Orphan Train: A Novel by Christina Baker Kline

On Saturday, March 1, we converged on Marcia's fine home in Smithville for our monthly meeting. Our gracious host served us a filling brunch of egg casserole, fresh fruit and sweet Irish oatmeal. In the company of good friends, both the conversation and time quickly flew!

Summary:
Molly is a current day foster child struggling to survive the tumultous journeys from one foster home and town to the next one.  Vivian is an elderly lady living alone with only her memories to keep her company in a giant old home across town.  These two women forge an unlikely friendship which will bring answers and ultimately the healing they both desire.

Comments:
The orphan train transported a reported 200,000 children from the East Coast to the Midwest between 1854 and 1929.  This part of our American history was unknown to a few of our readers. The reality of this heartbreaking time provided for an interesting storyline. The author wove into the storyline the lesson of portaging, especially in relation to the Wabanakis Indians, a part of Molly's heritage.  The act of traveling light and leaving some things behind was well understood by the orphans, Vivian and Molly. "Nothing encumbered movement more than fear, which was often the most difficult burden to surrender." (p. 5 - Kindle)

Vivian was one of those orphans transported from New York City to Minnesota.  Her story was not a happy one, but she managed to rise above the tragedies of her youth.  Despite her outward successes in her life, even in her nineties Vivian was still haunted by those loved ones whom she had lost.

Molly was the modern day version of Vivian - an orphan shuttled from home to home who loved to read and buried her pain in order to survive in the harsh reality of her world. The tough exterior marked by Goth makeup hid the vulnerable and hurting child inside her.  Molly was fascinated by Vivian's story and felt a connection to her which inspired her to seek the truth in both Vivian's and her own life.  "You can't find peace until you find all the pieces.  She wants to help Vivian find some kind of peace, elusive and fleeting as it may be." (p. 177 - Kindle)

Brenda noted a disturbing trend in this novel: the majority of the female minor characters were portrayed as mean-spirited and vindictive.  Conversely, their male counterparts were portrayed as weak, passive men who merely helplessly shrugged as they witnessed first-hand the cruel words and actions those women displayed towards Vivian and Molly.

When we completed our discussion time together we all readily accepted Marcia's invitation to tour the old Burleson Mansion there in town where her husband was working (thanks again, Marcia!!)  In a twist of fate, a lady who was there at the time perusing some of the antiques and collectables to purchase, heard what book we had just finished discussing, and she shared with us the story of her own father and his siblings who had been orphan riders on the train.  Fascinating story which added another rich layer of truth to this period of time in America.  And as a side note, if you have a little bit of cash stashed under your mattress, you might want to consider purchasing this beautiful home since it's on the market!

Memorable Quotes:
"...the people who matter in our lives stay with us, haunting our most ordinary moments. They're with us in the grocery store, as we turn a corner, chat with a friend. They rise up through the pavement; we absorb them through our soles." (p. 176 - Kindle)

"Time constricts and flattens, you know. It's not evenly weighted. Certain moments linger in the mind and others disappear." (p. 176 - Kindle)

FAB Rating: **** (4 out of 5 stars)
Although the story was a bit predictable, overall it still provided a compelling read.  Some of us had trouble connecting with the two main characters, although we agreed that Molly's character was true to life for a lot of young women.

Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President by Candice Millard

On Wednesday, January 29, our entire group converged upon Diana’s home for an early February book discussion.  With an abundant Meyer lemons crop this year, Diana prepared some lemony delicious dishes including a dessert that was the perfect marriage of a lemon bar and a pie – yum!

Summary:

This non-fiction book was written to expose the modern day reader to the behind-the-scenes events in the late 1870’s and early 1880’s which ultimately led to the death of President James Garfield.  Through extensive research, Ms. Millard constructs a fascinating historical record of the election and assassination of a president who only spent a few months in office.

Comments:

This story had all the ingredients of a best-selling fictional novel -- a world famous inventor, a madman, political villains, medical science breakthroughs, and a kindhearted man whose life was cut short by a lunatic’s bullet and inept doctors – except this is a true story!  

It was interesting to see how our political system has evolved from its early beginnings. The overt corruption and strong-arm tactics were disappointing, while the drama of the conventions was thrilling. It’s a shame that the practice of granting the citizens access to the president, which made perfect sense to a nation which had not that long ago broken free of the monarch’s rule, is one of the reasons that we lost a few of our U.S. presidents to assassinations. 

