West Suburban Books & Bordeaux Discussion Group

Please join your book club friends at Roberto's Ristorante in Elmhurst to discuss the award winning book: James: A Novel by Percival Everett. This selection is a meditation on identity, belonging and the sacrifices we make to protect the ones we love, and re-imagines Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of Huck’s enslaved companion, Jim.

When Jim overhears that he is about to be sold to a man in New Orleans, separated from his wife and daughter forever, he runs away until he can formulate a plan. Meanwhile, Huck has faked his own death to escape his violent father. This begins the dangerous and transcendent journey by raft down the Mississippi River toward the elusive and unreliable promise of the Free States and beyond.

A revealing quote from the author is: "I hope that no one thinks that my novel is about slavery. There’s a difference between writing a story about people who happen to be slaves and writing a story about slavery."

While the extraordinary demand for this book from libraries has lessened, there are still significant wait lists. The recommendation from librarians is to place your book request as soon as possible to ensure that you have the book in time to read it for our June meeting. While waiting for the book, you may want to revisit the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn to more fully appreciate James: A Novel.

Newcomers are always welcome at our gatherings. Not a member yet? Go ahead and join our group and take advantage of the opportunity to discuss fascinating books with interesting people!

NOTE: Roberto's has required a $25 minimum food/ beverage purchase.

Parking is available either 1) on the street, 2) in a lot behind the restaurant via the alley or 3) in a lot across the street from the front of the restaurant.

Please join your book club friends at Roberto's Ristorante in Elmhurst to discuss the best selling historical novel Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon. This novel enhances the story of the 18th-century midwife, Martha Ballard, who left an unparalleled legacy.

Martha Ballard's diary is Lawhon's major source in portraying the rural life of early New England and re-imagining both men's and women's economic and family existence. This diary also provides valuable information about the practice of midwifery, infant and maternal mortality, the life cycle of family work and folk medicine.

NOTE: There is a related, separate book, A Mid-Wife's Tale: the Life of Martha Ballard, Based on Her Diary by the historian Laurel Thatcher Ulrich that will not be the primary discussion at our meeting. This popular book was recognized with a Pulitzer Prize and was the basis for a PBS special. The book we will be discussing is the current novelized account of Martha Ballard.

Newcomers are always welcome at our gatherings. Not a member yet? Go ahead and join our group and take advantage of the opportunity to discuss fascinating books with interesting people!

NOTE: Roberto's has required a $25 minimum food/ beverage purchase.

Parking is available either 1) on the street, 2) in a lot behind the restaurant via the alley or 3) in a lot across the street from the front of the restaurant.