A Man Called Ove

June is Peony season at Ed and Louise's house.  We started off a warm and beautiful evening with a tour of Louise and Ed's gardens.  We brought our clippers and buckets and picked huge bursting blossoms to bring home with us.  Thank you, Ed and Louise!  Peony Night is a great tradition.  

We read A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman which we discussed over a Swedish fare of salmon and potatoes (also thanks to Louise).  While I did caution that this may not be a 'bookclub book,'  I was reminded that it probably did not fit the norm, however, it was enjoyed by most.  I am not sure the discussion was all that lively, but we did focus on an interesting question which was whether Ove's love for his wife and her involvement in his life prevented him from developing a wider community.  

Next month we are meeting at Cindy's house on August 15th at 6:45.  We are reading The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen

The Fish Can Sing

In May, we read The Fish Can Sing by Halldór Laxness.  Terrance suggested this Nobel Prize winning author to Chrysanne, who suggested the title to our group.  We had never read anything that we could remember from an Icelandic author.  Reviews were mixed and we had a great discussion.  The Fish Can Sing is a novel of vignettes, which focus on  young Alfgrimur, who is fostered by two older people who he refers to as grandfather and grandmother.  We see their village through his eyes as he learns the Icelandic customs, music, tales and literature.  He meets a diversity of people who come to stay in his house and we meet them through his experience.  There was a good discussion about the juxtaposition of small village life with a more worldly life as depicted by the novel.  I would say that some loved the book, while others appreciated the book.  Definitely a good discussion.  

Next Book Club meeting is at Ed's in time for peony season on June 12, 2016.  We are reading Cindy's choice, A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman.