Wrap Up of Geraldine Brook's "March"

[Kerry]

A small group met last night to discuss Brook's Pulitzer Prize-winning
"March", the adapted story of the father in Little Women. Here are our
thoughts:

-Brooks' narrative was well-written and carefully thought out. Her
thorough research helped to ensure believability and credibility in
the story.

-March was real, but unlikeable. In Brooks' effort to paint a more
gruesome image of the Civil War, March's noble image gets a bit
dragged through the mud. We thought this wasn't necessarily
unintentional.

-We agreed the theme of education in the book is a powerful one.
Brooks writes educated characters as being more eloquent and
thoughtful than those uneducated. It underscores the importances the
role men like March played in the true emancipation of the slaves.

-We felt Thoreau and Emerson's appearances in the book to be somewhat
needless, and in fact were disappointed with the less-than-picturesque
portrayal of them both.

-Overall we thoroughly enjoyed Brooks story. This was a well executed
novel with lovely themes and messages. We all agreed it has inspired
us to revisit Little Women and to recommend "March" for reading!