Book Buzz–October Newsletter

September 28, 2011 | Book Buzz | Comments (0)

October Read

Benevolence by Cynthia Holz

Benevolence_340jpg Ben Wasserman and Renata Moon have lost their ability to connect.  Married for almost a decade, they share squabbles over takeout food but keep their feelings to themselves. Although they realize their marriage is failing, they are unable or unwilling to repair the damage. 

Ben is an organ transplant psychiatrist. His most recent patient is Arthur, a man who wants to donate a kidney to his ailing neighbour.  Although desperate to find goodness in the world, Ben is sceptical about Arthur’s apparen'tly altruistic motives but soon a friendship is formed between the two men.

Renata, a psychologist and phobia specialist, is treating Stella, a woman who survived the recent train crash that killed her husband.  Now prone to panic attacks and hypersensitive to noise, she is unable to move on with her life.  Stella’s announcement that she is pregnant has a profound effect on Renata, who is unable to conceive a child herself. 

Cynthia Holz’ thought-provoking novel examines human frailty, family relations and the nature of altruism.

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Upcoming Discussions

November

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

December

Reader’s Choice

January 2012

The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman

 

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