A Splendid Ruin by Megan Chance

"You don't belong here, Miss Kimble. You're completely in over your head. Learn to swim, or drown. Those are your only choices when it comes to the Sullivans."

                     -Stephen Oelrichs, from the novel

After the death of her mother, May Kimble receives a letter from an aunt she didn't know she had inviting her to come to San Francisco to live with her, her husband and daughter. May leaves her home in Brooklyn to join the Sullivan family and is welcomed with open arms. It is difficult enough for impoverished May to become accustomed to a new city, an elaborate mansion and seemingly unlimited funds, when she begins to get subtle warnings from a Chinese maid and others, including Stephen Oelrichs, quoted above. 

Dark family secrets are revealed bit by bit and frequent foreshadowing make this a true page-turner. A Splendid Ruin is a captivating story of betrayal and desire for revenge. Can the extremely destructive San Francisco earthquake of 1906 also be a positive force or even a means of rescue for May? Apparently, yes!

I enjoyed this novel, rating it a 4.

A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg

 "As he read on, he decided that according to the book, he was definitely a medium-sized, redheaded, nonbreeding accidental. At last he knew what he was, and it amused him no end. He was a rare bird, after all."             -Oswald Campbell, after perusing Birds of Alabama

I am quite a fan of Fannie Flagg. I find her novels easy to read with interesting characters and very  engaging plots. I discovered this one on the library site while looking for her most recent, The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop.  A Redbird Christmas dates back to 2004 but I had not heard of it. It is only 206 pages, making it a pretty quick read. As Christmas was approaching, it seemed like the perfect choice. I wasn't wrong.

This is a delightful story of Oswald Campbell who, after getting an extremely unsettling diagnosis from his doctor in Chicago, decides to move to South Alabama where a warmer climate might extend his life. He ends up in Lost River, a small town on the Gulf Coast. Oswald, a recovering alcoholic, doesn't have much going for him and is rather a sad, lonely character when he meets the warm and welcoming people of his new home. They include Frances Cleverdon and her sister Mildred and Roy Grimmitt, proprietor of the general store. Early in the story Roy rescues and adopts an injured redbird called Jack. From the title you can tell the bird will be central to the tale.

Another important character is Patsy, a pitiful, crippled girl who is neglected and seemingly unwanted by anyone in her family. Patsy becomes very friendly with Jack, the cardinal. It is endearing how the townspeople of Lost River come to love Patsy and find ways to help her, including getting her the surgery she needs for her affliction. 

This a sweet story, full of love and hope, ending with a Christmas miracle. My rating is 5.

And by the way, there are recipes at the end. I will copy a few before returning the book to the library!

Songteller by Dolly Parton

 "I am a singer, an entertainer, and a businesswoman. But if I had to choose just one thing to be, I would choose to be a songwriter. I could happily just sit in my house forever, enjoy life, and write songs. The songs lead to everything else. Everything that I am starts with that song. No matter who you are as an artist, if you don't have a great song, you're not going anywhere. I decided to call my book Songteller because that pretty much sums me up. I love songs. I love to tell stories, and most of all, I just love to write. It's just who I am. I am a 'song teller.'

           -Dolly Parton, from the Introduction 

I have long been a fan of Dolly Parton and when I recently read an article about her in Parade magazine, I noted she had released a new book. I ordered it from the library having no idea what it would look (or feel) like. It is a tome, about 9"x 12" and weighing almost 5 pounds! The subtitle is My Life in Lyrics which is appropriate since 175 song lyrics are included of almost 3000 she has written. Some of the songs were favorites of mine: "Coat of Many Colors," "Jolene," "9 to 5" and "I Will Always Love You," a blockbuster hit recorded by many including Whitney Houston. Of course there were many songs I was unfamiliar with, although if I heard her sing them, I would maybe recognize them. Oddly I have only two CDs of Dolly's music, one I purchased at a Cracker Barrel and the other at Target a few weeks ago, "Holly Dolly Christmas." A favorite duet with Kenny Rogers, "Islands in the Stream" was not in the book and when I looked it up, I found it was written by the Bee Gees, one of my favorite groups.

I have a few things in common with Dolly. I was born in East Tennessee, just under two months after Dolly. I have great memories of summer days in the Smoky Mountains in my youth. My husband went to college in the area and I have relatives there so we have visited the Smokies a number of times and feel an emotional connection. We have been to Dollywood more than once and loved it. I have enjoyed country music for many years, even though I grew up on Rock and Roll. 

As a retired elementary school teacher I can fully appreciate Dolly's Imagination Library which she began in 1995. Over 150 million books have been given to children. She says the first book was The Little Engine That Could. I remember a very special principal who used that book as a theme one school year. It has such an inspiring message. Dolly says her proudest accomplishments are her songwriting and her Imagination Library.

I loved reading about Dolly's early history. Her mother was a singer and Dolly says she has "Smoky Mountain DNA." It seems as if most of her family was musical, many of her 11 siblings and extended family, too. She "wrote" her first song at age 6, debuted on the Grand Ole Opry at age 13, moved to Nashville at 18 years and became known for her part on The Porter Wagoner Show before going on to a stellar solo career. She has earned the nickname "Iron Butterfly" for her many lucrative business interests and has won innumerable awards over the years!

There are beautiful photos in the book, some full-page. And Dolly's commentary is so much her "voice" and quite endearing. I will rate Songteller a 4. I enjoyed it but I wish it had not been so HEAVY, literally! 

The Book of Two Ways by Jodi Picoult

 "Also part of these Coffin Texts was the Book of Two Ways, the first known map of the afterlife. It was found only in certain coffins in Middle Egypt during the Middle Kingdom, usually painted on the bottom. It showed two roads snaking through Osiris's realm of the dead: a land route, black, and a water route, blue, which are separated by a lake of fire. If you follow the map, it's like choosing between taking the ferry or driving around---both ways wind up in the same place: the  Field of Offerings, where the deceased can feast with Osiris for eternity."

                                      -from the novel

I have read several of Jodi Picoult's novels and, although I am still a fan, I can't say this is one of my favorites. I almost gave up on it before 50 pages had been turned. This was a far cry from the last couple of books I have read---longer, much more intense and centered around Egyptology, a subject about which I knew precious little. As often happens, the more I read, the more invested I was in seeing it through. 

