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Sunday, December 5, 2010

December 2010 - Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen (chosen by De) discussed at our end of year Christmas Dinner







We had our Christmas Dinner this year at The Naked Fig Cafe in Cottesloe/Swanbourne.  We enjoyed our meal and of course ate too much, but it was so good and the food was just delicious.  We've been told that breakfast at this Cafe is recommended but one needs to book well in advance.  (Something some of us might look into later!!)





The book is about the life and experiences of Jacob Jankowski in a travelling circus. It is set in the 1930's during the time of the Great Depression and gives one an interesting sense of time and place.

It was really difficult to have a discussion for there were many people around us and a lot happening at the restaurant ....  We even got rid of a table and squished in together a little more closer so that we could hear each other speak .... but it was all too hard.   De brought in a folder of information for us to look through ... We noted that the book was being made to be a movie starring Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson almost out anytime now!!  Most of us enjoyed the book, a light and easy read, ....Some of us found parts of it boring .....  with sections that seemed to drag on and go nowhere.... then all of a sudden it picked up and moved along.  Some of us couldn't put it down and didn't want it to end. Most of us liked the ending; Some of us felt it was really sweet while others found it unbelievable ... For some, reading this was not quite up to the standard after a book like Kevin!! (Last month's read!) For others ... it was a relief to read something that didn't make one as uncomfortable as reading Kevin did! On the whole, we'd say that the book was well researched and an endearing read.


Interesting Links:

Guide for Reading Group Guides.com (disscussion questions, author interview etc)

Book Review from New York Times

Interview with the author

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