Small things writ large in Roy’ s wo AFTER a summer-long hiatus, I am so pleased that my book club is reconvening this month! It’s been almost eight weeks since Pve enjoyed the good conversation and great company of the ladies in my lub. I've noticed over the past few weeks, that read- ing has become a bit less meaningful. Knowing ! wouldn’t have to discuss the book and be chal- Ienged on my opinions and thoughts, led me to read a little less purposefully. An interesting obser- vation for anyoue deliberating on whether to join a book dub or not. I read with perhaps more relaxation, but also less intensity. In/any event, we are meeting in three weeks to discuss our tember selection, a fun, light-hearted romp of a novel, which Tl tell you more about fater. But first, let’s finish up our last : read, The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy. An award winning first novel, The God of Small Things is a feast for.the senses. Descriptive, clogitent and clever, the novel winds i its way. through tke lives of Estha and Rahel. Based MEGAN VerncHERe BOOK REVIEWS around a tragedy that we learn of almost immediate- ly, the novel is a labyrinth of entwined character development and tightly woven plot structure. We know the twins are uniquely connected, able to read cach orher’s thoughts and feel each others emo- tions. But we don’t know what has driven them apart at such a young age. The novel is based on a series of mysteries, and as I mentioned a few weeks ago, Roy’s technical background as an architect clearly plays a strong role in her building of the novel. She has said in interviews that she scripted the novel as she would have designed a house: starting some- where then stretching back and forward. This is apparent in the layering of themes, which she illuminates through her characters. She writes of love, madness and infinite joy. And, of course, the Small Things. Which are comprised of many factors. It’s the Small Things that can change a life. It’s the Small Things that define Character. And it’s the Small Things that in a world of huge, incomprehensibie events such as politics, ! tove, prejudice and death become the centerpiece of one’s existence. Roy’s use of language and her focus on the Small Things complet the novel, much like the details and finishings o - from Bi Beer om rin i ay 3 Jan anuary = “13 be ering slide into: ob y? why?), alco- nits 6 (excellent), ciga- calories 2472. ious and bossy, going on and on to the point of utter bore- dom about latest half-million- . pound property she is plan- ning to buy with her rich-but- overbred boyfriend, Hugo: “Yars, yars, well it is north-fac- vast, bulbous bottom swathed in a tight red skirt with a bizarre three-quarter-length striped waistcoat strapped across it. What a blessing to be born with such Stoaney arrogance. Perpetua could be about weight while Pespetua has been happily looking for - lamps with porcelain cats as bases around the Fulham . Road? She is missing out on a source of happiness, anyway. It is proved by surveys that ing bur they’ve done some- the fh frightilly clever with : T looked at her willy, her or Starfish Teco ing video for. the song Cross r(Chan:, Bones Style, directed by Brett perform © “Vapnek. The video, described ; “Madonna channeling” will be:available on the web- oy in'a.couple of weeks. Cat Power has further - "the Crocodile’ plus an all-age es ~gig at the Velvet Elvis) an Po befoi happiness docs not come from love, wealth or power but the pursuit of attainable goals: and what is a diet if not that?” the size of a Renault Espace and not give it a thought. How many hours, months, years, have I spent worrying NORTH‘ ‘I lORT UPHOL: STE ERY sein and Repairs” __ Free estimates, pick up & delivery 19 years experience your satisfaction is our concern cat 985-7449 J for a discount © Free airtime on your first 30 calls every ~” month—no matter how long you talk. © Unlimited free calling each and every weekend. © First 30 days of usage free. © Just 30¢ per minute. | *30'""°- - Now Open Capilano Mall 21-935:.Marine Drive North Vancouver BCTEL AA ‘Mobility Centre house make a home. I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did. The next one, selected by onc of the women in my group, is definitely a differ- ent type of selection. Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding ($15.99, Picador. London, 1996) has gained international pop- ularity with women of all ages, bur especially those of us in our late 20s and carly 30s. It is to books what Ally McBeal is to television. Bridget is a thirtysome- thing, single woman living in London. She chronicles one year in her life with hilarious and realistic acuity. Her toils with career, family and relationships are guaranteed to amuse a female audience. It’s a light read without much intense prose or sym- bolism for us to analyze. But perhaps it will serve as a good palate cleansing sorbet between rich courses: refreshing, sweet yet entirely functional! Enjoy the next few weeks and please Keep sending in your votes tor the Top 10 books of the 20th Century as we are com- piling a North Shore list of favourites. Happy reading! —— Megan Verchere can be reached at mvercher@ibm. or —~or. a the News at 985-2104. BARGAIN “PRICE! thousands of exciting titles and take another 25% off - BROADWAY « 632 W Broadway . B725711 ee KITSILANO « 2388.W 4th Ave : 734-5711. WEST END « 1181 Davis Street |: 695-5711 ees - BURNABY « Metrotown Centre 434-5711 pee ‘NORTH VANCOUVER”. 1824 Lonsdaie Ave: . 904 “WAREHOUSE: MORE BOOKS FOR YOUR MONEY™. 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