Afternoon Readers Book Club
November 2014
Still Life with Bread Crumbs
Anna Quindlen
Still Life with Bread Crumbs is Anna Quindlen’s seventh novel. The story covers many serious themes and connects them all in meaningful ways; senior women, women’s lives and relationships, life-changing events, self-discovery, personal growth, and second chances at love and career. Readers were impressed with the detailed and vivid descriptions of the characters and country living.
Although the story was written from a women’s point of view the readers felt that the story rang true to life. A focal point was that of a woman making her way on her own without relying on a man to save her. The comparison between the two men in Rebecca’s romantic life was dramatic. Her husband used her to support his career and social life only to abandon her for a younger woman when she became famous. Jim, a local roofer, developed a romantic attraction to her, impressed by her strength and independence. His devotion to his sister and appreciation of his neighbors brought out the love which connected Rebecca to Jim and ensured their future together.
Readers were inspired to speak about how their choice of careers affected their own lives. They discussed whether or not they had become the person first thought about early in life. Does anyone ever think that they are a finished product? This led into other related discussions about husbands and parenting. Do romances with large age differences last? Is the author married? (Answer to the last question: Yes. Anna Quindlen and her husband, attorney Gerald Krovatin, live in New York City with their three children.)
Everyone enjoyed reading the book and is interested in reading her new memoir, Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake which explores her past, present and future — her relationships with her parents and children, her faith, her career, and her feelings about herself over the past five decades.