Dawn Edelstein is a death doula, which is a career completely new to me. In this role she helps people to die with dignity, guiding the terminal person and their family through many end-of-life concerns. Dawn describes herself as a "general contractor of death." She takes on a new patient, Win, who has a last wish, involving her past which feeds into some regrets Dawn, herself, has tried to stifle. 

Fifteen years prior, Dawn was a grad student involved with an archaeology project in Egypt with Wyatt Armstrong who became more than a coworker, if you know what I mean. Although she is now living in Boston with her husband Brian and teenaged daughter Meret, she has never really stopped thinking of Wyatt, her first love. When she decides to return to Egypt to try to finish some of the work she had left behind, she and Wyatt are reunited and one can guess that things will get complicated.

I certainly learned a lot of Egyptian history and mythology---almost TMI! Words like hieratic, dipinto, and nomarch left me scratching my head. Picoult's story goes back and forth in time and between Land/Egypt and Water/Boston, leaving me confused at times. The title seems doubly appropriate in that Dawn is faced with "two ways" into her future.

Ms. Picoult is a masterful storyteller and so adept at eliciting emotions. I am glad I finished the book. I give it a 4.

The Answer Is....Reflections on My Life by Alex Trebek

 "Curiosity has always been a very important factor in my life---about all subjects. It's a thirst for knowledge. I have a standard motto and it's very short: 'A good education and a kind heart will serve you well throughout your entire life.' The more you know, the more knowledge you acquire, the better off you are in dealing with other people---the more you develop an understanding for other people."

                      -Alex Trebek

After the death of Alex Trebek very recently, I watched a TV documentary and learned a lot about the guy I thought of as just the host of "Jeopardy!" and there is so much more to know! It turns out he is very much a philanthropist and a family man. I requested the book from the library almost as soon as it was released, not really knowing Trebek's death was imminent. It took a while to receive it, showing how popular he is.

An easy and quick read with many photographs, this memoir/autobiography is a delight. Trebek tells of his early years in Canada, his first jobs and working his way through college, his start as a  radio announcer and finally his career as a game show host. I didn't realize he hosted several different ones before "Jeopardy!"---"$128,000 Question," "Battle Stars," "Pitfall," "Double Dare," "Stars on Ice," "High Rollers"---some in Canada and some in the US. At the time of his death, he had hosted "Jeopardy!" for 36 seasons and won numerous awards. 

He relates sweet family stories about his wife and grown children. He shares experiences on "Jeopardy!" with some well-known contestants and some not-so-famous. His charity work is inspiring---travel and work in Africa with World Vision and visiting troops with the USO, not to mention generous donations to many philanthropic efforts. Of course he shares some of his battle with pancreatic cancer, as well.

The title certainly refers to his work on "Jeopardy!" and so does the format of the book. Each of the short chapter titles begin with Who Is..., What Is..., The Answer Is... followed by a hint at the topic. 

"Jeopardy!" is still showing games recorded with Alex through December. It is bittersweet watching the show and realizing he is gone. One can't help but wonder who will replace him as host. Some wonder if it might be Ken Jennings, a charismatic record-setting contestant. 

I enjoyed the book---rating it a 5---and read it quickly so I can pass it on to a close friend who also enjoys the show.  I have considered myself a "Jeopardy!" fan for years and now I have become an Alex Trebek fan! 

2020 Page Turners Book Rankings

Book Rankings 2020

1    Molokai by Alan Brennert  (4.5)

2    News of the World by Paulette Jiles  (4.3)

3    To the Bright Edge of the World by Eowyn Ivey (4.2)

      The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck (4.2)

4    The Winemaker's Wife by Kristin Harmel (4.1)

5    The Alice Network by Kate Quinn (4.0)

6    Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate (3.9)

7    World Without End by Ken Follett (3.8)

8    Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance (3.5)

9    The Feather Thief by Kirk Wallace Johnson (3.2)

10  The True Jesus by David Limbaugh (2.5)

Open House by Katie Sise

 "Sometimes---though she'd never admitted this to anyone---she felt Emma reverberating through her own body like the aftermath of a slap, like the ghost of her sister lived inside her and wanted the truth known."

                         -Haley's thoughts from the novel

Wow! This book held me in its clutches but not for long. I finished it in 3 days. It was advertised as a novel of suspense and it certainly lived up to that billing!

Haley McCullough's older sister has been gone for 10 years, presumed dead although a body has never been found. Haley is still grieving and experiencing anxiety when a discovery of possible evidence is reported, giving her and her parents hope for some closure.

Haley's sister, Emma, vanished from a party in the woods with college friends and in frequent flashbacks she tells her story, revealing little by little what happened to her. So many attendees at the party should have known something about Emma's disappearance but claimed ignorance: best friend Josie, her brother Chris and current husband Noah; Emma's college art professor Priya and her doctor-husband and Haley's current anatomy instructor, Brad; even Haley's fiancé Dean is not above suspicion.

Short chapters, a fast-paced plot, foreshadowing and this reader's constantly changing predictions of who the culprit might be made for quite a page-turner! Literary value, maybe not much. Entertainment value, a rating of 5!

News of the World by Paulette Jiles

 "To comfort himself and slow down his mind he thought of his time as a courier, a runner, and Maria Luisa and his daughters. Maybe life is just carrying news. Surviving to carry the news. Maybe we have just one message, and it is delivered to us when we are born and we are never sure what it says; it may have nothing to do with us personally but it must be carried by hand through a life, all the way, and at the end handed over, sealed.

                         -the Captain's musings from the novel

This book was chosen as a 2020 selection for Page Turners partly because it was available as a Book Bundle (collection of books of the same title) from our public library. Sadly when it came time to read it, COVID19 prevented the distribution of copies. I was able to order a copy from the library but before the print copy arrived, I received the audio version on CDs. I began listening in my car. The narrator is quite good, sounding like the main character, Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, might have spoken. I didn't think I was going to like the book so much but it is historical fiction so I gave it a chance. I ended up enjoying it very much.

The Captain is a 70-something retired soldier and an itinerant reader of the news of the world. He travels around Texas reading to paying audiences. While in Wichita Falls ( North Texas) he is paid to take a 10-year-old girl rescued by the Army from the Kiowa natives back to her aunt and uncle near San Antonio. Johanna Leonberger's parents were killed at the time she was kidnapped and she has been living with the tribe for at least 4 years, long enough to forget her name, the English language and to feel the Kiowa are her only family. She presents quite a challenge for a while until Cho-henna learns to trust the Kep-dun. 

