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Interesting,
Difficult,
Insightful

3 reviews

Lark and Termite
by Jayne Anne Phillips

Published: 2010-02-01
Paperback : 272 pages
4 members reading this now
5 clubs reading this now
2 members have read this book
Recommended to book clubs by 3 of 3 members
At the centre of this unforgettable novel are two chidlren: Lark and her brother, Termite, who is unable to walk or talk but is deeply loved by his family. The two are raised by their aunt Nonie in place of Lola, their mother, and Termite's father, Corporal Robert Leavitt, who is caught up in the ...
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Introduction

At the centre of this unforgettable novel are two chidlren: Lark and her brother, Termite, who is unable to walk or talk but is deeply loved by his family. The two are raised by their aunt Nonie in place of Lola, their mother, and Termite's father, Corporal Robert Leavitt, who is caught up in the chaos of the Korean War. As the story shifts through time from West Virginia to Korea the mystery of Lola and Nonie's relationship slowly unravels, as does the story of Lark's hopes for herself and Termite, and her own desire for the personal history she has been denied. The result is a rich and rewarding novel about the power of loss and love, the echoing ramifications of war, family secrets, dreams and ghosts, and the unseen, almost magical bonds that unite and sustain us.

Editorial Review

No editorial review at this time.

Excerpt

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Discussion Questions

Suggested by Members

Who, or what, was Stamble?
How did the orange cat tie into the story?
Who's voice did you like the best?
by AuntNub (see profile) 05/25/10

Notes From the Author to the Bookclub

No notes at this time.

Book Club Recommendations

Food to serve...
by AuntNub (see profile) 05/25/10
We went with a diner theme for our food goodies...mac & cheese, pie, milkshakes, mozerella sticks, chicken fingers.
We had the writer on speaker phone. She has won many awards.
by gourmet (see profile) 11/12/09
Our group had food from each region in the book. I took a Virginia ham steak with apples and dumplings.

Member Reviews

Overall rating:
 
 
  "Unusual"by Liz W. (see profile) 05/25/10

Lark & Termite is an unusal book, told from 4 different & alternating points of view. Our book club had many questions & varying points of view. In describing the storyline to 1 member who hadn't had... (read more)

 
  "Haunted by Questions"by Lisa R. (see profile) 05/25/10

Lyrically beautiful writing shifts between characters and time-lines to challenge readers that gets easier to handle as the story turns soap opera-ish by act 3. However by doing so, the haunting quality... (read more)

 
  "You need to work at this one!"by diane c. (see profile) 05/21/10

I enjoyed this book a great deal. It reminds me of an optimistic take on The Sound and The Fury. The writer is very skilled and the characters are extremely well-developed and interesting. The book... (read more)

 
  "Lark & Termite"by Margie H. (see profile) 05/14/10

This book was not for everyone in our club, but I found it to be very original and beautifully written. Members found the style off-putting, yet I found the style was what I loved most.

 
  "Lark and Termite"by Mary S. (see profile) 11/12/09

Amazing divided narrative into 4 parts telling a story of each character with nuances between each part. Intellectually challenging but worth it.

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