Ablutions by Patrick deWitt, May 11 2009

Chris R, as he is now known due to his sharing his name with a character from The Room, hosted this May meeting and chose Casita Del Campo for the location. I was most delighted by this as I have an insatiable fondness for both margaritas and Mexican food.

In attendance were Chris R, Lien, Dana, Emily, Megan, Jan, Lisa, Mike, Summer, Mitch, Sohrab and me. I think that's it and I'm about 90% certain about that Mitch character who was too far down the table for me to get acquainted with. So it was a great turnout but not so hot for readers. Redeeming myself, as I promised in the previous post, I read the whole thing. Consisting of just 165 pages and given that I spent money on the dang thing, I was determined. Only Summer, Megan and I read the whole thing while Chris R read the first 100 pages.

Chris R was not too thrilled by the style of the writing which was a series of notes about people and events that didn't really go anywhere. Perhaps if he'd read to the end he'd have liked it more as the notes did eventually come to a head on most things. As the character was a quietly raving, Jameson fuelled alcoholic, I think the random segments really took us along with the disjointed ride that would be his life. I don't think Summer and Megan liked it that much, but I didn't catch a much of what they said as they were half way down the table, it was a bit noisy due to us being seated outdoors and the margarita tainted my usually decent attention span.

Prior to book club, Lisa sent out an email that Patrick deWitt was going to be doing a panel on the Sunday of the two day LA Times Festival of books in case any of us wanted to go. I emphatically I replied that I would be there that day but would NOT being seeing our author as I was going to see a panel with Michael J. Fox and attempt to live out my dream of meeting him after 23 years of being a fan. I was successful and stood up at the table to present my important tale to the group.

Somewhere on the UCLA campus, Patrick deWitt is talking about 'Ablutions' and I really couldn't give a rat's ass as I am busy meeting Michael J. Fox. (picture from the Wire Service)

For once, we are behind on our nominations and voting, but I hope it comes soon! I guess it shouldn't make much difference since I am always reading at the last minute anyway.