Welcome to the KPL Book Club Blogspot

Welcome to the internet home of the Kilbourn Public Library (KPL) Book Club. The KPL Book Club meets at the library once a month. A book is chosen for each month and then members of the book club meet the last Monday and Wednesday of every month for lively discussion and treats. While we can’t offer you treats via the internet, this KPL Reads blog was designed for those of you who would like to participate in the book club but don’t have time to join us at meetings. Each month KPL staff will post discussion topics and questions to get you “talking”. Join in the discussion by adding a post to the blog. Click on the word comments below the post you want to "talk" about and write your comment. Be sure to check back often to see feedback and comments.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

The book we have chosen for April's book read is When Madeline Was Young. Jane Hamilton, award-winning author of The Book of Ruth and A Map of the World brings us this rich and loving novel about a nontraditional family in the aftermath of a terrible accident.

When Aaron Maciver's beautiful young wife, Madeline, suffers a head injury in a bicycle crash she is left with the mental capacities of a six-year-old. In the years that follow, Aaron and his second wife care for Madeline with deep tenderness and devotion as they raise two children of their own.

We have extra copies of the book available at the library and on the bookmobile. Pick up a copy of this extraordinary book. Then let us know what you think.

What do you think about the author's choice of narrator? Does Timothy (Mac) provide us with an objective perspective of the family as a whole? How would you describe the narrator's tone as he guides us through his unusual family history?

This book emphasizes physical beauty as the key to being captivating. Is Madeline empowered by looks that match conventional definitions of beauty, or does her beauty make her a victim? What might her fate have been had she look more like Julia (without the girdle!)?

What are the conflicts and intensities that drive the diverse cast of characters in this novel?
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