Ahab's wife book group discussion

Ive ordered copies of the book for me and kelly so hopefully we will start reading this weekend or early next week. Early on in unas life, her mother instructs her, accept the world, una. In ahab s wife, author sena jeter naslund takes a barelymentioned, never seen character and gives us her whole life. Ahab s wife gets to meet nathaniel hawthorne, for example. Ahabs wife joins a distinguished tradition of literary works inspired by mobydick. Ahabs wife was a book i actually owned in paperback and kept meaning. Annette on my sisters keeper discussion questions for my sisters keeper. I found a list of interesting discussion questions on harper collins site. Inspired by a brief passage in moby dick, it is the story of una, exiled as a child to live in a lighthouse, removed from the physical and emotional abuse of a religionmad father. The book failed it wasnt taken seriously until many years after melvilles death. Book group buzz discussion of book clubs, reading lists, and literary news booklist online. In what ways is unas story a product of the times in which she lives.

If you are the publisher or author of this book and feel that the. Would anyone like to join jaxnsmom and me for a buddy read of this book. Were any of the texts mentioned particularly meaningful to you. If you would like to host a book club meeting at your venue or home, please contact melissa reece at the library, or leave a message for her with your contact information. Ahabs wife is a novel that uses a brief mention of mobydicks captain ahabs wife back at home in nantucket, and from this builds a slow burn of a back story around her. After attending one of our book lovers club meetings and hearing. Ahabs wife by sena jeter naslund read 52 books in 52 weeks.

Ahab s wife takes place in the early nineteenth century. A novel i read in high school, the red tent by anita diamant, had the same kind of basis took a minor biblical character and told her life story, and i loved that book wholeheartedly. I strongly feel this is better appreciated if one has already read mobydick, as there are other characters, not just captain ahab, here. Discussion of ahab s wife must focus on its genre, the currently popular category of parasitical works, which draw any lifeblood they possess from the originality infusing an older work or once. Long before ahab s first appearance, there is an air of mystery about the captain of the pequod.

Sep 22, 1999 a magnificent, vast, and enthralling saga, sena jeter naslund s ahab s wife is a remarkable epic spanning a rich, eventful, and dramatic life. Ahabs wife by sena jeter naslund harpercollins 704 pp. This is destined to be remembered as one of the mostrecognized first sentences in literature. Ironically, ahab s wife, which reworks the great whaling novel from a female, liberal, protestant point of view, is already positioned to be a best seller. I loved it because its a poetic adventure set by and on the ocean about a strong female character and her lifes trials. Or, the stargazer by sena jeter naslund march 2018. When ishmael inquires about the captain, he is told that ahab is a man of few words but deep meaning. Long before ahabs first appearance, there is an air of mystery about the captain of the pequod. November, 2010 the help by kathryn stockett january, 2011 the death of josseline by margaret regan march, 2011 mockingbird. If moby dick is too big to tackle this summer, how about a tale that ends on page 666. Open library is an open, editable library catalog, building towards a web page for every book ever published. Ahabs wife by sena jeter maslund is the story of a woman named una whose life was dominated by the sea from an early age. Ahabs wife is a softer version, one probably more suited by a pacifist, beginning a new story where melville left off.

Season of the witch november 2016 november 2016 book selection the fairfax library book discussion group will meet thursday, november 10th at 7 p. How does una reconcile the inevitable animal within p. To request a kit, simply search the online catalog for the series book group kit, and then place a hold for the title youd like. Weve been using two questions to guide our discussions about literary.

