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Wednesday, January 20, 2016

What We Thought: Gemini by Carol Cassella




Afternoon Readers Book Club
January 2016

Gemini
Carol Cassella


Readers had diverse opinions about the main theme of Cassella’s book. Although the book has a strong emphasis about the ethics of medical treatment and end of life care, the choices of characters resulting in unforeseen as well as unfortunate consequences make this more than a medical mystery. It has a philosophical and spiritual component which surrounds the characters and leaves the reader with more questions than answers at the book’s conclusion. The author’s intention in writing Gemini was to spark thoughts and conversations about what constitutes a good death, a meaningful life, how do we approach love, art and work and our own definition of family so that we can have rich and fulfilling lives and we fully appreciate each of the finite days we are granted on this earth. (from a conversation with Carol Cassella     http://books.simonandSchuster.com/Gemini/CarolCassella/reading_group_guide).
Despite having read the same book some readers were certain that they knew that the outcome had been resolved. Others were not so sure and had opinions of their own.

Should the quality of life be more important than the quantity? Although there was a great deal of time devoted to this discussion along with reader’s personal stories, there was no definite answer, nor was one expected. The author devoted a lot of time describing the lives of main characters, local girl Raney, science journalist Eric, and Charlotte, the Emergency Room doctor. Readers initially thought this was a straight foreword romance and when they discovered that it was not, they wished for a happy ending. They got an ending but were not certain what to make of it. They like surprise endings, but not the kind of surprise they got.

Life is directed by genetics, natural law and environment. Which one influences the other is a mystery. It is a mystery how any of these characteristics can be manipulated to achieve a satisfactory outcome. Readers decided that the mystery of the chimera was too overwhelming to cope with and ended the discussion keeping thoughts to themselves.

Read Gemini to discover the significance of twins Castor and Pollux and the DNA of chimera in myth and reality.

“Once again, Carol Cassella has written a novel full of gorgeously rendered characters, fascinating detail, and tour de force plot twists. From its gripping first pages straight through to its stunning conclusion, Gemini is an unforgettable novel—a morality tale, a mystery, and a love story that will leave readers breathless.” Maria Semple, New York Times bestselling author of Where’d you go Bernadette?

Have you read Gemini?  What did you think? Please share your thoughts in comments.

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