Artemisia - Would you recommend?

So, now that our discussion of this book winds to a close, would you recommend this book to others?

Kristina

Clemente: The passion and grace...

Hello, I'm Linda and I'll be leading the discussion of one of April's selected books, Clemente, by David Maraniss. A long drive last week prompted me to check out the audiobook of this title about baseball great Roberto Clemente and it was terrific driving entertainment. The spouse, a huge baseball fan, totally enjoyed listening. Since serious baseball fans often are radio listeners, the audio version worked well for him. He also remembered fondly some of the action recounted.

I was particularly interested in the accounts of what it was like to be one of the very first latino players in the big leagues--and actually Clemente's early career in the fifties was not that far behind Jackie Robinson's breaking of baseball's color line.

Any other big fans out there? Others who remember this era of pre-steroid baseball?

Zorro - Any final comments?

Hope you enjoyed reading "Zorro," and keep reading for the April blogs.
Thanks, Chris

Zorro - favorite quotes

I love the line "A man with good hair has a head start in this life." Seems quite true, especially in an election year. I also like the line in the epilogue referring to an aged Nuria - "She does not plan to die; she says that we will have to kill her with a stick." What dedication to living!
Anyone else have a favorite line or passage?
Chris

Artemisia - Controlling own fate

To what extent do you think Artemisia or Graziela were in charge of their own fates?

Zorro - Do you have a favorite Zorro character?

I have to favor Zorro/Diego, myself. He fights for justice, has a sense of humor and is loyal to family and friends. Most of Allende's characters are likable in spite of their faults - with the exception of Rafael Moncada. Anyone you disliked? Does Bernardo's "loss of voice" diminish or augment his influence?
Chris

"Once Upon a Town" by Bob Greene

Hello, everyone! After reading this book I was struck by the balance Bob Greene was able to strike between nostalgia for the "good old days" and a commentary on the current state of America. What point do think Greene is trying to make by telling the story of the North Platte Canteen? Is this more than mere nostalgia?

Bryan

Artemisia - Relationship between parent and child

The theme of the relationship between parent and child is one I found interesting in this book. Artemisia was angry at her father for allowing her to go through the horrible experience of being raped by his colleague and then forced to endure the humiliation of a public trial. What do you feel Artemisia learned from this experience? Why wasn't she able to apply any of this knowledge to raising her own daughter? Was Artemisia guilty of treating her daughter in some of the same ways she was angry about her father treating her?

Kristina

Zorro - Swashbucklers unite!

Hello!
I am here to lead the March discussion on "Zorro" by Isabel Allende. This book had a little bit of everything - love, hate, justice, evil-doers, dashing men, swooning women, California, New Orleans, Spain, the high seas, clergy, gypsies, pirates, and sword play. Did you like it? Did you find the narrator annoying?
I hope to hear from you soon.
Chris

March Book - Passion of Artemisia

Hi. My name is Kristina and I am going to lead the discussion of "The Passion of Artemisia" by Susan Vreeland. We have the entire month of March to talk about this book. Do you have any general impressions so far? What do you think of her writing style? Had you heard of the real Artemisia Gentileschi before this book?

Kristina