I just finished a marvelous book about a POW in WWII. Unbroken, written by Laura Hillenbrand, chronicles the life of Louis Zamperini from his childhood, through his days suffering as a prisoner of the Japanese, and his eventual return to life in the US and his struggles to come to terms with his experiences. This was my book club choice for May, and I am delighted to have read it.
Last month, we shared in the reading of Proof of Heaven? by Mary Curran Hackett. We were fortunate to be joined by the author at our meeting, and her insight into what she was thinking made a few things clearer to me. I could not get as deeply into the story as I wanted, being held up by a few trite character attributes and plot points which are way overdone--think 9/11, Irish Catholic alcoholics, etc. But still, the premise was worthy, and the story made one think.
We've also read The Five People You Meet In Heaven, and who doesn't love Mitch Albom? Sarah's Key, another WWII setting but this time fictional and completely different in mood, scope and story, was a worthy first choice read.
I've thrown in a few "junk" choices--gearing up to start my summer things-to-read-by-the-pool stack from the library. I tend to find an author I like, then just plow through most, if not all, of his or her works. Amish weddings, quilting clubs, chick-lit and classic love stories, I read them all.
That brings us to the hot choice of the day. 50 Shades Of Gray. I have read a few interviews with the author, who is laughing all the way to the bank. What started out as a piece of fan fiction taken very loosely from the Twilight series has now generated 2 sequels and a lucrative print deal. The movie rights have been purchased with actors lining up to take on the complex role of the leading man who has a thing for whips and chains. I have read varied reviews on the story line. It's been called everything from "steamy" to "mommy porn." some reviewers have found a story buried among the paragraphs of BDSM frolicking. Others have failed to find any redeeming fictional value. From what I've read, a fair number of reviewers didn't bother to look for a plot at all. They got from it exactly what they expected, and seemingly that was sufficient. Social commentary runs the gammut: pundits are pointing to our sexually repressed society as a reason we cannot just enjoy what is really just erotica in the mainstream. More conservative thinkers are calling it disturbing. All agree that sex sells, and this sex is selling.
My book club did NOT choose this a one of our discussion reads. For that I am glad. I don't think I'd be able to discuss sadomasochism no matter how much wine was served at my next meeting! But I did receive my library notification this afternoon that my requested copy is available (hey--I requested it WAY BEFORE I had done any of my homework, simply on the recommendation from a friend). I think I'll pick it up, just for research sake. That's what most of my friends are claiming, too. Curiosity. I want to read it just to see what all the hype is about. It's not the subject line so much, but it would be wrong to condemn it without first reading it.
And to think we laugh at men who say they read Playboy for the articles.
