I believe this was the club's 13th meeting, though only the second one since it was named. Summer hosted in Los Feliz, an active new member given she only joined three months ago. In attendance were Lisa, Mike, Russell, Lorisa, Patrick, Summer, Chris and myself. Summer had the film "Microcosmos" screening throughout to fit in with the bug theme of the book. Usually we try to incorporate food and beverages with things found in the book, but aside from the peanuts Russell brought (drawn from Lillian's peculiar circus fetish) I don't think there was much else connected. I was going to bring Lucky Charms cereal, since they eat that in the book, but since I ate no dinner, and after all the candy at the "Geek Love" meeting, I decided to bring some brie for sustenance. The cheese was from France, so I could have said it was related to the assassin Chantelle, but I only thought of that after I bought it, so I didn't mention it.
The book didn't seem to evoke as much conversation as some of the previous books. I had heard a whisper that there were plans to turn this into a movie, but I learned at the meeting that the story's first incarnation was as a screenplay which explains a lot about the style of the book as it did read more like an action flick than we expected. We discussed the characters we did and didn't like and also, given that the film was supposed to be (and possibly still?) made into a film, who would play the characters. That big lug from the King of Queens seemed to suit as Bob, with David Hyde Pierce as Klaus was a good choice by Summer. Mike suggested Bob Hoskins for Bob, but I said "No way." and that he had to be taller.
No dispute about David Hype Pierce as Klaus...
...but what about Bob?
Mike had researched some other other natural pest control methods and their effectiveness was then debated by the group. A few scary bug stories were shared and that was about it. Once Lorisa's business associates arrived, that seemed to cease the discussion of the book. Even the late arrival of Chris who had not read it, did not spur on much new discussion. I think the general consensus, though we didn't actually call for one, was that we enjoyed the book, much like we would enjoy an action movie. Entertaining, but with nothing really to think about afterward, hence the trailing conversation.
Summer then put on "Sexy Beast" with Ben Kinglsey and Ray Winstone which we got a little taste of. It seemed great, but since no-one was paying 100% attention, I suggested we play Guitar Hero II on the PlayStation which carried us through for the rest of the night. Not usually how book club ends, but that was the nature of the book.
