Hey Buzz Book Club readers! I'll return to our final discussion of Revolutionary Road tomorrow, but since March will soon be drawing to a close, I wanted to give you some time to find the April book club selection before we start discussing it next week. The April title is The Life Before Her Eyes by Laura Kasischke.
I was so riveted by the preview for this movie starring Uma Thurman and Evan Rachel Wood that when I heard it was based on a book, I immediately ordered a copy. Much has been said about the author's unparalleled ability to create evocative imagery. Even The New York Times showered her with praise:
It is not enough to say that Kasischke's language is "poetic," a word that has come to mean "pretty." Rather, her writing does what good poetry does — it shows us an alternate world and lulls us into living in it."
For those of you new to my book club format, here's how it works:
I'll announce a new book each month. Every week I'll suggest chapters to complete by the next post (which, in this case, will go up every Friday in April). In these weekly Book Club posts, I'll posit a few discussion-provoking questions for you to respond to in the comments section.
By the end of the month, we will have worked our way through this haunting story and we'll be ready to watch the movie (in limited release April 18) to see how it compares. To find out what The Life Before Her Eyes is all about and to get the first assignment, read more.
The synopsis for The Life Before Your Eyes reads:
"This third novel by Michigan author Kasischke opens with a shocking scene from a Columbine-like school massacre. Diana and her best friend are confronted by a schoolmate killer, but only Diana is spared. Fast-forward 20 years: Diana, now middle-aged and still beautiful, is a housewife and artist living in the same idyllic university town with a handsome professor-husband and a young daughter. She has seemingly repressed her memory of the event as well as her survivor's guilt, but her perfect world and her grip on reality are both starting to crack."
The first assignment: Read from Part One to the end of the chapter titled, "Footsteps." (Feel free to read ahead, but no spoilers, please!) We'll chat about this first section a week from tomorrow, Friday, April 4.
That leave you lots of time to get a copy of this book and get reading!
Bikkembergs
Luella
Alexander Wang
Sounds really good. Thanks for introducing me to this!
1Great selection, Buzz. Looking forward to reading this one and to participating in the discussion. I've loved each of the other two books so far. Thanks!
2I'm going to get in on this one for sure. And I can't wait to see the film after I read it...I adore Evan Rachel Wood. She is an AMAZING actress.
3Hi All! I'm new here and wanted to say this site is really great! I love book clubs and getting to chat with others without even leaving your house is a dream come true
4wow, this sounds pretty good. i'm not sure that i'll have the time to contribute to the book club, but i certainly will be giving this book a shot. thanks for the tip buzz!
5I read this book! I thought it was very good. Kasischke's writing is very fresh and original.
6Won't be able to participate this month because I need to focus on some other reading I need to do and besides, I already stupidly ruined this book for myself when I read spoilers. Sigh. It sounds like a good read though! I hope it prompts a lot of great discussion.
7This sounds like a good read. Good choice.
8it's on my to-read list
9I am so excited to read this book! I actually had it on my amazon wishlist already! I am going shopping this weekend to buy it and start reading, I cannot wait!
10Is anyone having problems finding this book in the actual bookstore. I went to of the major chains this weekend and finally I had to have them order it. Just wondering?
11LaLa0428 I could not find this book anywhere! I went to Border's and Barnes and Noble and it was not to be found! I ended up having to order it from Amazon, so I hope that it comes in before Friday (probably not). It made me so mad
12Yes, the book is tough to find (I went five places before ordering on Amazon) b/c they are apparently doing a reprint, at least that is what I was told at one of the stores. I asked a store to order and they said it would take 2-4 weeks b/c of this. They have a ton of copies on Amazon if you are having a tough time finding it elsewhere.
13Post New Comment
Please share your opinion with our community, but make sure it is on topic and follows our Community Rules. We moderate comments and prohibit personal attacks, threats, spam, lewd images, or the promotion of your personal website.