For their November book, “Just the Facts,” the nonfiction book discussion group, will be reading The Hare with Amber Eyes: A Family’s Century of Art and Loss by Edmund de Waal. The Ephrussis were a grand banking family in 19th century Paris and Vienna. Yet, by the end of World War II, almost the only thing remaining of their vast empire was a collection of 264 wood and ivory carvings, none of them larger than a matchbox. The renowned ceramicist Edmund De Waal became the fifth generation to inherit this small and exquisite collection of netsuke. Entranced by their beauty and mystery, he determined to trace the story of his family through the story of the collection. Starting in 1871 Paris, we travel through time with the collection. We will discuss this book on Thursday, November 20 at 6:30 pm. Copies are available at the desk.
Café Parlez’ selection for November is Jack Maggs by Peter Carey. The time: the 1830s. Jack Maggs, a foundling trained in the fine art of thievery, is cruelly betrayed and transported to Australia. Now, his fortunes reversed, he returns ‘home’ under threat of execution, and inveigles his way into a household in Great Queen Street, where he is quickly embroiled in various emotional entanglements, and where he falls under the hypnotic scrutiny of Tobias Oates, a celebrated young writer fascinated by mesmerism and obsessed with the criminal mind. We will discuss this version of Great Expectations on Monday November 24 at 6:30 pm. Books are available at the desk, or bring your own copy.
The Friends of Plumb Library are once again selling 12-inch wreaths. A 12-inch double sided wreath with a bow is $14; without a bow, the cost is $11. Order forms are at the library or can be copied from the newsletter link on our website www.plumblibrary.com. You can also place orders by phone at 508-763-8600 or email info@plumblibrary.com. Deadline for orders is Tuesday, December 2, and wreaths can be picked up from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm on Saturday, December 6. Special arrangements can be made for pickup if you cannot make it on that date. Call the library for more information.