The Patron Saint of Pregnant Girls: A Novel
by Ursula Hegi
The Patron Saint of Pregnant Girls (5/14/2020)
This was a difficult novel for me to get into at first. The beginning scenes enveloped me in sadness. Maybe because of the pandemic I had trouble reading further but I am glad I did. Once the characters,so many characters, appeared on the scene I wanted to know them and their story.
The author has created a society of people where there is loss, heartache, deceit, abandonment and love. It is love that weaves its delight in the story. She has also created a place where non-human elements such as the Nordsee, the Zircus, the home for the girls are injected with life.
The author's characters have such depth.even the ones met a few times. I liked the author's writing style. Often it is beautifully poetic.
I think this is a good book for a book club discussion. There are many emotions involved in the novel that it would be interesting to get the opinion of others.
The Yellow Bird Sings: A Novel
by Jennifer Rosner
The Yellow Bird (12/19/2019)
The yellow bird sings a song of hope,encouragement, and comfort in Jennifer Rosner's novel. The characters display the good,evil and mixed actions during WW2. The little girl,Zosia,strength and development is beautifully described as is the pain and courage of her mother.
I loved the musicality of the novel, The author's words through the story are like a concert with somber and sad chords and others joyful and hopeful. Her words are often poetical and lyrical.
I think this is a good book for a book club.People might discuss which characters are most inspiring or the least. They might also discuss how the complexity of non-central .characters develop the main characters.
Parts of the story are difficult to absorb but the faith and courage of Rosa and Zosia are inspiring. This is a beautiful book.
The Seine: The River that Made Paris
by Elaine Sciolino
The Seine (10/26/2019)
This is a book I needed to read slowly in order to absorb the wealth of the Seine's story. The author covers the geography,history,archaeology,ecology and other aspects of this river. Elaine Sciolino's bibliography is extensive. To get in the mood of traveling along the Seine I re-watched Charade and enjoyed the lights on the river. Even though the book covers so much information I felt myself drawn into each part of the river's story.
What I liked most were the author's interviews with people who lived and worked along the Seine. I especially loved the story of the barge people. The author has a gift for bringing out the passions of the people she interviewed.
I have not been to France but wanted to learn about this famous river and am glad I did. This book will appeal to travelers and armchair travelers who wish to expand their knowledge of this part of the world.
The Volunteer: One Man, an Underground Army, and the Secret Mission to Destroy Auschwitz
by Jack Fairweather
The Story of Witold Pilecki (5/10/2019)
This book is the history of Witold Pilecki's heroic efforts to let the world know of the evil of Auschwitz. I embraced the brave work of Witold and the many heroes I met in this book. The author includes a list of characters in the back of the book. When I met a new character I referred to the list and noted the page the person was introduced so that I would remember them later.
The author helps the reader understand in a very personal way the courage of individuals in the Polish underground. Among these people was a 6 year old boy who did dangerous work.
The author is able to describe Witold's heart as Witold continues his dangerous work to expel the evil that was crushing the world. I think everyone needs to read this book. The author makes history come alive.
Greek to Me: Adventures of the Comma Queen
by Mary Norris
Greek To Me (3/3/2019)
Mary Norris' memoir shows how her love of things Greek-the language,the history and the myths-blended with her life experience of joys and sorrows to define who she is.
I found the in this author a kindred spirit because I too fell in love with Greece ago. The author's memoir brought to mind experiences that I too enjoyed.
I loved the author's writing style.She is introspective,humble and witty. I especially liked the unexpected moments where I laughed out loud.
This small book has a wealth of information. I took notes and researched many of the places that inspired her.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has had a love affair with Greece or would like to have.
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