Jun 27, 2019 our book for discussion is the national bestselling novel ahab s wife, by sena jeter naslund. Throughout ahabs wife, una makes reference to the works of great writers such as william shakespeare, john keats, and homer. May 20, 2010 throughout ahab s wife, una makes reference to the works of great writers such as william shakespeare, john keats, and homer. Ahab s wife is designed as an independent, standalone. The womens book group meets every couple of months to discuss mutually agreed upon books. How does it enhance, deepen, and expand ahab s wife. Sena jeter naslund is the new york times bestselling author of five novels, including ahabs wife 1999 and abundance. The protagonist, and primary narrator, is una spenser whose bookish mother named her after the heroine of the faerie queene, whom we first meet in her. Nothing in naslund s previous fiction the disobedience of water, p. Various boats come to the island at different times bringing mail and supplies. Ironically, ahabs wife, which reworks the great whaling novel from a female, liberal, protestant point of view, is already positioned to be a best seller. I know its unfair but her name pisses me off has created an entire book about the wife of captain ahab. The library hosts a book discussion group on the third tuesday of every month at 10.

Nothing in naslunds previous fiction the disobedience of water, p. Sena jeter naslund has thoroughly imbibed the spirit of herman melville, and that spirit permeates every scene of her novel. From one brief mention of ahabs wife in mobydick, in the manner that god fashioned eve from adams rib, sena jeter naslund has fashioned ahabs. Ahabs wife, written by naslund, is about a woman that had something like 3 husbands. From those two lines of text, sena jeter naslund sorry. At once a family drama, a romantic adventure, and a portrait of a real and loving marriage, ahabs wife gives new perspective on the american experience. Ahabs wife takes place in the early nineteenth century. Ahabs wife is designed as an independent, standalone. This study guide consists of approximately 31 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of ahabs wife, or, the stargazer. Get an answer for what is a summary of ahab s wife, or, the stargazer by sena jester naslund. Tonight it was my first time hosting our book club. The structure of the play is complicated, with two time periods moving forward and one moving backwards.

First thursday book club discussion questions ahabs wife. Ahabs wife, or, the stargazer 1999 edition open library. One of the most important things i want to say about the book is, you dont have to have read mobydick in order to enjoy ahabs wife. Below is a list of the books we have enjoyed each month since 2002. Shields may, 2011 lincolns melancholy by joshua wolf shenk. Throughout ahab s wife, una makes reference to the works of great writers such as william shakespeare, john keats, and homer. Almost nine months ago, my book club picked this one as the february read, so i. What is the effect of drawing on all these other books. Our book for discussion is the national bestselling novel ahabs wife, by sena jeter naslund. Monthly discussion leader gives information on book and author. Dont just read ahabs wife and think that you have somehow gotten close to that other tale. Book discussion book list unitarian universalist fellowship.

Sena jeter naslunds brilliant national best seller 1999 ahabs wife is a revelation of how a woman of the 1830s, with a. Nov 08, 1999 one of the most important things i want to say about the book is, you dont have to have read mobydick in order to enjoy ahab s wife. Get an answer for what is a summary of ahabs wife, or, the stargazer by sena jester naslund. Ahabs wife is a breathtaking, magnificent, and uplifting story of one womans spiritual journey, informed by the spirit of the greatest american novel, but taking it beyond tragedy to redemptive triumph. Its time to talk books with the fairfax library book discussion group. Ahabs wife was celebrated by scholars and critics as a kind of feminist corrective. Ahabs wife or the star gazer sena jeter naslund, 1999 harpercollins 668 pp. Una and two young men who love her are the only survivors of a group set adrift in an open boat, but the dark secret of their cannibalism will leave.

Reserve a set of books for your book discussion group. Everyone is welcome to come and add to the discussion of the month s title. Oct 01, 2000 ahab s wife is a breathtaking, magnificent, and uplifting story of one woman s spiritual journey, informed by the spirit of the greatest american novel, but taking it beyond tragedy to redemptive triumph. During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the whaling industry in new england sent hundreds of ships and thousands of men to distant seas on voyages lasting up to five years. Inspired by a masterpiece, it is a masterwork in its own right. Sena jeter naslund explains why she chose marie antoinette as the focus of her latest novel, abundance, and how it compares to her previous novels which often feature strong female protagonists. Ahabs wife, or, the stargazer chapters 12 21 summary.

