Seventh Discussion: Helen & Ian
In this final blog discussion of our book, we look at the lives of Helen and Ian. Through Helen’s story we see the ebbing and flowing of a seasoned relationship, while Ian’s tale allows us to see through the eyes of new found love. It seems that Ian and the other students in the class look at Helen and Carl’s relationship as ideal. It made me wonder if it was watching this couple is what gave Ian the courage to finally approach Antonia. Do you think Ian and the other class members would be surprised to learn of the challenges Helen and Carl have faced? Do you think that Helen did the right thing by telling Carl about her affair? How do you think their marriage would look if she did not tell him?
Both of these chapters feature food in a sensual, almost magical way. Some cultures have stories about wise women who can cook emotions in to food; I loved that in this instance we got to see a man do this for a woman. Do you believe that food can convey the emotions of the chef? Do you have any personal stories about an experience with this?
I look forward to reading your thoughts on Helen and Ian, and I hope to see all of you at our Book Club Spa Day on Wednesday, July 27th. Author Erica Bauermeister will be joining us for lunch and a final discussion of our Summer Book Club selection, The School of Essential Ingredients. Click here for more information.
I like to go under the premise that what things seem like on the outside is not always how they are behind closed doors. People are very good at showing what they want others to think when there’s often a different scenerio in private.
I’ve always felt that it’s somewhat selfish for the person who had the affair to tell the other person when the intention is to save the marriage. It may be freeing for that person but so hurtful, and possibly irreversible, for the other person. In Carl and Helen’s case, it worked out because of the deep commitment and bond with each other. I’m not so sure it always goes so smoothly.
Food in its every form is somewhat sensual for me. I was trying to explain to a friend just last night how food is an integral part of many of my memories, tied to experiences and emotions, with my closest friends. Like the first time I tried an artichoke, or drinking madeira from beautiful mouth blown blue glasses from a trip to Italy. I remember which friends shared which recipes, who taught me to make scrambled eggs properly (whip them like crazy light and fluffy) and when I connected with her through a brief note on fb years later, she told me now her favorite way is to add some fresh tarragon. For all the things we had shared and time had passed, we still connected with our love for food, even something as simple as eggs.
That is all to say, I believe there is so much the author can allude to of the characters and their relationships through the food they prepared and enjoyed.