BookBrowse BookTalk : Conference : 2011 Book Club DiscussionsConference : 2011 Book Club Discussions : Read our book club discussions to find proven choices for your book club to discuss
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RE: Casting Major Pettigrew, The MovieI immediately saw Barry Fitzgerald as the Major - but he's long gone. Michael Caine might work, but he seems too handsome!
https://www.bookbrowse.com/booktalk/messages.cfm?threadid=BD45F55D-FFAC-581F-C874E53554921004&r=1
2012-02-15T15:22:15-05:00Casting Major Pettigrew, The MovieRE: Overall, what did you think of Major Pettigrew's Last StandTwo adjectives come to mind: charming and quaint. I enjoyed the "tension" in this book between Major Pettigrew and his son and found the descriptive relationships of characters in the" class system" to be quite accurate. My husband was born in Britain and also absolutely enjoyed this novel.
https://www.bookbrowse.com/booktalk/messages.cfm?threadid=E9BAD444-FFAC-581F-C86703CEC673F2E3&r=2
2012-01-19T15:44:40-05:00Overall, what did you think of Major Pettigrew's Last StandThe Help and Common themes in The Space Between US.Hello . I just finished reading The Space Between Us, having already read the Help a few times. I found there were so many commonalities between the two books. I was wondering if anyone else was interested in exploring these two books in comparison?
https://www.bookbrowse.com/booktalk/messages.cfm?threadid=3CCEF6A1-5056-A34B-627004122B2F5EFB&r=3
2012-01-12T12:06:04-05:00The Help and Common themes in The Space Between US.RE: Overall, what did you think of Major Pettigrew's Last StandA few weeks ago, I was very much influenced in reading this book after having enjoyed so much the most delectable comments mostly from PaulaK and from many others about it being a most feel good readind which was just what I needed at that point!
I mostly enjoyed it and it did make me feel good most of the time, it also annoyed me a little sometimes, unfortunately…
Despite its feel good overall quality, this book also deals with serious matters almost in a shallow way, to my own slight dissatisfaction, I must admit to; I enjoyed the superior quality of the writing, the subtle wit, the British ironic humor, the endearing characters…
I was also gnawed by the unpleasant sensation of being overly “charmed” right thru the end with its superfluous unrealistic climax!
https://www.bookbrowse.com/booktalk/messages.cfm?threadid=E9BAD444-FFAC-581F-C86703CEC673F2E3&r=4
2011-12-10T11:26:04-05:00Overall, what did you think of Major Pettigrew's Last StandRE: Overall, what did you think of "The Help"?For me, the most important thing about a book is THE STORY. This book has an EXCELLENT story, whether truly believable or a little idealistic (probably the latter - but hey, we would be a sad society if we couldn't be a little idealistic, right?). The bravery of so many of the characters is what stood out to me the most. Skeeter and Abileen the most, of course, but many of the other characters (whose names I can't recall at this moment, darn it). I, too, worry about seeing the movie and being disappointed, but I do think I'll take my daughter, a young African American girl who has NEVER experienced any kind of REAL prejudice in her life (a kid called her Brownie once in kindergarten, but he was busy calling other kids Fatty and Four-Eyes, so that's all you need to know about HIM) to see it - knowing what life was like for her predecessors will be beneficial, and the story is interesting enough that she will want to pay attention.
I think this is an excellent book club pick because there's so much to talk about - so I'm going to see some of the other threads and talk about it! I'd rate it 5/5, for sure!
https://www.bookbrowse.com/booktalk/messages.cfm?threadid=D002DF3D-FFAC-581F-C8E5FA18CB5A231A&r=5
2011-12-05T19:01:45-05:00Overall, what did you think of "The Help"?RE: Overall, what did you think of Major Pettigrew's Last StandThis was a joy to read and it had some relavance to it. Beautiful writing and a well thought out story line.
https://www.bookbrowse.com/booktalk/messages.cfm?threadid=E9BAD444-FFAC-581F-C86703CEC673F2E3&r=6
2011-11-27T13:38:54-05:00Overall, what did you think of Major Pettigrew's Last StandRE: Are relationships formed in grief different?I imagine that having a relationship with someone who has also gone through the trauma of grieving would be a strong connection. If the grief is new, it might be such a relief to have someone who really understands, that it would be enough at first. A person could disregard whether there is anything else in common, or whether there would be an attraction in other circumstances.
