Saints at the River

Our discussion, led by Brenda, began with an examination of the title to determine which characters might be the "saints." Our conclusion was that, depending on whether the reader was more sympathetic to the environmentalists trying to save the river or to the parents who wanted to dam it to retrieve the body of their child, characters on either side of the struggle could be seen as either "saints" or "sinners." For some of us, the perspective changed multiple times as we read.

The river served multiple purposes in the novel: It served as another character representing the power of nature that man has to accept on its own terms. The river also impressed us as a metaphor for the journey of life towards death.

The group then tackled the depictions of families in the novel. Maggie, the protagonist, is estranged from her father, but ends by caring for him through a fatal illness. She does begin to remember her father as a caring parent during her childhood, although their estrangement continues. Kowalski, father of the drowned child, also seemed to us to be an inadequate parent as he made no attempt to save his drowning child.

Our final conclusion was that Saints at the River is a cautionary tale about the power, and final authority of nature.

Our next meeting is February 21, 5:30 PM in the second floor lobby of the library, 311 Scott Street. Our book is Same Sweet Girls by Cassandra King with discussion leader Sandi.

Saints at the River by Ron Rash

Our meeting is this Thursday evening at 5:30. We will, again, be on the second floor in the large meeting room. Brenda, who will lead our discussion, has seen some links to help us with the book.

For the book club blog:

http://www.breaktech.net/EmergingWritersForum/View_Interview.aspx?id=130

This one shows image of book and author if you want to copy them onto the blog:
http://www.picadorusa.com/product/product.aspx?isbn=0312424914

Discussion questions are found here:
http://www.picadorusa.com/rgg/files/0312424914.pdf


Thanks much!

~ Brenda