The Tyranny of Merit by Michael Sandel (Lat 14)

This book offers an insightful analysis of the impact of the meritocracy honored by western societies in the post-WWII era.  Its side effects, including the creation of meritocratic "losers", has sparked a shamed and disgruntled class of citizens, feeding today's angry populist backlash.  Although the author has few practical suggestions for turning things around, the book is an important contribution to civil discourse.  We gave it high ratings.  The restaurant, with its array of lively Asian-based dishes, was also popular with our group.

Our next book is Walter Abish, How German Is It?  Also considered: Burial Rites by Hannah Kent and Euphoria by Lily King.  We plan to meet on July13 at Tongue in Cheek in St Paul.  Don suggests the next title.

Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell (Creekside Supper Club)

A beautifully written historical novel about the Shakespeare family in the 1590s, Hamnet imaginatively fills out the many facts missing from existing histories and describes in luminous prose the possible relationships, tribulations, and emotions of the family members.  Despite a few quibbles about the "plot", we all enjoyed the book and gave it high ratings.  But Creekside was not the ideal venue for our gathering.  The food was mostly very good, but place was loud and the service from the kitchen slow.  

Our next book is The Tyranny of Merit by Michael Sandel.  Also considered were James Rebanks Pastoral Song and Lawrence Wright God Save Texas.  Phil is in line to suggest the following book when we meet sometime in late May.

Aftermath by Harald Jahner (Online)

The book was a surprisingly interesting look into German history immediately following the end of WWII.  The Germans got back to normal--a new normal, really--over a five year period, marked by resettlements, rebuilding, restoration of culture, and reconstruction of democratic institutions.  We gave the book high ratings for its revealing anecdotes and accessible style.  Our next book is Maggie O'Farrell's Hamnet and the next book is suggested by Roger.  

Peril by Bob Woodward and Robert Costa and The Growing Seasons by Samuel Hynes (Online)

It was difficult to pull off this book club meeting.  Several of our group had been out of town, ill, or plagued with computer problems. But we did, finally, get together, even if only online (meeting in a restaurant while the pandemic peaked again seemed a bit too risky).  

Our list of books was beginning to pile up, so we discussed both Peril and The Growing Seasons at the same gathering.  Having been covered extensively on TV new shows, Peril, a narrative of the last year of Trump's term and the transition to the Biden years, seemed like old news.  We also found it rather inelegant and hastily assembled.  By contrast, the second book was beautifully written and full of nostalgic details about life in Minneapolis in the 1930s.

Our next book is Aftermath by Harald Jahner Peter's suggestion), and the one after that will be suggested by Max.  Date TBA.

Minnesota 1918 by Curt Brown (Copper Hen)

This local history is full of interesting facts and stories, many of which have appeared in the author's regular column in the Star Tribune.  The book, however, which tries to cover the 1918 flu pandemic, the Moose Lake fire, and WWI, lacks structure and focus.  It's repetitive and scattered and hard to read. Our restaurant was pleasant and offered good food, but was noisy and fell short in several ways.

Our next book is Bob Woodward/Robert Costa's Peril, an account of the Trump/Biden rocky transition.  Don is in charge of the next book; we meet on December 16.

Hunter's Moon by Philip Caputo (W. A. Frost)

Caputo's book, a collection of interrelated short stories set in Michigan's UP, impressed us with its honesty, insights, and colorful characters.  Caputo's other work includes prize-winning war journalism and his fiction draws on that experience. But the restaurant, a long-time favorite, disappointed us with mediocre service, a significant new service fee, and food that fell short of expectations.  Nice patio, though! 

Our next book is Curt Brown's Minnesota 1918: When Flu, Fire, and War Ravaged the State.  Other titles considered were Rick Shenkman's Political Animals and Joseph Kanon's Istanbul Passage.  We plan to meet on October 13 when Bill gets to suggest the next book.

