The Invoice, by Jonas Karlsson

REVIEW: This is an unusual, charming book that makes you think about your life and happiness in general.  At first I was not sure what to think about the book but I enjoyed it and wanted to keep reading to see what would happen at the end.  As I read I realized it is an extremely thoughtful book dealing with a subject we hopefully experience every day but probably don’t stop to think about.  It is an easy, fast read and one that you will remember and ponder long after finishing.  The novel is a great selection for book clubs – I can hardly wait for the discussion with my group!  I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for this review. 

Characters

Narrator Sunita – girlfriend, moved to India for an arranged marriage Roger – friend World Resources Distribution (WRD) – headquarters in Sweden Maud Andersson – telephone operator Georg Various other supervisors Quantity of Experienced Happiness (EH)

 For discussion:

NOTE: Chapter numbers refer to the unedited proof copy.

1. Why do you think the author never told the reader the narrator’s name?
2. In chapter 9 the narrator compares his and his sister’s grieving for their parents.  Why does he feel suddenly guilty that he did not mourned enough?
3. This book explores the idea of being happy.  What thoughts did you have about the following:
1. Chapter 6 – what difference does being rich make in happiness?
2. Chapter 8 – the narrator reflects that he was, “…undeservedly happy with my tranquil existence here in my flat.”  Do we deserve to be happy or not?  Could you understand his feeling that he did not deserve the happiness he had?
3. Chapter 9 – some negative times are necessary to appreciate the happy times.
4. Chapter 11 – Georg told the narrator that high EH correlates with family wealth or motivation to work and have high earnings.  Do you agree?
5. Chapter 11 – When Maud was reviewing his file, she listed the “premiums” he had – “…welfare premium, whiteness premium, male premium…”    What other “premiums” do you think contribute to happiness?  To your happiness?
6. Chapter 20 – Maud told the narrator, “You see, we look at life as if it were a classically constructed play.  The one with the most whistles and bells isn’t necessarily the best.”    Do you agree?
7. Chapter 20 – “People are extremely unhappy.”   Do you agree?  Are many people putting on a false front?  
4. The narrator described a scene from the movie The Bridge to Maud, but after she watched it she had a completely different viewing experience and understanding of the scene.  How does that happen?
5. Roger’s bill was much less than the narrator’s even though he had more possessions.   Discuss their different perceptions of life.  Examine Roger’s reaction to his boat’s damage and improvement at the expense of others and how he still thought it was a negative experience.
6. Why wouldn’t the narrator help Roger with his appeal of his bill?  What do you think his motivations were?
7. When the narrator went back to this apartment after the first interview at EH headquarters, why was he suddenly so dissatisfied with his life? (Chapter 16)
8. What did you think about his sudden regret that he had done nothing with his life?  He said to Maud, “That’s the saddest thing of all.  I had every opportunity, but what the hell have I done?  Nothing. Nada. Not a damn thing.”  (Chapter 16) Was he justified in these thoughts?   Did the fact that he was so happy make a difference?
9. In Chapter 15 the narrator was missing his parents and wanted to call them to, “…have a bit of a moan, and they would have listened carefully with the phone between them, and they’d have comforted me and said everything would be all right.”  Can you relate both as a child and as a parent?
10. There were very few characters in this novel.  Discuss Maud in particular.  What did you think about her character and how her relationship with the narrator changed?
11. What new thoughts or insights did you gain from this book?   Would you recommend it to others?  Are there some people to whom you would NOT recommend the book?  Does it require a certain amount of self-awareness or depth of thought to appreciate this book?

*****

First Semester Success: Learning Strategies and Motivation for Your First Semester (or Any Semester) of College, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is available at amazon.com, wordassociation.com and barnesandnoble.com.  Click on the upper right link.

The Kitchen House, by Kathleen Grissom

Characters
The Kitchen House	Tall Oaks	Slave Quarters
Lavinia McCarten (Abinia) – indentured to Captain Pyke to pay for passage - parents died on ship from Ireland except for brother Cardigan – brother – indentured to pay for passage – died Belle – daughter of Captain Pyke Jamie Pyke – son after rape by Marshall Mama Mae Papa George Uncle Jacob Ben Fanny Beattie Beattie – 3 children with Marshall Dory Henry – son – died Sukey - daughter	Captain James Pyke Martha – second wife Marshall – son Sally - daughter – died Campbell – baby Mrs. Pyke – Belle’s grandmother – educated her as a white girl Mr. Waters – tutor Isabelle – Martha’s younger sister – died Rankin – overseer Will Stephens – overseer Martha – wife Williamsburg: Sarah Madden – Martha’s sister Husband - lawyer Meg – daughter Mr. Boran – Mr. Madden’s law partner – wants to marry Lavinia	Jimmy – married Dory Ida – Jimmy’s mother Lucy – married Ben Three sons

For Discussion:

NOTE: Page numbers refer to the paperback edition.

