Fiction Book Club The Master Butchers Singing Club by Louise Erdrich Buy book: $16.35
A brilliant new book by one of America's most acclaimed novelists, in "The Master Butchers Singing Club" Erdrich creates a fictional world filled with memorable characters who grapple with the worst and best impulses of human nature.
I've read one of Erdrich's books (The Miracles...)and I admired her writing. She seemed very knowledgable about the Odjibwe Indians and the Catholic faith. Being a German-born American myself I wonder how accurate she portrays these German characters. For instance, I'm not aware of the German territory where it was supposedly said that if you killed someone the other's essence would be absorbed by the killer. I wonder if Erdrich could explain that. If it as based on a myth she should have said so and identify the myth and the geographical area. If it is merely a fictional device to say something negative about the Germans I'd like tom know that too, although I wouldn't appreciate that as much. Thanks
I only read today's installment once, but I didn't remember the author calling the killer/essence scenario a matter of territory. But the essence idea is familiar because of the story line in the Highlander television series.
I don't think the author was trying to say anything disparaging about the Germans at all. I think she was just trying to show Fidelis's feelings of sadness? for the killing that war brings.
Re: Re: The Master Butchers Singing Club (Fiction)
April 6 2004, 10:43 AM
An interesting concept - that the essence of one you killed entered into you -- did not take that to be an insult of any kind just "some say" which to me indicates not a fact but as you say "myth" which to me did not to be elaborated upon --
Am appreciating the writing and internal descriptiveness of this book --
I read this book several months ago...and really enjoyed it. I'll look forward to all the comments that are posted during the week. Thanks, Suzanne, for another week to catch up on my reading!
Such wonderful descriptions both physically and emotionally -- the writing was music to my ears -- then brought up short at the end of this first read when I realized this was a German soldier I was reading about - a small jolt went through me - but I have already seen into his soul and am looking forward to the reading of this book --
I was so delighted to see this book selected! I read it several months ago and find Erdrich's writing beautiful and her plots imaginative to say the least. I went out and bought all her other books! My only reservation about making this a selection is wondering if people will get hooked by reading just 20 or so pages. My advice is just keep reading after Friday, if you like complex plots and wonderful character development.
Please continue to select books to STRETCH us a little bit.
Well, it's only Wednesday and I'm already calling the library to see if they have this one. Did I miss something though?? Where is his wife and children while he's selling sausages and making his way west?
I too read this story a few months ago and enjoyed it. Louise Erdrich has a way of developing many different and interesting characters and weaving a story around them and through them in an intricate and delightful way. She likes to share a part of her Ojibwe heritage, though less in this book than in The Last Report on the Miracles of Little No Horse, but she does share her German and Midwestern background. I had the opportunity to listen to this book on tape and she reads it herself. That added yet another layer of interest. I highly recommend this book and agree that the first few chapters are barely the beginning of this beautiful story.
Erdrich says clearly; "in some parts of germany there is a belief...." Well, I never heard of that being specific to Germany. Perhaps the soul of the killed enters the killer, but what does that do to the killer? I wonder if Erdrich is going to explore this later in the book.
Fidelis arrives in America, so what happened to his Eva and child with whom he had fallen in love? Not a word is said about that. Does he not have any thoughts about them before he gets to N Dacota? Especially since he'd studied(read) Goethe, etc. he must have felt something about the separation. And what about the knowledge that America was also at war with Germany - would it not be reasonable to assume that he felt apprehensive vis-a-vis the Americans?
Re: Re: The Master Butchers Singing Club (Fiction)
April 7 2004, 6:50 PM
"There is also in some parts of
Germany a belief that one who kills is at the moment of the other's
death entered by that victim's essence. If so, that explained both
the lightness and the gravity of Fidelis. He had seen the flash of a
man's smile through telescopic sights in the instant before his
sniper's bullet shattered the distant face. He had watched the blood
pump through a man's fingers on the throat he'd neatly creased." (From the first read) I personally thought this was a beautiful way of describing what made this soldier what he was - ie - "the lightness and gravity of Fidelis" in spite of the atrocity of war.
Also from the first read according to the jacket cover he does bring his wife and family to America. I was looking up World War 1 last nite - admit I am not as knowledgeable as should be about it - but now that is another of my research projects. I think I remember that the war ended in Nov. 1918 which is when this book begins - says he walked 12 days to get to his home in the aftermath of the war. Believe it was 1923 if I remember right that he made the trip to America.
Don't know where to look but will also research the (myth?) about the soul of the killed entering into the soul of the killer.
Seems we've changed horses in mid-stream -- don't like this horse - at first thought we had changed books - had to go back to yesterday and read the end of that read to remember --
Fidelis - where are you? -
Hope you all stay with this one. All the new characters can be a bit confusing. This is one of those books better read in big chunks instead of a bit at a time. Try to get a copy from your library and read the whole thing. It just gets better.
I'll have to pass on this one. My time is too valuable to hang in there and wait for it to get better. It has to grab me right off, and this one definitely didn't make the grade.
Fidelis' whole family had to pool together enough money for just one person to go to America - this sort of thing has (and still does) happen often with immigrants to our country. The idea (as I see it) is that he will establish himself in America, and then send money to his family to join him. Perhaps because I live in a big city, where I see a lot of people new to our wonderful country, I caught that straight off.
Well, perhaps now I can stay the course - beginning to know these characters a little - and of course you know me - after reading a review or two - realize their lives will intertwine with Fidelis and his family --
Also - I can hardly give up so soon after all my entreaties to everyone to PLEASE keep reading "Keeping Faith" --
And this writer does indeed paint such a great word picture - so I'm still in and hope to find the book --
You go girl!!! I was one of those who made it to the end of Keeping Faith...you owe me!! I think you will like how this story progresses, all the inter-weaving of the characters, place descriptions, etc. Plus, there's somewhat of a mystery to be solved later on. Did anyone finish Cooking for Harry? I absolutely adored that one...so different and a really fun read.
Well, I don't think Erdrich is able to match the quality of her pervious books. The description of the acrobats, Cyprian and Delphine, is uninspring and flat. I'm surprised that the act they perform didn't rouse deeper involvement of the author. It's very hard to identify with these two characters, although writing so extensively about them would seem to make them importtant for the novel. The whole things seems forced writing, as though she were trying to make some money off her previous success and get something "out there". A book needs to grab you more after that many pages, at least, it should make you want to find out more about the lives of the characters. So far I couldn't care less. Therefore, I won't read the complete book.
