I’ve been given the responsibility for wrapping up the time we spend reading and discussing Wild Game. It’s my first time handling this portion of our online book club and I’m technically on vacation so . . . be kind. Ha!
We each offered up questions on our blog last Tuesday and the discussions were interesting. Bonny talked about whether we are all destined to become our parents. Kym’s discussion question centered around the use of Mary Oliver’s poem The Uses of Sorrow. And here on Carole Knits we talked about how the book impacted you as a reader. I followed all the discussions and I think it’s safe to say that those 3 topics covered most everything y’all wanted to talk about regarding this book.
I was a little surprised that the book wasn’t more universally liked . . . quite a few of you didn’t enjoy it or couldn’t relate to it because the author’s relationship with her mother was so dysfunctional. For me, that’s the great thing about reading a memoir. You either relate (as I did and some of you also did) or you don’t. But I would argue that not relating to someone’s experiences doesn’t make it less valuable. I would say that reading about a life that’s vastly different than yours can help you find compassion and empathy for those that are different. And isn’t that one of the main reasons for reading? To understand the world around us? It is for me and I’m guessing it is for many of you, too.
And now for the part you’ve all been waiting for . . . our prize winner! It’s Vicki! Congratulations Vicki and thanks for joining in on the discussion on all 3 of our blogs. We just need your address and then we will get that prize right in the mail to you.
Thanks again to everyone who Read With Us. We will be announcing our fall book very soon!
I completely agree about reading books to expand our horizons and develop empathy. Gah! If I only read books I “could relate to” I would have a very tiny shelf 😉 I’m sorry I wasn’t able to join in with this book – and I look forward to the fall selection and more good discussion!
I also agree with your thoughts Carole. I heard Kelly Corrigan talk about this. She challenged someone who said they hated a book to look at why they had such a strong response. I am trying to pay attention to that in my own reading. It is also why I am hesitant to give star ratings unless I can also give my reasons for that rating. Thanks again for helping create a space for reading community.
Hi there. I haven’t been very active in the conversation (I think I only commented once! Many thoughts on the book; I’m just not a good book clubber. In fact, I feel like the only person left who’s never been in a book club!). I actually read the book super-fast, for me. It was interesting to me in a People Magazine sort of way. In other words, it was so different from my own relationship with my parents that it read as entertainment. (Not in an “I’m having fun with your dysfunction” way, but probably in the way that other people described that it read as fiction, for them.)
My singular strong feeling lies in the fact that I felt Rennie was one-dimensional. I kept wanting to feel more for and with her, more about the rest of her life–what she was missing, how she felt among peers, etc.–and I didn’t get any of that until she moved into the apt in Brooklyn (?). And then the story deepened for me–when her mother spoke that singular heartwrenching sentence. But I was disappointed that we had to wait that long to feel something ‘other.’ So–a good read. Glad I read it! I’m a big fan of memoirs. But I couldn’t call it a great read.
Thanks to you three for hosting!!
Signed,
Reluctant Participant 🙂
I’ve enjoyed book club. I’ve read books I probably wouldn’t have found on my own. I may not love every book but I read a lot of books that I don’t always like in the end. Could be timing of when I’m reading and what is going on in my home life. Or I just don’t click with the book or author. But it’s good to try new authors and books because you just never know till you start reading. Looking forward to the next book.
I’m so thankful that the three of you have been hosting us through several books. I find that even if I don’t like a book, I still get something useful out of reading it. I enjoyed Wild Game even though I found it disturbing; I could still appreciate the strength of the writing and of the author to confront and address her dysfunctional relationship with her mother.
Though I didn’t participate (vacation was very busy!) I did enjoy the book and like you said – other peoples lives certainly give a different perspective and one that absolutely need to be valued. I found myself digging into the actual family on-line. Interesting for sure! Thanks for hosting, wrapping up and choosing another for us! Happy Vacation Carole!
It is so important to read for the very reason you bring up, learning about other’s life experiences is what creates empathy in us. We can’t live through every experience (thank goodness we don’t have to), but we can read and learn. Thank you for sharing this book with us, for your perspective, and for your telling us your story.
Oh, it’s me!! Haha. Wow, what a busy week this has been!
I didn’t love the book (it was immediately put in the donation pile), but I’m glad I read it and was finally able to participate in discussion! I love your wrap-up… perfectly stated.