Pavilion of Women

Pearl S. Buck may be known for The Good Earth, but that ain't her only rodeo, folks.  She turned out dozens of Asian-themed books in her lifetime, one of which is Pavilion of Women.  When Becky chose the book, she had no plan for meal or decor...but the book lended itself so perfectly to a Chinese theme (and seeing that the Chinese New Year is only days away from book club) it was meant to be.

Not even Cody's trip to LA, or Jed's sudden need to work late could put the brakes on the Chinese extravaganza.  The kids were all piled in the living room, the food was cooking, and the wine was flowing.  We had a great meal, followed by a 10 minute intermission while Becky and Greta put children to sleep and everyone else did the dishes!  I said they did the dishes.  That is one of the sweetest things ever.

The book was pretty deep.  Lots of ideas and discussion came up.  Here are a few of the topics:

• The book is revealing about Chinese culture, especially during the time shortly before WWII and the contrast between the traditional and new ways 


• The views on marriage...there are cultural differences not right and wrong ways of doing it


• Madame Wu's blossoming into understanding the concept of Love, as taught by Brother Andre, and how it changes her feelings and interactions with people and her interpretation of the afterlife


• Wetnurses.  'Nough said.


• Madame Wu's relationship with Brother Andre and how it is so contained within her mind after his death


• "Every soul is frightened when it is forced beyond it's level."  Levels of development, how they affect all people, and how they affected the characters of this book

There was a lot of discussion that I didn't really capture in my notes...our own Pavilion of women has so many ideas, thoughts, metaphors, comparisons, etc, I can't always catch them all!

Fun Facts:

Rats, again?  Really?  Sure it's in the Chinese Zodiac, but must it come up at every meeting?
We are Dragon, Tiger, Monkey, Rabbit, Goat, and Rat.  Two of us are insecure. (HINT: last two)
Jessica christened Greta "Miss Character Name-Rememberer"
Did I use quotes properly just then?
Jackie is demanding when it comes to dessert, and Becky is kicking herself for even mentioning the Mochi.



 THE FOOD

Can we just talk about the food for a minute?  It wasn't really Chinese in nature...more of a Thai eclectic mix.  Chicken Coconut soup followed by Pork and Shrimp Spring Rolls, then Beef Curry over Egg Noodles.  Dessert was homemade fortune cookies.  Most of the food was courtesy of a Central Market cooking class Becky took last year.

THE WINE

With the soup: Gewurtz 2012 Mendocino County Gewurtztraminer
With the curry: Secco Italian Bubbles
With Dessert: Snoqualmie 2011 Winemaker's Select Riesling