a virtual meeting in september
“What comes through most strikingly in Warren’s narrative is Estella’s frustration at her circumstances. From childhood she believes Oliver when he tells her she will inherit the brick plant. Until the day he reveals he was just humouring her and of course it will be her brothers who will take over when he eventually retires. Estella’s reward is instead the responsibility of playing nursemaid for him in his dotage. This pattern carries on throughout her life, and we ache for the wasted potential, the opportunities just out of reach. At the same time we cheer her small rebellions – taking lovers, buying a flashy car, and proving herself an astute business woman after all.”
the summer drags on and while a lot has changed; so much remains the same. we hope that news of a virtual book club gathering will be something to look forward to.
on monday september 21, dianne warren will join us from her home in regina to talk to us about her latest book, the diamond house. we will pick up dinner (with the ingredients for a cocktail as well) from public kitchen that afternoon then settle in for a reading and a chat with dianne on zoom.
we heard your suggestions about our last meeting and have some suggestions for a better zoom experience. first, we encourage you to submit your questions via the “chat” button in zoom. you can do this at the beginning of the meeting or as the questions come to you. all will be read by the moderator and dianne and, time-permitting, all should be answered.
we also encourage you to set up your own “mini book club” in your backyard with a few friends. that way you encourage a safe gathering with friends and maybe even carry on the discussion after the zoom meeting ends.
“Estella grows up planning her future in the image of her father’s daring first wife, rather than that of her traditional mother. When her plans are derailed again and again by the family patriarchy, she longs to rebel and be like Salina. Unable to openly challenge her father, and with a chorus of sisters-in-law passing judgment, she does the right thing instead, and plays the role of the good daughter.
Until she doesn’t.”