https://www.bookbrowse.com/booktalk/messages.cfm?threadid=E9A3190A-FFAC-581F-C80F8FDB6467BCAC&r=7
2011-11-14T15:21:46-05:00Are relationships formed in grief different?RE: Overall, what did you think of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks?I could only get about halfway through it. But I got the jist of the story and was shocked to hear that Ms. Lacks was treated as she was and that it took this long to inform the public. The family should be given everything possible as recompense.
https://www.bookbrowse.com/booktalk/messages.cfm?threadid=672CE7B4-FFAC-581F-C86A575D77B9CBE8&r=8
2011-11-09T23:09:51-05:00Overall, what did you think of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks?RE: Overall, what did you think of "The Help"?I found The Help a very refreshing read as did my book club. I anxiously turned the pages to see what was going to happen next. It made me laugh out loud which is hard to do. The characters were so well defined yet you didn't know what to expect next! I would not say it is the best book I have ever read but I think it appeals to a large audience.
https://www.bookbrowse.com/booktalk/messages.cfm?threadid=D002DF3D-FFAC-581F-C8E5FA18CB5A231A&r=9
2011-10-13T15:57:41-05:00Overall, what did you think of "The Help"?RE: When it comes to the use of Henrietta's cells, are you on the side of the Lacks family or of science?I would be on the Lacks side. Henrietta was abused in the extreme. The doctors never told her a thing. She was completely ignorant of what they were doing to her and none of her family was informed about her illness. Towards the end she was in such serious pain all in the name of science research (?). I think not. She should have been treated with dignity and respect.
https://www.bookbrowse.com/booktalk/messages.cfm?threadid=672F9456-FFAC-581F-C84A86B34FDEA183&r=10
2011-10-12T19:32:51-05:00When it comes to the use of Henrietta's cells, are you on the side of the Lacks family or of science?RE: Overall, what did you think of "The Help"?Ms. Stockett does not engage readers or listeners immediately. However, after three chapters, it seems impossible to stop reading or listening.
One surmises that a white person raised in Mississippi in the sixties is offended by Kathryn Stockett’s recollection of her southern upbringing. A northern white person that lived through the sixties, particularly in small town (mostly white) USA, feels like a voyeur in the kitchens and living rooms of a closely knit southern community.
The binding of the town’s closeness unravels with Stockett’s interviews of black neighbors that reveal their roles and experiences as “The Help” for white Mississippi families. Anyone that lived through the sixties or read about the Black Panthers, Medgar Evers, or Martin Luther King, knows this was a difficult and tumultuous time in American history. Stockett reflects on the changes that were occurring on a smaller scale in the homes of black and white Mississippian’s.
Big and small influences on southern race relations are concretely revealed in Stockett’s book. She shows the influence that black nanny’s had with children of white families by telling the story of A-B’s (Abileen, a black nanny) relationship with Mae Mobley (a pre-school child of a middle class white family). A-B makes up stories to tell Mae Mobley, like the story of “Martian Luther King”, to explain there is no difference between white and black people, except for the color of their skin.
Stockett may dwell a little too much on the inequity of white and black existence in the south of the 1960s but her book is not a vilification of Mississippi but a reflection of how trapped human beings become by the influence of their neighbors and by the economic condition of their lives.
This is a wonderful book that brings its characters to life. Stockett helps readers understand how ambivalent, sometimes intransigent, human beings become when equality of opportunity is denied based on differences of color, economic circumstance, educational accomplishment, or place of birth.
