Continuing with this year’s theme Family— the Ties that Bind, and Sometimes Unravel, this book chronicles the narrator's discussions with his family, particularly his mother and dying grandfather. It’s a multi-generational saga of a Jewish family’s secrets, lies, and loves — an autobiography wrapped in a novel, disguised as a memoir, with some of these memories set in Florida. The narrator functions as a proxy for the author, Chabon.
Why? Chabon is a highly praised contemporary author and Pulitzer winner, and, since this sounds like a great family story, I thought it was time we checked into his work. Moonglow was a finalist for the 2016 National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction. In 2000 Chabon won the Pulitzer Prize for his novel The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay.
Also, please note that, because of a scheduling conflict on the second Saturday, next month we will be meeting on January 6 — the first Saturday. Our selection for that session is Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi, published in June, 2016. Each chapter in the novel, which covers around 500 years, follows a different descendant of an African Asante woman named Maame, starting with her two daughters, separated by circumstance: Effia marries James Collins, the British governor in charge of Cape Coast Castle, while her half-sister Esi is held captive in the dungeons below, awaiting shipment to the American colonies. Subsequent chapters follow their children and following generations. Nominations: Goodreads Choice Awards Best Historical Fiction, PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize for Debut Fiction.
Why? A new voice in the literary world, Gyasi shows consequences of the slave trade both in Ghana and the U.S. by following a single family.
Members, friends, and community people are welcome to these sessions, whether you’ve read the books or not! We “Read so as to know the world.” For further information, you may contact Dorie Maxwell at doriemaxwell@mac.com or call her at 561-301-4204.
Date Title & Author # pages First published
Nov. 11 Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward 288 Aug 30, 2011
Dec. 9 Moonglow by Michael Chabon 430 Nov 22, 2016
Jan. 13 Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi 320 June 7, 2016
Feb. 10 The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri 340 Sep 24, 2013
Mar. 10 Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen 226 Jan 28, 1813
Apr. 14 Imagine Me Gone by Adam Haslett 368 May 3, 2016
