Book Notes: debut novel is a family tell-all
November’s book, The Nest, a best-selling debut novel by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney, stimulated much discussion. The title refers to a joint trust fund set up to benefit the Plumb family’s four siblings when the youngest turns 40. “The nest” could also be a metaphor for where the siblings have been hiding throughout their lives.
Years of tensions finally reach a breaking point on a cold afternoon in New York City as Melody (the youngest and about to turn 40), Beatrice, and Jack Plumb gather to confront Leo, their devil-may-care older brother, who, while intoxicated the previous summer, took a young waitress on a joyride in his Porsche, crashed the car, and left the waitress seriously injured. Leo’s just now out of drug rehab.
It’s Leo’s recklessness that has endangered the siblings’ joint trust fund, which their mother invaded to pay off the family of Leo’s young passenger. Meant by their deceased father to be a modest mid-life supplement, “the nest’s” value had soared along with the stock market and the siblings were counting on the money to solve a number of self-inflicted problems.
Melody sees “the nest” as college tuition for her teenage twin daughters and help with the mortgage on her suburban home. Jack needs it to pay back a loan against the beach cottage he and his husband own. Bea, an author unable to complete her long overdue novel, has spent all of her advance.
As the three needy siblings gradually come to realize they are responsible for their own lives, they begin to understand the importance of family and let go of their reliance on Leo, who escapes to the Caribbean. There was some debate about the ending of The Nest, but most members of the Book Club agreed it is happy.
—Becky Anderson and Kathryn Sedo, Book Club members
Book Club to discuss The Nest
Fri, Nov 16 2018, 2pm
The UMRA Book Club will meet at 2 p.m. on November 16 at 1666 Coffman. Kathryn Sedo will lead the discussion of The Nest, by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney. Following the discussion, members of the club will select the books they will read and discuss in 2019. Look for the list in UMRA’s January newsletter. Contact Pat Tollefson at [email protected] for more information.
Upcoming Events
Our July 15 "hike" is going to be a kayaking adventure on Bde Maka Ska (formerly Lake Calhoun) and Lake of the Isles! If you don't have a kayak (or paddleboard), Wheel Fun Rentals, located next to the new concession stand rents single kayaks at $15 an hour and double kayaks at $25. The second hour is free if we rent before noon. Life jackets are provided with the rental.
Laura Ericksen will lead the discussion of How Stella Learned to Talk by Christina Hunger, a true story by a speech-language pathologist who taught her dog, Stella, to communicate using buttons associated with different words.
Our August 5 hike will be a reprise of our hike last summer at William O'Brien State Park. This is a beautiful park with a winding trail and a great view of the countryside. The hike is about 5.5 to 6 miles and we'll go at a moderate pace with frequent water breaks. After the hike, we will eat lunch at Rustic Roots Winery, a half mile north of the park.
Kathy Cramer will lead the discussion of The Bookbinder by Pip Williams, a book set in 1914 Oxford chronicling the life of Peggy who works in the University bindery, but craves a life beyond binding books but to being a scholar herself.
Enjoy a two-hour cruise on the Jonathan Padelford, leaving from the Harriet Island dock in St. Paul, boarding time at 5:30 p.m. We will have a brief program on board by Patrick Nunnally from the River Life Program of the Institute on the Environment.
August 31 is the due date for annual reports and updates. Annual Reports, Toolkits, web page updates, operating document updates and archives collections are all due each year on this date.
Autumn is a wonderful season in Minnesota so plan to join UMRA at the Andersen Horticultural Library at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Kristen Mastel, head librarian and curator, will reveal its treasure trove of publications and artifacts relating to plant history, horticulture, and natural history. After the tour, those who are interested may stay to eat lunch together, sitting outside if the weather is nice. Later, you are invited to a one-hour tram tour of the entire Arboretum that includes natural areas of flowering shrubs, bogs, and forests, family garden and landscaping showpieces, and the red barn farm
After a summer break the UMRA Photo Club will next meet September 10, 2024 in the meeting room of the Hennepin County St. Anthony Branch Library. For those interested in lunch, meet at the Great Dragon at 11:30 am. For September the THEME will be Curves
We will continue to discuss the pros and cons of Medicare Advantage. You will also hear about notable non-health plan and non-broker resources.