Mayor describes how he’s bullied at school and his general feelings of not fitting in. How do you think this draws him to Maribel? What do they have in common that perhaps those around them, including their parents, cannot see on the surface?
How is the scene where the Riveras sit down for a dinner of oatmeal a turning point for the family and for the book? Discuss the role of food in the novel, especially how it evokes memories of home and establishes a sense of community. Are there any food traditions in your own family?
What are some key differences in the way that the women in the novel respond to challenges of assimilation compared to the men? How does Alma’s point of view highlight these differences?
How does Garrett cast a threatening shadow over several characters’ thoughts and actions? Did your opinion of him change after you learned about his home environment? How much blame can, or did, you ascribe to him for what happens to Arturo?
Do you, the members of your family, or your friends have stories of moving to another country to start a new life? Did any of the stories in the novel resonate with those you know?
How did you feel about the different narrators. Do you think the author needed to have all of them?
What was the author's message with this novel?
Tuesday, September 24, 2019
Tuesday, July 23, 2019
Book Discussion: The Mars Room by Rachel Kushner
Finalist for the Man Booker Prize
Longlisted for the Andrew Carnegie Medal
In an interview with the New Yorker the author states in regards to studying incarceration “I wanted to have a life that would include people that the State of California has rendered invisible to others.” How did reading about the incarcerated characters in the book effect your life since you read it?
The overwhelming majority of people, and certainly middle-class people, will never spend a single day of their lives in jails and prisons. Should those who don’t have that dark destiny worry for those who do? What impression do you have, after reading The Mars Room, about individual agency, and who goes to prison in this country and who doesn’t?
What role does gender play throughout the novel? What differences did you see between the experiences of incarcerated men and incarcerated women? How did gender factor into Romy’s trial and sentencing?
The Mars Room comes from the name of the strip club where Romy works before she is incarcerated. What does the phrase “Mars Room” bring to mind? What do these two worlds—a central California women’s prison and a San Francisco strip club—share?
“Sammy was my big sister and I was Button’s, and Conan was something like the dad. We had a family” (page 241). In order to cope with their difficult surroundings the women of Stanville create familial bonds with each other. Do these women nurture one another or is their “family” more of an alliance of protection? What are the benefits of a “family” arrangement? The risks?
After recounting an emotional story from childhood, Conan says, “There are some good people out there . . . some really good people” (page 252). Which acts of generosity stand out to you in the novel? Would many of these characters’ lives have been different with more, or greater, acts of generosity?
Straining the edges of a reader’s compassion perhaps is the character Doc, the “dirty cop” who had been involved with Betty LaFrance and is eventually strangled by his cellmate. Why do you think Kushner included him and his story in the book? Does he achieve a kind of unexpected likability, and if so, how?
Serenity Smith is a transgender woman whose presence generates an outsized reaction from the women of Stanville. Discuss the controversy among the prisoners concerning this character. How do their surroundings contribute to their reaction to her? And what does Serenity’s predicament say about the structure of prison? What is society to do with people who cannot assimilate into the caged spaces allotted for them?
What was the authors intent in including the Ted Kaczynski (uni bomber) excerpts in the book?
Gordon Hauser can be seen in different lights. Was he a predator, or was he a man who meant well but could not resist temptation? Discuss the effects of his actions on Romy.
In the final moments of the book, Romy is in the forest, bathed in light: “I emerged from the tree and turned into the light, not slow. I ran toward them, toward the light” (page 336). There is something both heavenly and hellish in this description. Discuss the dichotomies: Is the scene ultimately despairing or hopeful?
Longlisted for the Andrew Carnegie Medal
In an interview with the New Yorker the author states in regards to studying incarceration “I wanted to have a life that would include people that the State of California has rendered invisible to others.” How did reading about the incarcerated characters in the book effect your life since you read it?
The overwhelming majority of people, and certainly middle-class people, will never spend a single day of their lives in jails and prisons. Should those who don’t have that dark destiny worry for those who do? What impression do you have, after reading The Mars Room, about individual agency, and who goes to prison in this country and who doesn’t?