In A Note from the Author, one learns that according to historical records, people taken captive by the natives "became Indian in every way and rarely readjusted when returned to their non-native families. They always wished to return to their adoptive families, even when they had been with their Indian families for less than a year." I found this intriguing.

The author provides a map of the journey which is treacherous with rivers to cross and bad guys to avoid. So the plot is exciting in parts but with some doses of humor along the way. Example: The Captain describes his deceased son-in-law as "too big to be a human being and too small to be a locomotive." In another instance someone describes a couple of brothers who might cause trouble as both "one brick short of a load." Often Johanna's pronunciations of English words would make me smile.

I loved the ending which I shall not reveal. Perhaps you can predict it. I rate the book a 5.

A film version of "News of the World" will have a Christmas release. It stars Tom Hanks as the Captain. I can hardly wait to see it!

More after Page Turners meet...

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We had 17 members at our Zoom meeting, including one new person. News of the World was well-liked with almost all ratings either 4 or 5.  One participant said she would have liked to give it a 6! Our average was 4.3 making it the second highest of the year's 11 books. 

A number of folks enjoyed the humor, as I did. Most agreed the main characters were likeable and the ending was quite satisfying. 

I showed a trailer of the film version and several showed an interest in seeing it together, if possible. I am trying to include the link here.

https://youtu.be/zTZDb_iKooI

Honeysuckle Season by Mary Ellen Taylor

 "Olivia had locked away so many memories over the years that they had tangle together. She feared a tug on one would unravel the entire lot. Confession might be good for the soul, but by her way of thinking, it did little else. Her secret had served a purpose, and if keeping it meant her soul was bound to this earth forever, then so be it."                        -from the novel

Libby McKenzie returns to Bluestone, VA after experiencing a series of profound losses---multiple miscarriages, divorce and the death of her father. She has taken up freelance photography and when she "shoots" a wedding at the Woodmont Estate, a series of mysteries and family secrets begin to be revealed. The estate is now owned by Elaine Grant, a descendant of the wealthy Carter family who is attempting to restore Woodmont to a semblance of its former glory. Included in the renovation is a curious greenhouse overgrown with honeysuckle vines.

There are multiple time settings starting with 1994, then flashing back to the early 1940's and the unlikely friendship of Olivia Carter and Sadie Thompson. The story moves forward again to Libby's story of 2020 but revisits the earlier time frequently. Along with the changes in time, numerous characters are introduced and I found it all a bit confusing at times.

I found Honeysuckle Season satisfying but I can't say I found it memorable or that I loved it so I will give it a 3 rating.

Memorial Drive by Natasha Trethewey

 "Of course, we're made up of what we've forgotten too, what we've tried to bury or suppress. Some forgetting is necessary and the mind works to shield us from things that are too painful; even so, some aspect of trauma lives on in the body, from which it can reemerge unexpectedly. Even when I was trying to bury the past, there were moments from those lost years that kept coming back, rising to mind unbidden."                                  -from the memoir

I was invited to participate in an intergenerational book study of Memorial Drive. A couple of other seniors and I would be reading and discussing the book along with students in the UCF Honors College. The book was chosen by their professor and it was an excellent choice because of the multi-age perspective of the author in her memoir.

Natasha Trethewey identifies as "a child of miscegenation" (a new word for me); her mother was black and her father, white. Her first years were spent in Mississippi where mixed-race marriage was not universally accepted. The family lived near maternal relatives. I especially liked Tasha's grandmother and Aunt Sugar, a feisty lady. When her parents divorced, 6-year-old Tasha and her mother relocated to Atlanta and within the year her mother, Gwen, met a man she would soon marry. Tasha calls him "Big Joe" and doesn't like him from the start.

Early in the book, subtitled A Daughter's Memoir, we know that Tasha's mother was murdered but the who, how and why are revealed little by little and not until the final chapters do we learn details, making it something of a page-turner. The author lost her mother when she was only 19 and spent some 30 years subduing the memory before she decided to return to Memorial Drive in Atlanta, where the tragedy occurred. There she confronted her memories and sought ways of reconnecting with her mother's life while filling in gaps in her own.

Ms. Trethewey has a very lyrical style of writing and uses imagery and figurative language to great affect. It is not surprising to note she is a poet and, in fact, won a Pulitzer for Poetry in 2007 and was the US Poet Laureate from 2012-2013. The order of her story is not chronological, moving back and forth in time, a bit confusing for the reader. It is interesting to note that Natasha's father was a writer and exposed her to the classics and mythology at a very young age and even predicted she "would have to become a writer, that because of the nature of [my] experience I would have something necessary to say."

Although I wished the book had included photographs, the author's descriptions are vivid. On the book jacket, there is a lovely picture of Natasha as a baby with her mother. 

This memoir was poignant, not really entertaining, but thought-provoking and powerfully written. I will rate it a 4.

 

How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi

 "The opposite of 'racist' isn't 'not racist.' It is 'antiracist.' What's the difference? One endorses either the idea of a racial hierarchy as a racist, or racial equality as an antiracist. One either believes problems are rooted in groups of people, as a racist, or locates the roots of problems in power and policies, as an antiracist. One either allows racial inequities to persevere, as a racist, or confronts racial inequities, as an antiracist. There is no in-between safe space of 'not racist.' The claim of 'not racist' neutrality is a mask for racism."               -Ibram X. Kendi, from How to Be an Antiracist

After the death of George Floyd at the hands of police in May brought on a rash of protests and a reenergized Black Lives Matter movement, some of our church members felt compelled to DO something. In the midst of the COVID pandemic, it did not seem safe to be protesting among crowds of people but we could definitely start listening, reading and discussing the racial problems facing our community and nation. We decided to meet once a week to discuss parts of How to Be an Antiracist, which had been a NYT nonfiction bestseller. We read and discussed 2 chapters per week, starting at the end of August. I have learned a great deal from the book so I could easily rate it a 5 for its educational value and the amazing research it took to write. There were parts I thought were wordy and repetitive and others that were intellectually over my head making for arduous reading. There were some very interesting parts where Kendi shares his memories and life experiences, so for entertainment, my rating is 3. Overall I give the book a 4. I am glad I read it. I am not sure I would have finished if it had not been for the stimulating discussions of our group each week.

I felt the quote above which comes near the beginning of the book is a good introduction to Kendi's content. Rather that setting himself up as a know-it-all on this subject, Kendi shares his journey of self-reflection and how he discovered the many racist beliefs he had held. I believe he is asking the reader to do some of this same personal evaluation.

