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.

November 2, 2011

It Can't Happen Here by Sinclair Lewis (Cafe Lurcat)

We picked a pretty fancy place for dinner, and the food and service at Cafe Lurcat did not disappoint.  But it came at a high price and that turned a couple of us off.  Nevertheless, if you can ignore the bottom line, this is a great restaurant.  Our discussion roamed around the usual topics, including politics and the state of the world, focusing especially on the prospects and desirability of state support for a Vikings stadium, the desirability of expanding gambling, and the unfolding story of the Legacy Amendment's dedicated sales tax money for the environment, arts, and culture.  We agreed to disagree about everything, but we mostly agreed that Lewis' novel about a populist dictator's take-over of the US was not very realistic and not his best work. But we all said it was a pretty good read and a good reminder of what could happen anywhere without adequate citizen vigilance.

The next book is Michael Lewis, Liar's Poker.  Other titles considered included The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner.  We plan to meet next time on Monday, December 5, and Jim has the honor of suggesting the next book.


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