Comments on: Matrimony – Book Review

By: Caribousmom

Caribousmom — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 15:09:58 +0000

Thanks for this information, Linda…I will need to see if we have such a program here. Given my work in the medical field, I have a feeling I’d enjoy that…by the way, The Memory Keeper’s Daughter is also a good read and involves a child with Down’s Syndrome and how the medical profession approached children with this syndrome years ago. It might be a good read for your group.

By: Linda in Maine

Linda in Maine — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 22:12:58 +0000

Wendy, my book group is part of the “Literature & Medicine: humanities at the heart of health care” program. That’s a superb initiative that was started in Maine (funded by the Humanities Council), and now gone national.

From the program website: “The program encourages participants to connect the worlds of science and lived experience, giving them the opportunity to reflect on their professional roles and relationships through plays, short stories, poetry, fiction and personal narratives in a setting where they can share their reflections with colleagues. It has a significant effect on the way participants understand their work, and their relationships with patients and with each other. It is also an innovative and cost-effective way to improve patient care.”

Most of our choices are from the program reading list, and there are so many books that bring in the element of health issues and their effect on relationships … I could make that case for Matrimony on the basis of the breast cancer plot line.

If there is anyone reading this comment who works in a health care setting, I encourage them to see whether their state participates in Literature & Medicine; it’s a wonderful program!

By: Caribousmom

Caribousmom — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 19:09:39 +0000

Linda: I actually think this would be a terrific book for a book group – there is much to discuss!

By: Linda in Maine

Linda in Maine — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 00:51:41 +0000

Wendy, I read this too and enjoyed it very much; it was just what I was in the mood for when I picked it up. I’m lending my copy to the moderator of my book group to see if she thinks it might work for a discussion next season.

By: Caribousmom

Caribousmom — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 16:27:17 +0000

Anna: Many people really gushed over this book, so I hope you will read it with an open mind And I will look forward to hearing your thoughts.

S. Krishna: *nods* You and I usually have similar reactions to books, don’t we?

By: S. Krishna

S. Krishna — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 22:40:17 +0000

I enjoyed this one, but it is definitely slow!

By: Anna

Anna — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 20:07:11 +0000

I’ve seen mixed reviews for this one. I’ve heard it’s slow going, and now that I know the POV switches suddenly…I bet that will drive me nuts. I won this in a contest awhile back, but I haven’t had a chance to read it.

By: Caribousmom

Caribousmom — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 17:16:36 +0000

Kathy: It *did* feel a bit autobiographical…but as a writer myself I know that much of a writer’s life ends up in bits and pieces in stories with quite a few “adjustments” to the reality!

Teddy: Thanks. I would not call it chick lit at all…I’ll be interested to see what you think when you read it!

By: Teddy

Teddy — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 02:45:44 +0000

Really nice review Wendy. I have read a lot of reviews of this book and wrote it off as pure chick lit. I see now that it is much deeper then that. Thanks!

By: Kathy

Kathy — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 20:19:58 +0000

I did enjoy this book and wondered if it was based on the author’s life at all.