Igboland and Other Discussions

January to June this year have been a little disrupted at book club with lots of last minute changes to books, locations and dates; let's hope that normal service is resumed for the start of the new academic year in September.

But, what have I missed on the blog?

June - Igboland by Jeff Gardiner

I'm very sorry to have missed discussion of this book by our friend, Mr Gardiner, and here are the discussion questions:

1. How important is it that the narrative voice is that of an English woman?What does the novel have to say about female identity? Can a man really write a novel from a woman’s perspective?
2. How is Protestant Christian faith explored? How do you feel about Christian missionaries going to other countries?
3. What do you feel you have learned about Igbo culture and ‘Odinani’? Does it have anything to teach us?
4. How important is the cultural and geographical setting to the narrative? Have you ever experienced a culture shock? How did you feel?
5. The Biafran War continues throughout the novel in the background. Simplistically put, it was a civil war between the northern Muslim states and the Igbos in the south. Is the war typical of any other war? Is it an integral part of the novel or not? Does it symbolise anything?
6. How are the themes of marriage and family explored in ‘Igboland’? Is there a moral or message being offered, or is it left ambiguous?
7. Which of the characters are sympathetic or otherwise? What is their purpose in the novel? (Consider: Clem, Grace, Kwemto, Matthew, Mr Okadonye, Charlotte)
8. Is the ending satisfactory? What feelings did you have while reading the novel?
9. Do you have any questions you’d like to ask the author? 

April - Toby's Room by Pat Barker

March - May We Be Forgiven by AM Homes

February - The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

January - Seventy Two Virgins by Boris Johnson

Boris's book was not popular in advance of the evening, though it did prompt some lively discussion!

1.  Do you care about the characters?  Is there anything to attach to as far as developing a feeling for the characters?

2.  Do you think the farce is carried on too long?  Why or why not?

3.  Is the text like many modern parodies; does it parody everything and everyone, is nothing sacred?

The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver

I'm looking forward to discussing this book in Littlehampton next Wednesday, particularly since it is not what I thought it was at all.  There I was, judging a book by its cover again.  In fact, I was totally unprepared for this historical 'saga' with a twist, caught off guard by suddenly meeting Leon Trotsky, and bowled over by the captivating start and exotic settings. I loved the ending, which I can't really talk about in advance of our discussion and whilst some people are still reading; but, since we shall be on the coast for our next book club meeting - swim, anyone?

Here are the discussion questions:

1. What does Shepherd mean when he says, "The most important part of the story is the piece of it you don't know." And how does this oft stated remark relate to the book's title?

2. What is the significance of the book's title? What does it mean within the context of the novel?

3. Do Shepherd's diaries feel realistic to you? Does he sound like a 12-year old at the beginning...and later a mature man?

4. What prompts Harrison to begin his journals? Why does he write? What does he mean by referring to his notebook as "prisoner's plan for escape"?

5. Describe Shepherd, first as a 12-year-old and, later, as a mature adult. What kind of character is he? How does he change over the course of the novel?

6. How about Shepherd's mother? In what way does her profligate life affect how Shepherd decides to lead his own life?

7. Describe the Riviera/Kahlo household. How does Shepherd see Riviera's influence over Kahlo? Have you seen the movie Frieda? If so, does that film influence your reading of The Lacuana?

8. How does Kingsolver portray Leon Trotsky in this work? Were you aware of his background and the history of the Russian Revolution before you read the novel? If so, did your prior knowledge color your reading—or did your reading affect your knowledge?

9. Do you find the second-half of the novel, in the US, evocative of a time and place that no longer exists? If so, is that a good or bad thing? If not, what has remained the same? How does Kingsolver present those years?

10. What is Shepherd's relationship with his secretary, Violet Brown? What kind of character is she? Why does she want to preserve Shepherd's memory?

11. What role do the media play in this novel? Is it a fair or realistic portrait? What are the benefits of fame...and what are its costs?

12. Does this book enlighten you about the era of the Red Scare and the McCarthy hearings? Or do you feel this ground has been well tread by many others?