ICE Breakers
BRIDGET JONES - MAD ABOUT THE BOY
BOOK OF THE MOMENT
What are your abiding memories of Bridget Jones and why do you think her character remains a lovable and accessible heroine?
Did this novel seem more serious, compared to Bridget's earlier diaries and do you think Fielding sets the right balance of fun, flirty romance and living life at fiftysomething?
Dolly Alderton is quoted as saying ‘In an emergency I turn to Bridget Jones’. How about you? If not Bridget who is your go-to heroine?
Do you feel Bridget Jones has remained relevant to women today? And could there be another book, if so what and how should the story develop?
THE BUCCANEERS - A NOVEL
MISSED OPPORTUNITY
Did the novel feel like it was written by two writers and do you think Wharton would have approved of Mainwaring’s completion of her manuscript?
It is difficult to know what changes have been made but did you see any clues that suggest it wasn’t Wharton’s work (such as the arrival of the Prince of Wales?).
Did you have a favourite Buccaneer? Did Conchitta give good advice to Nan and do you think women could enjoy affairs outside of marriage as easily as their husbands?
Has any one in the club seen the recent Apple TV series and how does it compare to Wharton’s novel?
Was anyone in the group familiar with Wharton’s other novels (she wrote 40!) such as ‘The Age of Innocence’ (first female author to win Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for this novel)? How does this book compare with her other novels and do you think her writing style was ground breaking and why?
THE AMERICAN NO
Which was your favourite story and why? Do you think any of these stories should have been developed further for the screen and if so which and why?
How appropriate do you think the title is and what does it reveal about Everett?
What do you think of Everett’s style of writing?
What did you think of the script at the end – can you see this script becoming a film?
Do you think Everett’s descriptions of trying to make it in Hollywood and remaining in vogue as an actor are still as bad today?
If you have read Everett’s memoirs, do you think he is more fatalistic and damaged than in his previous works? If so, why do you think so?
Everett says “Showbiz is remorseless — like nature. One’s skin thickens. One’s original features disappear under the hide — which accounts for why all old actors overact.” – Do you think Everett feels actors like him are viewed as outdated and no longer given the same opportunities and consideration?
THE WILD CARD