Book Discussion - April 3 - Montrose Library at 6pm - HENDERSON THE RAIN KING by Saul Bellow

[Alice Aman]

Hi everyone -

Next week, on Thursday April 3rd, we will be discussing HENDERSON
THE RAIN KING by Saul Bellow at the Freed Montrose Library from 6pm to
7:45pm. Will is leading the discussion.

Afterwards, everyone is invited to join many of us at the Black Lab
Restaurant next door for socializing.

FYI - Nothing has been resolved yet as to who will take over the
group after I discontinue my role as organizer in July. Someone needs
to sign a "contract" with the library beginning in August. There also
needs to be a second person listed on the "contract" as well for their
records. Library personnel have ocasionally contacted me for various
reasons.

Hope to see you next Thursday.

--Alice

==UPCOMING DISCUSSIONS======

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 his 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

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