There
is one major thing that separates us from the rest of the animal kingdom, and
that’s language.
18 met at the home of Melba Holt to
discuss this month’s selection led by Beverly Dossett. Many thanks to Melba for
her hospitality and to Beverly for her insights into this novel. Most of our
group read and liked the story, although a few admitted reluctances to read a
book about a family living in a temporary hut inside a municipal dump in
Cambodia where residents build a life from what others throw away. The setting
is shortly after the decline of the brutal Khmer Rouge regime in the late
1970’s. The regime claimed the lives of two million people as their Marxist
leader mandated the population to return to communal farms creating an agrarian
utopia, killing those of intellect, some who wore glasses, and spoke a foreign
language.
The Rent Collector is fiction,
although the inspiration for the book came from the author’s son who produced a
documentary film, “River of Victory.” Sang Ly, her husband, and their very ill
infant make their home in a filthy and dangerous environment, similar to a gang
dominant ghetto. Surprisingly the message throughout the novel is one of hope,
determination, and redemption. Sang Ly is convinced for her son to have a
chance at a better life, the key is learning to read, although it won’t heal
his body, but reading will give him something to look forward to, a reason to
fight, and fill him with courage. The person rising up to the task is none
other than the old, crotchety, often tipsy landlord referred to as the Cow who was a college literature teacher
before she was a rent collector. You might ask how this educated person ends up
in the dump. You’ll have to read this well-written, poignant story to find out.
The role of literature in the novel is
universal in that, to understand it, you must read it with your head, but
interpret it with your heart. Literature always includes a telling lesson with
words linked together with emotion and purpose. It gives us somewhere to go
when we must stay where we are. Education brings us to an understanding of our
place in the world… “we are literature…our lives, our hopes, our desire, our
despairs, our passions, our strengths, and weaknesses.”
Those present today deserve a gold star
for their insightful comments, shared stories, questions, and answers. We
defined what hope means to us; talked about the role of luck in our lives; who
might have been “Lucky Fat’s” benefactor; the significance of a broken clock;
shelters, both literally and figuratively; the threat of change; dreams; and
the significance of the reading of Hans Christian Andersen’s The
Phoenix Bird.
The ones who were unable to make the
meeting missed the reason Bookers is still going strong after fifteen-years.
On
the business side:
Our “crack” committee is still reading
selections for the three slots we have yet to fill. We’ll keep you posted.
COLOR
CODING SYSTEM
WHITE: LIGHT READ
PINK: MODERATELY
CHALLENGING
RED: CHALLENGING
November 13: A Prayer
for Owen Meany by John Irving
Published in 1989, it tells the story of two
best friends growing up in a small New Hampshire town during the 1950’s and
1960’s.
PINK
Discussion
Leader: Melanie Prebis
Home of Katherine Maxwell-McDonald
December 11: Mr. Dickens and His Carol
by Samantha Silva
Charming and poignant about the creation of the
most famous Christmas tale ever written.
PINKISH WHITE
Discussion
Leader: Rebecca Brisendine
Home of Bonnie Magee
Jan. 8, 2019: The
Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
Set in Alaska in
1974. The ultimate test of survival for a family in crisis.
RED
Discussion
Leader: Patty Evans
Home of Daryl Daniels
February 12: The Cottingley Secret by
Hazel Gaynor
Set in 1917 England and based on a true story,
two young cousins somehow convince the world that the magic exists.
PALE
PINK
Discussion
Leader: Daryl Daniels
Home
of Beverly Dossett
March 12: Stormy Weather by
Paulette Jiles
Set in East Texas
during the depression, a story of hardship, sacrifice, and strength.
PINK
Discussion
Leader: Ann Ireland
Home
of Mary Wensel
April 9: Book TBD
Home of Jane Shaw
May 14: Book TBD
Evening Wine & Cheese Meeting @ home of Jean Alexander
Summer Read: Book TBD
“The most difficult battles in life are those we fight
within.” Buddha
Happy Reading,
JoDee
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