This is a story of the human ideal of having an equal opportunity to become the best one can be.
https://www.bookbrowse.com/booktalk/messages.cfm?threadid=D002DF3D-FFAC-581F-C8E5FA18CB5A231A&r=11
2011-10-12T11:11:10-05:00Overall, what did you think of "The Help"?RE: Overall, what did you think of "The Help"?I read "The Help" because the book received so many positive reviews...and while the subject matter is interesting and worthy of attention, in my opinion this book had much more potential than what was used. I also wasn't particularly impressed with the writing itself. It takes great talent to both tell a story AND craft a sentence, and I believe this book did well with the former while lacking in the latter.
https://www.bookbrowse.com/booktalk/messages.cfm?threadid=D002DF3D-FFAC-581F-C8E5FA18CB5A231A&r=12
2011-10-11T15:15:22-05:00Overall, what did you think of "The Help"?RE: What are your impressions of One Day?I have never read a book where I liked the characters less than Emily and Dexter. If I had them in front of me, I would shake them both. I haven't quite finished reading yet; I am bogged down 3/4 of the way through. I am finding it difficult to ploy forward. Finding I couldn't care less what happens to them both
https://www.bookbrowse.com/booktalk/messages.cfm?threadid=5BB24732-FFAC-581F-C80B8A9566821CBC&r=13
2011-10-11T12:36:25-05:00What are your impressions of One Day?RE: Overall, what did you think of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks?I thought it was quite an eye opener! I am sure this is still going on to-day even though there are laws against. In some areas the doctor is still considered "God". I know many people who just take the doctor's word for it and don't question any thing further.
It is really a sad comment on society that still to this day the Lacks family does not have any health coverage. Morally they should receive funds from all the greedy drug companies who made millions of dollars.
It is always and always will be profits over people!
https://www.bookbrowse.com/booktalk/messages.cfm?threadid=672CE7B4-FFAC-581F-C86A575D77B9CBE8&r=14
2011-10-07T00:14:06-05:00Overall, what did you think of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks?RE: What are your impressions of One Day?I had a really difficult time getting through this book as I found it really boring. The plot of one day a year, while at first intriguing, did not reveal enough about these very shallow characters. Therefore, I did not grow to care about them at all. Both Emma and Dexter were just too immature and drifted through life. I kept waiting for them to mature, to turn the corner, and it didn't happen. I did not find it a well-written book. I definitely struggle with it and have no interest in seeing the movie.
https://www.bookbrowse.com/booktalk/messages.cfm?threadid=5BB24732-FFAC-581F-C80B8A9566821CBC&r=15
2011-09-29T19:22:43-05:00What are your impressions of One Day?RE: Is it possible to be in love with someone and not know it?I think that it is possible that you have feelings and care for someone. When the moment turns you know that you are in love- it feels different.
https://www.bookbrowse.com/booktalk/messages.cfm?threadid=5F3192FF-FFAC-581F-C8A659AC320AF3D5&r=16
2011-09-29T15:04:56-05:00Is it possible to be in love with someone and not know it?RE: Is there only one true love in life, as the novel suggests?I would like to think and hope that there is one true love for everyone. However, I have not found it. Though when you least except it is when things happen.
https://www.bookbrowse.com/booktalk/messages.cfm?threadid=709563AD-FFAC-581F-C892D3A19CB589A7&r=17
2011-09-29T14:59:49-05:00Is there only one true love in life, as the novel suggests?RE: How can this book be described as a "series of missed opportunities"?They were psychologically unmatched in maturity levels. Emma grew up faster than Dexter and wanted a more stable life. Dexter was more interested in himself and his immediate needs for fame and hedonism at the time that Emma would have wanted a relationship. They 'missed' in timing until they married.
https://www.bookbrowse.com/booktalk/messages.cfm?threadid=5BB5214E-FFAC-581F-C87EC6E5A4295170&r=18
2011-09-28T16:24:28-05:00How can this book be described as a "series of missed opportunities"?RE: How can this book be described as a "series of missed opportunities"?They were psychologically unmatched in maturity levels. Emma grew up faster than Dexter and wanted a more stable life. Dexter was more interested in himself and his immediate needs for fame and hedonism at the time that Emma would have wanted a relationship. They 'missed' in timing until they married.
https://www.bookbrowse.com/booktalk/messages.cfm?threadid=5BB5214E-FFAC-581F-C87EC6E5A4295170&r=19
2011-09-28T16:23:36-05:00How can this book be described as a "series of missed opportunities"?RE: Is the choice of St. Swithin's Day significant?I agree that knowing the background of the phrase helps to tie everything together.
https://www.bookbrowse.com/booktalk/messages.cfm?threadid=6ADFC347-FFAC-581F-C8314C4D748D81FE&r=20
2011-09-26T13:14:47-05:00Is the choice of St. Swithin's Day significant?