Tuesday, September 25, 2012

SEPTEMBER BOOK CLUB SELECTION



For our 9/18/2012 meeting we were joined by members of the Argyle book
club, who added to a lively discussion of books by author Ray Bradbury.
Bradbury died recently at the age of 91, following a prolific and
successful career writing "science fiction".

A number of members recalled reading his famous novel "Fahrenheit 451"
many years ago, but had read none since, so this was a new adventure,
and reactions were mixed.

In the positive side, several liked "Dandelion Wine"(1957), lyrically
described episodes in a small town over the summer of 1925, pictured
through the eyes of a 12 year old boy, said to be in part, memories of
the authors childhood. Others enjoyed short stories such as "The
Playground" and one in which a pumpernickel is imagined as a weapon.

More negative, some were turned off by the weirdness of his fantastical
settings, such as in "The Fantasy Tree" and others in which the dead
can return for a family reunion.

We all commented on his ability to reflect on the human condition, both
past and future, through fiction...In The Martian Chronicles, Earth
people populate Mars, appearing to repeat the troubles left behind on earth, 
 but ending on a note of hope.

Our next meeting will be 10/2. We'll be discussing books by
contemporary author
Ursula Hegi--your choice. Newcomers always welcome!

Margery Robertiello