Truthfully I found it less-than-believable that Marnie could do it, particularly after getting the impression that it was out of her wheelhouse.
1. “There is who we want to be…and there is who we are. As we get older the former gives way to the latter,” (page 5). Do you agree? Why or why not?
I discussed this with a friend this morning and we both agreed. I’m more comfortable with who I am now than when I was younger. I know my strengths and failings. I’m good at certain things and definitely less so at others. Even when I try something new, I can tell if it will work for me or not and don’t feel bad when it doesn’t.
I’m comfortable in my own skin — moreso than ever. I really try not to let the little things bother me and that helps a lot. I’m probably better at ignoring real and imagined slights than ever before.
I thought it was well done. He was getting close to Marnie but not yet at the level of intimacy to share the plea part, how he lost his dignity. A minute ago, he was a good citizen protecting the weak. Now on the ground begging. I don’t know if the tragedy of the older couple was necessary or not. But it also shows how he shuts down and pulls away from Marnie.
Of course not. But this was another case how life can turn on a dime. The author didn’t explore. Probably didn’t want to go too deep. He put it out there. How precarious it can be and how hard it is to open and be vulnerable. In a way, it’s a miracle that we manage to stay open.
I only agree with this quote as it relates to a career path – and even then, there is flexibility. But for the most part, if you always dreamed of, let’s say, being a heart surgeon, but money or family obligations stood in your way and you took a different path, it’s not likely you would pursue that dream later in life. It’s possible for sure–it’s been done–but not likely. Those doors begin to close.
But I disagree with the quote as regards personal or spiritual growth. I think most of us spend our lives trying to be better people – to understand ourselves more, to create healthy habits, to be kinder, to make smarter decisions. In the end, in the areas where it matters, I believe we move closer to who we want to be, not further away.
We can choose our February book at any time! Remember, February is classics month. Once a year, we delve into the old stuff. One or more of you have suggested the following:
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë Persuasion by Jane Austen The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain + James by Percival Everett (a classic/contemporary duet) Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Hmm … I think that personal or spiritual growth closely reflects who we are. When my neighbor and I discussed this question, we kept coming back to the fact that, at this stage of life, we have comfort/knowledge in who we are. She recently lost her husband about three years ago. She looked at her life and decided to focus on herself/who she is as a person. She divided a paper into four sections: physical, spiritual, community, and - I forget the last one - and started jotting down thoughts. Take the first one - physical - because she missed being active she circled back to golf and tennis, both neglected over the years. Spiritual … she searched for a church community to join. Is that because of who she wants to be or because of who she is? We decided on the latter. Definitely the church she joined shows a comfort in who she is as a person - the church she and her husband joined, not so much. It’s why it eventually fell to the wayside after his death. She acknowledged missing the spiritualness and community of church and searched for one that reflects her values and beliefs. To me the direction of growth you chose “at a certain age” reflects who you are more than who you want to be. I look at what she’s choosing and know those choices are not the ones I’ve made/make. But Yay ! her. Does this make any sense?
I don’t think I’ve fundamentally changed from who I was at 16, but I can change my actions to reflect my values better or meet my needs better. I’m basically an introvert, but I really need to be around people regularly too. It’s a conundrum!
As for the choices. Unlike most classics Frankenstein is quite short, but I found it quite interesting when I read it a couple of years ago. The DK illustrated version has some interesting sidebars of context and cool illustrations, but you may also be annoyed by random bolded words that they think you might not know.
I really want to read James and probably should reread Huckleberry Finn before tackling it. Heard Percival talking about it on NPR recently. He sounds just like the character from American Fiction!
I’ve been wanting to see what I would make of Wuthering Heights now that I’m not 16 any more. (Having just said that I am fundamentally the same person, but maybe not!) I was very taken with it then. It starts off really slow. This group would definitely be an incentive to get past that slow start!
Persuasion is my favorite Jane Austen, but I just reread it in October, so not my first choice. Except, well it’s such a sweet book.
I really want to read James, too, and it’s on my library holds list. My husband listened to the audiobook and tells me it’s not necessary to have a deep understanding of Huck Finn to appreciate it. That’s good, as I read it in my teens and don’t really want to reread. I would, though, if that’s the way this group goes!
Also a fan of Frankenstein and Persuasion. Studied WH in grad school and nerded out over it … can’t say I’m a fan in this day and age, but I think it’s well worth reading.
I’ve never read Wuthering Heights but I want to do so. Unfortunately I know myself well enough to know I need a book club push in order to pick it up. It seems perfect for a January-stuck-in-the-house kind of book.
Persuasion - great for a February discussion book
Frankenstein - I picked up the DK version the last time @mathmom mentioned it. It is now in my want-to-read someday pile. October - monster and things that go bump in the night season, maybe.
I’d like to pair Huck Finn and James also. James is going to be harder to get via the library, though. Not impossible, maybe, but definite harder than the other choices.
It’s like a roller coaster: You start by chug-chug-chugging slowly uphill – and then take off on a wild ride. I love Wuthering Heights while kind of hating everybody in it.
I like the choices of books @Mary13 listed. I have Wuthering Heights on my Kindle from way back when @ignatious first mentioned it. I still haven’t read it. I also need the incentive of book club. My husband read James. His after reading review is it was good, not great. I love Huck Finn, so I would probably be on board anyway, despite his mediocre review. Really, I would read any of them.
Well, I’m the one who suggested Huck Finn and James to Mary, so that’s my choice. I expect that Huck Finn will take about three hours to read, tops. And if we put James on hold in the next few days, we should have it before February 1.
ETA: Regarding James, my library has 12 copies, 4 holds, and no copies available right now. Should only take a week or two for me to get a copy.
Regarding James, my library system has 65 holds on 38 copies (hardback); 875 holds on 54 copies (eBook); 958 holds on 45 copies (audiobook). Large print has 32 holds on 6 copies.
Iffy getting it in time since there aren’t any fines for overdue books. I just took a look at the 38 hardback copies and 12 are overdue, due dates in Oct. and Nov.
James has made best of lists for 2024 all over so may be hard to get at libraries. For me, the ebook has a 15 week wait, or seven holds per copy. Hard copy is five holds per copy, no estimate on how long because they have to physically get the books back.
At the moment I’m not sure what I feel like reading for February.
Going on my Libby account always makes me feel guilty as I check my unread books. Five people are waiting! Two people are waiting! Four people are waiting! Uh oh, no one’s waiting for this one - maybe it’s no good!?
