Book Club?

[Amy Steinberg]

Anyone interested in starting a book club? And/or maybe a book swap ring???

[Patty Woodland]

Iris was flighty....but I think she was just afraid of her feelings for Alex. I think she felt she wasn't supposed to fall in love with her "brother" even though they weren't related. I suspect the parallel was that she was as unconventional in her time as Esme was in hers. Yes?

[Erica Blashill]

I agree that the characters all were similar in their unconventional personalities. I found that interesting.

The Alex and Iris relationship was odd to me. But I think that their relationship along with many others in the book (Iris and married boyfriend, Esme and Kitty, etc) prove that you can't help who you love...

[Amy Steinberg]

It was a great book. Are we ready to start a new book? If so, lets start a new discussion for each new book we are reading.

I don't have any new book suggestions? Anyone?

[rickimc]

What about Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See? It came out about two years ago, but I think it is a pretty popular for books clubs, so it should be easy to find a copy. I am actually up for reading anything, but I do prefer shorter books since it is easier to get through them in a reasonable timeframe.

[Solsida]

That sounds really good. I'm in!

[Amy Steinberg]

Sounds good to me. I'll start a new discussion with this book.

This has been fun for me, I hope everyone else has enjoyed it.

[Barefoot Bling]

I am so late to the discussion, but I really enjoyed reading what all of you ladies had to say about the book, lots of interesting insights I hadn't seen. I too did not see the killing coming, but I did figure out the baby. I also saw Iris as a modern version of what a mix of Esme and Kitty would be, she had some of both of them in her. Sort of nature/nuture type of thing. Her relationship with Alex gave me the creeps, actually, but I guess it added to the gothic feel of the book. Things were so messed up, it was just going to keep getting more dysfunctional in that family.
I

[Solsida]

You know, I thought she was a modern version of Esme, but I think you're right. She was really both of them. The Alex thing was kind of weird, but very soap opera-y to me. But no, you're not related! But yes! you love each other! But no, you can't be together! But yes! That's what you really want... But it did add to the whole question of things that are taboo, but should they be taboo.

[Amy Steinberg]

It did have a gothic feel now that you mention it. I might have to pick up another of that writers books to see what they are like.

[rickimc]

Yes, it definitely did. I love gothics - really only romances I will even pick up.