Presentation Summaries

Anne Tyler and 23 books, so far

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Anne Tingle, a self-proclaimed kindred spirit of the author Anne Tyler, read or re-read all 23 books to prepare for today’s presentation. (Wow!)

Anne Tyler was the perfect subject for this week’s meeting, following upon Margaret’s presentation last week of another quintessential domestic novelist, Jane Austen.

Anne Tingle’s candid book reviews of Tyler’s oeuvre gave each of us at least one more book we will want to read. Thanks, A.T. x 2

For more insights into Anne Tyler, please read Anne Tingle’s Anne Tyler Summary

 

 

How much do we really know about Jane Austen?

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Jane Austen is beloved by so many readers, you would think many facts would be known about her. Margaret’s presentation November 15 revealed an author about whom much has had to be interpreted, largely through the author’s correspondence and an understanding of the times she lived in.

 

We learned that Jane Austen only came to be considered a great writer since the 1940’s. She never sat for a true portrait: The drawing here by James Andrews of Maidenhead is based on an unfinished work by her sister Cassandra Austen (Wikimedia Commons).

You won’t want to miss Margaret’s summary of Jane Austen and her works:

Jane Austen Summary

What Sue Carscallen unearthed at the Glenbow Archives

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Archives photo by Samuel Zeller (CC0 1.0, Unsplash)

Archives photo by Samuel Zeller (CC0 1.0, Unsplash)

Sue gave a marvelous presentation on our Club’s interesting past, gleaned from its archives. (What other book club do you know submits its Minutes to Provincial archives and has done so for over 100 years?).

The photographs she took of discoveries in the archives, shared in her PowerPoint presentation, are treasures themselves!

Sue’s no stranger to exhaustive research, having edited and published her Great Aunt’s journals, originally written in Russian and French. Check out Sue’s website: A Countess in Limbo

To learn more:  CWLC Archives at the Glenbow

Author Karen Connelly featured at March 22nd Calgary Women’s Literary Club meeting

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In keeping with the 2015-2016 theme of highlighting Calgary authors, well known Canadian author and former Calgarian Karen Connelly was the featured author of a presentation given on March 22nd by Calgary Women’s Literary Club member Judi Lee.  Judi began by disclosing an interesting personal connection she had with the author going back to her childhood. Although they have never met in person, Judi’s family were acquainted with the Connelly family in the late 60s and 70s, their fathers having been employed at the same company.

Karen Connelly Summary

Note: On May 4th, 2016, Karen’s life took an unexpected turn when her brother became the victim of a serious motorcycle accident in Thailand. The story has been featured in a recent  CBC news article.   The family is pleading with the public for help through a social media campaign on GoFundMe.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.