Actually, Marsha, there were several postings on this selection on the first day...and then cyber chaos hit. All were replaced by pictures of the book and the summary. And then the posting site disappeared altogether. Isn't technology wonderful?
I'm interested (enough to check out a copy) in the book as a result of spending 20 years in Alaska. I always like to read what the author is putting forth as the realities of life in the 49th state, and see what they get wrong. Remember the old TV show "Northern Exposure?" There were so many gross factual errors in it that we didn't recognize the state. We kept a running diary of the mistakes.
That said, I'm actually enjoying the book. The characters, likeable or not, are vividly portrayed. Not sure that I'm up for another "pull yourself up by your own boot straps" heroine, but I'll give it my best.
I like this one so far and have reserved it at my library. For those who enjoy books set in Alaska, I recommend "The Cloud Atlas" by Liam Callanan. I found it fascinating.
I'm loving it so far. Had a quibble on the first day with the way she went on about her friend being sexy with her swaying hips etc, and since then I can't lose the consciousness of seeing her life from a man's (voyeur) point of view. But really appealing anyway!
just a comment -- after waiting so long - finally got from library - read - rather tried to read couple days - decided I don't understand this book at all and so have skimmed - to the end - do think the writing is very good - just don't understand - but that's okay - maybe she'll write one I can understand later -- she definitely takes us into this woman's mind - but I can't interpret what I find there -- whew - almost as long a reply as the book --
if you weren't in the club when that book was discussed go back and read all the responses - very much discussion there -
fiction book club --
Dorothea,
Would you have had the same response to Bean's description of Lois, if you had not known, in advance, that the author was a man?
I found the description of Lois, as the stereotypical attractive woman, tall and blond with a cinched in waist and Bean's feeling of inadequecy in her own appearance when compared to Lois to be insightful, particularly, since Marquise is a man. While Bean realizes that she has some attractive attributes, "...she had better breasts than Lois, and she didn't have all those moles."; she can't seem to feel good about her self in comparison. I don't know a woman who hasn't had a friend like Lois or maybe even been a friend like Lois.
You could be right that I wouldn't have seen it as voyeuristic or unrealistic if I hadn't known the author was a man. In any case the comparing thing certainly is female enough! Not only that, but the author, being no doubt much closer in age to her than I am, could well have a better insight into what goes through the mind of a young woman who's lost her husband and is working in a cannery.
But, on the other hand - it could be that he's writing what went through his own mind when he worked in the cannery.
But it's just a minor quibble anyway - I do want to get the book and read it! Love the way each chapter starts with a bird.
Wish I hadn't deleted that episode so I could re-read it.
Yes, my response on the first day must be residing in the ether now. I
think I will read this one,I am really enjoying it! It helps that I have always hoped to someday end up working in an Alaskan library (but hopefully not in the cannery!) Where does Suzanne find such interesting reads?
I guess this is to Doris. I bought the Boy on the Bus but haven't gotten round to it yet. Actually, I'm reading The Pact by Jodi Picoult whom I was introduced to here thru Keeping Faith. I really didn't like Keeping Faith much but I liked Picoult and am enjoying The Pact. Also, she has a new one out My Sister's Keeper. Lisa Tucker also has a new one out - she wrote The Song Reader which I enjoyed. I have a couple on my shelf from this club such as The Storyteller and The Interpreter (was that on here?) Anyway, just thought I'd post to keep up and say that I like this one, too.
I just finished _A Hole in the Heart_ and was very impressed with
storyline and strong characters! Thanks for the recommendation. I'm going
to paste on the comments I sent to my Storytell e-mail friends.
I'm mid-read on _A Hole in the Heart_ by Christopher Marquis, an interesting
novel that begins on the "slime line" in Alaska, as the main character
begins to deal with her husband's disappearance on a climb of Mt. McKinley.
Almost exactly midpoint (p. 179) a passage echoed "The Perfect Heart" as the
mother-in-law tells her, "By the time they call your number, you want a
heart full of holes. . . What else you gonna have to show for your life?"
This same woman also believes, "a little larceny is good for the soul," so
you know it has to be an interesting trip!! The main character is a teacher
who uses stories to captivate her students . . . no wonder I relate
to her . . . .
Well our entire library system didn't have a copy of A Hole in the Heart, so I put in a request to order it and eventually it arrived. Thanks for a really enjoyable novel - I loved it and recommend it to everyone!
