“Real thinking happens when you consider both sides of a problem.”
Bookers stood strong against Mother Nature’s tempest that turned the lake into an ocean to meet at the home of Jane Shaw. There’s an old saying that happiness comes the way the wind blows…so there were nine jubilant book lovers enjoying the camaraderie and discussion led by our hostess.
We hope you all had a joyful holiday with family and friends and are looking forward to diving into 2024 with anticipation and purpose. As Mark Twain liked to point out, “Now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions so next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual.”
Jane brought a new slant to begin our meeting by exploring why people belong to book clubs and what each of us look for in a book. In Bookers we go beyond the “lists” in search of something different, something that fosters good conversation and is well-written. Other book clubs might focus on certain genres or topics or beach reads. None are better than the other if the one you join speaks to what is important to you as an individual. Characters are key for many as they must be interesting, believable, empathetic, and often we see ourselves in a starring role in the chapters and wonder how the author got inside our heads.
Summary:
Eighty-six-year-old August Simms – explorer, soldier, widow, and world traveler – is dying. He returns home to Rhome, Texas hoping for a miracle – to feel his wife’s presence and investigate the mystery of the UFO airships dominating the news. His goal was to dispel the hoaxes, pranks, and embellished witness accounts in search of the truth and in the process, he formed relationships with unlikely candidates, reunited with his past, and embraced his future. His real-life character and down-home wisdom spoke to readers on many levels and his legacy lived on with the endowments he bequeathed to those he loved.
About the author:
By day, Brian Kaufman is a curriculum editor for an online junior college. At night, he writes. He has published several poems and short stories, along with ten novels (one of which is co-authored), six textbooks and several novellas. Because writing, work and family consume so much of his time, he embraces insomnia as a blessing. In other universes, he is a pro wrestler, a radio talk show host, and a heavy metal guitarist. In this universe, he lives in the Colorado mountains with his wife Judith and dog Finn, avoiding moderation and any pretense of convention or maturity.
Jane’s view and our Discussion:
Jane has concluded that she likes old men – loved Arthur Truluv, Winston Browne, and August Simms. Knowing August’s fate at the very beginning did not mean the novel was not super “tissue-worthy.” He was looking for truth in his own life trying to evaluate what was real and what was not. Is that any different than hunting for the Loch Ness Monster or Big Foot? August comes “home” to search for his past – the boarding house is as he remembers it but now it’s worn out just like him. His journey to discover what was behind the “airship” phenomenon leads him to those whose lives he has touched and those that have touched him. The cast of characters around him were loyal, endearing, unforgettable, well developed, many with enough guilt to share with a nation, and all realizing an epiphany or inner cleansing at some point in the book – and for readers, it was very difficult to close the last chapter on them. We talked about relationships, religion, racism, and how Abigail’s regal bearing set her apart taking the stereotypical “black” out of the equation. August’s comment about history – “if not a strict repetition, then certainly a persistent echo” resonated with our group understanding the title of the book as well as its reach – August’s ability to share his thoughts in a non-combative way – as in today’s world when are we going to be brave enough to say that’s enough and use wisdom in a non-controversial manner? A goal would be to be able to say, I disagree… ideally without any repercussions. We discussed Natalie and her transformation from a typical teenager to a responsible “adult” with a bright future, shared stories about seeking love and tenderness and feeling safe in a relationship whether or not it’s viewed as traditional. As pointed out by our astute youngest Booker, August always had Dr. Pepper each time he visited Hanson’s (mentioned 13 times in the novel – product marketing at its best! – she didn’t count but her Kindle did.) We discussed how the men in the novel seemed to accept, tolerate, or develop a “it’s not my business” attitude toward Nadine and Abigail’s relationship, with a few not getting on board with the credibility of this scenario in small-town Texas in that timeframe. Maybe it was the “southern way” of saying, “they may not be right but they’re ours and it’s none of my business.” We talked about August’s reference to Bass Reeves, the former slave who served in the Civil War and became a U.S. Marshal, who was known for his fairness to all, “Black, white, red…we’re all just men.” And we talked about a time in history rife with medical malpractice and how the Doctor in the novel had a remedy for Abigail and Nadine’s “affliction.”
And, when all the ends were tied up in the Hallmark-type ending, with August seeing his airship which tilted left and right perhaps as an acknowledgment to him, and of course the doe saying, “Come with me, it’s time for our next adventure.” Ahhhhh….
Another plotline of the novel was the existence of UFOs which dates back to seven years before the Wright brothers flew at Kitty Hawk with more than 400 sightings reported across Texas. On April 12, 1897, the newspapers were filled with first-hand accounts and the reading public was fascinated. It remains a much “cussed” and discussed topic to this day and as Jane reported, Marshall has seen “something” while flying and if you travel the stretch of highway from Phoenix to Los Angeles, you are very likely to witness things at night you cannot reconcile.
On the business side:
Amy pointed out that this novel and next month’s selection were published by small presses and wondered if this was a coincidence or purposeful. The answer is two-fold. The committee searches beyond the “lists” but going back to this year’s selections, all but these two were published by one of the big 5 imprints. In past years we have discovered “jewels” that were unknown at the time but gained national recognition. So, we’d like to think we contributed to the author’s exposure.
Kristen Hannah of The Nightingale, The Great Alone, The Four Winds, etc…fame will be releasing another historical fiction, February 6th, The Women, set in America in the 1960s, a coming-of-age story during a dangerous time in a nation divided by war and broken by politics. Patty has just finished I am Pilgrim by Terry Hays’ suspense thriller and recommends if you have time for a 624 page-turner.
Amy reminded us of the PWC Gala volunteer brunch meeting on Saturday the 13th, 10:00 a.m. at the home of Christy Vasiliou, 125 Colonial, Pinnacle Golf Club.
Happy Reading,
JoDee
