Beach Music by Pat Conroy

November 17, 2006

Location:  Françoise's home
Members: Virginia, Louise, Carmen, Margaret, Marvel, Wilma, Gisela

This book was quite well received by everyone. Some commented that it could have been made into 3 or 4 separate books because there were many different story lines being followed.

It was nice to read about the American South and to learn about their distinct culture. Enjoyed reading about the turtles and the parts of the book that took place in Rome. Nice to read about the cooking and the music.

It was difficult to read about the holocaust, makes you feel uncomfortable and wondering what it is you can do about what happened. Some felt that it has been heard so much and that there are terrible things happening still (genocide, etc.) It was also difficult to read about Shyla and her suicide. There were definite bleak aspects to the book - abuse, suicide, alcoholism, mental illness, etc.

Enjoyed the mystery, of not only Jordan but of Lucy and Father Josh .

This book was chosen by Françoise and she commented that she had enjoyed it reading it as much this time as she had when she was a teenager. At this point it was noted that the book had been published in 1995 – 12 years ago – those teen years do go on and on don’t they???

It was also noted that Pat Conroy had the gift of the gab – Françoise pointed out some phrases that she particularly enjoyed:

“It was here we gathered to say farewell to the sunburned dark-complexioned days which finger-painted the river in the tenderness of …..

 “I could smell the red wine importing some of its silken character to the aromas rising out of the skillet, where it blended and bound the congruent personalities of the tomato and garlic with the happy green smile of basil….”

Wow I’m getting hungry!

Anyway overall another great book.

Notes respectfully submitted by Marvel on January 19, 2007.