More

by Austin Clarke
Meeting Date:  December 4, 2009
Hostess:  Lynne & Kellie (at the pub)

Discussion:  We were a very small group for this meeting.  Generally, the few of us who read the book were fairly indifferent to it.  Stacey could not get into the book, and although she attended the meeting she did not read enough of the book to contribute to the discussion.  She did contribute to the drinking though!
We felt that there was not much of a story, it seemed to lack some substance and some of us were waiting for 'some-thing' to happen.  We felt that Idora could have been a stronger lead for the story which would increased our enjoyment of the book.  We felt that the author did not give her enough credit - she was an educated woman and had lived in Canada for a long time but it seemed that she became 'dumb' once she came here.  She seemed to have very little hope or prospect for a better life.  We did discuss that Josephine could open doors for her.
The book did, of course, generate discussion of race and the criminalization of poverty ... which was, we believe, the author's purpose in writing this book.  We discussed reconciling the Koran with gang membership and involvement; and we talked about the availability of positive role models for young men, especially racial minority men.
We also engaged in a discussion of the imagery that Clarke introduces. BJ appears in shadows and his mother continually thinks she sees him emerging form the dark.  There is a constant contrast in the changing mood between dark and light.
Finally, we also discussed the layers of Canadian content.  For me, I enjoyed the book because it takes place in my old neighbourhood in Toronto.  These were my streets; I felt comfortable and familiar with everywhere the characters were moving to and from.  And while I understood that this helped me enjoy the book - just the fact that it was centred in Toronto I know is not the reason why I liked it (i.e. Vincent Lam's book "Bloodletting and Other Cures" takes place in Toronto and that is one of the worst books I have ever read in my life).   We questioned whether we would be interested in reading Clarke's previous novel "The Polished Hoe" which is purported to be "a metaphorical history of slavery".  I was the only one who liked "More" enough to want to "The Polished Hoe".

Ratings:
Natalie ..............5
Kellie .............5 (neutral)
Lynne ..............7.5
Overall:  5.8