April Meeting Notes

Dear Books ‘n’ Wine Club,

In honor of the Royal couple and homage to Britain we dined on lovely chicken curry sandwiches, spinach salad, asparagus, and deviled egg filled phyllo cups. Of course the meal wouldn’t be complete without scones and green tea. Charli really did a fantastic job and we thank her. We missed Ellen for a second month in a row, but she promises she’ll be at the next meeting. Welcome back Allison! And we look forward to her friend Amy joining us next month.

Well the classic route didn’t go as planned. In fact, Ellen has now been redeemed, and Charli holds the crown for the least liked book :-) Sara receives the Tiara for having read the book and even liking it! Marrie lovingly dubbed it Snide and Cowardice! I think it was somewhere in chapters 1-6 that lost many of us as the women bitterly complain about Mr. Darcy…he of course was probably deserving given his constant rude behavior. So why did Sara like it? Sara liked the historical standpoint and picturing what life was like back then. Karin pointed out the Neoclassic time period of the book. I think what turned so many of us off is how P&P promotes sexist stereotypes. The book centers on the mother’s desire to marry off her daughters (she was a real pit wasn’t she). However, Sara did point out that is what it was like during that time period. Sara gave us a brief summary that goes like this: Lydia runs off and elopes with Wickham, a scandalous act; Darcy proposes to Elizabeth, who rejects him; Darcy interferes with Jane and Bingley’s relationship, preventing them from being together; Elizabeth starts to look at Darcy in a different light; Darcy apologizes for hindering Jane and Bingley’s relationship; Darcy was the one to put up the dowry for Lydia and Wickham; everyone lives happily ever after: Lydia and Wickham, Jane and Bingley, Elizabeth and Darcy...ah, don’t we feel good!

So the movie….even though Marrie and Susan had to leave before it ended, I think we all enjoyed it better than the book. It was similar to the book in many ways, however, Sara pointed out how much was cut out and had to be inferred. For example, the aunt and uncle return Jane from London. The next scene they are with Elizabeth but fail to tell us they are on vacation doing ‘house tours’. Who knew they did ‘house tours’ of the rich and famous for pleasure back then!!!

We look forward to heading to Maine next month to discuss Allison’s pick, Little Bee. Until then I bid you all happier reading.
Jenn