Eating and reading

Yesterday's book group discussion

That was such and interesting book group discussion last night. Though we were sorry that Mary was missing (since she's in Spain, a good reason!). The group did not agree about the book. We hardly ever do. So the discussion is always a good one. Especially as we can't tell in advance who will agree with whom - though Lyn and I have a running joke that if one of likes a book, the other won't.

We had read Elif Shafak's 'Forty Rules of Love'. I enjoyed it, partly as a story, partly because it was about Rumi and Shams. I liked the way she presented a way of understanding the world which we can recognize from our own British 13th century stories, but which I think is also a way of understanding which is buried in everyone's perceptions, however rational, secular and empirical we think we are. I was reminded of Lesley Saunders' lovely article - and poems - about the 13th century holy woman, Christina who was seen to fly. (The article is 'On flying, writing poetry and educational research; the poems are in a book called Christina the Astonishing.)

This time Lyn and I agreed that we had liked it! So did Emma. The other three hated it; at least one of them could hardly bear to read it. All three hated the quality of the writing. I think that is something that I, with my education in science and philosophy don't notice so much as somebody with a literary background/education. Maybe it's like not having a good palate for wine. You don't appreciate it so much but on the other hand, you can enjoy a much wider (and cheaper) range of it.

Talking and eating. 

Mind you, the whole discussion was enhanced by something apparently much less cerebral: the wonderful dinner that Lynne (with Ros) had made for us. Mushroom Wellington. Wow. I saw the point of Wellington for the first time. Portabella mushrooms and mascarpone in beautifully baked pastry. And then, to follow - after a decent pause - perfectly cooked baked apples. We did wonder about the Duke of Wellington, though. If he invented it to eat on a battlefield (did he?) how did they cook the pastry? In a Dutch oven? If so that meant some hapless minion carrying it and sorting it out, as well as adding to the mule train, I suppose.

Comments

  1. VickyP7 June 2018 at 13:14

    Well next, if you dont know it already, you could try My Name is Red (Orhan Pamuk - and then catch up on the excellent BBC documentary when you are back in Blighty). Obvliously this is no use for the book group, he's a bloke, but could be a nice chunky holiday read for those who enjoyed the Shafak - as well as those that didnt.

    Am wondering, did she crib the structure of her novel from this one...?

    ReplyDelete

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