Our resident medical expert was most disturbed by the ego of the book's medical professionals which kept them from ever considering options which may have saved President Garfield, including Alexander Bell’s liberal use of his metal detector to locate the bullet and sterilization of medical tools. Joseph Lister had unsuccessfully tried to convince American doctors to sterilize everything when dealing with open wounds. Although an accepted practice at that time among European doctors and medical facilities, their American counterparts were slow to believe in the importance of antisepsis – preventing infection by destroying germs - a concept which has saved millions of lives.  More than twenty years after Garfield’s death, the American ambassador to England shared these words at the Royal Society:  “My lord,” the ambassador said, addressing Lister as he sat in an opulent hall, surrounded by powerful men and celebrated scientists, “it is not a profession, it is not a nation, it is humanity itself which, with uncovered head, salutes you.” (p. 259 – Kindle)

What a tragedy to lose a president who believed in equality for the newly freed slaves and who had a desire to work with men from both political parties.  He could have made much needed positive changes for a nation which was still deeply wounded from a destructive civil war.  President Garfield was a loving husband, father, and loyal friend who even on his death bed as he suffered through intense pain evoked this heartfelt tribute:  “Even as he lay dying, Garfield was kind, patient, cheerful, and deeply grateful.” (p. 227 – Kindle)

Memorable Quote:

We loved President Garfield’s quotes which were placed at the beginning of each of the new chapters.  Here are a couple of our favorites:

“Theologians in all ages have looked out admiringly upon the material universe and…demonstrated the power, wisdom, and goodness of God; but we know of no one who has demonstrated the same attributes from the history of the human race.” (p. 48 – Kindle)

“I love to believe that no heroic sacrifice is ever lost, that the characters of men are moulded and inspired by what their fathers have done.” (p. 173 – Kindle)

FAB Rating: ***** (5 out of 5 stars)

What an interesting time for our nation.  We all learned so much from this book. This story is well written, thoroughly documented and presented in a way which made this reader want to keep reading in the hopes that the president would eventually survive, even though I knew the ending!  If Ms. Millard had been my high school American History teacher, I am pretty sure I would not have daydreamed as much as I did in that class!

You Are One of Them by Elliott Holt

Our January bookclub meeting was held at Olde World Bakery & Cafe in downtown Smithville.  We met for brunch and we all ordered a variety of items including strawberry crepes, migas, egg sandwich, and breakfast burrito.  Once our plates were licked clean and we had finished catching up on our personal lives, local news and gossip, we dove right into the world of the USSR.

Synopsis:

Sarah Zuckerman had a few bright and shining moments in her growing up years and the majority of them appeared to center around her friendship with Jenny Jones.  However, Jenny’s life is cut short in an accident which just adds to Sarah’s list of losses in her life.  Jenny’s influence is felt even into adulthood for Sarah and so after graduating college she travels to Russia to begin a quest which may not answer the question Sarah initially sought to resolve, but will eventually set her free.

Comments:

This fictional book was loosely based on true events which occurred from 1983 through the late 1990’s.  We found it to be similar to how the television show “Law and Order” creates their storylines.  In addition to that, the author had once lived in Russia while working as a copy editor, similar to the book’s main character.  We learned what Russia was really like during this time period as the country struggled to adapt to the marketplace demands of a Western world while chained to the economy and education of the old federation.  

As we progressed in this novel, we came to understand that the title “You Are One of Them” does not actually relate to Jenny Jones as the reader may first believe.  Sarah had continued to view herself through the lens of childhood.  She could not see that she had grown out of the awkward stage, the misfit label, and the cloak of tragedy which had shrouded her growing up years.  Young Sarah finds that those whom she dearly loves will soon leave her.  These lost loves she refers to as defectors came about through death, as with her sister and Jenny, and through divorce, as with her father.  Sarah even refers to her home as “a museum, filled with relics” which looks back and not forward.  She cannot shed the skin of her past in order to confidently live and appreciate her adult life…at least not until her fateful journey to Russia.  There in the bleakness of a Russian winter -- “There is something painfully honest about winter: the skeletal trees, the brutal repetition of the cold.  There are no empty promises, no hazy, humid hopes.  It’s reality, lonely and stark.”-- Sarah will finally be able to free herself from the past and move forward.