What role does gender play throughout the novel? What differences did you see between the experiences of incarcerated men and incarcerated women? How did gender factor into Romy’s trial and sentencing?
The Mars Room comes from the name of the strip club where Romy works before she is incarcerated. What does the phrase “Mars Room” bring to mind? What do these two worlds—a central California women’s prison and a San Francisco strip club—share?
“Sammy was my big sister and I was Button’s, and Conan was something like the dad. We had a family” (page 241). In order to cope with their difficult surroundings the women of Stanville create familial bonds with each other. Do these women nurture one another or is their “family” more of an alliance of protection? What are the benefits of a “family” arrangement? The risks?
After recounting an emotional story from childhood, Conan says, “There are some good people out there . . . some really good people” (page 252). Which acts of generosity stand out to you in the novel? Would many of these characters’ lives have been different with more, or greater, acts of generosity?
Straining the edges of a reader’s compassion perhaps is the character Doc, the “dirty cop” who had been involved with Betty LaFrance and is eventually strangled by his cellmate. Why do you think Kushner included him and his story in the book? Does he achieve a kind of unexpected likability, and if so, how?
Serenity Smith is a transgender woman whose presence generates an outsized reaction from the women of Stanville. Discuss the controversy among the prisoners concerning this character. How do their surroundings contribute to their reaction to her? And what does Serenity’s predicament say about the structure of prison? What is society to do with people who cannot assimilate into the caged spaces allotted for them?
What was the authors intent in including the Ted Kaczynski (uni bomber) excerpts in the book?
Gordon Hauser can be seen in different lights. Was he a predator, or was he a man who meant well but could not resist temptation? Discuss the effects of his actions on Romy.
In the final moments of the book, Romy is in the forest, bathed in light: “I emerged from the tree and turned into the light, not slow. I ran toward them, toward the light” (page 336). There is something both heavenly and hellish in this description. Discuss the dichotomies: Is the scene ultimately despairing or hopeful?
Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Book Discussion: The Elegance of the Hedgehog
- With her it’s as if a text was written so that we can identify the characters, the narrator, the setting, the plot, the time of the story, and so on. I don’t think it has ever occurred to her that a text is written above all to be read and to arouse emotions in the reader. Can you imagine, she has never even asked us the question: “Did you like this text/this book?” And yet that is the only question that could give meaning to the narrative points of view or the construction of the story… (p153)
- Did you like this book?
- Why or why not?
- And do you agree with Paloma that this question is central to discussing or thinking about a book?
- Much has been made of the book’s philosophical bent. Some feel that the author’s taste for philosophy and her having woven philosophical musings into her characters’ ruminations, particularly those of Renée, hampers the plot; others seem to feel that it is one of the book’s most appealing attributes.
- What effect did the philosophical elements in this book have on you and your reading?
- Can you think of other novels that make such overt philosophical references?
- How is identity also a theme throughout The Elegance of the Hedgehog? Think about how Renée might define herself as well as Paloma’s observations about the people around her
- In what ways is Paloma still a child? Would you say she is neglected?
- Were there any of Paloma’s “Profound Thoughts” or “Journal of the Movement of the World” entries to which you found yourself especially responding?
- Both Renée and Paloma use stereotypes to their benefit, hiding behind the perceptions others have of their roles. While we are accustomed to thinking of people as victims of stereotypes, is it possible that sometimes stereotypes can be useful?
- When, under what circumstances, and why, might we welcome an interpretation based on stereotypes of our actions or of who we are?
- Have you ever conformed to some stereotype in order to hide a part of yourself?
- How do you explain Paloma's preoccupation with movement? How does it relate to her life?
- Paloma, tells us that she plans to commit suicide on the day of her thirteenth birthday because she cannot tolerate the idea of becoming an adult, when, she feels, one inevitably renounces ideals and subjugates passions and principles to pragmatism. Must we make compromises, renounce our ideals, and betray our youthful principles when we become adults?
- If so, why?
- At the end of the book, has Paloma re-evaluated her opinion of the adult world or confirmed it?
