by Katie,
A
reclusive scientist, a dead colleague, and a doctor sent into the
jungle to find out the status of a potential pharmaceutical drug. Along the way, we find a tribe of natives that are capable of bearing children into their sixties. A semi scientific tale with themes of loss and cultural clashes, I think means an exciting read for us.
What are our thoughts on the Lakashi women being able to become pregnant well past the age of their peers? Should women of any age be able to have children? What are the benefits and the downsides? Why does this ability seem to work in the Lakashi culture?
What do you think about the appropriateness of taking Easter out of the Jungle/adopting him? Do
you think this would be a selfish action on whoever removes him from
the only home he’s known or a kindness that provides great
opportunities? What about the idea of fixing Easter’s deafness: again selfish or kind?
I
am nearly finished reading this book, as I am sure you both are, it
just has taken me a bit to think of any sort of introduction. However, I hope you are both enjoying the novel wherever you are in it!
Hello Ladies
ReplyDeleteHow are you both? Jay still not smoking, so we’re doing well here. Spent six gloriously sunny autumnal days in Burgundy, France. Very, very beautiful. We are lucky enough to have friends who know the area and did all the driving. I finished this month’s book on the ferry back to Hull.
The book was quite remarkable. Reviewers talk of Marina’s trip to Brazil as an odyssey. And when one thinks of it like that, her achievement takes on mythical dimensions: achieving the purpose of the trip, overcoming her own lack of confidence, apparently gaining some self knowledge, emotional strength. The sacrifice of Easter was awful, but one hopes Dr. Swenson was right and he finds his way back. The descriptions of the jungle were gripping, as indeed were the characters. Barbara and Jackie Bovender, Milton, the Saturns . . . such a variety and all absolutely alive to the reader. On a personal level, there were some medical details I could have done without, but the research contributing to their effectiveness must have been exhaustive.
The prospect of being pregnant at my age appalls me. Never mind the pregnancy, which even Dr. Swenson found difficult, caring for the child would be exhausting. Friends acting as child minders of grandchildren are shattered. It would not be fair on the child. However, perhaps in a more mutually supportive community like that of the Lakashi a limitless childbearing age ensures society’s survival.
Difficult to know what to say about Easter. There should be a way of supporting/educating him so he can help his community. But that community is cannibal. Have the experiences of American Indian and Aboriginal people shed any light on this issue? I would have thought that giving him hearing, were that possible, could only be a good thing. This may be my ignorance speaking.
A very thought provoking book, Katie. Thank you.
Hope you and your families are all well, ladies.
Much love to you both
Hello to you both!
ReplyDeleteSue, wonderful news about Jay! So happy for you both! Nancy, love all the facebook pictures. Both your adventures sound/look wonderful. Nothing too exciting going on here. The weather has been so crazy shifting from fall to summer to fall again in the span of a single week!
I'm glad you enjoyed the novel, Sue. I did too. I don't think I would want to be pregnant while in my 70s. The last trimester is tough enough when you're young enough to have kids. I can't imagine lugging around that weight while being over 60. As for the need to ensure society's survival, the surrounding tribes seem to be doing just fine without becoming old mothers. Many other native tribes follow the natural life cycle with great success. But it works for the purposes of our novel. I guess the Lakashi take the saying "it takes a village to raise a child" quite literally. But at the same time I do not like the idea of putting the responsibility of child rearing on older siblings. I knew a woman who was my age who essentially single handedly raised her siblings while her father struggled to support the family financially and the mother was an absent parent. It lead the poor woman down a path of depression and ended in an accidental overdose. The stress at such a young age to be so responsible and the missed opportunity for her own childhood was a terrible shame. If there are other adult relative to help that is one thing but to shoulder such duties onto another child seems negligent.
The loss of Easter was a very distressing part of the novel. It does make the situation a little more acceptable knowing he didn't die and that there is hope that he may return. How terrible for him to be thrown into a situation where he did not understand the culture or societal ways! I think the same would hold true if he were brought to the States as Anders and Marina had wanted. As a deaf child, it would probably be a significantly harder transition. I agree with you, Sue. I cannot think of any downsides to returning Easter's hearing to him. It might be worth a thought to bring him to the US for the implants and then returning him to his home afterward.
I really admired all of the scientists' dedication to protecting the Lakashi's way of life and the natural ecosystem of the Amazon. Their fears that drug seekers would destroy the natural environment is all too real. And their dedication to creating an anti-malaria drug which would return poor profit over a fertility drug was even more wonderful. How amazing would it be if there was really an anti-malaria drug as described in our book? It would be like the next small-pox cure, a major discovery! It's a pity that most pharmaceutical are indeed very much like Vogel in their lust for profits.
SO much to think about in this novel. Really enjoyed it! I just picked up my copy of "The Eye in the Door" from the library.
My love to you and yours!
Katie
Hello Ladies,
ReplyDeleteWe have returned from our wonderful adventure, New Zealand is such an amazing place , I love it there.
Our novel this month was great I have read it previously and found I enjoyed it as much on second reading.
It is such a thought provoking story and one with so many chances for me to question own ethics and beliefs.
I loved so many of the characters and the expert way Ms Patchett developed their personalities, faults and humanity.
Although I did not particularly like Dr Swenson she had some admirable qualities. I did not like in essence how she stole Easter from his family who came to her for help. I know their way of life is so absolutely alien from my own but , was that really her call to make? It felt a lot like her western values misplaced and maybe selfishness in keeping Easter for herself as, later she was unwilling for Marina to take him to the US for treatment which may have benefited him. Basically I found her quite a selfish character all round. No one should be pregnant at 73, scientific research or not. No fore thought to the life the child would have had had he/she survived. However kudus to her for sticking it to big Pharma, I’m all for that !!
I loved Marina though and enjoyed reading her evolution as a strong resilient person capable beyond her beliefs of herself. Weirdly last time I read this story I thought Marina stayed in the Amazon, maybe that was just me wishing, so I was surprised when she returned to Minnesota. Could her and Anders go back to their original relationship, I wonder?
I feel this novel is so quintessentially an example of the ripple theory, so many actions and reactions occurring in one story. I enjoyed it so much.
I also loved Milton, probably because he was so unflappable and cool. Always a sucker for the cool guys…haha.
I hope all is well with you both and your families.
love Nancy