One point that Kendi makes loud and clear is that judging a whole group of people by the actions of individuals is wrong. He wants us to know it is not groups of people that are the problem; the problems lie in unequal power and inequitable and unjust policies. The author stresses it is not enough to say "I am not a racist," we must become "antiracists." This means we must identify racist ideas and policies and stand against them.

It was surprising that there are so many ways in which racism is revealed---power, biology, ethnicity, body, culture, behavior, color, whiteness, blackness, class, gender and sexuality---all treated in separate chapters of the book. I found an interesting summary: "6 Ways to to Be an Antiracist Because Being 'Not Racist' Isn't Enough" by Rebecca Ruiz from the "Amplify" series. Here is the link:

https://mashable.com/article/how-to-be-antiracist/

This Magnificent Dappled Sea by David Biro

 "In all these years, it never failed to amaze him, this magnificent dappled sea of bone marrow, ever regenerating and replenishing itself in an ongoing cycle that made life possible---red cells that carried oxygen to the tissues, white cells that fought off infection, and platelets that made the blood clot."

                      -Dr. Matteo Crespi's thinking, from the novel

I would have never guessed the significance of the title as shown in the quote above. I was thinking---island, sailing, something to do with the ocean. Not even close! An Amazon First Reads selection, the book was a good choice. I finished it in a few days so I'd call it a page-turner. My rating: 4.

In this novel we are introduced to several characters who are suffering in some way. The most central character is Luca Taviano, who at age 9 is diagnosed with leukemia and the prognosis is grim in 1992. He resides with his grandparents in in a small town in Italy. Nina Vocelli becomes Luca's nurse; she is hurting from a romantic rejection and, I believe, low self-esteem partly due to a facial birthmark. The reader then meets Rabbi Joseph Neiman of Brooklyn, NY, who, in his 50's, is having a crisis of faith, feeling he is missing something in his life. Even Luca's grandfather, Nonno, is plagued by guilt from memories of the past and lies he has told. It is heart-warming how some of these folks save others and, in turn, are saved themselves. I loved this quote from the Babylonian Talmud used by Samuel, the rabbi's son, in his bar mitzvah speech: "Whoever destroys a single life is as guilty as if he had destroyed the whole world; and whoever rescues a single life earns as much merit as though he had rescued the entire world."

The plot unfolds when a bone marrow donor is found, leading to research into Luca's background. (Luca's father, Paolo, was adopted but both he and Luca's mother died in a car accident years before.) I will leave it at that...no spoilers!

I was struck by the fact that Rabbi Joseph met regularly with friends, Father Lazzaro and Imam Hussein, for conversation. It reminded me of "Friends talking Faith with the Three Wise Guys" that used to air on Orlando public radio. The friends were a Christian pastor, a rabbi and an imam. 

It was cool that Luca's birthday was March 11, same as mine! For his 10th birthday, he got a horse. I would probably have loved to have a horse when I was 10!

The author is also a medical doctor. It makes sense! Some of the medical jargon was over my head, for sure!

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

 "...in the eyes of the people there is the failure; and in the eyes of the hungry there is a growing wrath. In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage."

                        -from the novel

I selected this novel when someone in our group suggested we should include a classic in this year's list. I thought I had read it years ago but I soon realized I probably had not. I didn't realize the length of the book (464 pages) and I barely was able to finish before the Page Turners met. Whew! I had gotten some negative feedback about the selection of the book so I wasn't very enthused about reading it. As it turned out, I really appreciated the beautiful writing and compelling story. It is easy to see how this classic book is known as a Great American Novel and earned Steinbeck a Pulitzer and contributed to his Nobel Prize for Literature in 1962.

The story is set during the Great Depression in the Oklahoma Dust Bowl and begins with the Joad family loading a truck with family and belongings to move to California. They have been forced from their land and livelihood by drought and bank eviction. The Joad family consists of Ma, Pa, Grandpa, Granma, Uncle John, Noah, Tom (just paroled from prison), Al, Rose of Sharon and her husband Connie, Ruthie and Winfield. It is almost impossible to imagine all those people and their belongings loaded on a truck! The family has seen fliers indicating there are jobs aplenty in California so they have high hopes for the future.

I cannot begin to relate the obstacles the Joads face as they make their way west! Car troubles, mean authorities, deaths, people who would try to cheat them out of the little money they had and deplorable camps called Hoovervilles which are barely livable. 

It is surprising how some of the problems facing the Joads are relatable to people today, particularly immigrants. It was easy to feel empathy for this family but at the same time, I found their determination, resilience, compassion and loyalty so admirable. I am rating The Grapes of Wrath a 4. The author's style is outstanding---realistic dialogue, detailed characterizations and descriptive passages interspersed with the continuing plot that are quite lyrical in nature.

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 Twelve Page Turners met to discuss The Grapes of Wrath. The group's average rating is 4.2, with most participants voting 5's and 4's. A few had read it in their youth and did not remember it fondly and so did not reread it. One of our members said the older she has gotten the more she understands and appreciates the book. Several of us agreed. Some of the comments we heard were: "masterful writing," "depressing," "a clash of classes," "poetic," "hopeful." It was interesting that some found it depressing and others hopeful. We all agreed that many people today, minorities and immigrants, could identify with the Joads. 

One member said, "I read it many years ago and could not bring myself to read it again.  All I can remember is that they were poor and down-trodden at the beginning of the book.  And at the end of the book they were still poor and down-trodden.  What is a book for but to lift you up?  This one, not so much!!"

What do YOU think about that statement? I had a literature professor once who said good literature should teach lessons about life. The Grapes of Wrath certainly qualifies as good literature even though I must agree it is NOT FUN to read!

A few in our group had seen the film based on this novel, some multiple times. Our discussion really makes me want to see the movie! (photos below)

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The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley

 "Everyone lies about their lives. What would happen if you shared the truth instead?  ...maybe telling that story would change your life, or the life of someone you've not yet met."

                           -Julian Jessop, from The Authenticity Project

This novel was highly recommended by a friend and I found it quite delightful. It is cleverly written, a unique format with a story told by several interesting characters in short chapters, making for a real page-turner. There is much humor and a few twists and turns, adding to the entertainment value. 

