Reading a book is very much like meeting a new friend. At first, things are a little awkward and I get confused with the relationships between people. After a little persuasion I become familiar with those characters. Then, as I continue reading, I discover great joy at being involved with those in the narration. They come alive and their lives are so interesting to observe.
Truly, it is a good thing that they are not literal friends, as I devour the book too quickly and am often left wanting more. I want to know what will happen next, but, alas, the characters in the book are prohibited from moving forward from those last pages: forever frozen in a particular circumstance and pose.
The first selection for the book club is Jane Austen's Persuasion. I must admit, I am devouring it at an alarming rate. I will be able to read it four times over before we discuss it if I read it this quickly each time! Actually, I will be using the available time to do some research into critical essay and thought on this particular title as well as on the author.
I find Austen interesting in her depictions of life in England in the early 1800's. The life of the gentry, as she portrays, seems completely filled with spending their hours in socializing and not much more than that. I cannot imagine having two hours together without a thing to do but associate with friends in this town or another. I know I am being a bit liberal with my interpretation, but in the same moment, not too liberal.
It remains that I do enjoy the romance and writings of Jane Austen. She is an excellent writer who is able to create complete and believable characters without overdeveloping or leading the reader to believe ill and evil exists where it is not.
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