On-line book club - The Secret Scripture

[tbb113]

Business first

October Book - Towelhead by Alicia Erian
November Book - In the Time of Butterflies by Julia Alvarez

My questions are from various internet sources

1)Father Gaunt’s account of Roseanne’s life is clouded by his prejudices. Roseanne’s autobiographical testament is rendered unreliable by her age and her suspect mental condition. Which version of events do you find more trustworthy? Is either account completely untrustworthy?

2)The Secret Scripture is told by two narrators, with each in the first person. How does this affect your relationship with Roseanne McNulty and Dr Grene? Do you think the novel would have worked as well if told in the third person?

3)The novel explores the idea of writing your experiences down being able to help you to make sense of
the past. Have you ever kept a diary? If so, did you find it therapeutic? If you have not kept one, would this
novel motivate you to record your experiences?

4) The dramatic plot twist at the end of the novel has divided both critics and prize judges. What did you
think of it? Did you find it too melodramatic, or did you think it tied up the loose ends of the story in a
satisfactory way?

My own questions...
5) Many reviews talk about this book as a story about Ireland. Do you know enough about the history of Ireland to understand this comparison?

6) And of course, did you like the book?

[tbb113]

1)Father Gaunt’s account of Roseanne’s life is clouded by his prejudices. Roseanne’s autobiographical testament is rendered unreliable by her age and her suspect mental condition. Which version of events do you find more trustworthy? Is either account completely untrustworthy?
I think I believe Roseanne's version of her life more trustworthy. She doesn't have any reason (other than self preseveration) to change the events of her life. Father Gaunt needs to have the events fit his actions and beliefs.

2)The Secret Scripture is told by two narrators, with each in the first person. How does this affect your relationship with Roseanne McNulty and Dr Grene? Do you think the novel would have worked as well if told in the third person?
Honestly, I think it is the only way the story could be told for it to make sense. You get to understand both narrators POV and life better, plus I think it flowed better than if it had been done in third person

3)The novel explores the idea of writing your experiences down being able to help you to make sense of
the past. Have you ever kept a diary? If so, did you find it therapeutic? If you have not kept one, would this
novel motivate you to record your experiences?
I've dabbled with a diary/journal in the past when it was required for school but I actually found it annoying. I don't think I would want to write in a diary, I'm not that introspective or think I lead that interesting of a life. Heck, I don't even blog

4) The dramatic plot twist at the end of the novel has divided both critics and prize judges. What did you think of it? Did you find it too melodramatic, or did you think it tied up the loose ends of the story in a satisfactory way?
I did find it melodramatic but I also liked it. I think it was a very sastisfactory way to end the book

My own questions...
5) Many reviews talk about this book as a story about Ireland. Do you know enough about the history of Ireland to understand this comparison?
I don't know the first thing about Irish history nor do I like to look for hidden meanings or symbolism in books. I read them for the basic story and judge it for that only.

6) And of course, did you like the book?
I found it very slow to read. I never felt it calling to me to finish (and I frequently put it down or looked for something else to read). But all in all, it was an okay story

[tbb113]

bumping back up in case somebody else read the book and wants to comment....

[tbb113]

Final bump to see if anybody else read this book and if we are continuing on with more books.

[KristiB]

It's been checked out from my library so I won't get to it.

Towelhead is available but I won't be able to get to the library until next week. I HATED the movie so it will be interesting to see if I like the book.

I've already read "Butterflies."

Should we continue? Seems interest has waned...I can't committ to every book but I'll do what I can.

[tbb113]

I think it is unrealistic to expect us all to read every book due to costs, availability, life, etc. I'm willing to read all that I can find at the library.

[mrswaz]

I'm next on the hold list! It's been returned, so I should have it any day now.

I also want to try and read as many of these books as I can. With homeschooling my kids, I'm doing a lot of reading, but not books of the grown-up variety... it is nice to have something to almost force me to read something other than what we're using for school.