 |
| Country Farm Quilt Block |
What did you think of the book? Were you engaged immediately or did it take you a while to get into the book? How did you feel while reading it - amused, sad, disturbed, confused, bored?
If you could ask Sandra Dallas a question, what would you ask? Have you read other books by her?
There are no right or wrong answers. We come from many different locations and are of different generations - so I'm expecting some differences of opinion! It wouldn't be much of a discussion if we all feel exactly the same way. One reason for being in a book club is to hear ideas other than your own and stretch your mind a bit. Having said this, it is also important to be respectful of each other's opinions.
I would urge you not to be a lurker. Enter into the discussion. We'd love to hear your ideas and thoughts on the book.
A reminder - If you receive my blog posts via email, you will need to click through to my blog to be able to see comments and to respond yourself.
Another reminder - When you comment, you will need to select a profile in order for your comment to show up. This is to block spammers from taking over. I originally set it up so that you could comment as "Anonymous," but I ended up with so many spam comments that I couldn't stand it. You may have seen some very strange comments until I was able to delete them! They were coming every two minutes one morning. It takes only a few moments to create a Google or some other account.
Two more questions tomorrow!
You might also enjoy my previous blog post:
http://www.starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2013/02/first-discussion-of-persian-pickle-club.html
I first read this book when it first came out..it was an offering of Mystery Guild book club. I have loved it ever since, and have read it many times. I find that I sympathize with Agnes T. Ritter, as we have lived in this place for 32 years and I have no local friends. My friends are elsewhere or on the internet. I do wish I could be a part of a Persian Pickle club for real! I cannot think of a question for Sandra Dallas, although I greatly admire her as an author. I have read several of her other books, and have enjoyed them all!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I was so excited to get that book from June. Just picking it up reminded me of how she went to the trouble and expense to send it all the way to me. I knew I would like that book from the beginning. At first I had trouble keeping all the people straight because sometimes they were called by first names and sometimes by last names. Finally I listed the people in order of appearance and wrote a few notes so I could figure out where they fit in.
ReplyDeleteWhile reading the book I only felt excited to see what would take place next but I kept shutting the book so I would make it last as long as possible and read some parts over again. I really hate to come to the end of a good book... I just want them to go on forever.
Since I belong to a group about that size that has members who bug each other, I was curious as to what kept the group so loyal to each member that certain foibles were over-looked or forgiven. Thinking of my own group, I might ask the author if she thinks that loyalty came with the times, the era, or the hardships everyone was facing and if groups like mine might also be a sign of the times, that members stamp off mad rather than forgive and forget, because they don't think they need each other in this day and age. This is the only book I have read by Sandra Dallas. I hope it will not be the last.
I, too, had trouble keeping the characters straight....while I enjoyed the book, especially after I was at the end, I don't like books for which I need to keep notes! But the ending was priceless and in the end, I was glad I'd read it.
DeleteI am enjoying reading this book. It drew me in right away. There is nothing I would ask Sandra Dalllas about the book, however, I look forward to reading more from her.
ReplyDeleteI've read the book several times, loved it each time, and have read everything else Sandra has written. I was able to see her speak once, at Sisters and boy was she a hoot! You can see why her characters are, well, such characters! I found all the characters engaging, sometimes seeing personality traits that reminded me of my own friends in the various ladies.
ReplyDeleteI, too, have read the book several times and have enjoyed it every single time. My parents both grew up very near Harveyville. There are certain phrases in the book that sound exactly the way my dad talks. When I met Sandra, I commented on that. She said that when she writes a book, she goes to the actual setting (in this case Harveyville) and sits in a booth in the local cafe and listens to people talking. She jots down phrases she hears. She's not trying to write down exact conversations - just phrases that may be unique to the area. For example, on page 8, Mrs. Judd says, "There wasn't anything romantic about Son of Kong. Don't you remember? We saw it over to Topeka." My dad would absolutely say the phrase "over to Topeka." I think this attention to detail makes Sandra such a great writer.
ReplyDeleteThis genre of fiction is one of my favorites. And, I love anything about quilting, so I was into this book right away. Coming from a small town rural environment I could also relate a lot to the characters. My feelings about the characters, especially Queenie, changed as I read. Granted the story is being told from Queenie's point of view, and while I found her to be a sensitive and kind individual, i.e., taking the new member under wing and encouraging her to try quilting, etc., I also found her a bit unkind and judgmental about others in the group (making fun of the one lady's goiter, for example, or the other woman's wart on her face). While it made for funny reading, I felt it took away from Queenie's character a bit. Over all, however, the author's mix of the characters' personalities, foibles and virtues alike, kept the story engaging, and the story lighthearted and a pleasure to read. I would have asked the author why the book was so short or why it wasn't turned into a series. I haven't ready any other books by Sandra Dallas.
DeleteWork is currently underway to turn the book into a movie. If you google The Persian Pickle Club movie, you can read about it.
DeleteCan't wait for the movie. It should be a good one. I check it out on Goggle.
DeleteIt's a bit of a long story, but I just obtained a copy of the PPC. I have decided to begin the March selection, so I can be ahead instead of behind. I will read the PPC later, then look back at these posts. I will join you for the next one!
ReplyDeleteWe're excited to have you, Char! Welcome to the book club!
DeleteLike Julie, it took me a while to get into the book due to the number of characters and their partners. Once I had them in my head, I loved reading the book and really looked forward to the next chapter. I felt that the writing painted an excellent picture of the lives led and the difficulties involved by various characters. The friendships formed through the group was special and even though not all of the characters were best friends, the loyalty given to each member was amazing. This was probably due to the times they lived in and the farming community, which even today has special bonds. I was surprised at some of the storylines from the book, especially the attack on Queenie and Rita, it just wasn't something that I was expecting from the book. This is the first book that I have read by Sandra and wondered if she was a quilter herself.
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed the book so far. Like Diane, I felt the book took me back to the time Sandra Dallas was portraying. I look forward to reading more of her books.
ReplyDeleteIt took me a bit to get all the characters and their relationship to one another straight. Since we just moved to a new town, new home, knowing very few people, I sympathized with Rita, my name sake in the book. The development of deep abiding friendships surrounding a common avtivity such, as quilting, is so often lost in the fast pace lives we so often lead in this age. We lack the deep connections of a by-gone era, much to our detriment.
ReplyDeleteI have not read any other books by Sandy Dallas.
I got the book from the library last Friday and finished it today (thursday) I too had a bit of a challenge sorting out the characters in the first part of the book but once I got into it a bit it was hard to put it down. The ladies reminded me so much of the quiliting group I am in, various ages and personalities and stages in life but friendly and willing to take in a newbie like me and teach me things they can do in their sleep. And yes, I would certainly like to read more of her books. Now to get the March book and start it too.
ReplyDelete