The Fairfax
Library Book Discussion Group will meet Thursday, January 9th at 7:00 p.m. in the meeting room of the Fairfax
Library to discuss our January book, Women Talking by Miriam Toews.
Here are some
links for additional background and information:
There is a Mennonite Quilt Center
in Reedley, CA (outside Fresno)
Coming up, we
have the following books to look forward to reading:
Thurs.
Feb. 13th Disappearing
Earth by Julia Phillips
Thurs.
Mar. 12th The Soul of an
Octopus by Sy Montgomery
Thanks for
reading with us. I look forward to seeing you at the Fairfax Library.
Beth Bailey-Gates
Friends of
the Fairfax Library
- The book is told through August Epp's notes from the
women's meetings. Why does Toews choose Epp to narrate this story? How
does his perspective, gender, and personal history affect the vantage from
which the story is told?
- The women frequently discuss the complexity of continuing
to love many of the men in their community despite their fear and they
contemplate the circumstances under which the men would be allowed to join
them in their new society. In what ways does the novel explore questions
about male experiences, perspectives, and culture?
- Which of the options would you have taken if you were one
of the women? Explain why. Consider the consequences and benefits of your
choice. How would you convince the others to join you?
- The book examines both sexual and domestic violence. How
does the women's environment and circumstances dictate how they understand,
interpret, and, ultimately, deal with violence? How does this intersect
with their religious faith and their beliefs about their place in the
world?
- Discuss the power of language and literacy. How would the
women's lives be changed if they could read? How does their ability to
interpret the Bible for themselves change the women's understanding of
their future?
- How does this novel engage with mainstream political and
social conversations about women and their rights?
