Comments from the Book Discussion Group at DeSoto Library regarding our January 2013 selection:

Masqueradeby Nancy Moser
Below is a summation of the members' reactions to this work.

Members enjoyed this historical fiction account of two young ladies from different classes of English society who immigrate to America together in the late 19th century. Discussion centered on the different class situations of the two women, their motivations for leaving England and the difference in maturity levels between them. Some members expressed incredulity that a man who had immigrated to America would seek a marriage with someone in England whom he had never met while other members found this aspect of the plot entirely believable.

Comments from the Book Discussion Group at DeSoto Library regarding our December 2012 selection:

Major Pettigrew's Last Standby Helen Simonson
Below is a summation of the members' reactions to this work.

Although one member found this selection "too predictable," all the other members thoroughly enjoyed this story about an English widower and Pakistani widow whose friendship grows into love as they discover they have much in common despite their cultural differences.  Much of the discussion revolved around the issues faced by the elderly when spouses or relatives die.  Also, the members discussed various aspects of the Pakistani immigrant community in Britain and some noted that this work made them recall the novel Brick Lane by Monica Ali which the group read several years ago.