1. Given the time period, was there any better solution for Lavinia other than Captain Pyke bringing her home with him as an indentured servant?
2. How was Belle able to accept her position, knowing she was Captain Pyke’s daughter and was educated and yet was considered a slave?   Do you think Marshall should have figured out the relationship between Belle and his father?  Why didn’t anyone tell him?
3. Why did Martha not give Belle the papers granting her freedom right away?
4. All of the slaves knew that Mr. Waters was abusing Marshall.   Was there something else they could have done sooner?   Could his mother have known if she was paying more attention to him?  How do you think the abuse affected him throughout his life?
5. How many choices did Lavinia have in her life?  Could she have said ‘no’ to Mr. Boran’s marriage proposal?   Why do you think Mrs. Madden encouraged the marriage?
6. Discuss Lavinia experiencing both the white and slave environments.  How hard do you think it was to transition to the perspective of the white mistress after she married Marshall?
7. Can you understand Lavinia’s resentment of Beattie having relations with Marshall?  Did Lavinia really understand Beattie’s position?
8. When Mr. Madden turned down Lavinia’s request to go back with the family to Williamsburg, she withdrew and started taking laudanum.  Bell criticized her and said, “Course, she actin’ just like a white woman, just give up, sittin’ in her room.” (page 308).  What else could Lavinia have done?
9. Discuss Jamie, Belle and Marshall’s son.  He thought he was white, even though the law would consider him a Negro.  How do you think he felt when told the truth?  How do you think he should have been raised?
10. Discuss the organization of the book.  Did you find it confusing or interesting?  Did you like the way the author started off with the ending and then led up to it throughout the book?  Did you like the fact that she led the reader to believe that it was Belle who was hanged?
11. Did this book give you any new insights into this time period in our country? 

*****

First Semester Success: Learning Strategies and Motivation for Your First Semester (or Any Semester) of College, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is available at amazon.com, wordassociation.com and barnesandnoble.com.  Click on the upper right link.

Orphan Train, by Christina Baker Kline

Characters
Molly – 2011	Niamh > Dorothy > Vivian  - 1929 and forward
Molly – in Foster Care System – Penobscot Indian Dina and Ralph – Foster parents in 2011 Jack – boyfriend Terry – mother, Vivian’s housekeeper	Parents Dominick and James - brothers Maisie – baby sister Mr. and Mrs. Schatzman – New York neighbors Children’s Aid Society – Mr. Sorenson Train: Mrs. Scatherd Mr. Curran Carmine Hans > Dutchy > Luke Maynard – first husband Mr. and Mrs. Byrne – foster parents in Minnesota – sewing factory in home – employed Fanny and other girls Wilma and Gerald Grote – Minnesota, 1930 School: Miss. Larsen – teacher Mr. Post – driver, handyman Mrs. Murphy – Miss Larson’s landlady Mr. and Mrs. Nielsen – own general store Vivian – daughter who died Jim Daly – second husband Sarah Dunnell – daughter – born 1943, given for adoption

 For discussion:

NOTE: Page numbers are from paperback edition of book.  Also, I used the name Niamh went by during the time period of each question.

1. At the time this book was written the state of Maine, where Molly lived, was the only state required to teach Native American Culture and history.  Were you aware of this?  Why didn’t the other states do so?
2. Molly’s assignment to interview someone about their “portaging” experience was the start of her interest in Vivian’s story.  What have been your portaging experiences?    What are one or more things you take with you when you travel or move?
3. In the American History class discussion, Molly reveals that she is a Penobscot Indian and compares the Native America Indian’s experience to those of the Irish under the British rule.  Do you think this was a valid comparison?
4. Molly’s task at Vivian’s was to help her clean out the attic.  Instead they just reorganized everything.  Molly thought that maybe “…the value is in the process – in touching each item, in naming and identifying, in acknowledging the significance…”  (page 173) Do you agree?  How do you think their apparent lack of progress was viewed by others who might eventually have to clean out the attic?
5. Do you think the Schwartzman’s were justified in lying about Maisie’s death and adopting her after they sent Niamh away?
6. Were you surprised that there was not more care in the children’s placement.  Mr. Sorenson seemed surprised that the Byrne’s had no intention of adopting Dorothy and it seemed obvious that placement with the Grote’s was not positive environment.
7. When Vivian was grown she thought, “…when I begin to wear makeup, I have a revelation.  I’ve viewed my life until now as a series of unrelated adaptations.”  But then she realized, “I can determine my own next incarnation.” (Page 204)  Is this always true?  Do we have the power within us to be whatever we decide?   Is this also true of Molly?
8. Did you think is was realistic that Vivian could manage and improve the Nielson’s store so easily given her background, education and lack of retail experience?
9. Vivian did not have a very positive impression of the ending of The Wizard of Oz.  “Back on the farm, her life stretches ahead to the flat horizon line, already populated with the only characters she’ll every know.”  (Page 223)   Can you understand this interpretation?  What was your first experience seeing the movie?
10. Was Dutchy and Vivian’s meeting in Minneapolis just a little too convenient? 
11. Were you surprised that Vivian gave her baby away?  Do you think it was the right thing for her do to?  Can you understand her motives?
12. In 1929, was there a better solution for taking care of the orphaned children rather than the Orphan Trains?
13. Do you think it was right for the Nielson’s to ask Dorothy to change her name to that of their deceased daughter?  Was this a compliment to Dorothy?
14. How important is your name to you?  How do you think changing your name would or would not change who you are?

*****
First Semester Success: Learning Strategies and Motivation for Your First Semester (or Any Semester) of College, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is available at amazon.com, wordassociation.com and barnesandnoble.com.  Click on the upper right link.