Karyn’s Comments (group member since Apr 09, 2020)

Karyn’s comments from the Pelion Branch Library - Spine Crackers Book Club group.

How did this book make you feel? Did you like it?

How realistic did this book come across? Could you believe this would happen?

Were you engaged with the story from the get go or was it more of a slow burn read?

Many of reviews of The Dutch House have compared the story to a fairytale: abandoned children, a creepy old house, and evil stepmother…is this a fair comparison? If The Dutch House does have fairytale elements, what purpose does that serve in the story?

. The Ernest Hemingway we meet in The Paris Wife --- through Hadley's eyes --- is in many ways different from the ways we imagine him when faced with the largeness of his later persona. What do you see as his character strengths? Can you see what Hadley saw in him?

How did you feel about this book?

Unlike castes, class can change with marriage, money, employment, etc. How have you witnessed class changes in your own life?

I finished yesterday. The pace picks up shortly after that.

This book revisits Whistle Stop from Fried Green Tomatoes. How do the books compare? Did you enjoy finding out more about those characters or did you like the way it was left originally?

In this book the main character is Blue and therefore subjected to predjudice. How did you react to this?

This book is positioned as the Grapes of Wrath as our time. Why do you think there was such a huge push to proclaim this as the next great literary novel? Do you think it was warranted?

Why did the author choose the title Educated?

Did you like this memoir? Could you relate to the Author?

This book is the inspiration for the holiday classic It's a Wonderful Life. Do you think that the movie did the book justice?

I will actually start reading this today, but I have looked over the chapters and there are a few that stand out. I guess I'll see if what I think will be my favorite will stand up, or if there will be surprises.

I am really excited about Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. This book is a nice homage to gothic novels of the 1960's with a little magical realism thrown in. It really describes Mexico in a way I have never thought of. It made me want to learn more about the region. As a plus there is a really nice book club kit complete with a musical playlist, letter from the author and lots of background information. I hope the group gives this book a chance.

Dan wrote: "Since we like to go local on occasion in our selections I recently came across Bootlegger's Daughter by Margaret Maron, which might be of interest. That's quite a cover..."

I checked and we have 3 books and one e-audio in the system. I like the description so if the group wants to I think it would be a great book club book!

Storytelling is an important feature of this book. What is the function of the Storytelling? How does Johnathon fit into it?

After finishing this book I am absorbing all I read. Is it a supernatural tale or a more simple mystery? Bess's seeing eye, Quietly the Ferryman, and in the end the river itself are all a bit other-worldly. Did you prefer the mystery or the magic? What other mystical elements did you find?

I just started this book and I am loving it. How do you feel about the setting of the book? What role does the river play? How does the Swan affect the story?