The meeting was held at the home of Susan Gordon. Attending were Susan Gordon, Reggie Mead, Lynda Doery, Elizabeth Mossbarger, Laurel Cohen, Helen Abramowicz, Linda Buxbaum and guest Fred Doery.
In accordance with decisions made at the last gathering of the book group, the discussion leader will write up the notes and forward them to the Board of the Club. Members of the book group will take turns representing the group at Board meetings.
The book under discussion was Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. Linda Buxbaum led the discussion. The book is a retelling of David Copperfield by Charles Dickens set in contemporary Appalachia. It tells the story of a young man’s beginnings, his abandonment by those who should have protected him, his descent into drug addiction and his possible redemption through his own powers of resilience.
The group discussed the addiction crisis among poor people, the inadequacy of child protective government agencies. We also talked about Appalachian culture, and some possible explanations of why it is what it is. We related the book to others we have read: Hillbilly Elegy and Empire of Pain, both of which brought insight into the Kingsolver book.
The next gathering of the book group will be
Tuesday, February 7 at 1 pm at the home of Helen Abramowicz, Bay Plaza 1255 N Gulf of Mexico Drive, Sarasota Apartment 406. This is a change from previously announced location.
The book will be Grey Bees by Alexie Kurkov. Kurkov is a leading Ukrainian writer. Discussion leader will be Kim Albright.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Buxbaum