Snowdrops

 In a BBC interview, A.D. Miller stated,
"[Russia] is a place where if you don't have powerful connections your life is a bit of a tightrope walk. If something goes wrong you can be in very deep trouble very quickly." Terry volunteered to lead our group discussion given his experiences of running various businesses in Russia in the 90's.  Miller does an incredible job at creating the backdrop of the lawlessness and corruption involved in the banking and business enterprises with which the main character, Nick finds himself.  Terry regaled us with stories of his attempts to establish a pizza restaurant, a Ben and Jerry's, a clothing store, a bar and a vodka store.  As described in Snowdrops, investment experiences involving Terry looking over his shoulder sometimes with armed body guards and managing the changing rules and procedures.

Given how well the setting was developed, the group, on whole, was disappointed in the character development.  Nick, the lawyer seemed superficial.  Masha, his lover was even less developed.  The structure of the novel being a letter to his fiancee confessing his love and failures in Russia was puzzling to us.  Whereas Nick is applauded for his honesty, whether his soon to be life partner does indeed agree to marry him was a question in our minds.

We selected Half Blood Blues by Esi Edugyan for our next meeting, June 27th at Chrysanne's house.  Cindy will facilitate the discussion.  We hope Kate and Fred will be able to make it.

The Unbearable Lightness of Being

Unbearable Lightness of Being

Lightness and Weight, Russian occupation of Prague, love, and kitsch were the main topics of conversation Monday evening as Tim brilliantly led us through our discussion of the Unbearable Lightness of Being.  Having Kundera in his extended family bloodlines once removed (a cousin who translated Kundera's work), Tim prepared himself by stopping by and viewing his cousin's collection of Kundera manuscripts and books in her New York apartment (see photo below).  

The themes of lightness and heaviness were briefly discussed as the focus of the novel on these themes was thought to have almost compromised character development of Tomas Tereza, Sabina and Franz.  Kundera's characters felt to be caricatures of lightness and heaviness with Sabina and Tomas as lightness and Tereza and Franz being heavier characters.  The lightness and heaviness against the backdrop of political unrest as Russia took over Prague in the 80's created a  more stirring sense of place and a platform upon which Kundera shared his opinions of the political motivations and human nature. 

Kitsch, however was the main topic of our conversation.  Chrysanne loved the idea of Kitsch and she was able to point to just about every obvious and sublime example in the novel.  I dug up these definitions to illuminate the liberties Kundera takes with Webster's definition:

Definition of KITSCH

1

: something that appeals to popular or lowbrow taste and is often of poor quality-Webster

2

: a tacky or lowbrow quality or condition <teetering on the brink of kitsch — Ron Miller

3

: the absolute denial of shit (Kundera)." Kitsch functions by excluding from view everything that humans find difficult with which to come to terms, offering instead a sanitized view of the world, in which "all answers are given in advance and preclude any questions".

Overall, the Bookclub gave this novel a 4 thumbs up.  Mindy, who has brought this book as a suggestion a couple of times, usually being turned down immediately by Tim, ended up not liking the novel, while Tim, having done his research ended up having more of an appreciation of Kundera (by his own admission).   

 

Next month we are reading Snowdrop by A.D. Miller.  This novel was shortlisted for the Booker Prize last year.  Kate will be joining us as a guest.  We will be meeting at Ed's house on May 23rd.  We did not choose a facilitator.  Any takers?