The Godmother by Hannelore Cayre

The Godmother by Hannelore Cayre

Blog written by Sharon

Patience Portefeux, 53 yr old translator from Arabic to French for the Ministry of Justice.
This novel sounds very french in the cadence of sentences because it is a translation.  Took a little getting used to.
What a character !  Bizarre neurological ailment - colours and shapes are linked to taste and feelings.(bimodal synaesthesia). and her relationship with her mother !
Very sobering the treatment her mother received in the nursing home.
It’s an almost implausible plot of how she ended up dealing drugs but I have to admit, the plot is quite clever.

I feel sorry for the cop fiancé though.  That scene where he discovered the Chamonix Oranges was priceless.

I like the Little Fireworks Collector photo with Audrey Hepburn.

6/5.5/5.5/6/ 5/ 7
There are better books out there

Wouldn’t recommend it to my friends

Our next book is A Pale View of Hills by Kazuko Ishiguro and will be at Sharon's on Thursday March 12, 2020.

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Our last book of the year 2019 !
Blog written by Marty

Characters

Kya (Catherine Danielle Clark). The Marsh Girl
Tate (primary romantic interest)
Chase (considered the local hero)
Ma (mother)
Jodie (one of the brothers)
Pa (father)
Jumpin (local shop attendant and friend)
Mabel (his wife)

The book is a unique account of a young girl deserted by her entire family including her mother. Kya the main character cannot comprehend how a mother can leave a child ( even animals don't leave their young to fend for themselves). "this little piggy stayed home"

A truly hearty story of a small child left to care for herself (feed,cook,earn wash etc). With the help of her friend she learns to read and she educates herself through her incredible knowledge of the wild life and her affinity with the nature of the district.

The early part gives some description of her relationship with Pa before he leaves her totally isolated.

Most felt the book was well structured and neatly put together..some found the flashbacks were sometimes confusing when referring to the murder and subsequent trial. Part narrated in the 50s and story in the 60's.
The introduction of "who done it?" if it was a murder added intrigue to the story even though no attempt was made to describe how Chase may have met his death. "It was a mystery wrapped in glorious lyrical prose".

Was the verdict a surprise considering the village folk's attitude was prejudiced against Kya (the marsh girl).
When Tate found the shell necklace (that would have been the primary exhibit). After Kya's death did one feel perhaps justice was served?
"Was it sweet revenge?"

The majority of our book club (those that read the book) thoroughly enjoyed "Where the Crawdads Sings".
The language and description was delightful.
It was compelling reading even if at times not totally believable.
But it is a NOVEL (Fiction)

"Most of what she knew, she'd learned from the wild. Nature had nurtured, tutored and protected her when no one else would. If consequences resulted from her behaving differently, then they too were functions of life's fundamental core."

The author Delia Owens obviously has immense botanical and biological knowledge of the wild life in that marsh area.

I personally loved the quaint romantic courting touch of Tate leaving a feather for Kya

Crawdads refers to a type of crayfish in that area.


Score 8.5.

Wishing everyone a very Happy Holiday season and all the best for 2020!

Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton

Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton
Book chosen by Melissa

When Breath Becomes Air by P Kalanithi

When Breath Becomes Air by P Kalanithi
Book chosen by Sally

Normal People by Sally Rooney

Normal People by Sally Rooney
Book chosen by Robyn


Sharon's observations :

I started to listen to this book on Audible which was a good thing because I am not sure I would have persevered !  Somehow the narration made the young people seem more sympathetic with the Irish accent.

The way the book is written is sometimes confusing as the dialogue is sometimes a dialogue and sometimes not...

Th main character of Marianne is really sad.  I find it a surprise that Connell is the one to seek professional help after Rob’s suicide while Marianne is really the one who needs help.  What a family !!

I was surprised at the ending but maybe shouldn’t have been because Marianne will never believe she deserves the happiness she has found with Connell. 

I rate this novel 6/10.  It is a disturbing read about damaged young people. Nothing “normal” at all !

