Mistress of Spices?

[SusanMac]

We're a week or so into June, I haven't been on the BB for about a week, and wanted to check in on the Book Club. I didn't see any postings, though.

Are we waiting until the end of month before chats, reviews, & discussions? I'm about half way through the book.

[SusieO]

I think we're waiting until the end of the month. At least I hope so. I've only read a few pages. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/tongue.gif

[KValley]

I was just thinking of posting the same question. I'm about 2/3 of the way through, but I wouldn't mind beginning a discussion.

This was a difficult book for me to get into- I didn't get caught up in the story until about a couple of chapters ago (I won't say what happened or why, to spare those just beginning).

I put it aside for a couple of weeks, read some other things, and picked it back up last week. I think I will need to re-read the first part to reflect on what and why it didn't grab me initially. I'm hooked now!

I am working my way through the questions (another reason to reread the first part), making notes on the role of the spices, the focus on physical beauty, the meaning of Tilo's punishment(s), but I'm not ready to come up with answers- just trying to absorb the details.

[BosunsWife]

I had to order it from Waldenbooks and just got it last week. I haven't had a chance yet to pick it up and start reading - spending all my spare time when DD is asleep with my DH since he just got back from an extended trip.

[kima]

I think we had decided to wait until the end of the month- but heck discuss away!! I need help!! I was the person who nominated this book because I loved Sister of My Heart. I am only about half way through this and must admit I am having a hard time staying with it!! Especially when books I put on hold at the library on coming in and I only have them for two weeks. It never rains but it pours!!
I think its time for me to start mulling over those questions. Glad to hear it "picks up"later Julie!!

[Sara Emily]

Dear Kima, "Mistress of Book Discussions," (How does that new title grab ya?! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif)

I think you made a WISE choice in suggesting this book as our first one to review! Like you and the other folks mentioned, I was not totally enthralled with the material at first. If I had just picked this up on my own, I think I would have quit about 1/4 of the way through ..... but that would have been a SHAME! The fact that I committed myself to this discussion made me perservere, and the book got progressively more interesting and captivating as I continued! I don't think that any of us will vote this among our all time favorite novels, but it WAS well worth reading, and is one of those that will stay with you for years to come. And ... there is PLENTY of fodder for discussion!

Also, thinking ahead a bit, the book on the Simple Life should be EASY reading after this(!), and will engender an entirely DIFFERENT type of discussion, which will be good for all of us!

I'm looking forward to everyone finishing and to the "chat" that will ensue. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[SusanMac]

Oh good...I thought it was just me. It was tough to get into the book. For some reason, I was getting the characters a bit mixed up and I found her style a bit difficult to follow at times.

But, yes, stick with it. The second half went by very quickly (I just finished last night!) because I got more engaged with the characters and their stories. And, I wasn't exactly sure how it was going to end (which I like in a book) It's also a really unique topic, which I liked. I need to go revisit those questions (I didn't read them as I thought they might give away some of the story details)

[BevP]

I guess I'm wierd. I loved it from the start but I began reading on the airplane and finished during vacation. I loved the broken narrative style but maybe that's what's making it hard to read for everyone else. It reminded me of how I think sometimes. Never finish some sentences, just get the gist of it across, stuff like that. I do confess, I'd figured many of the sub-plots before the end but wasn't sure how she'd resolve the main plot.

I wasn't in the original voting but decided to try it from the library. Thanks for broadening my reading choices. I'd never have grabbed it otherwise.

[Sara Emily]

Bev, I found your comments most interesting! Perhaps the best place for us to START our discussion is on the issue of why we did or did not have a difficult time with the first portion of the book and how we felt about the writing style. What did it ADD or how might it have detracted. Glad you're in there with us! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[jane]

I guess I'm weird too. I actually like the beginning and middle of the book more than the end. Anyway, I'm really looking forward to the discussion and think that the questions will really help. Although I haven't thought of a book in terms of discussion questions since college. I'm getting excited.

[Tangerine]

Hello, all you readers!

May a newbie join in?? I have just found your book club, and would love to participate along with you!

Have you prepared a study guide of questions for Mistress of Spices? Would it be possible to acquire it? And, is there a list of upcoming reading, too?

Tangerine

[SusieO]

Hello, Tangerine!

Check out this thread for the other reading choices and a link to discussion questions.
http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/Forum2/HTML/000543.html (http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/Forum2/HTML/000543.htmlons)



[This message has been edited by SusieO (edited 06-21-2001).]

[Susan]

Okay, I just finished Mistress today and need time to maul it over in my head. I am another that had a hard time getting into it. I admit that if I hadn't been reading it for this purpose, I might not have continued. Since I do most of my reading at night, I kept falling asleep reading it too. I perserved though and found myself intrigued and almost racing to the end! I am looking forward to the discussion!

~~Susan~~

[Susan]

Tangerine~
Welcome! I tried the link that SusieO referenced above and got an error message. I think this is the thread that she was directing you to: http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/Forum2/HTML/000543.html

~~Susan~~

[SusieO]

Thank you, Susan. I had some extra letters added to the URL, but it's better now.

I agree that you need some time to digest this one after finishing it. The book definitely evokes strong emotions, but I'm having difficulty putting together coherent thoughts about it. The discussion questions help. I'm going to go through them and re-read parts of the book this weekend.

[Laura]

I have to say I am very glad I read the book as it is not one I would have normally picked so it is good to broaden my horizons. I think the book improves as it goes along so if you are in the beginning keep going. I will wait until we start our discussion to add further notes although honestly, the discussion questions in the link look at the book at much deeper level than I ever would have by myself.

[jane]

I'm diligently working on the discussion questions, and while I agree that the questions are forcing me to look more deeply at the book than if I just read it for fun myself, I am enjoying taking the extra time to think about the questions. I think the discussion questions were a fantastic idea!

[kima]

Would it be a good idea to post a discussion question or two and then let people reply? I am afraid I will be out of town until July 3 (I haven't been away from the BB for that long since I joined!!)but please start without me- I haven't finished the book yet! I know it was my recommendation (based on loving her other book) but I am having a hard time getting through it. Doesn't hepl that track season is at its peak right now!