Book Discussion - next Thursday March 6th at Montrose Library - 6pm- 7:45pm - THE STREET OF CROCODILES by Schultz

[Alice Aman]

Hi everyone --

Next Thursday we will meet downstairs from 6 pm to 7:45 pm in the
conference room at Houston Freed Montrose Library to discuss THE
STREET OF CROCODILES by Brun Schulz. Will is leading the discussion.

And afterwards, as usual anyone who wants to socialize is invited to
meet at the Black Lab Restaurant next door (you don't have to move
your car) for wine and snacks and conversation.

Hope to see you next week!
--Alice

====UPCOMING DISCUSSIONS======

March 6-
THE STREET OF CROCODILES by Bruno Schulz (publ 1934) 160 pages
The novel is split into thirteen chapters or stories, each of which
focuses on a different part of the Polish city of Drogobych, or on an
aspect of the authors childhood home life. Through a child's eyes,
events, sensations, ideas and thoughts are conveyed with brilliant,
dazzling imagery. Vivid, almost too-bright pictures are painted with
words in a way that is both surreal, magical and ordinary.
--Will Leading Discussion

April 3 -
HENDERSON THE RAIN KING by Saul Bellow (publ 1959) 352 pages
A hilarious, often ribald story, it is also a profound look at the
forces that drive a man through life. A grumpy, spoiled, acerbic,
rich American in his 50's seeks to discover meaning and wisdom and
fulfillment by leaving New York and traveling to Africa to live and
commune with a primitive African tribe.
--Will Leading Discussion

May 1
Two short stories by John Cheever.
1). THE SWIMMER (publ 1964) 12 pages
Available online at:
http://www.houstonbookclubs.org/stories/Cheever_TheSwimmer.pdf
The story is highly praised for its blend of realism and surrealism,
the thematic exploration of suburban America, especially the
relationship between wealth and happiness, as well as author's use of
myth and symbolism.
2.) THE ENORMOUS RADIO [pub 1947] 6 pages
Availble online at:
http://www.houstonbookclubs.org/Montrose/cheever_EnormousRadio.pdf
A Kafkaesque tale about a sinister radio that broadcasts the private
conversations of tenants in a New York apartment building.
--Alice Leading Discussion
[future new titles elected/chosen at this meeting]

June 5
LIGHT IN AUGUST by William Faulkner (publ 1932) 480 pages
In a loose, unstructured modernist narrative style that draws from
Christian allegory and oral storytelling, Faulkner explores themes of
race, sex, class and religion in the American South. By focusing on
characters that are misfits and outcasts, he portrays the clash of
alienated individuals against a Puritanical, prejudiced rural society
--Ruthie Leading Discussion

July 3
A GOOD SCENT FROM A STRANGE MOUNTAIN by Robert Olin Butler (publ 2001) 288 pages
1993 Pulitzer Prize Winner
With fifteen short stories, this book takes you into the ordeals about
being a Vietnamese transplant to the US, specifically to New Orleans,
The voices are young, old, and have a diverse background. The mix
brings alive and humanizes this often misunderstood period of our
nation's history.
--Claudia Leading Discussion