Different Drummer


"If a man does not keep pace with his companions,perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away." ~Henry David Thoreau


Sunday, September 18, 2016

All the LIght We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

“A real diamond is never perfect.” 

August 25th we met at Ann Shumway's home for Book Club.  The book we read this month is Anthony Doerr's All The Light We Cannot See.  This books was enjoyed by everyone.  It is one that is hard to put down.  This book takes place in German -Occupied France during World War II.  It is about a young girl Marie Laure who goes blind at the age of six and her father, who is a locksmith for the Paris Museum of History, makes her a detailed replica of their neighborhood, so she can learn the intricacies of her surroundings and always find her way home.  When the Germans occupy France, Marie and her father flee to St Malo to live with a reclusive great uncle that Marie has never met. With them, they take what might be the museum's most valuable jewel. This valuable jewel has a ominous tale and is sought by Germany.  Marie's life eventaully intersects with a young German named Werner, an orphan, who is very intelligent and has grown up listening to Marie's uncle broadcast over the radio at night.  Werner lerans how to fix radios and other things and is given a place in Germany's Academy for Youth which eventually takes him to France where his life intersects with Marie's.  We talked about many different things we learned from this book - about courage and the people who were brave enough to join the resistance and fight against Hitler.  We talked about parents teaching children the things they may need to know in the future and preparing them by instilling confidence in their abilities as Marie's father did for her.  We discussed the way the young men were treated and how they treated each other in Hitler's Academy for Youth.  We discussed Frederick and how he hid the truth from his family and bravely stood alone for what was morally right.  There were so many great insights in this lovely book that won the 2014 National Book Award. 



Susan, Lillian, Paula and Carol working on the Woodbadge blocks
While we discussed the book, we helped Ann with a project she was doing for Woodbadge.  
80 Wood bage blocks all completed and ready to go.
 We were able to get the vinyl art on the front and back of 80 blocks.
Suzanne and Ann visit while Ann is making crepes.
 Ann made French Crepes to go along with the book.


Susan, Lillian, Paula, Carol, Sandy and Carolyn

We had our choice of berry, bananas and Nutella with whipped cream - Delicious!

“All your life you wait, and then it finally comes, and are you ready?”  

~ Anthony Doerr, All the Light We Cannot See

In September, we will be discussing Letters in the Jade Dragon Box by Gale Sears and we'll meet at Carol's home. 

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