U3A Coda by Thea Astley
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U3Agraham
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- Joined: 08 Jul 2010, 06:19
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U3A Coda by Thea Astley
When you start to think of yourself in the third person there is a good chance that 'the Other' will start to take over your life.
And whose life would it then be?
I think I'm going to like this book. Has anyone else read it?
And whose life would it then be?
I think I'm going to like this book. Has anyone else read it?
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JimBlair
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Having just studied “Veronika” I am disappointed that, as early as page six of Coda we have the subject of “death” again, though not suicide this time,
Our discussion of Veronika missed the opportunity to discuss the religious current emphasise for or against “taking ones own life”.
Many Muslims are for it, if it involves heroic acts, the Catholics seem to be against it 100%.
It is a major cause of men dyeing over 65yo.
It was a major outcome of our move into Iraq.
And we did not discuss it?
What we did discuss was the author’s psychological presumptions. But since most of us, including me, did not have a broad grounding in the subject, some of us concluded that it seemed to be psychological babblings.
The Note writer possibly had her own and distinctive approach to the issue.
Our discussion of Veronika missed the opportunity to discuss the religious current emphasise for or against “taking ones own life”.
Many Muslims are for it, if it involves heroic acts, the Catholics seem to be against it 100%.
It is a major cause of men dyeing over 65yo.
It was a major outcome of our move into Iraq.
And we did not discuss it?
What we did discuss was the author’s psychological presumptions. But since most of us, including me, did not have a broad grounding in the subject, some of us concluded that it seemed to be psychological babblings.
The Note writer possibly had her own and distinctive approach to the issue.
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Rita Elswyk
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- Joined: 25 Jul 2010, 20:58
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I have managed to flick through the book and notes so far. I think I will enjoy this and am very interested in how the author represents the retirement home, not a topic covered in many novels . 
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U3Agraham
- Posts: 10
- Joined: 08 Jul 2010, 06:19
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Well, I don't know whether to laugh or cry.
The story of Katherine's life is tragic if you look only at the incidents in it. You can cleave to her for what she has had to deal with. But her stoic acceptance of experiences and her razor sharp evaluation of what is happening to her, and of the active participants themselves keep making you cheer from the sidelines. What a woman!
It is the place that she invests with her memories that intrigues me. Even the shopping centre has a life to in just because she is there responding to it. And her home is a plangent testimony to her touch. All those places in the Solomons are lined out so that you can almost smell them. Even the fire on the beach right at the start have a breath in the scene. Beautiful writing.
But those children of hers are startlingly crisp studies in egocentric drifting. And don't get me started on the grand daughter Bridgie, 'using insoence as a cosmetic aid'. Is it the weather up there that does it? No, because Katherine - and the enormous shadow of her friend Daisy - are doers and movers.
In a way I cans ee that the same principle of living which Cloeho was propounding in Veronika is working away through Katherine. In this case, however, Katherine is already and intuitively living the way that Veronika only reaches towards at the end. Go Katherine!
The story of Katherine's life is tragic if you look only at the incidents in it. You can cleave to her for what she has had to deal with. But her stoic acceptance of experiences and her razor sharp evaluation of what is happening to her, and of the active participants themselves keep making you cheer from the sidelines. What a woman!
It is the place that she invests with her memories that intrigues me. Even the shopping centre has a life to in just because she is there responding to it. And her home is a plangent testimony to her touch. All those places in the Solomons are lined out so that you can almost smell them. Even the fire on the beach right at the start have a breath in the scene. Beautiful writing.
But those children of hers are startlingly crisp studies in egocentric drifting. And don't get me started on the grand daughter Bridgie, 'using insoence as a cosmetic aid'. Is it the weather up there that does it? No, because Katherine - and the enormous shadow of her friend Daisy - are doers and movers.
In a way I cans ee that the same principle of living which Cloeho was propounding in Veronika is working away through Katherine. In this case, however, Katherine is already and intuitively living the way that Veronika only reaches towards at the end. Go Katherine!
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JimBlair
- Posts: 4
- Joined: 09 Jul 2010, 05:16
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The CAE notewriter "... But in a wonderful way, Kathleen wins out and the reader cheers........" Notes page 5.
It seems to me that Kathleen is about to arive on Magnetic Island in a confused state of mind, with no home to return to, saying "What a marvelous day!......" Page 188.
If someone can help me understand this I would be really appreciative.
It seems to me that Kathleen is about to arive on Magnetic Island in a confused state of mind, with no home to return to, saying "What a marvelous day!......" Page 188.
If someone can help me understand this I would be really appreciative.
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Betty
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- Joined: 10 Jul 2010, 02:35
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I have now read it - and would give it 4 out of 5. Paddy died of Lewy Body Dementia and so I know how confusing the early stages are where your mind knows what it should be doing but can't perform. But what a family of non persons! I loved Kathleen and her irreverent views on life despite the non-achieving, non-existence of her peers and offspring.
