The House of Broken Angels by Luis Alberto Urrea

We had 13 book club members who had read the book. Some weren’t sure what to think of the book, but as they got into it they wanted to find out what happened. Some wants to shake some sense into some of the characters. Multiple readers liked the ending despite having a hard time getting into the book.

Several readers liked the focus on a large, extended family. One liked the focus on the immigrant family experience in California. Another member liked the exploration of grief. She found it heartwarming and containing truths. Multiple members struggled to keep straight the long list of characters in this extended family, and many people had printed out a character list they’d found online (one even constructed a family tree to keep characters straight).

Several liked the humorous parts, particularly the story about the border crossing where the drunk parrot got the attention of the border patrol. One reader thought that audiobook wasn’t a good format for this book because it was particularly hard to track all of the characters, although the narration, done by the author, was very good. Another reader listened to the audiobook and just decided to let go of tracking the characters, trying instead to just figure out what generation of the family they were in relation to Big Angel.

We started our discussion with some background about the settings and the author. Group leader Mary gave some background about his life, in Mexico and then in the United States. We discussed the San Diego / Tijuana border area. We discussed the differences in border crossing from years ago and now, and were surprised in the depiction in the book that decisions about crossing may be up to the discretion of the specific border patrol rather than any fixed rules.

We discussed how the author struggled as his parents (Mexican father and American mother) played tug of war over culture for the household. The group discussed what it would be liked to be raised in a household with two different cultures.

In discussing the book itself, we noted how Big Angel was trying so hard to make strides and overcome his background, but his children didn’t all embrace them. It started from the first line, with the emphasis on Big Angel not wanting to be late to overcome the stereotype, and that his children didn’t embrace it.

Members of the group who were teachers talked about their experiences of teaching ESL students and whether the schools encouraged them to allow the kids to read in their first languages.

Discussed Big Angel lamenting the “American” food served at his birthday party and why isn’t it traditional Mexican food. We took this as a symbol of the loss of their culture, and the end of an era as Perla was the only one still cooking traditionally, and she wanted to retire from cooking the family meals.

The author used Spanish language words without explaining each word, and the group discussed whether this added or detracted from the story. It stopped some of our readers, who felt confused, but others felt that they understood enough from the context and felt that it would have lost authenticity to not have any Spanish language in the dialogue. 

The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck

Many of our books, it seems, end up in historical fiction and WWII genre.  One of the first of 14 members who attended set the tone of the conversation that night, stating "It was extremely interesting and loved the author."  "It brought a different perspective, not so much of the soldier's perspective," another said.  I think most of us agree.

One member, who enjoyed the book, said that "it was built on three people's story, but I kept wanting more windows of their stories."  The three women were mothers, gave us hope.  Of the three women, Marianne was the leader of the book, the group of women.  One member said she felt that Marianne was "holier than thou" and Benita was"insipid".  But she said, she was glad that she read it. Another said  "I didn't like the ending, it was very abrupt and cold.  Marianne did have her own MeToo Movement, though.  I would like Marianne in my corner, she was the strength.  I would not have gravitated towards any of them, but  respected Marianne." 

We were given the German Resister perspective, the women's perspective in this book.  "The characters were not lovable, they were a product of what happened, they had no control over their situation, or the propaganda around them" a member commented.  Another chimed in, that "this time and place was very difficult to deal with. The women were also responsible for children."  One person also said, she believed they knew something was wrong, but out of fear people could not step up or they would be dead.  Someone said through this they have a better understanding of "why they joined Hitler's Youth Group."   Another said it showed how "it would feel like to be so powerless; it was eye-opening."  

A member said the book had chapters that were different narrators, different times flashing back in time.  Someone mentioned that they wished the characters were better developed, but the book would have been much longer.  

The book has a general  pattern of forgiveness to it.  Someone shared that "It was a book that made me think that you can put yourself in someone else's shoes."

The author wrote the book based on stories and listening to her grandparents.  We talked about that she chose not to talk all about the Holocaust, as it would have had added a lot more to the book, this had a different focus.  We did talk about that the German's were told the Jews were taking away their jobs, and some compared it to what is going on right now with immigration issues in the US.  Someone said the perspective was that the Jews had all the money, all the wealth and control.  

We talked about the three women, Marianne, Benita and Ania, all mothers but each different.  Marianne was well-educated, privileged.  Someone had said, did the others have the skills that Marianne had, the skills to rescue the others?  Benita was looking to be loved.  We talked about Ania and the farms that were a part of the Nazi government that Ania was a part of.  They were going to produce food, the be the start, improving the world after the problems after WWI.  She did love her first husband at first, before all the changes.  Their last farm, which she left, was horrible with the "boys" that were there, they were very violent.  It was hard when they came to take the babies away.  A few members in the group said the boys on the farm were being trained for violence -- like dobermans.  As Germany got desperate, the training was more cruel and mean.  Ania also had a lot of guilt.  