Memorable Quote:

“People believe in things until they don’t need to anymore.” (p. 283 – Kindle)

“If regret had an odor, it would smell like an ashtray.” (p. 255 – Kindle)

“And I have come to believe that forgiveness is the key to survival.  It does no good to see everything as a struggle between opposing factions.  Few things are that simple.” (p. 102 – Kindle)

FAB Rating: ***1/2 (3-1/2 out of 5 stars)

There was not much meat to chew on with this book.  We likened it to a good beach/travel book which you would purchase to pass the time while relaxing, never spending time contemplating its merits. 

A Constellation of Vital Phenomena: A Novel by Anthony Marra

On Saturday, November 23, we met at Jonetta's new home in Austin to discuss our latest novel.  As usual when Jonetta hosts book club during the fall/winter season there was a major cold front which came through complete with rain/sleet mixture!  Thank you to the three brave souls who traveled the long distance for some warm food and scintillating conversation.  Our authentic Russian meal was prepared by The Russian House in downtown Austin.  We dined on Tarragon Salad, Russian Blinis, and Ukrainian Borsch served with Cheburek.  The roasted tiger figs topped with honey goat cheese, homemade by our hostess, provided a sweet ending to our meal.

Synopsis:
Akhmed risks his own life to save the young daughter of his friend and neighbor who has been taken by the Interior Ministry, a fate of death.  In his attempt to keep Haava away from those who would have also killed her, Akhmed takes her to the hospital where he involves the only doctor there, Sonja.  Over the period of a few short days the characters will discover they are connected in ways which will bring both desired answers and heartbreak.

Comments:
What is amazing to all of us is that this is a modern story based on true events and yet our ignorance to the suffering of the citizens and destruction of the landscape of Chechnya was evident as we read this novel.  The horrors which these people have endured throughout the years as a direct result of the Chechen Wars is eye-opening.  However, the author shows the resiliency, courage, and compassion which humans can choose to display despite their circumstances.  He was also fair enough to highlight those characters who choose an alternative path in their life, whether out of greed or self-preservation.

As the story revealed itself, the characters evolved.  Natasha provided the biggest surprise for us, while Ramzan revealed a motivation which explained his character flaw and perceived wickedness.  Akhmed's artistic ability and endeavors were beautiful as he attempted to memorialize those folks who had lost their life in the cruelty of the war.  His art was a documentary of lives and the city as it was or should have been.

The author's use of descriptive phrases painted such vivid pictures for the reader.  The following are a few of our favorites: "The soldiers were all fear and peach fuzz." (p. 28 - Kindle); "For months they'd run their fingers around the hem of their affection without once acknowledging the fabric." (p. 286 - Kindle); "...that utopian mirage cooked up by cruel young men who gave their mustaches more care than their morality..." (p. 80 - Kindle); "And after the fire had read his pages, and the dogs basked in the warmth, and the ashes grayed the snow..." (p. 96 - Kindle)

Memorable Quote:
"She marked the days, but time didn't march forward; instead it turned from day to night, from hospital to flat, from cries to silence, from claustrophobia to loneliness and back again, like a coin flipping from side to side. Happiness came in moments of unpredictable loveliness." (p. 34 - Kindle)

"There is something miraculous in the way the years wash away your evidence, first you, then your friends and family, then the descendants who remember your face, until you aren't even a memory, you're only carbon, no greater than your atoms, and time will divide them as well." (p. 124 - Kindle)

FAB Rating: **** (4 out of 5 stars)
Although the setting of this novel proved to be dark and unsettling at times, the main characters compelled the reader to keep reading as they revealed their vulnerabilities, strengths, flaws, and secret desires. As one FAB member so poetically stated, "The threads of the story woven throughout finally produce the tapestry of the story at the end." The end proved worth the read and the revealed truths made for a fascinating story which stays with the reader long after the book has been closed.

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry: A Novel by Rachel Joyce

JoAnn was our host on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in October.  With a nod to the mushrooms and other field greens our protagonist ate along his journey, JoAnn created a delicious salad which alone would have been filling.  However, our gracious hostess also treated us to some of her delicious homemade soup - yum!  Of course, there was also the obligatory dessert which everyone willingly devoured.

