[LMB] Curse of Chalion, a hit!

[Tora K. Smulders-Srinivasan]

> On 5/31/07, Tora K. Smulders-Srinivasan <tora.smulders at gmail.com> wrote:
> > My book club meeting went well this evening.  Four women showed up and
> > they'd all read and enjoyed the book

On 6/1/07, Beth Mitcham <mitcham.beth at gmail.com> wrote:
> Yay!  Do you remember any of the discussion topics?  In case I need
> help with my book club in two weeks or so?
>
> Beth Mitcham

Well, we usually start off going around the circle with the person who
picked the book saying why, etc. and then around the circle with each
person saying what they thought of the book -- in this case, there was
usually a mention if they'd read fantasy before, etc.  But each
person's likes/dislikes usually included a bit of general discussion
on whether people agreed or not, etc.  So there was a bit of
discussion on liking the historical connections, and whether the story
bits that came back later were a surprise.  I had said that the first
time I read it, I kept being surprised all along when things came up
again as being crucial.  One of the other women said she wasn't
surprised by a single thing except that Bergon was the boy on the ship
that Caz saved -- she actually found it slightly annoying that things
were so obviously flagged as "this will be important later".  She also
said that she's a writer herself, so that the way the book is
constructed does tend to jump out at her, and in this case, it caused
not to be able to get into the book as much.  A very different
reaction from mine!!!  She did say she really enjoyed it though!

Also we had a bit of discussion about the gods and the magic.  They
said that it was a really good book to read in this sort of a group
where fantasy wasn't the preferred choice because it wasn't filled
with hobgoblins and was more like real life.  Except for the gods and
the magic, etc., but it was much less off-putting for that reason and
people really enjoyed it.  So a good fantasy introduction book.

Anyway, I can't really remember what all else, but like I said, I'd
have been much better off having some topic points and specific
questions.  I'm afraid it's the "Bujold does the job so well, there's
not much to say except we liked it" situation.  Though we did get in a
discussion of writing in general and fantasy/science fiction authors
and even what the difference between fantasy and science fiction is!
As you can see, really a very different group from on here!  But
definitely readers.  :-)

-Tora