Larry's Party
Carol Shields
Jean noted that she had read on the cover that this book had won lots of prizes and she had high expectations. She said that it was not a bad book but certainly not a book of the year. The book deals with the life of Larry from 1977-1997. The book takes place in his mind and deals with him bumbling in and out of marriage. One of the important themes of the book is gardens (Larry starts off life as a florist) and Jean said that she found the bits about mazes fascinating. Overall though this book is disappointing.
Sean asked about the party in the title. Jean said that there was indeed a party scene but it did not live up to its billing.
Jean 20/9/98
Gill abandoned Larry's Party two thirds of the way through, due to a bit about illness that she didn't like, but up till then had found it an easy read. Not a particularly remarkable book.
Gill 25/10/98
"I was amazed that it won the 1998 Orange Prize and was chosen as Book of the Year ten times."
"A book about a totally unremarkable person, Larry, a complete non-entity."
"The end - the dinner party of the title - is completely dull."
Having put us all off the book completely, Andrew then said that he did enjoy the book - it was well-written and a light, easy read. But not, in a fair world, a prize-winner.
Andrew 6/12/98
The frames have gone all funny - click to make it good.