"The Garden of Evening Mists" Tan Twan Eng

Reporting about our discussion of The Garden of Evening Mists will be challenging, but I will summarize the highlights that I can remember.  We talked some about Malaysian history and the ethnic groups living in that melting pot of a country.  Then Maddy described for us the types of "borrowed scenery" in gardens, having written about it in her graduate work.  There was discussion about whether gardens can or should be natural or "artificial".  Some felt that Yun Ling was not a very likable character but rather tough and hardened by her past.  Her work as a prosecutor and as a judge seemed motivated by revenge, perhaps understandably.  But Zanna pointed out that she seemed to learn forgiveness in the end.  There was some confusion about how the section of Yugiri that would fit into Yun Ling's horimono became a map to where Yun Hong and the "Golden Lily" were buried.  Also there was consensus that the episode about the relationship between Tatsuji and Teruzen was extraneous and a distraction from the central story.  Otherwise all seemed taken by the number of layers to the story.  All of us sensed the mysterious and "misty" quality of the book throughout.

Sheri Linnell

"The Wild Trees"

With summer 2014 fleeing by, I was delighted to see 5 book club gals at my home for the July book discussion, The Wild Trees by Richard Preston. By preparing I had the opportunity to learn more about the author, as well as to discover his 2007 book, “a story of passion and daring”.

Richard Preston, born in Massachusetts, turned 60 this August. He was educated at Pomona College and Princeton University and is known as a science writer whose earlier works focused on infectious diseases and bioterrorism: Cobra, Demon in the Freezer and The Hot Zone .The last, a 1992 book about the Ebola virus, has recently acquired new attention with the resurgence of the disease evidence in western Africa. After Michael Crichton’s 2008 death, Preston completed his mentor’s book, Micro.

However, I think it is safe to say — those present at this book group were surprised by discovering a new approach of a known topic, climbing trees. The Wild Trees takes this outdoor activity to a whole new level. In essence, it is the story of men and women who have a passion for getting to tree tops – by climbing. Not just any trees, they want to climb America’s Coastal Redwoods, Sequoia sempervirens - trees several centuries old that have grown to heights greater than 350 feet (32 stories) and 26 feet in diameter. The higher, larger, older and most secluded are crucial tree traits that shaped and influenced the lives and professions of the main characters. Through Preston’s writing approach, the reader learns about college-age friendships, youthful recreation decisions, and advanced tree climbing skills. The reader also learns about human intimacy amongst the branches! All this, with intertwining themes of dendrology, botany, ecology, and environmentalism. A lot of content exists in this less than 300 page book. For additional information on The Wild Trees, check out the 20-minute TED TALK, February, 2008…very interesting. A google search states that there may be, as many as, 

40 million book clubs today. 

Aspects of our discussion revealed varying perspectives on some of the characters’ maturity levels and on Preston’s writing style, – too simple or satisfying? I believe opinions contribute to making book groups valuable. A quick google search stated that there may be as many as 40 million book clubs!

In closing, it was great to hear about everyone’s summer activities (and even of those not able to attend). No doubt about it, “members” of this book group have a real zest for life. Plus, Sherri’s bag of home grown, just picked cucumbers all found homes and salads! 

Linda Hamilton