What I Loved - Siri Hustvedt

Mark, Mark, Chris W, Steve, Rob and Ras met in the Salamander, Jan 26th 2012, noting apologies from Neil, Chris B, and Richard from various exotic parts of the world.

What I Loved was discussed first, having been introduced by Rob (again as he introduced it at the December meeting as well).  He was clearly enthused by it in terms of the characterisation, and the writing style.  He indicated that the three qualities he looks for in a book were all there – characterisation, a storyline that is going somewhere and well-written, plausible relationships.  The shock of Matt’s death was very real, although someone thought there was a clue to it in the pages at the end of the first part.  There was general agreement with Rob’s comments, but Steve and Ras were less enamoured by the reams of prose about Bill’s art, they could not see the point nor was there enough detail for the point of it to be clear.  Give us less or more.  (A little like squash or cooking in “Saturday”, was Siri just showing off her knowledge of modern art? Or is that an oxymoron? – Knowledge & modern art.)  Ras asked whether or not there were any clues in the story that might have indicated that Mark was somehow implicated in Matt’s death and there was some thought that this might have been possible.  With regard to the story going somewhere, Ras thought it did not, as Mark was clearly not going to turn from his lying, stealing and drugs, which formed the basis for the last third of the book, confirming what had happened in the earlier parts.  We were not supported by our specialist Psychologists so a detailed analysis of Mark was not available. (I am sure Richard can provide us with an essay on this from his veranda.)

Many agreed that the chase around hotels at the end to rein in Mark provided some light relief, but it was a pretty downbeat tale of lost lives and opportunities, held up by lasting friendships.  Bill & Leo, although there was some discussion about Bill & Leo that the friendship was a little one sided with Leo the passive partner.  Also Leo’s love for Mark as a surrogate father even if he failed to turn him from his ways, but he did show extreme perseverance until the end.


(Notes suplied by Ras - the 'I' above!)

Innocent Traitor - Alison Weir

Salamander, Jan 26th 2012 (a double header with 'What I Loved'!).

Innocent Traitor everyone enjoyed the writing style in modern language and in the first person.  This moved the story along at a good pace and was easy to follow; no ye olde English words or phrases.  It made a good comparison with our recent read of Wolf Hall.  Apart from Jane, who had a pretty terrible short life at the hands of her parents and the power brokers of the day, the only sympathy was for her mother at the end when she realised how bad she had been to her daughter, using her as a pawn in their game to reap riches and power.  The discussion was also mixed about Guilford; was he just a brute to Jane or was he too an “innocent” and how strong was the historical evidence? The issue here was about the exchanged looks/tears between Jane and Guilford on his way to the scaffold.  Those present made no admission of any tears at the end, but it is the BBBC!  Many liked the portrayal of the executioner, but then he was as innocent as Jane.  Most admitted that they did not enjoy history at school, but now in middle age it is time for us to catch up on what we have all missed.  Perhaps O level history was badly taught and had the wrong syllabus.  Present teaching/syllabus is probably more engaging and relevant.  (From my perspective, I want to know why something happened as well as what happened.)

Notes nobly supplied by Ras once again.