The Story of Beautiful Girl by Rachel Simon

From the Timely and Timeless book discussion group on October 22, 2013

The Story of Beautiful Girl was a very worthwhile read for all of us. Though this is a work of fiction, it seems to fairly represent (from our memories and personal observations) a general atmosphere in the 50's and 60's about how the US treated people with mental and other disabilities. It was not always easy to read about the conditions in these places including abuse, misunderstanding, lack of learning opportunities and general deprivation.. The story kept our interest by luring us into hoping that the characters of Lynnie and Homan would be able to pull through their challenges and somehow be the proverbial Phoenixes who rise up. In the 1960's there were 500,000 people living in institutions across the US. This work does not represent the best, nor does it represent the worst of these institutions. But, the reality of parents warehousing imperfect children to avoid the stimulus attached to their child's condition is unthinkable to most of us in today's culture. At the time though, the medical profession encouraged it and painted a rosy picture of the care these children might receive and parents were convinced that it was the best solution for their child and for their families.

We agreed that while a lot of elements in the story line were far-fetched, they provided a platform for the characters to face challenges and to grow. There are central elements of symbolism that served to guide the characters through their lives. This is a long term love story and a story of hope and perseverance. Our group today rated the book overall at 4.8/5.

Thanks Linda for the pick.

COMING UP

Catherine the Great by Robert Massie - Tuesday, November 26 at Maria's at noon

Reading this book is an interesting look into the history of the 1700's when Sophia, a 14 year old minor Prussian princess was brought to Russia to become the wife of the heir apparent to succeed his Aunt (the Empress), Elizabeth. Once in Russia, Elizabeth renamed Sophia to Catherine. This extensive biography details the young girl's life before coming to court while Elizabeth was still on the throne and through her ultimate ascendency to the throne. She was well read and a proponent of Enlightenment which was a new concept of fair minded rules for governments and society in the mid 1700's. The realities of recent history dating back over the last hundred years is a stark contrast to the direction Catherine envisioned for her adopted country. It is a fascinating and detailed book. Be prepared to be immersed in life at court in Russia and the relations with her advisors, lovers and with Russia's European neighbors. 

 

This book is one of a series of biographies of Russians including Peter the Great and the Romanovs. Massie's work has been highly praised by historical biography critics for his thoroughness and for the books' readability.

Planning Meeting for 2014 - Tuesday, December 10, at the Brownstone at noon.

This is our annual celebration of the books we read in the past and of the books we will read in the coming year. Members are asked to submit titles for consideration at this meeting. We will discuss the options and each of us will make our selection - one per person - for the coming year. The library has a list of suggestions of books that are available from a central source (rather than using the inter-library-loan system.) I'll have these materials available for the November and December meetings.

Last year we started with a huge list of titles and the process of discussing the books helped to hone in on titles that might appeal to all of us. Our selections should be either classic works ("Timeless") or more current works ("Timely"). Keep in mind that we will probably not be able to get the most recently published books through the library.

Follow the River by James Alexander Thom - January 28 - location to be determined

In preparation for 2014, the first selection was chosen so that the library would have a title for the Newsletter published in December. This was a consensus pick. Here is part of the description found on Amazon.com about the book:

"Mary Ingles was twenty-three, married, and pregnant, when Shawnee Indians invaded her peaceful Virginia settlement, killed the men and women, then took her captive. For months, she lived with them, unbroken, until she escaped, and followed a thousand mile trail to freedom--an extraordinary story of a pioneer woman who risked her life to return to her people."

--Susan

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

From the Timely and Timeless book discussion group on September 24, 2013.

We rated this book with a 4.5 out of 5 on 8 votes.  While primarily a children's book author, Ms Collins wrote this book, and the two following it in the series, for a teenage audience.  But it is also a favorite of adults.  This story introduces us to Katness Everdeen, a sixteen year old girl, who because of the death of her father and the ensuing severe depression of her mother, must assume the role of provider for the family.  She is devoted to her younger sister, Prim, and Katness makes choices throughout the book in an effort to protect her and their mother from harm and hunger.  The book is filled with characters who are written with diverse personalities and goals.  A romantic triangle between Katness, Gale, her hunting partner, and Peeta, a school friend and fellow "Tribute," forms one of the plotlines in the book.  The challenges faced in the Hunger Games arena are at times horrifying and at other times we see humanity and caring that q    makes us to believe in the heroes.  The story is filled with subplots and differing agendas.  It is a captivating read.

Those in our group who have not read the two following books (The Mockingjay and Catching Fire) showed interest in continuing on with the series.  The Hunger Games is another departure from some of our personally favorite genres.  And though this is a well know series, it might never have found its way onto some of our shelves if it had not been on our agenda.  So, thank you to Starr for selecting the book. 

COMING UP

The Story of Beautiful Girl by Rachel Simon.

This is Ms. Simon's sixth book.  This is an excerpt from her essay on creating the story of "Beautiful Girl":

When The Story of Beautiful Girl came out, I kept getting asked two questions. Why was I drawn to writing disability-themed literature? And was it hard to write from the point of view of characters with disabilities?

My answer to the first question begins with this basic fact: for one month every year, I am a twin.

My sister Beth, who has an intellectual disability, was born eleven months after me. So every year when I visit her for her birthday, the first thing we both say is, "Now we’re twins!" And for the next thirty days, as she gleefully moves through her days wearing the Tweety Bird shirts and using the Scooby Doo stickers I bought for her big celebration, we are indeed twins. Then my birthday rolls around, and when I visit her for that admittedly more secondary occasion, and she thrusts dozens of handmade cards at me, all of which express her happiness at my coming to see her, the first thing we both say is, "Now we’re not twins."

The story starts out in the remote farmhouse of an elder widow who lives alone.  A young woman and man show up one evening during a large storm wearing thin, worn clothes and looking very desperate.  Warily she takes them in and makes several astounding discoveries.  This book tackles societal issues in how people with developmental and physical challenges have been treated and how many still manage to grow into their lives. 

Catherine the Great by Robert Massie on November 26th at Maria's at noon.

This is a very readable biography of this fascinating woman.  It is interesting to read about the royal connections between nations through this period of time. Born as a minor Prussian (German) Princess, her name was changed when she arrived at the court if Elizabeth II from Sophia to Catherine.  She was an intelligent, well read, well educated and independent woman who ultimately brought the Russian throne to great power in the world.  Being a woman, she broke the mold of what was expected.  She was ambitions and used all of her considerable powers to expand the Russian Empire.  She could be ruthless or charming, and she had voracious appetites.  Though her marriage to the King, a weak child-man, ended with his murder, she took several lovers.  She is described as a "serial monogamist."

 

Meticulously, dramatically rendered.

--O: The Oprah Magazine
 

Reads like an epic Russian novel

--San Antonio Express-News

Will transport history lovers.

--People

Join the discussion for more interesting twists and turns in her life and reign.

 

--Susan