Short & Sweet

We had our Page Turner meeting tonight.  Unfortunately, we felt the need to keep things moving because we knew the storms were coming.  We read, Tortilla Curtain.  This is such a well written book.  I feel bad that we rushed our great discussion. 
First I will tell you that I gave this book a 4.5 rating.  I rarely use the 1/2 point system.  This book deserved it.  This is not an uplifting, happily ever after story.  There are not rainbows and puppy dog tails.   A couple Page Turners said this book reminded them of The Grapes of Wrath.  There is the same tone in the book.  A family desperate to survive so many obstacles knocking them down.  During our discussion I said when I visualized the story it was very dusty.  It could have been that I felt the similarities of the stories. 
I mentioned in my short description of the book that I had a different take on the story this time.  It is a story filled with symbolism. 
There were a couple of people in the group that had a hard time getting into the story.  It is a dark story.  It is a subject that people can have emotional and personal reactions.  Illegal immigration can bring out strong emotions with people.  There is also the people that live in Middle America that are not really touched by the issue.  This story is very educational.  The author does a great job of writing an unbiased fictional story that is still able to educate people about issues facing border towns and the people desperate to come to America.  People trying to find a better life. 
It is interesting to see the contrasts in the wives's goals and dreams.  One woman dreams of an apartment where she can feel safe and take a shower.  The other woman dreams of a mansion with eight bathrooms.  The author does not negatively portray the successful woman for her materialistic dreams.  Nor does he criticize families for crossing into the country illegally.  To me that is one of the most amazing things about this book.  I have read it three times.  I do not have a clearer opinion on where TC Boyle stands on illegal immigrants.  That is a talented writer.
On my third read of this book I was able to pull out things I had not seen the first two times through the story.  This time I noticed and felt the negative energy that came from the people living in a large city.  I think some of their anger towards the illegal immigrants was misplaced.  They were feeling trapped and locked in by a sense of fear.  They did not feel safe.  Without getting into the details of traffic the author gave us the feeling of frustration caused by too much traffic going too quickly.  I felt the sense of loss caused by pollution and over crowding destroying open spaces and the beauty of nature.  The loss of space for people and for wildlife. 
All of that put in one book.  It is not even a large book.  I strongly recommend it to all of you readers.  Treat yourself to a great read.  If you are not immediately able to jump on the ride, stay with it.  When you finish it, you will be glad you did.  After you read it, make sure you read through the discussion questions at the end of the book.
Thanks Mrs. Willie for a great read and great discussion.   

For our June book we did a blind vote.  My book won.  It did.  The vote was completely fair.  No matter what people say, I do not push the Page Turners around.  The are a strong group of women.  I thought it was about time we read another positive, uplifting story.  No, I am not pushing Eat, Pray, Love on the group again.  (Even though it is awesome.)  We are reading, The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin.  Let me tell you, this group need some happiness sprinkled in our lives right now.  The black cloud we call our work environment is a BIG downer right now.  Page Turners get ready for some HAPPINESS.