Third Monday Bookclub - Top 3 books for
2012
The final book written by the Pulitzer
Prize author Wallace Stegner, Crossing to Safety was a firm
favourite for the group. Beautifully written, layered
characters and relationships between two couples, with
exquisite depictions of country and nature in Vermont and
Wisconsin. The group had a very animated discussion when it
came time to talk about this one as we all loved it for it's
depth of relationships and natural beauty of landscape and
writing. It was clear to us as to why this is now considered
a modern classic. This will be stay with me for a lifetime,
providing a very high benchmark for others to attempt to
near.
The latest offering by one of
Australia's finest contemporary authors, The Street Sweeper
provides a delicately and cleverly written intertwining book,
dipping between eras such as the American Civil War, the
Holocaust, equal rights movement in the 60's and contemporary
America. While some content was harrowing, it was clearly
real and extensively and accurately researched, giving this
book realism and depth to a story that could otherwise be
nonsensical. Broad in scope, some say epic, and yet quite a
personal story with intimate character portrayals. This was
the first book I read of Elliot Perlman's, but has since lead
me his other novels and short tales.
Like Elliot Perlman, Anna Funder
researched this book with great depth, threading together a
tale of courage and defiance throughout Nazi Germany and
leading us back to contemporary Sydney through the
main character of Ruth. While all the group enjoyed this
cleverly written Miles Franklin award winning novel, we
appreciated the complexity and marvel of The Street Sweeper
more.
- Marita
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