Kilbourn Public Library Book Club

The Kilbourn Public Library Book Discussion Group is reading Roses by Leila Meacham for the February selection.  Spanning the 20th century, the story of Roses takes place in a small East Texas town against the backdrop of the powerful  timber and cotton industries.  With expert, unabashed, big-canvas storytelling, Roses covers a hundred years, three generations of Texans and the explosive combination of passion for work and longing for love. 

Cotton tycoon Mary Toliver and timber magnate Percy Warwick should have married but unwisely did not, and now must deal with the deceit, secrets, and tragedies of their choice and the loss of what might have been--not just for themselves but for their children, and children's children. 

Percy admits to Mary,  "I want to marry you because I love you.  I've loved you all your life, ever since you smiled at me through your cradle bars.  I've never considered marrying anyone else.  He's taken the concept of love at first sight to a new level--is it really possible to love someone the way he has, for you entire life?

Compounding the horror of Darla's suicide are the pink ribbons she left behind, the memory of which "writhed between (Mary and Percy) like a poisonous snake."  Roses and the colors pink, red, and white all have major significance in the story.  What kind of symbolism do we ascribe to objects and their colors today?  Why do you think that those objects that represent emotions are so important and powerful?

Had Mary and Percy married after all, do you think that their relationship would have worked out in the end?

Should Mary have revealed the necessary fraud she had to undertake to the nephew that she inadvertently insulted?  Should she have warned Rachel of the power of Somerset before cultivating her grand-niece's passion for farming?  What knowledge does the older generation owe its heirs, and when should that knowledge be passed down?

Let us know what you think of Roses!