04.27.08
Somewhat of a revelation… Empire Falls
Time to be humble - I was telling my favorite librarian (FL) the other day that until I got quite far into Part 4, I was unaware that this was such a contemporary novel! Closing textile mills to me meant mid to a bit later 20th century, and I guess I let that cloud or fog the other clues. FL thought that was something I should share, so here it is! Is there anyone else that may have been blind in this respect? 
04.13.08
Spring Break Reading!
Are you reading anything else during our break? Have you read anything recently that you would like to share?
Leave a comment!
Empire Falls: Baseball Mitt
So, I realize that I am behind, but I just finished Part 1 in Empire Falls. I would like to know what you think of the baseball mitt. What do you think it is symbolic of? What does it mean that Miles left it behind? It was so very important that Miles be able to bring it on their vacation, but unimportant enough by the end of the vacation to forget it.
I’m thinking it represents Miles’ youthful innocence. He’s had one of those “you can never go home again” experiences on Martha’s Vineyard. Even though Grace says at the end, “Nothing’s going to change. Not one thing,” the truth is that everything has changed. Miles has gone from the child’s way of perceiving his parents to a more honest perception of them, and that makes all the difference in the world.
I’m still trying to work out how the amazing catch at the beginning of this flashback factors in, and all the other baseball connections. Leave it to me, sports fan, to focus on this aspect of the book right now.
I hope you are all enjoying this book - it has certainly grown on me. What are you thinking about it?
Memory Keeper’s Daughter on TV
The Memory Keeper’s Daughter has been made into a TV movie. It will air on Lifetime at 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM tonight on Lifetime. It will also be on Lifetime at 9:00 PM tomorrow. The cast includes Dermot Mulroney, Gretchen Mol, and Emily Watson.
Here is a link for more information, including an interview with Kim Edwards: http://www.mylifetime.com/on-tv/movies/memory-keepers-daughter
Thank you Sue and Gloria for bringing this to my attention!
Enjoy!
03.31.08
Empire Falls discussion question
Here is a question to get us started. I have finished section 1 - didn’t get the memo - sorry!
Richard Russo’s description of town of Empire Falls is as memorable and vivid as his portraits of the people who live there. How do the details he provides about the town’s setting and its streets, buildings and neighborhoods create more than a physical backdrop against which the story is played out? How does the use of flashbacks strengthen the sense of the town as a “living” character?
03.30.08
Empire Falls: Pushed back!
I think I touched base with everyone, but just in case I didn’t: the date for the first section of Empire Falls has been pushed back to April 6 or so. Let’s get back to the book!
Happy reading!
03.17.08
New Book: Empire Falls by Richard Russo
Empire Falls is divided into four sections, so I thought we would try to tackle one section a week, starting next week. Let’s plan on having the Prologue and Part 1 read by March 30. From there we will decide if the pace is too slow or too fast. Enjoy!
03.10.08
Are you finished?
Am I the last one to finish this book?
oh. my. gosh. I am completely surprised and… horrified…. and… I admit I cried. Wow.
Thoughts? Do you want some more discussion questions to be posted?
03.08.08
Bruno’s mother
Explain what Bruno’s mother means when she says, “We don’t have the luxury of thinking” (page 13). Why is Bruno’s mother unhappy at Out-With? Identify scenes from the novel that support your answer.
*from the Readers’ Guide
Gretel
At age twelve, Gretel is the proper age for membership in the League of Young Girls, a branch of the Hitler Youth. Why do you think she is not a member, especially since her father is a high-ranking officer in Hitler’s army?
*from the Readers’ Guide
