Sashenka and Breath

Thought I should report on last Saturday's gala book group. First up was a sensational lunch at Ripples Chowder Bay, glorious weather and scenery, unsurpassed company and fine dining. Some slight confusion in getting the group there on time (MJ ordered via mobile) but we all acted according to type which is an excellent thing. We then did some very mild walking around, just in our party shoes to check out the historical credentials of the site. Another stop by tour leader Janet for breathtaking views and more historical buildings before we zoomed through the suburbs (MJ valiantly following Janet's fast disappearing tail) to Castlecrag. There we enjoyed an excellent selection of dainties with our cups of tea (we really needed more food) and onto the books.

Sashenka was universally enjoyed for the wealth of detail about Russia at various turbulent times, and the feeling that the author really knew what he was talking about. Some discussion about the literary merit of the work (fiction or literature) with MJ putting forward the view 'So what?' Since I was the one suggesting it was not a particularly literary work, I have pondered why it matters. I think I have come to the conclusion that it matters because the book hasn't stayed with me as much as it would have if I had read it more slowly (I found it a compulsively readable book) and been more struck by the images and language. Neither did I find Sashenka a very real or compelling heroine. The author told you everything he wanted you to know, there was no production of meaning or emotion by the reader.
However I would recommend it as a great read, but not necessarily pass it along to some of my regular borrowers.

Breath was also viewed positively by all, especially for its lyricism and subtlety. For non-surfers it gave a strong sense of the magic and addictive nature of that sport, and MJ felt it could be compared to the sensation of skiing, interesting as that was Eva's sport. Some discussion about the selfishness of surfing and its cult of individualism.
There was strong condemnation of Eva's actions, and discussion of whether it was her abuse of Pikelet in starting a sexual relationship with him at all, or just when she started involving him in her auto-erotic practices. We had several very positive reviews from OS sources.

Next event is at MJs on Monday 6 October (fingers X-ed you will be here then Niki or we will look at a reschedule)then Murray is keen we don't lose momentum in his absence, so we are going to do The Lost Dog by Michelle de Kretser in November, with remote participation by MM. We will probably spend the intervening time trying to work out whose place it is at without Murray to tell us.