Am I remembering Polly’s death accurately -
“ traveling in Italy she ate a plate of pasta and died peacefully while sleeping that night “ 
Such a gentle “ Polly passing “ 
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Was a five star goodreads review (with disclaimer why I related to setting) I’ve listed in previous post why this book hooked me-
However, after this discussion I’m more aware of the faults, which I mentioned in goodreads about the “author meandering and doing too much”.
My rating would now be a 4 (I’m easy grader )
I now realize this final book was edited by almost 600 pages and that is evident in the final story.
As always love reading all these points of view - helpful discussion
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9.Fellowship Point opens with a map of Cape Deel—one that foregrounds many of the novel’s important settings. As a reader, did you notice any location that isn’t represented on this map? Conversely, are there locations that are represented on the map, but which then play smaller roles within the narrative?
The Chalet, where Virgil and Karen died (which was eventually torn down), is not on the map. However, Hope–Polly’s rescued dog (with a nice thematic name), is there–making it a recent depiction. My theory is that the map was drawn by Agnes. Her style (used in the Nan books) is “pen-and-ink line drawings” (p. 5). And in addition to Hope, it includes the rope swing, part of a shared childhood memory with Polly.
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@Mary13 : You are such a careful reader!
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I miss a lot the first time through (like deaths 
), but often re-read random portions of our books as we’re discussing, so that helps.
Before we wrap things up, I feel like Polly would be sad if we didn’t mention Lydia. 
What an awful loss that was for her. It was a testament to her goodness and resilience that the tragedy didn’t embitter her toward the world. Polly’s visions of Lydia were the only bit of magical realism in the novel (if they even technically fall into that category).
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Ah, poor Polly. Yes, Lydia’s death was probably her biggest loss in her life.
The birth of Lydia was such a blessing, and her death such a tragic loss. It was interesting that the Nan book character was written about age when Lydia died.
We can start our February voting whenever you like. Remember it’s Romance Classic Month!
Here are my suggestions from before:
Re a classic romance for February - just to start, I will throw in Rebecca , The Thorn Birds , Breakfast at Tiffany’s , and Outlander . It may be hard to find a book many of us haven’t read!
I also just thought of Shogun, which is much more than a romance but definitely includes one!
Or for fun, The Princess Bride.
Yes, I expect that whatever we choose will be a re-read for many people. So it’s more a question of what’s a feel-good comfort read (with enough substance to maintain discussion).
Here are some favorite go-to romantic novels we’ve already discussed, so they are out of contention: Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, Far from the Madding Crowd, North and South, Little Women, A Room with a View, Possession.
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Probably too long, but I’ve never read Anna Karenina and have always meant to.
I still want to reread Wuthering Heights.
Looking at a best of list, who knew that Gentlemen Prefer Blondes was a book first? Anita Loos is the author. Looks fun.
A few suggestions.
Great Expectations
Of Human Bondage
Arms and the Man
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Earlier, A Town Like Alice was suggested. Is that of any interest?
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Many are familiar…but maybe there’s a gem to be discovered
Has anyone read Wellness —— by Nathan Hill ?
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I haven’t read it, but what a positive review!
I don’t remember that we decided on a romantic classic. Classic I remember, but not the romantic part.
Feb - valentine day - assume the reason for the theme
Plus the world/ our country is such a mess an escape would be “comfort reading “
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I’ve never read Wuthering Heights and should. I’m not sure I’ll get to it without CC Book Club encouragement.
I promised my friend who passed away in March that I would someday read A Town Like Alice; she loved that book.
And never ever dangle the possibility of rereading Anne of Green Gables in front of me - an all time favorite - though I’d have no problem picking it up and reading it again on my own.
For what it’s worth, some of my favorite CC book club choices have been classics. Some I’d already read and some I hadn’t. Didn’t matter. Anyway, the classics that have been read and discussed already:
2009 - None
2010 - The Moonstone
2011 - The Secret Garden
2012 - Bridge Over San Luis Rey; Jane Eyre; Wide Sargasso Sea
2013 - Things Fall Apart; War of the Worlds
2014 - Lonesome Dove; The Hound of the Baskervilles
2015 - West with the Night; Far from the Madding Crowd
2016 - East of Eden
2017 - The Stranger
2018 - Pride and Prejudice
2019 - A Room with a View; Little Women; Behind a Mask (or A Woman’s Power)
2020 - Cheaper by the Dozen; And Then There Were None; Whose Body; Three Men in a Boat; The Street
2021 - Shane; True Grit; Lois the Witch; A Christmas Carol
2022 - All Creatures Great and Small ; Peyton Place
2023 - North and South
Some comprised a duo, like Lois the Witch with A Christmas Carol.
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In the uplifting, comfort reads ( not a romance option )
Boys
in the Boat might work
Especially with the new movie coming out
I was going to suggest Jane Austen’s Persuasion. I would definitely like The Boys in the Boat.
Persuasion is my favorite Jane Austen, wouldn’t have a problem with rereading it.
I’m one of the ones who reads A Town Like Alice pretty regularly for a comfort reread.
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