Julian Jessop, an elderly gentleman, begins writing about his feelings of loneliness and invisibility in a composition book he entitles The Authenticity Project (see quote). He intentionally leaves the book in Monica's Café. Monica finds and reads Julian's story, decides to befriend him and eventually shares her own truths in The Authenticity Project book. As one might predict, the notebook gets passed along until 6 strangers have been connected by it, forming unexpected friendships, even romances along the way, and seemingly improving everyone's lives. Some characters are quirky and all have various real-world problems made easier by revealing the TRUTH. 

In her Acknowledgments, the author admits that this book is very personal for her and stems from her blog-turned-book, The Sober Diaries. She says, "What I discovered is that telling the truth about your life really can work magic and change the lives of many other people for the better." Herein, lies the theme of this novel.

I enjoyed the references to sites in London with which I was familiar: Chelsea and Sloane Square. It's interesting to come across British expressions like sweet shop, car bonnet, mobile phone, pushchair, portaloo and others. Bailey's Irish Cream, mentioned often, is a favorite drink of mine. Also it was quite a coincidence that I read How the Light Gets In by Louise Penny recently and she quoted Leonard Cohen's "Anthem" as Hazard does late in this novel:

"Ring the bells that still can ring

Forget your perfect offering

There is a crack in everything

That's how the light gets in."

Did I mention I REALLY liked this novel? My rating is a 5.

To the Bright Edge of the World by Eowyn Ivey

 "..I think of Allen and know precisely what he would say---nothing is impossible. Take one step, and then another, and see where the path leads. Don't think of the obstacles, only the way around them."

               -from Sophie's diary

I finished this book club selection late and did not have time to post prior to the meeting. So I will simply include notes from today's meeting at one sitting. I shared with the group that I had read the wrong book last week which did not give me as much time to read this one. Silly me! A few weeks ago I received an offer from Amazon for a free or very inexpensive copy of a book set in Alaska, Toward the Midnight Sun. Thinking it was our September selection, I was thrilled and downloaded it to my Kindle. It was not until I finished and looked for discussion questions and reviews of the correct book that I realized the author was female and Toward the Midnight Sun had a male author. Of course, I had to quickly pay for the right eBook and start reading pronto!

I enjoyed the story and rated the book a 4. I didn't really see it as a page-turner but I found some of it compelling and all of it very unique and creatively constructed. I learned (or relearned) the word epistolary, meaning written by means of mostly letters and journal entries. There are two correspondences telling the story, one between newlyweds---Lt. Colonel Allen Forrester and wife Sophie---separated by the his expedition into the Alaska territory in 1894. The other was between Walt Forrester, the great-nephew of the colonel, writing to Josh Sloan of the Alpine Historical Museum in Alpine, Alaska, to offer journals and artifacts inherited from his great-uncle. That second set of letters were from a current time.

One member of our group said he resisted reading To the Bright Edge... because he really doesn't like epistolary novels but he ended up reading it in 2 days and rated it a 5! With all ratings between 3 and 5, no one really disliked the novel; the average was 4.2. In the discussion questions offered by the publisher, we agreed the genre was hard to pin down. Call it a mixture of historical fiction, adventure and love story. In Acknowledgments, the author says the novel was inspired by the real-life journey into Alaska by Lt. Henry T. Allen. The author lives in Alaska which obviously gave her a bit of advantage in her descriptions and research.

The magical realism involved in the story was intriguing, if weird. There was the Old Man, aka The Man Who Flies, that seemed to appear out of nowhere and probably took the form of a raven at times. Samuelson, one of Forrester's crew, said he was "devil and angel in one." A baby born of a tree, women who took the form of geese and a lake monster added mystery and excitement to the adventure. The raven, known as a harbinger of death, made frequent appearances throughout.

Parts of the book brought back memories of my two trips to Alaska, though my husband and I traveled by cruise line. I am thankful not to have suffered the torturous journey of the Forrester expedition. The crew saw the Aurora Borealis which we were not fortunate to catch. I remembered standing on a glacier and thinking what a beautiful blue color we saw in the crevasses. In the novel another crew member, Pruitt, said he saw in it the "hues of cold itself." The crew had a problem with mosquitoes at one point; while we were there someone told us the mosquito is the national bird of Alaska! 😀

I enjoyed Sophie's writing most, I think. I enjoy watching birds and especially love hummingbirds, as did Sophie. Her passion for photography was interesting, too. I had much to learn.

This book's structure reminded me of a piece of juvenile fiction I read years ago when I was teaching: Regarding the Fountain, A Tale in Letters, of Liars and Leaks, by Kate Klise. It was also epistolary: the whole story told in letters, postcards, memos, advertisements, classroom chalkboard writing. I found it so creative and enjoyable.

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Photos show the two books---the right one and the wrong one. Check out the authors' names.

Also the Rufous hummingbird, a favorite of Sophie

 

          

Toward the Midnight Sun by Eoin Dempsey

 "All talk was of the gold, or 'the color,' as those who boasted of having more experience had taken to calling it....It had overtaken all else in the minds of the men and women gathered here. There was nothing else now. It was their hope. It was the light at the end of the dark tunnel their lives had become. They had forsaken everything for its promise."

                      -from the novel

I actually read this book by accident! How? you may ask. I will explain in a later post.

The novel takes place over about 3 years time---1897 to 1900---and revolves around the Klondike gold rush. Anna Denton's father has been offered a "bride price" for her hand in marriage by a rich man known as the King of the Klondike. She is willing to marry Henry Bradwell, a man she doesn't know who is 30 years her senior in order to save her family financially. Starting in Seattle, she must make a long and treacherous trip to reach Dawson City in the Yukon Territory near the Canada/Alaska border. Chaperones have been hired by her prospective husband to get her there safely. 

On a boat to Skagway, Anna meets William Leary and Silas Oliver, a couple of friendly young men who are on their way to find gold and make their fortune. As luck would have it, the hired chaperones show they cannot be trusted and Will insists that he and Silas will get Anna to Dawson safely.

After a tedious journey, they do arrive in Dawson where Anna meets her fiancé. I felt the rest of the story was somewhat predictable although it did get rather exciting in spots. I rated this book a 3---good but not great!

I didn't realize until reading about the author that I had read another by him, White Rose, Black Forest, an historical fiction set in WWII Germany which I rated a 5. I guess it was just a more compelling story.

The Huntress by Kate Quinn

"But where was there to go in this world that had taken everything she loved? This world of hunting wolves. She used to be the hunter, and now she was the prey."
                       -from the Prologue of the novel

After reading The Alice Network and enjoying it very much, I saw that the author had written a more recent novel, this one, The Huntress. It was another engrossing historical fiction.

