We are seven handsome and charming* guys who meet at a different restaurant every month or so, having read a book in common, and discuss whatever we want--generally the assigned book, but usually many other timely topics as well. We rotate the responsibility to suggest titles, but the group has the final say. Our book club rules: 1) Anything goes, fiction or nonfiction; 2) paperbacks are preferred; and 3) staying under 300 pages is desirable (N.B., we violate this one all the time). We rate all books and restaurants on a 5-point scale.

* All other adjectives were vetoed.

December 16, 2015

Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo (Forepaugh's)

Located in a historic house in one of St. Paul's oldest neighborhood, Forepaugh's has a reputation for dressing up for the holidays.  When we visited, the place was charming and the food was very good.  Too bad it was so slow in coming out of the kitchen.  More than an hour for a basket of bread, entrees 90 minutes.  We conversed some about politics, but spent a good chunk of time talking about the book, Behind the Beautiful Forevers.  A grim story about life in the slums of Mumbai, it is beautifully written--almost novelistic--but hard to read.  Next time we'll read two books: Being Mortal by Atul Gawande and Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant by Roz Chast.  We plan to meet on Tuesday, January 12.