- Japanese culture is a sub-theme in this novel. As evidenced in its literature, art, and film, Japanese culture gives great attention to detail, subtle changes, and nuances. On page 152 Renee muses about the sliding doors in two Ozu films. She says " I was fascinated by the way the Japanese use space in their lives, and by these doors that slide and move quietly along invisible rails, refusing to offend space. For when we push open a door, we transform a place in a very insidious way."
- How essential is Kakuro’s being Japanese to his role as the character that reveals others’ hidden affinities?
- Or is it simply his fact of being an outsider that matters?
- Could he hail from Tasmania and have the same impact on the story?
- Is Ozu a fully-realized character, or is he primarily a catalyst for the two women?
- According to Renee how can an encounter with pure beauty change one's life? Do you agree? How would you explain this?
- At the end of the story Jean Arthens tells Renee that the Camellias saved him. She tells him a camellia can change fate (p295)
- Renee often mentions the power and beauty in language. Where there passages in the book that you found particularly beautiful and/or moving?
- How did you react to the shocking event at the end? Why do you think the author chose this development and had it unfold in this way? Would you have preferred a happier ending?
- Did any of Renée’s parting words resonate with you? What of Paloma’s epiphany and, similarly, her last paragraph?
- Did the book inspire you to explore literature, art, film, music, manga, language, or philosophy?
Wednesday, April 17, 2019
Adult Spelling Bee
This adult spelling bee was created by J. Davies at the Albany Public Library. I served as emcee of the evening and a good number of teams showed up, I believe around 60 or so people. This differs from a traditional spelling bee in that most rounds are team challenges.
There were 5 Rounds of gameplay:
Round 1: Commonly Misspelled Words-Can your team identify which if these everyday words are spelled correctly? Round 1 sheet for players
Round 2: JUMBLE!-Create the longest word possible out of 14 letters we give you. Form for team to place letter tiles on or write in
Round 3: Is it in the Dictionary?-Do you think "twerk" is list in the Oxford English Dictionary?
Round 4: Hot P-o-t-a-t-o-Can your team guess the next letter in these difficult to spell words? Round 4 words
The Finale: The Spelling Bee- Send your team's best spellers to the front of the room to suffer or win prizes. List of words for the bee
Here is the powerpoint presentation used to introduce and explain the rules of each round. We did this program a number of years ago so not all the files are intact. Any answer sheets, etc we had available are hyperlinked above.
Poster for the event
Happy Spelling!
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
Book Discussion: The Impossible Lives of Greta Wells by Andrew Sean Greer
On page 241-242 Greta confronts the readers and asks "why is it impossible to be a woman?" She states that men are always free to be themselves and asks "When has a woman ever been forgiven?" In our modern society how does it differ between a man or a woman receiving forgiveness? Is one gender easier to forgive? Is one gender more permanently harmed from making mistakes?
Did Dr. Cerletti's electroconvulsive therapy work on Greta? In the beginning he tells her "what they are trying to do is bring her back."
If you were able to transmigrate to two other versions of yourself in a time before our own, which two time periods or years would you travel to?
What do you think drove Greta to continue the treatments and travel back in time? What was she trying to accomplish?
Where there any discrepancies in the science of the time travel in this book that bothered you or took away from your enjoyment of it?
In the beginning of the novel on page 8 Felix asks a neighbor who was reprimanding him and Greta "When you were a little girl, madam," he said, gesturing to her, "was this the woman you dreamed of becoming?" How did this foreshadow other events in the novel?
Did Dr. Cerletti's electroconvulsive therapy work on Greta? In the beginning he tells her "what they are trying to do is bring her back."
If you were able to transmigrate to two other versions of yourself in a time before our own, which two time periods or years would you travel to?
What do you think drove Greta to continue the treatments and travel back in time? What was she trying to accomplish?
Where there any discrepancies in the science of the time travel in this book that bothered you or took away from your enjoyment of it?
In the beginning of the novel on page 8 Felix asks a neighbor who was reprimanding him and Greta "When you were a little girl, madam," he said, gesturing to her, "was this the woman you dreamed of becoming?" How did this foreshadow other events in the novel?
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