House of Sand and Fog
There weren't too many sympathetic characters in this book! I was angry and frustrated throughout the book, since I knew, as a lawyer, what Kathy's rights were. She had NO claim against the Colonel. She should have sued
the county for the market value of the house and then bought it back from whomever owned it at the time. But she had no patience.
At our book club meeting someone pointed out that Kathy was a recovering addict, and frankly I do not understand that personality type. It is clear that she had no self esteem and was afraid of even having her family learn that her husband had left. So, upon further reflection I felt maybe a little bit sorry for her.
I was rooting for the Colonel. I wanted him to be able to make some money after he worked so hard for so many years.
And what was up with Lester? What a loser! Sorry, no one was warm and fuzzy. --- Olivia G.

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  I agree with Mo that Bridget is a painful reminder of that part of us that feels incomplete or unhappy without a man.  At our book club meeting, we talked about the concept of not marrying the man you want to be, but being that person, or doing all the things that the man is doing that you admire. Don't marry the doctor; become one! 
  In reading the book, I was also pained by being reminded of what it takes to get ready for a date (waxed legs, etc.).  I wish that our routine was as easy as showering, brushing teeth and combing our hair (like guys).  I like being a girl, but it is a lot of maintenance, and there is a broad range of how much maintenance is right for you. There's always something else that can be done. 
  The book was mildly amusing to me, occasionally insightful, but sometimes boring.  One and one-half stars.   --- Olivia G.

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I'm sorry I couldn't attend last night's meeting. Although I am v v much like Bridget in a lot of ways (eternally trying to lose weight, dating bad men and drinking too much Chardonnay) I am also a Mom who had to drive here child to a field trip at 5:00 this morning.  I enjoyed the book when I read it last year.
   I spend a lot of time in London, and I think it gives me some perspective about my English counterparts in the world of dating. The book is very accurate about the way the English drink and carouse on a regular basis. Men and women are very quick to jump into bed on a first meeting (especially when fueled by alcohol) and there is a devil-may-care attitude about life that we seem to have graduated from here. 
   The problem I have with Bridget is one that I have with myself and most women in that situation: she has the idea that her unhappiness is caused by the lack of a man in her life. Her dislike of her own body is based on the notion that it is unappealing to men, therefore a cause of her loneliness.
  I haven't read the follow-up book (books?). I'm curious to see how she evolves within a relationship. Will her mate stay faithful? Will she get into shape and stay that way, especially after a baby or two? Will she stop feeling frustrated and lonely?   ---Mo H.

I loved this book.  The book tells the story of the life of Dinah, the only daughter of Jacob of the Old Testament.  It was thrilling to experience the world through Dinah's eyes as she explores things we may take for granted, like the wonder of a river, the feelings of first love and the sweetness of motherhood.  I liked the way the women in the encampment retired to the red tent for three days each month during menstruation to take care of each other and themselves.  It's a little different than that nowadays, when we hide the fact we are menstruating and carry on with our lives.  I also thought the book was full of hope, as reflected in Dinah's ability to eventually rise above tragedy and move onto new phases in her life.       --- Olivia G.

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I really enjoyed reading this book.  I loved reading about a different time and place and the unusual habit of meeting in the red tent once a month; but most of all, I found it to be a story about the bond we share with the other women in our families: our mothers, grandmothers, aunts, female cousins, sisters and daughters. I liked reading about the experiences that Dinah faced and how traditions faded then just as they do today. I found that it was easy to be transported back in time because of the way the author tells this wonderful story.          --- Cindy N.

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