Were the women friends?  At the end Marianne and Ania were happy to see each other. When they were all in the castle, they had cared and enjoyed each other we felt.  They did depend on Marianne, but we felt that Marianne was above the other two, they were not equal.  Marianne could not see the shades of grey.  But, as Marianne aged, she found there was grey areas.  

We talked about Benita. At the end she reads Connie's letter, where it said "I want you to teach our son to be as happy as you are."  She had lost a lot in her life.  And then Marianne made Franz feel not worthy, because he was a Nazi.  We talked about how he must have felt knowing that Connie was a Resister.  Someone said he was the man who took the babies in the woods.  He could do right by his daughter but not right by Benita.  

Of all the three women, we said Ania was the most hardworking, most stoic and most believable character.  She made huge mistakes, but she carried on.  She was pragmatic.

We talked about the end of the story.  What compelled Marianne to write her story?   It was about the Resisters, so their story would be told, and about Peace and Justice.  It was interesting in the end, having Ania and her daughter, and then Marianne and Benita's son Martin. The two younger ones together!  And then even Franz Muller's daughter had a part there.

We had a full hour and half of discussion.  There were some who didn't like the book but it provided a lot of conversation.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

Science and Medical non-fiction came to life for members of the Park Grove Library Book Club as we talked and discussed The Immmortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. The leader had a question for us when we arrived.  Fourteen of us were at this discussion.

Some members said they had heard of HELA cells but didn't know the history behind it. Others had never heard of this.  Pre-cancerous screening has it's origins in these cells, one person shared.  Another said it is amazing how science has progressed, and now we have genetic testing!  Another said how primitive it was back in '51 -- you accepted whatever it was.  There was a movie about this, some have seen, and a member said it wasn't as much science in it.  They thought the science part was more interesting in the book.  The book was written with the family information, Henrietta's story and then the medical side of it.  They were woven together in the book and someone said, they needed to be told together in this format. 

Rebecca Skloot did extensive research into this, but one member said it was too long/too deep.  The book could have been condensed a bit.  Another said it was hard to get through all the science part of it.

One member said she was surprised at how racist medical field was, they were being taken advantage of.

The family knew so little about what had happened.  One member said she was "surprised by how much abuse all those kids suffered and they survived somehow.  I don't think that was typical for a lot of families." We found the daughter Deborah fascinating.

"There were ethical issues here, so much more than legal issues," someone said.  We talked about how laws has changed over time, looking through this material.  HPPA is one major change now, the need to consent and to inform people.  But, "you don't always know what you consent to."

We talked about using our medical information for "the better cause."  Will we always know what our medical information is being used for. Should it be used without consent?

We spent a bit of time discussing of whether it was right to earn money off HELA cells or any medical procedure.  The family never saw any money from it but some doctors or researchers did. Now many companies make lots of money off it.  How can you forecast the meaning of something down the line?  So many things have changed and were affected by the HELA cells.  We owe Henrietta Lacks a debt of gratitude, and Rebecca Skloot for telling the story.

Bohemian Flats by Marry Relindes Ellis

Finding good, local, historical fiction was the pleasure of our book club.  Many of us enjoy these books, but to find one that shared stories of the Mississippi in Minneapolis truly brought this story to life for us.  Fourteen members were present for this discussion at the Library.

One member said this is one of the top books we have read, a heartwarming historical fiction that left  us as all historical fiction do: learning more.   Another said it was easy to get into -- the characters were so believable and had such depth, they became very familiar.  Again, another person said I learned something that I knew NOTHING about in the Twin Cities, didn't know about "Bohemian Flats."  There wasn't a lot of humor in the story someone shared, but the bananas floating down the river made some chuckle!

One person said they felt the characters and the people of the Flats were like a melting pot, something they grew up with, in her local town, liked how food was shared, and like her town, the richer lived on the other side of town.  Another said the characters were well-investigated and another said well  researched.  A member brought up how the characters left everything they knew when they came here.  The characters felt far safer and loved than what people feel coming here now, a member stated.  Everyone has a story, something pushing them to leave their country.   "Hatred was a luxury that none of us could afford because at some point, every neighbor was needed, every skill contributed."  The novel was rich with history, including artwork discussion of Caravaggio's Raising of Lazarus.

We talked about the two families in Germany -- the Richters and the Kaufman's.   Annalies becomes a nun after Heinrich dies and two of the three sons go to America, one remains.  Heinrich wouldn't allow the girls in the family to go to school, but the boys could and the two, Raymond & Albert went to the Richters for help. They were a much more "open family" someone said.  In the Flats, women were the head of the household.  In Germany, Annalies was not the head of the household, but her husband Heinrich was.  He was hard, someone said, but he did have a conscience unlike his son, Otto.

Magdalena's story line was interesting, as she came from wealth, went through so much change and struggle.  She was welcomed in the Bohemian  Flats by the community.  The community there supported each other, and so different than what she felt in Germany.  Here she was looked at in regards for her wisdom and there she was thought of as a "witch."  Talked about her daughter's "gift" and someone said, "why have a gift if you couldn't do anything about it."