The author weaves 3 stories into one. All take place before, during or after WWII. Jordan McBride is introduced first, age 17 in 1946, and an aspiring photographer in Boston. Ian Graham is living in Cologne, Germany, 1950, when the reader first meets him. He is a British war correspondent who carries some emotional wounds from the traumas he's seen and is working at tracking down Nazi war criminals, along with his American partner, Tony Rodomovsky. Nina Markova's story begins in Siberia before the war and continues into it as she becomes a Russian pilot and a member of the all-female night bomber regiment feared by the Germans who called them Night Witches.

Lastly, die Jagerin, the Huntress, is our antagonist. She is a Nazi guilty of heinous crimes who has, for all intents and purposes, disappeared. Both Ian and Nina have intense personal reasons to want her caught and punished. So the Huntress becomes the hunted, as the quote intimates.

Nina was maybe the most interesting character to me, with her misunderstanding of English and curses in Russian, she adds some humor to a serious story. She rose above a tragic family life and developed a passion for flying. She was fearless (except for one admitted fear, which I will keep to myself) and tenacious in a loveable sort of way. She reminded me of the women of the Alice Network.

Ms. Quinn provides much insight in the Author's Note where she describes her research (considerable!) and which characters are actual historical figures and who the fictional characters were based on. I found it fascinating.

My only complaint about the book is that many sections divided between Jordan, Ian and Nina end with cliffhangers, making you want to know more immediately but you must wait through the next two sections to find out what happened! Frustrating but making for a real page-turner! I will rate The Huntress a 5, an exciting and entertaining read!

Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson

""Each of us is more than the worst thing we've ever done. My work with the poor and the incarcerated has persuaded me that the opposite of poverty is not wealth; the opposite of poverty is justice. Finally, I've come to believe that the true measure of our commitment to justice, the character of our society, our commitment to the rule of law, fairness, and equality cannot be measured by how we treat the rich, the powerful, the privileged, and the respected among us. The true measure of our character is how we treat the poor, the disfavored, the accused, the incarcerated, and the condemned."
            -Bryan Stevenson, from Just Mercy

When folks in our church started talking about the racial unrest in our nation and wondering what our approach should be, it was suggested we form a study/discussion group to learn more. While such a group was being thought out and plans were being made, it came to my attention that the film "Just Mercy" was being shown at no charge for a limited time. I watched the movie and was absolutely fascinated and appalled at the same time. I quickly learned the film was based on a book by the same name and, of course, I ordered it from the library.

Just Mercy has the subtitle "A Story of Justice and Redemption" and that is exactly what it is. It is a gripping story of a young black Harvard-educated lawyer who takes as one of his first clients a man who has been on Alabama's death row for 6 years. Walter McMillan had been falsely accused, wrongfully convicted, and unfairly sentenced. Finally, he found in Bryan Stevenson a lawyer who believed in him and would fight tooth and nail to get him freed.

Bryan started a non-profit called the Equal Justice Initiative, EJI. Walter McMillan's story is the featured case in the book, and the one documented in the movie, but EJI reaches out to try to help women and youth who have been excessively sentenced, particularly to life in prison. These stories were fascinating, as well, and not included in the film.
[From EJI's website:
Founded in 1989 by Bryan Stevenson, a widely acclaimed public interest lawyer and bestselling author of Just Mercy, EJI is a private, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides legal representation to people who have been illegally convicted, unfairly sentenced, or abused in state jails and prisons. We challenge the death penalty and excessive punishment and we provide re-entry assistance to formerly incarcerated people.]

It was ironic that the people of Monroeville, AL, where McMillan's alleged crime took place, were very proud to be the setting of the classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird, a novel about a black man falsely accused of rape.

This nonfiction reads more like fiction---for me a real page-turner, rating a 5! It even had some humor mixed in with all the emotional intensity. I laughed aloud at the part where Bryan meets activist Rosa Parks for the first time and is asked about his work. After he describes what he does at length, she says, "Ooooh, honey, all that's going to make you tired, tired, tired."

I am so impressed with Bryan Stevenson's work demonstrated so well in Just Mercy. He is my new SUPERHERO!

The Master Butchers Singing Club by Louis Erdrich

"Now as Delphine woke again to that rapid knocking, she knew that Fidelis was hiding his illness. Time was an army marching like the butchers onto the stage. Time was a singing club whose music was smoke and ash."
              -from the novel

I didn't remember having read another novel by this author until I had almost finished this one. Our book club read The Painted Drum in 2012 and rated it 3.4. After a few chapters I checked Goodreads and found this novel had a solid 4 rating so, even though I wasn't captivated, I decided to give it a chance.

Fidelis Waldvogel returns to his hometown after WWI and marries Eva Kalb, who had been engaged to his friend who died in the war and is pregnant with his child. They shortly emigrate to the US and settle in Argus, North Dakota. Fidelis continues his father's trade as a butcher. He and Eva raise 4 sons.

Delphine Watzka and Cyprian Lazarre meet doing small theater and take a balancing act on the road. They end up in Argus where her father is the town drunk. Delphine and Eva become close friends and, in fact, Delphine ends up working in the Waldvogel butcher shop.

The plot is rather complicated and confusing with stories of murder, Delphine's friend Clarisse, the Waldvogel sons and a mysterious character called Step-and-a-Half. None of these subplots are very satisfying and, in fact, quite frustrating for this reader. I kept wondering about the singing club of the title, as it was rarely mentioned.

The Master Butchers Singing Club was definitely not a page-turner although it did have the redeeming quality of the author's lyrical style and powers of description. It was interesting to read the author's inspiration for the novel in her interview. I am rating the book a 3 and I feel I am being generous, at that. I may very well read another by this author but it will be a while.

Cleo McDougal Regrets Nothing by Allison Winn Scotch

"Cleo McDougal is not a good person. She does good, yes, but doing good and being good aren't the same thing, now are they? In fact, her whole life, Cleo McDougal has been a cheater. She cheated in high school, on the debate team, on the school paper, for a summer internship, and from there it only got worse."
      -MaryAnne Newman, former best friend of Cleo, in a Seattle newspaper op-ed

Cleo McDougal is the proverbial over-achiever. Orphaned as a teenager, she manages to finish college, and as an unwed single mother, makes a name for herself in law school. She has been elected to the U.S. Senate from New York and is seriously considering a run for president. Out of the blue someone from her past writes an extremely unflattering op-ed, excerpted above. And the piece goes viral on social media.

