February Book Club Meeting Notes

Kristie hosted February's meeting to discuss Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner. You're going to have to excuse the lack of detail in my recap; the discussion was so engrossing, I kept forgetting to write the notes!

Everyone enjoyed this book very much. Kristie remarked that she liked Stegner's intellectual approach to writing. Kathleen mentioned that this novel seemed very much of its time (late 70s, early 80s), which she recalls as having many more books and films exploring adult issues and interests than we see today. Betty particularly liked the descriptions of Vermont and of Italy.

There was, of course, much discussion of the nature of the two marriages and their differences and similarities. Carole and Shirley both commented on how Charity and Sid did not live their lives as their natures would have dictated; Shirley said Charity could have been the chairman of General Motors (we all agreed), and wondered what would have happened to this marriage in 2014. We talked a bit about what Charity wanted for Sid, and what Charity needed and what Sid needed, and how the 2 were not necessarily the same thing, or even the best thing for Sid (despite Charity's assertions to the contrary). Janet felt that Charity sought perfection in her mate. Kathleen reminded everyone how Sid appears to Larry as a sort of Adonis when he is outside of the university environment; would his life have been happier if he had been left to live it as he wished, puttering in nature?

Another question that fostered much discussion was this: given the differences in their backgrounds, what draws these two couples together? We all agreed that Larry and Sally, the orphans, were drawn by the welcome of Charity and the sense of family and belonging they drew from being around Sid and Charity. Betty asked if Charity was likable; we agreed that she was, even though she was also a force to be reckoned with. Shirley commented on how like-minded Sid and Charity were when it came to being generous; it truly gave them more pleasure to help their friends than it did to spend money on themselves.

Finally, we all agreed on what a remarkable man Larry was. He was fully aware of the character flaws of his friends and observed them with a very clear eye, but was able to tolerate those flaws and love them anyway.

Kristie, Carole, Shirley, Betty, Janet--please leave comments if I've missed something important!

Next month's discussion will be hosted by Jen, and we'll discuss Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov. Shirley will host April's meeting to discuss The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton, and Betty will host May's meeting (book TBA).