"The People's Act of Love" by James Meek

I am three fourths of the way through this novel. It was written in 2005. It is for a book discussion group and this may be the last time I make a suggestion that doesn't come from a so called book discussion suggestion list. I especially liked the part of the novel where Samarin gives his testimony in the chapter, 'The River.' on page 181. "I propose to explain to you something of what I suffered in the prison camp to which I was sent.." It is the story of the Russian student, Samarin who is imprisoned in Siberia. Far above the Arctic, for five years he is imprisoned until the fall of the government after the first world war. Of course I do not know the history of the wars in Russia, and I am not so sure that this book will help fill in the details for me. I should go back and read Dr. Zhivago over again and compare the two.

Happy Thanksgiving

LOOKING FOR THAT GOOD MYSTERY AGAIN

Started a new book, "Sherlock Homes; The Unauthorized Biography" by Nick Rennison. because I never have read any of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's great detective series, I thought this might be a good place to start. Engaging, the character of Sherlock Holmes is examined through historical documents. I especially like the historial inspection of the Victorian age of Holmes, the England of my fantasy world, the England of my forebears. Three of my grandparents lived in England in 1895, not knowing at the time they were to emigrate to America and leave their English world behind. The superpower that England was was shattering, and so went their dreams. Was it family struggles, financial worries or just sheer adventure that brought them out of the bustling England and into New York City? Finding connections to other emigrants they blended their families with others from England, but they also left brothers and sisters in England and I grew up learning about cousins across the seas. Apparently most of the relatives did not emigrate...I have relatives I don't even know about. But, this book gives me a glimpse into the Victorian age of my grandparents. And it is a fascinating portrait.