Campaign manager and trusted friend Gaby devises a way to try and salvage her reputation. It turns out Cleo has a list of regrets---233, to be exact. Even though their campaign slogan is Only Forward, Gaby decides Cleo will do well to show her desire to make up for past mistakes. Cleo agrees reluctantly and they begin with a recorded face-to-face apology to MaryAnne Newman for the way Cleo treated her in high school. This does NOT go well! A confrontation with a former professor has mixed results. And the final regret she must tackle is the hardest of all!

It was a bit ironic that as I was near the end of the book I saw a TV commercial for a nutritional supplement beverage and the actor says, "I don't hold on to regrets."

Cleo reminded me in a way of Bridget Jones, with a similar sassy sense of humor, but with super intelligence. The novel offers some insight into the D.C. political scene, probably more amusing than educational. Cleo's 14-year-old son provides some typical teenage techno-savvy and wit. I am rating Cleo McDougal Regrets Nothing a 4; I found it very entertaining!

How the Light Gets In by Louise Penny

"Ring the bells that still can ring,
Forget your perfect offering,
There is a crack, a crack in everything.
That's how the light gets in."   
   -Leonard Cohen, excerpt from "Anthem"

There is an interesting story as to how I came to read this book, not too long I hope. Someone loaned me the novel months ago---I don't remember who. That was after we read Glass Houses by this author in October, 2019. I didn't particularly enjoy Glass Houses so this one was gathering dust on a shelf for a while. Only a few months ago I heard a portion of Leonard Cohen's "Anthem" used as a TV commercial and became intrigued enough to look up the lyrics. I liked it so much I posted it to Facebook. When I rediscovered How the Light Gets In on the bookshelf, I was quite curious as to how the author chose her title. Plus over a period of time, several of my book-loving friends have mentioned Louise Penny as a favorite author. So there you go...That's the story.

At first I wasn't sure I was going to like this novel any more than the first I read by Penny. She apparently has written 9 or more in the series involving Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Surete du Quebec. Obviously folks who have read several would be much more familiar with the fictional Canadian small town of Three Pines and the many characters who populate it. So I was often confused but also became intrigued by the unfolding mystery (ies).

There are at least 3 plots interwoven to make a complex story. First, the investigation of a murder of the last of the world-famous Ouellet Quints (the idea borrowed by the author from the actual celebrated Dionne quintuplets born in Ontario in 1934). Secondly, people in the Surete du Quebec are seemingly out to get Gamache. And underlying the plot against Gamache some very serious, even dangerous,  government corruption is discovered. A lot going on here, you might say, and quite a few secondary characters to keep track of.

I will rate it a 4; I liked it well enough to give Penny another chance. If I come to be a fan, I won't run out of her novels any time soon!

Honolulu by Alan Brennert

"I have traveled far from the land of my birth, and even farther from who I was then. More than forty years and four thousand miles separate us: the girl of sixteen who took that first unwitting step forward, and the woman in her sixtieth year who now, in sight of the vast Pacific, presumes to memorialize this journey in mere words. It is a journey measured not in time or distance, but in the breadth of one's soul and the struggle of becoming.
                  -Jin, from the novel

I think I must be in my Hawaii phase of reading---3 books by Alan Brennert set primarily in the islands in the last 2 months. This is my favorite; I'll give it a 5.

The story is narrated by Regrettable, who changes her name to Jin or Gem during the course of the story. The quote above gives hints of both setting and theme. As a young lady in Korea, who because of cultural restraints cannot go to school or aspire to much beyond the walls of her home, she feels little hope for her future. But then, along with some friends, she becomes a "picture bride" to a man in Hawaii and emigrates with great expectations of a new and better life. I had heard of "mail-order brides" during the Westward Expansion of America but never "picture brides." This referred specifically to Asian women being recruited to marry lonely Korean men in Hawaii.

As Jin was learning American/Hawaiian culture, she was teaching me Korean culture of which I knew practically nothing. At times this was quite humorous, especially when she became friends with May Thompson, a tough-talking prostitute in Honolulu. Though I have little in common with Jin, it was easy to empathize with her. It is somewhat surprising how well Brennert tells a woman's story. He is quite adept in his development of other characters, too. His research is amazingly thorough as evidenced in the Author's Note. It was fascinating to read which characters were based on actual people.

After reading James Michener's Hawaii a few years ago, I knew a good bit of Hawaiian history but I learned more in this fiction piece. I knew Hawaii was quite a melting pot but I didn't realize how many nations were represented in the working population. I was surprised that there were historic events a little too reminiscent of current troubles: the Spanish flu in 1920---compare to COVID 19---and racial injustice---Black Lives Matter. The racial turmoil sadly affected someone close to Jin. The situation reminded me of the false arrest and horrid mistreatment of the "Groveland Boys" of Lake County, Florida. (See Devil in the Grove by Gilbert King)

Honolulu was a page-turner for me. I found it both educational and entertaining.

The Alice Network by Kate Quinn

"There are two kinds of flowers when it comes to women. The kind that sit safe in a beautiful vase, or the kind that survive in any conditions...even in evil...Which are you?"

              -Eve to Charlie, from the novel

This is the third novel about the French resistance that I have read in a few months but they have all been different enough to keep my interest. This one was more related to WWI than the other two. I found it very engaging----quite the page-turner especially toward the end. My rating is a 4.

Nineteen-year-old Charlotte "Charlie" St. Claire, with her mother accompanying her, is on her way to Switzerland to have an abortion in 1947.  While they are in Southampton, England awaiting passage to France, Charlie who has been obsessed with finding her missing French cousin, Rose, takes off to London to find a woman named Evelyn Gardiner, who may know something of how Rose disappeared during WWII. This begins a huge adventure as Charlie takes off with the drunken, crotchety ex-spy Evelyn, called Eve, and her driver, Finn, a hot-tempered but charming ex-convict Scotsman, to parts of France searching for Rose. Eventually their quest would include hunting down a cruel man named Rene from Eve's past on whom she has long-dreamed of taking revenge.

In this dual timeline novel, one learns of the Alice Network, a spy-ring of mostly women who worked against the Germans when they occupied northwestern France in WWI (1915-19) including Eve's part in that mission. In the Author's Note, Ms. Quinn tells of the actual women who were a part of the network, like heroine Louise de Bettignies, and distinguishes historical characters from the ones she invented. The second timeline, of course, is a couple of months in 1947, telling Charlie's story. 