Ahabs wife was a main selection of the book of the month club, chosen by time magazine as one of the top five novels of 1999, selected by book sense as one of the top five books of the year, chosen by the new york times as a notable book of 1999, and chosen as a best book by publishers weekly. Book group kits can be sent to any of our 33 member libraries. Sena jeter naslunds homage to melville is steeped in his work and at the same time explores a world that melville left largely uncharted. We will meet on wednesday july 10 and july 24 at 10am and 7pm choose one or both. The author of ahabs wife does include what is probably her own agenda to provide a. Ahab s wife is a novel on a grand scale that can legitimately be called a masterpiece. Religious studies book discussion of the novel ahabs. This book is about ahabs wife duh, the much, much younger una. At once a family drama, a romantic adventure, and a portrait of a real and loving marriage, ahab s wife gives new perspective on the american experience. Nov 24, 2018 open library is an open, editable library catalog, building towards a web page for every book ever published. Ahabs wife using a stray reference in moby dick, a novelist creates the story of ahabs wife. To ask other readers questions about ahabs wife, or the stargazer, please. How do these allusions affect your experience of the play.

What is a summary of ahabs wife, or, the stargazer by. In ahabs wife, author sena jeter naslund takes a barelymentioned, never seen character and gives us her whole life. Book discussion group fort myers beach public library. Ahabs wife reading guide book club discussion questions. Ahab s wife was celebrated by scholars and critics as a kind of feminist corrective. A bookofthemonth club main selection, with a huge first printing.

This is destined to be remembered as one of the mostrecognized first sentences in literaturealong with call me ishmaeland una spenser, the transcendent hero at the center of ahabs wife, may well become every bit as memorable as. Ahabs wife is a novel on a grand scale that can legitimately be called a masterpiece. Ahabs wife, or the stargazer by sena jeter naslund goodreads. Ahab s wife joins a distinguished tradition of literary works inspired by mobydick. Each member takes a turn in being a discussion leader. The book failed it wasnt taken seriously until many years after melville s death. How does it enhance, deepen, and expand ahabs wife. First thursday book club discussion questions ahabs wife by sena jeter naslund feb 5, 2015, 2pm. She is currently distinguished teaching professor and writer in residence at the university of louisville and program director. Everyone is welcome to come and add to the discussion of the months title.

I encourage you to take the adventure offered in naslunds latest novel. January, 2011 the death of josseline by margaret regan. Discussion of ahabs wife must focus on its genre, the currently popular category of parasitical works, which draw any lifeblood they possess from the originality infusing an older work or once. On the agenda, ahabs wife, which is my favorite book. Sena jeter naslund has created an entirely new universe with a transcendent heroine at its center who will be every bit as memorable as captain ahab.

Sena jeter naslund s homage to melville is steeped in his work and at the same time explores a world that melville left largely uncharted. But great as her debt to melville may be, ahabs wife stands alone, intact and vital. Please join us for an interesting discussion at our next gathering. She was from kentucky, ended up as a child living at a lighthouse, worshipping the giant tower producing the light. This study guide consists of approximately 31 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of ahab s wife, or, the stargazer.

A magnificent, vast, and enthralling saga, sena jeter naslunds ahabs wife is a remarkable epic spanning a rich, eventful, and dramatic life. Is abundance, with its intimate portrait of one of the most maligned and arguably misunderstood female figures in history, a similar act of revision or reassessment. Or, the stargazer by sena jeter naslund, 1999, william morrow and co. Captain ahab was neither my first husband nor my last. She also starts the discussion and asks questions as necessary to facilitate participation. Religious studies book discussion of the novel ahabs wife. The around town book club has been meeting for over eight years now, on the last thursday of each month at 7. Book club leader guide discussion questions information about the author plastic storage box for easy transport book group kits can be sent to any of our 33 member libraries. What is a summary of ahabs wife, or, the stargazer by sena. The author of ahab s wife does include what is probably her own agenda to provide a feminist counterpoint and in this novel, she also includes reallife characters at the time of mobydick which gives parts of this novel a historical fiction flavor. And when i say ahab, i do mean the cannibal that sailed around the ocean looking for his white whale.