We also talked about Albert & Magdalena's move from the Flats to WI and how they made their home there.

The question was asked who you would like to meet in the book.  Some said Alzbeta as she was the salt of the Earth, another said Magdalena, as she was a helper, was down to earth, even though she grew up rich.

We felt the ending was very hard with Eberhard and then Raymond.  Talked about why Raymond kept that a secret - didn't want anyone to know Eberhard was a deserter. It left some with much sadness and disappointment.

A very good review was written by Mary Ann  Grossman -- click here for the review.  Another article that was found is here titled:  The Bohemian Flats:  "A quaint little village" or den of iniquity.  One more review by Peter Geye was found here

The real Bohemian Flats 

                                   

New Schedule for Book Club 2018-2020

Will be updated shortly

The Nest by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney

What a great discussion we had with The Nest!  Thirteen members were able to attend the meeting and most liked the book.

As we went around our table, sharing our name and whether we liked the book or not and why, the first person said:  "I did enjoy the book, but was "pissed off" at Leo.  He definitely had that effect on people.  Another said they loved the book, and the sibling interaction kept their interest all the way through, and someone added that family dynamics were a big part of the book.  One member said she was surprised by the siblings, but they are who they are!  "Many of us have had this type of family after our parents died," someone mentioned and then a few chimed in with a "yes!"  There was humor in the book, someone said.

One person said the characters were not likable, they were whining a lot.  Someone said they liked the writing, but got bored with the story, thought they should have some real problems.  "They really didn't 'need' the money," she said, "and Leo showed them they didn't need it."  Another said "it seemed like "fluff" to me, how dysfunctional can it be?"  And one more said they didn't see the humor in the dysfunctional family, so she didn't really enjoy it.

The Nest was money set aside by their father, and available when the youngest was 40.  We discussed that they were all dependent on that money.  Did the father, when he set it up, plan it to be such a nest egg?

We talked about the characters -- there were 65 in all.  Click here for the link  We first talked about Francine, their mother.  We felt she was selfish and extremely sneaky.  She knew she wasn't a good mom and she didn't care. "The story of the birthday party, was one time I liked Leo." someone said.

Leo, another one said, "had two redeeming moments, the birthday party and at the end, when he turned away and left the sister have her happiness."  We wondered did she see him?  She tensed up, making some think she saw him.  But then she said she had seen him several times during the trip.  Bea, was the one who genuinely cared for him.  Did anyone really like Leo?  He was impulsive and he was charismatic.  "When Leo met with Nathan it was like looking in the mirror." was a comment from someone in the group.  "Leo saw Leo for what he was.  He thought he'd be golden and he wasn't, he was tarnished."  Leo was "into himself" and "self-serving."  It wasn't his fault for taking the money, someone said, it was their mother, she wanted to save her husband and her.  But Leo had the money and could have made it right, he took the easy way out.  Instead, Leo fled, he was use to running.  Another person commented, "old money, you don't have to work."

Jack, Leo's brother was an antique store owner, dealer, and such a liar!  What he did to Walker!  Walker gave him the benefit of the doubt.  Leo was the star of the show and Leo's little brother was not measuring up and could not come into his "own."

Bea did not find Jack as repulsive as the others did.  Surprised she wasn't so nurturing, she tried.  They didn't have a mother who was nurturing to teach them.  Most of the time in families, it is the oldest daughter who is the nurturer, but she didn't have that skill.

Melanie, the youngest daughter, was full of pretense.  She wanted to have everything.  Her husband was such a good influence.  She didn't need Jack to store her furniture after the house was sold.  She had her redeeming moment at that time. 

Stephanie was well-liked.  She had a big influence on Leo.  She tried to turn Leo around.  At the end Leo thought Stephanie was going to come after him.  They did really love each other.  She did, though, want to be alone, she didn't want any man.  She thought Leo was bad for her.  She was a great mom.

Matilda/Vinnie -- she ends up getting a big "nest" but blows it on family.  Kind of sad, she was going to buy boots to go up to her thigh.  The money never gives anything good, causes a lot of conflict.  Liked the Matilda/Vinnie part.  The statue with Tommy, same thing.  It was sentimental.  Don't put it above people, like money.

Many of us thought this will be a great movie.  Some may describe it about family, others about money.  Is Leo a believable character?  There is a Leo in every family, someone said, and it wasn't a well-rounded family.  All the partners were likable, much more than the siblings.

Book Club Selection for June & July 2018

We will meet off site for our Book Club Selection gathering, choosing books for the next couple of years for our group  If you would like further information on this meeting, please contact the librarians at Park Grove Library.  We will always welcome new members!

   May 22 --  New Book Club Selection by Members 

  June 26 --  The Nest by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney
   July 24 --  The Bohemian Flats by Mary Relendes Ellis

Just a special note to book club members.  Would love to hear your thoughts & opinions on the book club, whether you were at the discussion or not!  Share what you thought about the book.  There is a spot under the post for comments, you can do a few different log-in programs or do it anonymously but feel free to write your name!