Synopsis:
Retiree Harold Fry receives a letter out of the blue from a previous co-worker with whom he has not had contact for many years.  This letter will be the catalyst for a journey which will take Harold out of his comfort zone both physically and emotionally.  What begins as a quest to save a dear friend's life will in the end actually serve as the salvation for Harold and his wife, Maureen.

Comments:
This aptly named novel began with a fitting quote from The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan:

Who would true valour see, 

Let him come hither; 

One here will constant be 

Come wind, come weather.  

There's no discouragement 

Shall make him once relent 

His first avowed intent 

To be a pilgrim.

Harold showed courage and determination in his own pilgrimage no matter the weather and the discouraging remarks of others.  His valiant effort to save Queenie resulted in him avowing to walk all the way to Berwick-upon-Tweed where she was in hospice care.  Harold was in a spiritual crisis and true to the nature of most pilgrimages, his walk became transformative and healing as he wrestled with atoning for the mistakes he had made in his life.  The use of his yacht shoes reminded the reader that this began as an unintentional journey when he first set out from his home only to mail a letter.  Along the way, the refusal to replace the yacht shoes with more sensible walking shoes became a self-imposed suffering to atone for his sins as Harold endured the blisters and painful infection in his leg.  Harold's long journey gave him time to recall memories which had long been buried in an effort to protect himself from the pain of those incidents.  However, it also gave him the opportunity to recall the good times which had been suppressed along with the bad times.

Harold met many interesting folks during his walk and with each of those characters he learned something more about human nature and in the process gleaned another nugget of truth about himself.  "He understood that in walking to atone for the mistakes he had made, it was also his journey to accept the strangeness of others.  As a passerby, he was in a place where everything, not only the land, was open.  People would feel free to talk, and he was free to listen.  To carry a little of them as he went." (p. 90 - Nook)  We were also reminded of the power of human connections, no matter how short the time spent together.  "They believed in him.  They had looked at him in his yachting shoes, and listened to what he said, and they had made a decision in their hearts and minds to ignore the evidence and to imagine something bigger and something infinitely more beautiful than the obvious." (p. 37 - Nook)

Memorable Quote:
"He had learned that it was the smallness of people that filled him with wonder and tenderness, and the loneliness of that too.  The world was made up of people putting one foot in front of the other; and a life might appear ordinary simply because the person living it had been doing so for a long time.  Harold could no longer pass a stranger without acknowledging the truth that everyone was the same, and also unique; and that this was the dilemma of being human." (p. 158 - Nook)

FAB Rating: ****1/2 (4-1/2 out of 5 stars)
The author did a wonderful job of doling out bits of relevant information along the journey so that the reader discovered the truth as Harold's repressed memories came back to him with each step.  This created unexpected twists to the story and kept the reader emotionally engaged.  This novel had many interesting characters who were true to the diversity of human nature.  Harold and Maureen were relatable and we were pleased that the ending of this story was sweet for them.  The unrealistic part of this story was where the author expected the reader to believe that an out-of-shape sixty-five year old man could manage to walk 627 miles on foot along major roadways in 87 days while stopping for visits, shopping, meals, and time off to rest and heal -- entirely in yachting shoes, no less!

The Silver Star: A Novel by Jeannette Walls

Ellen was our hostess for the month of September as we met for the first time on a Saturday morning.  Although she had originally planned for us to eat outdoors, the weather was still just a bit nippy at that time of day. We enjoyed a delicious brunch indoors at her kitchen table and marveled at the size and color of the emu egg which Ellen had cleverly used as the table's centerpiece.

Synopsis:
Liz and Bean (Jean) are sisters who rely on one another to survive and thrive in a world where they have no father and their mother shirks her maternal responsibilities in order to selfishly pursue her own unrealistic dreams. In order to avoid the risk of being put in foster care, the girls escape to Virginia to live with their estranged Uncle Tinsely.  Living in the small town of Byler will bring challenges, learning opportunities, answers to familial questions, and a painful incident which will test the mettle of not only the girls but those who love them.

Comments:
This novel was Ms. Walls' first publicly printed foray into the world of fiction writing.  Having read her two best selling non-fiction novels, we immediately picked up on the strong similarities of this storyline and characters with the author's own true life experiences.  In particular, the sisters' mother was a believable character having known how Ms. Walls' own parents were portrayed in her autobiography.  Maddox's character was a bit unbelievable - just too ruthless, evil, and above the law while maintaining a position of authority in the factory.