True North by Jill Ker Conway (Christos)

Having enjoyed Conway's earlier memoir of growing up in Australia, we decided to follow her later tale of her journey into the academic worlds of North America.  She's wowed by the intellectual swirl of Harvard and the openness of Toronto and finally finds her place as an academic leader.  We thought this book a little less compelling than the first, and found her ambition a bit overweening.  Christos' food was reliably tasty but the service was indifferent.

Our next meeting will be September 8 and we're reading Philip Caputo's Hunter's Moon.  Other books considered were Ronan Farrow's War on Peace and Richard Hughes' A High Wind in Jamaica.  The next title will be suggested by Phil.

The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov (Salut)

This book, apparently a classic of Soviet literature, received mixed reviews from our group.  Written as a political/religious satire, it employs magical realism or fantasy to present its collection of inter-related stories, thus leaving some of us wondering what it is really all about.  Its flashing, daring humor, nevertheless, bubbles up throughout.  

Our dinner together was the first such occasion since the beginning of the pandemic and the balmy spring evening provided the ideal atmosphere.  The service was a little slow at Salut and the food was undistinguished.

Our next book is Jill Ker Conway's True North, a continuation of her personal story telling that began with an earlier book we read about her life in the Australian outback.  Other titles considered were Backman's A Man Called Ove and Diaz's' Postcolonial Love Poems.  We plan to meet next time on July 15 when Roger will suggest the future reading assignment.

The Grace of Silence by Michele Norris (Zoom)

Journalist Michele Norris grew up partly in Minneapolis and writes about her family's life there and in Birmingham, Alabama, including the interesting secrets her parents kept from her for years.  The story telling flows easily, but unravels slowly, detail by detail.  Our next book is Mikhail Bugakov, The Master and Margarita, a 1940 novel set in Stalinist Russia.  Also considered were: LeCarre's Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy; Tokarczuk's Primeval and Other Times; Wilson's To Name Those Lost; Forester's Hornblower and the Hotspur; and Backman's A Man Called Ove.  

We hope the next meeting will be in person on June 14.  Max is in line to suggest the following book.

The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors by James Hornfischer (Online)

Simultaneously a well-researched history and a kind of memorial to the bravery and sacrifice of American sailors in WWII, this book focuses on the central conflict that constituted the naval Battle of Leyte Gulf in 1944.  This battle cemented America's victory over Japan, and the author explains the strategic significance of the action and describes the up-close and personal experiences of the participants (at least on the American side).  The result is a gripping tale.

Our next book is Michele Norris, The Grace of Silence, a memoir of growing up black in Minneapolis.  We also considered Samuel Hynes, The Growing Seasons, and Charles Eastman, Indian Boyhood.  Our next meeting is scheduled for May 10, and, if possible, we may meet in person!  Phil is up next to suggest the next book.

The Road from Coorain by Jill Ker Conway (Online)

We liked this book, a well-written memoir of growing up and schooling in Australia.  The author's lyrical style, attention to the details of her early life in the Outback, and her drive for academic success make this an interesting read. The next book is James Hornfischer's Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors.  Other titles suggested were Crossing the Line: A Bluejacket's Odyssey in World War II by Kernan and Flights of Passage: Recollections of a World War II Aviator by Hynes.  Several memoirs of childhood in Minnesota were also suggested (by Michele Norris, Charles Eastman, Samuel Hynes, Maud Hart Lovelace, and Laura Ingalls Wilder).  

The next meeting is scheduled for April 5; Don will suggest the next book.

Olive Again by Elizabeth Strout (Online)

Having read the first installment of this series back in 2009, we wanted to see if Strout's character could retain our interest.  The answer was a resounding "yes".  Olive's quirky personality and outlook holds up well and continues to challenge and charm us.  And like the earlier book, each chapter constitutes a stand-alone story of human strength, folly, or frailty which is well integrated into the overall book.

Our next book is Jill Conway, The Road From Coorain.  Also considered were Eric Larson, The Splendid and the Vile, and Barack Obama, The Promised Land.  Paul suggests the following book.  The meeting is scheduled for March 1.