Dreamers of the Day
Posted by: Ted Balcom
Dreamers of the Day, by Mary Doria Russell, was chosen as the book to be explored at the most recent meeting of the Adult Reading Round Table Quarterly Literary Fiction Book Discussion Group. I didn’t lead the discussion this time, but enjoyed sitting on the other side of the table as a participant.
Russell’s novel is her fourth and most recent work. Many readers of this blog will be familiar with her first book, The Sparrow, which has been used by numerous book discussion groups. Dreamers of the Day couldn’t be more different from The Sparrow — it doesn’t wear the same cloak of science fiction and spirituality as the earlier novel, but wraps itself in a brilliant historical tapestry, as its intrepid heroine, a reserved spinster from the Midwest named Agnes Shanklin, charges uncharacteristically off on a journey to the Middle East and becomes embroiled with all sorts of famous figures from the early part of the 20th century, ranging from Winston Churchill to Gertrude Bell to Lawrence of Arabia.
Before I forget to mention it, Agnes narrates this tale from the grave, which is only one of the unusual aspects of the book. Our leader admitted that she not only read the book, but she also listened to it on CD, which she claimed gave her new insights about the story and really offered two distinctly different approaches to the book.
Russell’s novel is well researched and definitely appeals to readers who enjoy learning about history through reading fiction. If you’re interested in discovering how the configuration of countries in the Middle East was created following World War I and the dissatisfaction stemming from the Versailles Treaty, read this book. The tone of the novel is sometimes lighthearted and whimsical, but it deals with many serious issues, including the great influenza pandemic, and the exotic settings are well drawn. It even offers a bit of a love story, and for dog lovers, there’s a wonderful dachshund named Rosie who travels everywhere with Agnes and really functions as an important character in the book.
Our discussion leader brought many related books and DVDs to the meeting to stimulate further exploration of the topics raised in the novel. Several participants said they planned to dig deeper and learn more about the people and ideas they encountered in their reading of this book. One of the best compliments an author can receive, I think, is when readers express a desire to travel further down the road on which the book has carried them. Congratulations to Mary Doria Russell!
October 30th, 2009 at 5:52 am
After repeatedly hearing about The Sparrow, I gave in and read it some years back. Thinking I was not a fan of science fiction, I was quite surprised at how much I loved this book and its’ sequel. Both were chosen for book discussion by our fiction group and have also been picked up by many book groups in our community.
I have not read Dreamers of the Day but your description of the book has encouraged me to put it on my TBR list as well as to suggest it to patrons who like historical novels that blend historical figures in their story.
Would you be willing to share the additional material that was used to enhance this discussion? The dvd’s and other books that you felt added to the whole.
I enjoy reading Book Group Buzz. Lots of great suggestions and stimulating blogging.