Discussion Group

What's your take on Mrs. Bennett? Was Lizzy really bold and admirable in her passionate nature, or was she really just stubborn? How did Jane Austen's life influnce her writing?

We had a good discussion on Tuesday night at the public library. They brought in an English professor from one of the Universities of ND to lead it, and brought us some interesting info about Jane and her life as well. What I found intriguing was that Pride and Prejudice introduces the formula from which arises every modern day romance novel or romantic comedy.

It was fun to dig into the history of the time in which the author lived, the themes of the book, and our reactions to the various charachters. The one unfortunate part of it all was that my friend couldn't attend. Something went wrong with the pipes in her kitchen, and she found her kitchen floor flooded that afternoon. So she spent the evening waiting for, and then hovering around the plumber.

The next book discussion will cover "To Kill a Mockingbird." Another favorite, and a classic, so I'm looking forward to that discussion as well!

What's Your Weakness? Pride? Or Prejudice?

This next week our public library is hosting a discussion of the book "Pride and Prejudice," one that I have read several times. My pastor friend from down the road alerted me to this opportunity, so we're going together to this event.

I find myself really looking forward to it, yet a little apprehensive. I LOVE books, I enjoy analyzing and discussing them, I enjoy being around others who enjoy reading. But. It has been a l-o-n-g time since I have teased apart a book with a group of people who know what they're doing. The mental tools may be a bit...rusty, shall we say?

Nonetheless, it will be fun to go, and dig in. I love the interplay of culture, expectation, class, language structure, and gender interaction in this book. The characters, for me, come so alive; so full of weaknesses and foibles, strengths and graces. There are certainly things about the book that force you to suspend disbelief at times, and the ending is just so very tidy, but I enjoy it anyway!

I will post my reflections of the book discussion, and hopefully that will get me to be more faithful about this blog too!