Afternoon Book Club February 2016
Lucky Us
Amy Bloom
Lucky us by the New York Times bestselling author of Away,
Amy Bloom has written a wide ranging story with elements of comedy and tragedy
with odd characters and their circumstances. Their humanity shines throughout
despite hardship and pain. Readers spent time deciding whether or not some
characters had good intentions despite despicable actions. They were not ready
to forgive some of them, but continued to accept the story anyway.
Some readers agreed that a major theme was about mothers and
the women who nurtured children who were not their own. Baby hunger was so
profound that the characters went to extraordinary lengths to satisfy it and to
help those who needed to take care of children while others had no interest in
motherhood.
Readers were puzzled about where the story the story was
going with the multi-ethnic and gay characters. The story held together despite
forays into bootleg era Chicago, 1940’s Hollywood, World War II Germany and
post war Britain. Readers liked the passion, daring and self-sufficiency of the
sisters Eva and Iris. Readers remarked that some of the story lines were left
hanging and wanted more elaboration about certain events. All in all everyone
enjoyed reading the book and were very enthusiastic when discussing it
Readers were liked the ending that described a photograph of
the Eva’s family that Danny the youngest member of the family took with him to
college. It depicts the successful cohesion of what remained of family after
all of their trials and tribulations.
“You know, the crisis passes, the crucible cools, and there
we are, slightly improved, not much altered.”
Amy Bloom
Have you read Lucky
Us? What did you think? Please share
your thoughts in comments.