I felt the characters were very well-drawn to the point where I could really like them (like Charlie) or purely hate them (like Rene)! All the main characters---Eve, Charlie and Finn---all undergo some personality changes in the course of those two months. The Epilogue then extends the story. 

I got very curious about the car Finn was driving on the road trip, a Lagonda LG6, a British made vehicle I had never heard of. I am attaching a picture. Hopefully the one Charlie, Eve and Finn were riding in was NOT a 2-seater!

This novel is our July selection for Page Turners. We will meet in a couple of weeks to discuss it. More then....

When our group met via Zoom, we had a great discussion. Several of our deeper-thinking members had surprising insights into the events and characters in the story. The discussion varied from emotional damages of war to changes in the roles of women. Most of us had not heard of the massacre at Oradours-sur-Glane. No one disliked the book with ratings of 3-5---an average 4.0. Most agreed the book was very well-written and some said it was hard to put it down. We could agree there were a number of coincidences but found we could "suspend our disbelief" and engage in the plot. It seemed we liked the protagonists but thought Rene Bordelon pretty much got what he deserved, although maybe should have suffered more!

We appreciated the Author's Note where she surprised us with the identity of a few actual historical figures mixed in with her fictional ones. I believe a few of us will look for other novels by this author.

Searching for Sunday by Rachel Held Evans

"...Sunday morning sneaks up on us---like dawn, like resurrection, like the sun that rises a ribbon at a time. We expect triumphant entry, but as always, God surprises us by showing up in ordinary things: in bread, in wine, in water, in words, in sickness, in healing, in death, in a manger of hay, in a mother's womb, in an empty tomb. Church isn't some community you join or some place you arrive. Church is what happens when someone taps you on the shoulder and whispers in your ear, Pay attention, this is holy ground; God is here."
                    -from Searching for Sunday, the Epilogue

What a delightful and inspiring book! A 5, for sure! I read another by Rachel Held Evans a few years ago, A Year of Biblical Womanhood which was humorous and thought-provoking and very entertaining. I was reminded of her when she was mentioned in our Sunday school text along with the title of this book. It said Evans has been called a "prophet, a saint and a holy troublemaker" because of her daring to exhibit her doubts and questioning throughout her Christian faith journey. Some have compared her to Woman Wisdom in the book of Proverbs.

Evans shared so many profound ideas and striking thoughts, I had a difficult time deciding on a quote to feature. Although she eventually found herself in the Episcopal Church and I am Presbyterian, I often agreed with her liberal thoughts. I could NOT agree with her enthusiasm for University of Alabama football, however! 😃 (I am an Auburn fan!)

Sadly, Rachel Held Evans died when she was only 37. I can only imagine how much more beautiful writing she could have done and how many more lives she could have affected had she lived to an old age!  She was a blogger and public speaker as well as an author. I will be searching for any of her work for future reading and maybe I can even find YouTube talks, if I am lucky.

The Feather Thief by Kirk Wallace Johnson

"I can't agree with you in thinking that Zoology is best advanced by collectors of the kind you employ....No doubt they answer admirably the purpose of stocking a Museum; but they unstock the world---and that is a terrible consideration."
            -Alfred Newton, Cambridge professor, to former student, Walter Rothschild

I am not sure if I ever would have read this book, much less chosen it for our book club, except it was highly recommended by a member. First, I don't often select non-fiction; second, I didn't know the author; and finally, who ever heard of stealing feathers? But the book was described as "true crime," which I do enjoy sometimes. Even after reading the prologue I wasn't totally sure the book was to my taste but it didn't take long to be drawn into this unique story. And did I ever learn a lot about the feather trade! Really more than I wanted to know since I am an animal-lover and the author told of countless birds losing their lives in pursuit of their beautiful feathers. I will rate the book a 4; I liked it in spite of myself!

The author first hears of Edwin Rist from a fly-fishing guide and the more he learns, the more obsessed he becomes. Rist, a young and talented flautist, had robbed the British National History Museum of over 299 rare and valuable dead birds. WHY? you may ask. Answer: to make loads of money catering to the cult of men seemingly addicted to the hobby of Victorian salmon fly-tying. So, you've never heard of that? Neither had I.

Aside from learning of Rist's heist of birds, the reader learns about Alfred Russell Wallace, " a British naturalist, explorer, geographer, anthropologist, biologist and illustrator. He is best known for independently conceiving the theory of evolution through natural selection; his paper on the subject was jointly published with some of Charles Darwin's writings in 1858." (from Wikipedia)  I had the feeling Mr. Johnson came to have great respect for Wallace who had become known as the father of biogeography. Many of his specimens were among the ones stolen by Rist at a great loss to ornithologists.

I also learned about Walter Rothschild who had a bird obsession of his own and acquired the largest zoological collection ever amassed by a private individual, so large it required its own museum. [See the quote] Rothchild died in 1937 and his collection is now housed at the Walter Rothschild Zoological Museum at Tring, a division of the British Natural History Museum and the site of the bird heist. 

Much of the book is about Mr. Johnson's efforts to find the bird specimens that were not recovered by the authorities after the arrest and prosecution of Edwin Rist. The author is a self-described "refugee advocate moonlighting as an amateur bird heist investigator."

I was quite familiar with the "feather fever" of the late 1800's in which the snowy egret of Florida almost became extinct due to the demand for feathers to adorn ladies' hats. The founding of the Audubon Society in 1905 came about partly as a protest to this fad. The book touches on feathers for fashion before going into, at greater length, the equally horrible mania of Victorian salmon fly-tying, which requires feathers of exotic, rare and even endangered species of birds. 

I can't help but wonder how much of this insanity...and illegality... is still going on today! 
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More after our meeting...
Several of the Page Turners met via Zoom to discuss The Feather Thief. One of my first questions was to find out how many had ever heard of Victorian salmon fly-tying. I was surprised several folks were familiar with it. Not everyone liked the book as much as I did. The average rating was 3.2 with no 5's and a single rating of 1, which is very rare. I think we agreed that the book is important if it has brought more attention to this underground feather trade. Most of us were put off by reading about the killing of so many birds but then everyone should be! Many of our group were glad we read the book as it taught us so much. 
I shared some photos I found and collected since some of us read the book in electronic form and did not have the beautiful colored pictures displayed in the hardcopy. There are a couple of interviews with the author to be found on YouTube; it was interesting to hear how he became motivated to 
pursue this story.

 
 
 

Examples of Victorian salmon flies