Bean's character blossomed in their new town as she found her father's family loving and accepting of her. They filled in the gaps for her in her life story.  The awful incident which brought out the fighting spirit in Bean appeared to highlight the true fragility of Liz.  Bean had always heavily relied on Liz to direct her, but during their time in Byler, Bean became the leader and her strength and wisdom was beyond that of a typical twelve year old.

Liz found her sanity restored when she was given responsibility of two emus.  She was able to care for creatures who were as scared as she was at that time and who needed patient, loving care in order to trust humans - just like Liz.  The spoonerisms which Liz created were fascinating and entertaining.  On page 203 (Nook) she begins a long list of spoonerisms.  "Pack of lies.  Lack of pies.  Plaque of eyes, arranged by size.  Or black-eyed lies?"..."Plucked-out eyes.  Lucked-out lies.  Synthesize.  Between my thighs."..."To no surprise, to our demise."..."All the liars told their lies."..."Who denies the lies?  Who will scrutinize the lies? The size of lies? Who will pluck the liars' eyes? Who cries, who spies, who sighs, who dies?"  We were all amazed at the author's ability to creatively use words in that manner.  As fun as they were to read silently, it was even more fun to read them aloud!

Memorable Quote:
Interestingly enough, for someone whose presence was minimal in the storyline, the girls' mom had the most interesting and though provoking quotes.  Perhaps it is indicative of how much her words meant to her daughters who were deprived of typical maternal care and guidance.
"Don't be afraid of your dark places," Mom told her.  "If you can shine a light on them, you'll find treasure there." (p. 186 Nook)
"Find the magic," Mom always said.  "And if you can't find the magic," she added, "then make the magic." (p. 11 Nook)

FAB Rating: ***1/2 (3-1/2 out of 5 stars)
The story did start out in a way which captured our attention, but lost momentum and appeared to wind down instead of up.  It became predictable and then somewhat unbelievable when Maddox entered the picture.  The most unbelievable part was where the author had Bean's grandfather kill Maddox and the police not question the lame story he gave as his alibi.  Despite those negative traits, this story had enough meat to keep our attention and made for an easy read.

Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker by Jennifer Chiaverini

All six of us were able to meet at Marcia's lovely home on Tuesday, August 13 for a meal and book discussion. Marcia had prepared a tuna salad that appealed so much to all of us that we had her share the recipe with us. What captured our attention the minute we entered her dining area was the artfully arranged display of antique sewing novelties -- all from her own collection!  It was a fun history lesson as we picked up pieces and learned their purposes for seamstresses.

Synopsis:
Elizabeth Keckley was a former slave who used her talent in dressmaking to make a name for herself among the elite of Washington D.C. in the mid to late1800's.  When Abraham Lincoln was elected as the sixteenth president of the United States, his wife, Mary, retained Elizabeth as her personal dressmaker.  Their relationship developed into more than professional as Elizabeth became a confidant for Mrs. Lincoln and an eyewitness to the sorrows and joys experienced by the Lincoln family.

Comments:
Overwhelmingly, we all agreed that the reported details of the Civil War bogged down the storyline.  One FAB member likened it to reading a Wikipedia novel.  Another reader said she felt like she had picked up an 8th grade history textbook.  The drawn out historical facts interferred with the main character's story.  Elizabeth appeared to be just an observer in her own life story.  We desperately wanted to see her character developed more so that we could connect to her as a genuine, real person from an important and tumultous time period in our American history.  However, each time the author added another long, unemotional reporting of historical data, it drew the reader away from Elizabeth and the connection to her personal story was lost. The last half of the story did improve and became a bit more engaging for the reader.

Mary Todd Lincoln proved to be a woman of both great strength and debilitating weakness.  Her excessive spending habits coupled with her deep depression fits the description of manic depressive disorder.  She did manage to bring to the White House some class and more modern furnishings, but with the treasury monies going towards war spending, her timing was terrible and stirred up criticism which lasted throughout her tenure.

Memorable Quote:
Still a true statement today and applicable to most cultures and races: "As the lowest among them fared, so everyone of their race would be perceived, and thus for their own sakes it was essential to forgo snobbery and raise up all colored people." (p. 104 - Nook)

FAB Rating: **1/2 (2-1/2 out of 5 stars)