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The Aveyron Book Group
Keen readers gather around France for regular book readings
and reviews, usually over a cup of tea or a glass of wine.
French News Online, in collaboration with one of these – The
Aveyron Book Group – here introduces a regular book lovers’ page.
The Aveyron Book Group was set up in 2003 with just 5 members
and now with a full house at 14, it meets regularly in the afternoons
for tea, visiting each other’s homes on a rota basis. (For
further information regarding the Aveyron Book Group – please
click this link).
The September Book group was held on a beautiful late summer
afternoon deep in the heart of the Aveyron. Our book was
A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley
Anne Dyson, a member of the Aveyron Book Group writes:
A Thousand Acres
– Jane Smiley –
Nine members with very differing opinions of the book made
for a lively discussion. Two members who were not able to be
present sent their reviews by email. The overall score was 74%
which included one 2, one 9.5 and 3 x 9. Negative comments about
the book centered on its overwhelming dark side, one member
commented that it was unremitting gloom and doom with little
if any light. Another that it was very depressing. The parallels
to the story of King Lear were noted and several members were
intrigued by the reworking of the story in a modern setting.
The descriptions of the land, farming, food and the utter boredom
of the lives of the two eldest daughters were well wrought.
The gradual disintegration of the families was painful but sympathetically
written.
The characters too came alive, with the exception of Caroline
who it was felt could have played a more central role.
The character of Ginny, the narrator, was especially powerful,
she came over as totally believable and many members felt very
sympathetic to her fate. Larry Cook, the father and Lear figure,
bears none of the pathos of Lear, he is a totally unlikeable
man who has totally dominated his two eldest daughters and it
is safe to say, has ruined their lives.
The figure of Jess, likened to the fool in Lear, is the character
least affected by the tragic Cook family, he is able to stand
apart and use the women in his own rather selfish way.
I personally loved the book, it was slow to begin with but I
then became caught up in the story and in my admiration for
Jane Smiley’s writing. I have gone on to read many more by this
author all of which I have enjoyed. Our lovely afternoon tea,
as ever, was very welcome after our discussion. What a superb
way to spend an afternoon.
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Read the Book
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See the Film
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– Order your copy
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click the image above
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– Order your copy
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click the image above
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Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley, Paperback:
367 pages Publisher: Harper Perennial Published: 4 May 2004
ISBN 978-0-00-654482-1
Reviews: Anne
Dyson, Aveyron Book Group
annedyson@wanadoo.fr
Anne
Dyson
Anne Dyson, in cooking mode!
Anne Dyson runs the well known Greedy Goose cooking school which
is associated with Maison Dyson, her charming retreat in an area
bordering the Tarn and Tarn et Garonne. For
further information about Anne and her two enterprises, The Greedy
Goose and Maison Dyson, please click this link to pop-up a new
window.
The Greedy Goose, Cookery School
Links
Greedy Goose
Cookery School
Maison
Dyson
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