With many schedules disrupted for the summer, we decided to hold our August meeting at the Columbia Breaks Fire Interpretive Center's Arnie Arenson Picnic Shelter. A bit smoky with the Canadian fires, but a pleasant gathering with our substantial appetizers and desserts.
The Cellist of Sarajevo is based on a real event - a horrific bombing - in which the author has intertwined the stories of three fictional character's lives during this siege of their hometown. The cellist decides to play Albinoni's Adagio once a day for each of the 22 victims of a bread-line bombing. This piece of music, which had been recreated after the original was lost in a different war, gave the cellist hope that Sarajevo could be rebuilt into something new and worthwhile just as this score had been. The three other characters struggle with how this war has changed their lives and what they now accept each day. They remember how life/the world used to be and wonder if mankind is still capable of humanity. Paraphrasing other reviews of this book: The author took an imaginative leap to create an intense story of the endurance of the human spirit and the subtle ways individuals reclaim their humanity. It speaks powerfully to the dignity and generosity of the human spirit under extraordinary duress. Kris B. commented that "there was enough description to understand the hardship and human life lost but at the same time it didn't feel overly graphic."
Our September meeting will be held at Chris Peek's home on Wednesday, September 6th at 5:30. Hope to see you there!
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