group. After the club meets, I'll do a debrief of some sort on here and let you know which book will be our next adventure. If you are interested in doing this, please post a comment so I know that there's someone out there- Also, if you are reading anything from this, I'd love to hear from you. Please feel free to pass along this invite to anyone and everyone you know to join this blog-online book club. My dream is that we'd have some people from around the country reading along with us, posting their thoughts, and then we'd have some great conversation at our club! Please give it a try... are you thirsty?! :)
Monday, January 28, 2008
New Year, Must Have
I've joined the bandwagon. If you've not yet read "Eat, Pray, Love" you must. It's absolutely fantastic. I can't quite put my finger on why- maybe it's the perfect marriage of food, spirituality, and love... hence, "Eat, Pray, Love". The very Eastern religious experiences are strangely familiar and fresh. If you've not read this yet, pick it up- borrow it- buy it if you have to. It's worth every penny. Once you're done, you'll have a line of people that you'll want to lend it to. I think every woman should read it. As a married woman, I was apprehensive because Elizabeth Gilbert, the author, decides to leave her marriage before this "trek" around the world. She decides that she just doesn't want to be married anymore. I found that so hard to swallow and I appreciate that she didn't delve into how deeply marred her marriage was. She eluded to the fact that both she and her husband were very much to blame for the dissolution of the marriage but didn't spend time in the book rehashing the details. Once I got past the unsettling divorce, the story just swept me away. I think it's what every woman would love to do- have an advance amount of money and travel just to explore the deep recesses of her soul. I have no desire nor reason to leave my marriage at all but I still deeply resonated with her desire to stop what she was doing in life and just experience Pleasure, Prayer, and the balance of the two. For me, this book was a mini vacation- I found great pleasure in it, deep spiritual meaning, and balance as well. So, read it, already!
Oh Jodi!
So, it's been a great while since my last post and I am posting just to keep myself up to date on what I've been reading. I have been reading Jodi Piccoult lately and really enjoying it. I had read "My Sister's Keeper" a while back and really liked it. So, I picked up "The Pact" as my next adventure. She's a very accessible writer. I don't find anything she writes to be lofty or difficult to understand. I am usually instantly engrossed and carried through the story quickly and deftly. I've read 3 of her books now including the two I mentioned earlier and "Vanishing Acts". They are all high drama and well written. The last one I read, "the Pact" was all about teen suicide. Being a teacher, I took this book a little more seriously. After the story itself, there was a Q and A with the author. Apparently many parents, schools, teachers, and students have shown great interest in this book. Some of the parents, school administrators and teachers have been concerned with the subject matter and it's presentation. Students seem to gravitate towards it and I think there's fear in that interest. Many of my students, when I taught at the high school level, struggled with various stages of depression and suicide is something to take very seriously. If anything, I think this book really encourages honesty with those who care about you and the importance of taking suicide or suicidal talk seriously. I recommend Jodi Piccoult to anyone- she's an easy read in the sense that her stories are moving, fast paced, and easily understood. You will not get bogged down with words like vapid and pernicious. :) Not that those words are bad... and not that books that are filled with heavy descriptive language are bad- just sometimes you need something that carries you away and away quickly. Jodi Piccoult will do that. She's an excellent story-teller and an intuitive writer. I definitely recommend "My Sister's Keeper". It is the best of hers that I've read so far. Good Luck! My next post will be on "Water for Elephants" which I'm reading now... after that... "1000 Splendid Suns" by Khalid Husseini- I can't WAIT!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
