Barnes and Noble Book Club Pick for JuneThe Guest Book was selected as the June Book at Barnes and Noble's now monthly book discussion. And what a discussion it will be!
I haven't been wowed in particular about some of the choices for their book club, however, I recognize the need to accommodate a wide variety of tastes of book readers (i.e. customers for a business that is struggling). I look forward to Waterstone's influence. But, I digress. This month, however, I can't wait for the discussion, as this book resonated with me on so many levels. A multi-generational historical fiction, this novel captures what the wealthy in America were prior to income tax on one level. On other levels, you have race, anti-Semitism, mental health, misogyny, and how silent people were about them all. Family secrets highlight the WASPish lifestyle of the "own an island" rich, and how people can overlook ethical and moral decisions. A love story that begets love stories within the novel is captivating and real. Set in NYC, as well as an island off the coast of Maine, the book traces the complexities of growing up with the "Oughts". One ought to sit straight, one ought to put your fork and knife at 4:20 on your plate. The characters from one generation to the next evolve and move forward, and is easily seen as loosening of power and, in my opinion, improving over time. I related to this book so much, as I grew up WASPish, albeit not wealthy. Silence and rules were the way I was brought up, not to show emotions, never talk about family secrets (or anything really), and never ever talk about race or religion. We were the Miltons very poor relations. As the Miltons head to the downward spiral of no longer being able to afford the island in present day, so have most middle class families that had accumulated a moderated degree of wealth and land. I highly recommend this book on so many levels. The writing of Sarah Blake is beautifully descriptive and flows. At 496 pages, this is a book you will need to devote your week to, but it is so good, you won't want to put it down. 5 stars from me! Join the Barnes and Noble discussion tonight at 7:00 at your local B&N! #SarahBlake #BarnesAndNoble #TheGuestBook #Fiction #BookDiscussion
2 Comments
10/29/2022 11:52:08 am
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