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.

January 26, 2004

The Human Stain by Philip Roth (Osteria I Nonni)

The restaurant, Osteria I Nonni, set two kinds of records on Monday. It topped out as the most popular commercial venue we have patronized, with a rating of 4.54 out of 5.0. And it was (I think) the most expensive dinner we have enjoyed--$65.68 plus tip--and enjoy it we did, especially the scallops and desserts. The book was Philip Roth's The Human Stain. The discussion touched on the book's characters (nobody liked them), their motivations, victimhood, Roth's ability to speak "different voices", etc. Poetry was by Langston Hughes.

The next meeting will be at 6 PM, Monday, March 1 (unless somebody squawks), in Minneapolis at a place of Phil's choosing. The book is Peter Mayle, French Lessons. Other suggestions from George that got attention: David Friedman, A Mind of Its Own: A Cultural History of the Penis, and Robert J. Lifton, Superpower Syndrome. Oh, and Paul gets to celebrate his return to the fold by suggesting the next book.

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