Decmber 12, 2013
We were so busy chatting and laughing, we almost forgot to vote. So, here, as decided by Jen, Jane, Gill, Shubha and Nic just before we left, are a few highlights and low lights of 2013.
Book of the Year: Sense of an Ending and Bring Up the Bodies. I see from the notes, I voted for both. Shuba also voted twice but her other choice was Therese Raquin, where she was on her own!
Blooper of the Year: MR James Collected Ghost Stories
Most Disappointing Book: MR James Collected Ghost Stories and Tender is the Night
Best debate and Jane's Surprise Like: How to be a Woman
Best Sommelier: Code of the Woosters (Sartoria)
Worst Hangover: Code of the Woosters (Sartoria)
Most Apt Venue: Bring up The Bodies (The Perkin Reveller at the Tower of London) and MR James Collected Ghost Stories (The Grenadier)
Least Apt Venue: City of Thieves (Yauatcha to discuss the siege of Leningrad)
Favourite Character: Jeeves (nicest); Van Helsing (sexiest)
Least Favourite Character: Dick, Laurent and Nicole (a popular category this year)
Friends, book discussions, food matching and food sharing. A private book group. Warning: may contain spoilers.
Sunday, 22 December 2013
#80 - Therese Raquinn - Emile Zola (Choice: Jen)(Venue: The Bleeding Heart Tavern)
December 12, 2013
Present: Jen, Jane, Nic, Shubha and Gill
Pre-dinner cocktails were taken by Jen and Nic at the American Bar downstairs at Brasserie Zedel. We will return. We will bring others. We may even dress up. How glamorous! We might have to do another roaring twenties book!
At the Bleeding Heart Tavern, we had a space that amounted to a private room and the staff were attentive and gracious, attending to each new arrival as Gill and Shubha dashed from their work dos to the Christmas do that really matters! The pork wasn't quite as good as it should have been or quite as good as I think the Bleeding Heart think it is. Hey ho. We had a super night.
Jane's review of this book, remains my favourite. Upon hearing of Jen's choice, she said:
Present: Jen, Jane, Nic, Shubha and Gill
Pre-dinner cocktails were taken by Jen and Nic at the American Bar downstairs at Brasserie Zedel. We will return. We will bring others. We may even dress up. How glamorous! We might have to do another roaring twenties book!
At the Bleeding Heart Tavern, we had a space that amounted to a private room and the staff were attentive and gracious, attending to each new arrival as Gill and Shubha dashed from their work dos to the Christmas do that really matters! The pork wasn't quite as good as it should have been or quite as good as I think the Bleeding Heart think it is. Hey ho. We had a super night.
Jane's review of this book, remains my favourite. Upon hearing of Jen's choice, she said:
NOOOOOOOOOO
NOT ZOLA
NO NO NO NO NO
Not having read Zola at that time, I didn't understand. Now, having read a third, may be a half (my complete works of Zola showed me still having read 1% of said works!) of this Zola, I understand perfectly. Naturally, this means that Shubha LOVED the book. Jen finished it because she'd chosen it and was trying to read it in French so was getting pleasure from that pursuit, if not from the tale itself. Jane read it and didn't despise it, I salute her. I know what happens at the end now, I still don't want to read it.
NOT ZOLA
NO NO NO NO NO
Not having read Zola at that time, I didn't understand. Now, having read a third, may be a half (my complete works of Zola showed me still having read 1% of said works!) of this Zola, I understand perfectly. Naturally, this means that Shubha LOVED the book. Jen finished it because she'd chosen it and was trying to read it in French so was getting pleasure from that pursuit, if not from the tale itself. Jane read it and didn't despise it, I salute her. I know what happens at the end now, I still don't want to read it.
If one were forced to describe this book in one word, bleak would be a good one.
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