We had our 74th book group discussion over the book Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert.
I decided to inter-library loan my copy since our library didn't have a copy. While I waited I decided to find a podcast to listen to. I listened on and off while reading the first half of the book and then committed to solely read the last half . When I finished the book I went to Sparknotes.com and took a quiz and I was able to get more answers correct over the second half that I actually read. It is too easy to have my mind wonder while listening to a book. Still the names were hard to keep straight. I found this book to be somewhat similar to a few other books I was familiar with or have read in our book group.
We talked a bit about how Emma's desire for a better level of lifestyle and desire to rise to a higher class of society was the temptation and path to her financial and moral downfall.
I didn't really like Emma after she married Charles. She seemed immature and vain. There weren't too many characters that were very likable. They did represent various faults in people and often manipulative behaviors. A lot of villainous characters are master manipulators.
As usual we Busy Gal Classic Reading Society members enjoyed some lovely food to eat over our opportunity to catch up on our lives and book discussion. Kris made some yummy creamy chili and tortilla chips, there was a delicious Pear Salad with fancy cheese, lasagna, rolls, cream cheese with pepper jelly and crackers, Faux Chocolate cake made without sugar - very good - tasted like brownie, Lazy Day cake made with lots of sugar and butter, rice crispy treats and mini cheese cakes. Members that attended were Kris (host) Lorraine, Stefanie, Karen, Stephanie, PeggyAnn and myself.
I made the Lazy Day cake and the Gals seemed to like it. Here is a Taste of Home recipe but not the one I used Lazy Day Cake. I trust it is just as good.
We watched the movie Madame Bovary. I needed to get up early the next day and left about halfway through the movie. I'm not a late night person. I don't really think I ever was one.
We decided as a group that our next book will be The Witches by Roald Dahl.
