Angel Puss Draws Great Discussion
January 31st 2007 00:59
Image: harpercollins.com
I must say our Book Club ushered in 2007 with a great meeting! We started the year with a light read from Colleen McCullough’s – Angel Puss. Set in 1960’s Kings Cross, Sydney, it tells the story of Harriet Purcell, a young nurse keen to get out of home and away from the clutches of her family and long time boyfriend. Training as a technician, and so armed with a coveted man’s wage (rare for a woman back then), Harriet begins her adventure into the world of prostitutes, gays, luscious doctors and crystal balls.
Although it was only released a few years ago, Nancy provided us with information that McCullough actually wrote it in the 70’s, after penning The Thorn Birds. We all agreed that there are plenty of biographical aspects to this story, but most of our members found the story too fluffy, the characters not believable and the writing childish. This is not to say some of us didn’t enjoy the read. Carol, Denise and Sue thought it was a fun book - perfect summer reading.
It produced a stimulating discussion on the place of women in the 50’s and 60’s and also Kings Cross itself. There were plenty of stories of personal experiences at the Cross in younger days, but admission that its hidden, seedier side was something they were mostly unaware of. Ahhh … the innocence of youth!
Eventually we did circle around to Angel Puss herself, the young autistic four year old in McCullough’s book, and the heartbreaking aspects of autism.
Personally I loved the book, as I do most of McCullough’s work. I found it fun, full of humour and thoroughly entertaining, with all the wonderful Australian characters I’ve come to expect from her novels. She is such a good story teller – something that is truly in her nature. I met her many years ago during my radio (production) days and found her to be down to earth and completely unpretentious. Something that was also rare in those days!
So, although this book scored low with our group - due mainly to the writing style I presume - it did give us plenty of fodder for debate and dialogue, which is what we like to do most. As I’ve said before, book clubs are great because you often end up reading something you normally wouldn’t. But it is the discussion that a book club draws that is the real attraction. Listening to others opinions and voicing your own, not only on the book but on a myriad of other topics plucked from it. It’s a great way to learn and interact socially.
I just had a thought – maybe our politicians should join a book club!
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