Educated by Tara Westover

Educated by Tara Westover
Book chosen by Megan

Lee's comments :
What to say about Educated, firstly I didn’t like it, even as a true story, autobiography, memoir what ever, all of the characters including the author were so unappealing and I couldn’t relate to any of them, obviously because I am not a Mormon nor am I religious or have had a religious upbringing. I can’t abide fundamentalism in any religion and the people that are brainwashed by it. I found Tara’s story horrific and the dangers her stupid parents exposed her to were just unbelievable. Her mother at first seemed to be protective even though she was under the spell of the demonic father, but later completely sides with his crazy fanaticism and rejects her daughter and I assume her other two sons who have sought out an education while favouring a psychopathic monster in Shawn. The level of family abuse is shocking and the back woods mentality of these fundamentalist Mormons seems so stereotypical of the worst of red neck Americans. End of Days and all that. Another cult involving innocent family members. I am glad I was raised by cynical parents.

I found it so hard to understand and accept that Tara couldn’t/wouldn’t leave the family after all her study and discovering a new life in Cambridge and Harvard. Is this the depth of her brainwashing? Abusers have such a strong hold over their victims, whether it be in an abusive marriage or in a parent-child relationship and the conflict the victims feel in their desire for reconciliation in spite of knowing the reasons they should leave. We see this in so many recent books we have read, from The Girl on a Train, and Unbreakable, to Big Little Lies. It was challenging to accept that she could become so intellectual and committed to research in such a short space of time and still yearn for her mad family. Even though she finally walks away from them. And could she find her answers in 19th century philosophers?

In spite of all this I kept on reading, wondering in a somewhat sadistic way, what horrific act either Shawn or the father would inflict on Tara next. And what a clever girl she was, good at singing; did she play the piano too, can’t remember; the star of the local theatre; brilliant at maths and algebra and even taught herself calculus, all in the shadow of Bucks Peak. All a bit hard to believe. And her mother the homeopath, finally makes a mint from her herbal remedies! And the badly burnt disfigured father can continue building barns and whatever with his claw hands. Again I had to really stretch the limits of my imagination. Ever since reading The Power of One I really dislike this type of ‘made good’ self admiring memoir. By writing, is this the catharsis the author seeks. Sure Tara has her moments, in fact months, of self doubt and finally has a nervous breakdown complete with panic attacks.
For me the opening description of the mountain was the most rewarding part of the book. And the most poignant line was that of the seven siblings, three had achieved academic success and four were basically uneducated. And all of this happening in the last two decades. But I guess that is Trump’s America.
A rating: 6 for the writing, 5 for the narrative.

Tinman by Sarah Winman

Tinman by Sarah Winman
Book chosen by Sarah

Hillbilly Elegy by JD Vance

Hillbilly Elegy by J D Vance
Book chosen by Meredith

Sharon's comments :

I read this book quite fast as I was conscious of the book group meeting coming up.  It is an easy read and the memoir does paint a picture of what growing up in a poor white lower working class in America is like.

I think he was incredibly lucky in making a different future for himself.  Being a Marine was the first step in instilling discipline and self confidence in him.  This actually says a lot about the opportunities the army can offer.  He probably wouldn’t have gotten into Yale Law without that experience. He was also very lucky to have his Yale professor as his mentor.  That kind of guidance often makes all the difference.

I think his story reaffirms my belief that education is the greatest equalizer.  There are some comments on Goodreads that perhaps JD is looking down on blue collar workers.  I didn’t get that feeling.  I just think he appreciates his lucky break to get into one of the top law schools.

Interesting comments he had on President Obama and his wife Michelle.

Rating 6/10

Our group's general comments :

Well worth a read , Glass Castle was more wow , 7.5 - educational about over generalisation of white stereotypes, interesting 6/10, 7.5/10, Obama statement sums up the book , enjoyed it till Mamaw died , she provided what he needed to live his life even though her own life is flawed. Didn’t like it - didn’t like any of the characters. Reminded me of The Power of One. Didn’t particularly like it.