The grapes of wrath: the rest of the chapters

It seems that we are all late, but as always, it's not a problem! We'll just add up from here all the comments for the rest of the book, so please add whatever remarks, comments, ideas that "The grapes of wrath" are provoking you... By the way, a very good title, if you ask me... what do you think?
We'll give some more weeks to reach the final line before we start thinking about the next book, the first of 2014, sounds good?

The grapes of wrath: Chapters 13 - 18

Life at the road continues.

There are signs of hope in these chapters, like the friendship of the Joad's family with the Wilsons, the story of Mae the waitress, or the bonds and humanity that emerge among families that meet on the road. However, overall, drama and tragedy increase. First, death strikes the family, who looses Grampa and Granma. Even the death of the dog brings a component of bad luck. Second, uncertainty and strong worries about the future in California appear as they meet people for whom the California dream did not work. Finally, the unraveling of the family. Not only with he grandparents death, but also with the departure of Noah.

How do you feel the tragedy is affecting the characters? For instance, Ma Joad?

The story of Mae, the waitress, seems like a drop of kindness among so much harshness. How do you think that story fits? Do you think that kind of circle of gratitude happens in real life? Or is it too idealistic?

What about the illustration of capitalism that Steinbeck does? Again, it is interesting to remember that the book was written in 1939.

The grapes of wrath: Chapters 7-12

We are getting to know better the family, the father, the mother, the brother... they are all preparing to go West, selling their stuff and trying to organize the trip that will change their lives. It is amazing how Steinbeck describes the attachment of the family to the land, and how he expresses how the family has its roots there, and there they will remain for longtime in their memories, wherever they go, it might as well be Orange County, but they are from the Dust Bowl. How do you see this? Do you have such an attachment somewhere? Is home where your family is or a certain place? And finally, is there anything in particular that catches your eye in these chapters?

The grapes of wrath: Chapters 1 - 6

Well, well, well... what about the start of "The grapes of wrath"? Steinbeck presents a dramatic situation in the deep countryside of the USA. One of the main issues is the land and the attachment to people, to a family, that is a universal situation, isn't it? What about the role of banks? It does sound too familiar... It is striking, it was written over 70 years ago!

Nobel Prize for Alice Munro!

Did you guys see this? http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/canadas-alice-munro-wins-nobel-literature-prize/2013/10/10/412c83a2-319c-11e3-ad00-ec4c6b31cbed_story.html I read that the final run was between her and Murakami. We have such a top quality collection of books and authors in our bookclub!

After-summer winner

The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck

One of the most beloved novels of American literature by one of its greatest novelists. It has been described as epic, transcendental, human, captivating, tragic and idillic, a must-read… A perfect combination for our club!

Thanks everybody for your votes!

Suggested reading schedule coming soon.

As always, looking forward to reading with you.

Final chapters: "What is Remembered", "Queenie", "The Bear Came Over the Mountain"

As we are running behind schedule, again, I decided to sum up in one post for all the last three stories. We can discuss here about Queenie and Mr.Vorguilla, and how some things, are the same in no matter what culture... the widow man that cannot be alone for a few minutes and the runaway girl, is this a stereotype or does it really happen? This was set in Canada, years ago, but do you see that now, wherever you are?
What do you think of the whole book? Are like we were saying, some characters universal? Are family issues the same everywhere and always? Is loneliness the big character of all the stories?
Are you willing to go on other short stories? Or do you feel it is always better a good old novel? Feel free to comment on these and other topics that you might have thought while reading this book. We hope you enjoyed it!

Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage - Post and Beam

So we meet Lorna, her husband and Polly, the uncomfortable relative. This is something that actually happens a lot, families with time get more distant, life circumstances change, and someone that was a perfect companion at some point, later on when years and lives have gone on, doesn't seem to be that same person anymore... In Post and Beam, do you think Lorna acts right? Does she "dislike" Polly because her husband does? Or is there something else? Is actually Polly the one that is imposing herself and wants to make Lorna feel guilty because she left? And what about the end of the story? Where does the change come from?

Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage - Nettles

It seems the summer is keeping us all too busy! In any case, we know some of you are there and we thank you. We specially thank Arantxa, who keeps sharing her always interesting thoughts with us. Although with some delay, we are here too, enjoying Ms. Munro and her stories.

How did you like "Nettles"?

In this story, the no-named narrator is a recently divorced, middle-aged woman who is confronted with her life and her feelings toward her ex-husband, kids, lover… In that context, she reencounters Mike, a friend of childhood.

How did you feel about the narrator? Do you think Mike has the same feelings that she has about their relationship as kids? What do you think is the meaning of Mike's revelation in the context of the story? What's the point? How does the reencounter affect the protagonist and the way she continues with her life?

Do you remember a similar story as a kid? Do you recall having similar (confusing?) feelings when looking back to old days and friends?

As with all Munro' stories, a lot of interesting things to reflect on.

Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage - Comfort

Death and illness presented again in this story. Now, from the point of view of the partner and exploring tolerance, hopes, commitment, conformism…

What do you think of the title of this story? Why and where comfort?

What do you see in the relationships presented? Love, marriage, courtship...