Ka Saundra greeted U.S. G.I.R.L.S into Panera Bread, River City for our discussion of Bernice McFadden's Sugar.
While we were anxious to discuss the novel, we were also excited to see each other and to "catch up" after our summer vacations.
Karen said a blessing of thanksgiving for our discussion, health and meals as we started our exchange with banters of our favorite characters. Karen began with her favorite character, Pearl and explained how Pearl's persona was not only one of kindness, but one of a sorrowful soul who was coming back to normalcy after 15 years of grieving the loss of her daughter. She also went on to express her lack of favoritism for "busy body" Shirley. We all agreed that everyone's least favorite was actually Lappy, but to avoid repetition, he was placed on a "the soles of our shoes" like a wad of gum, all alone to hold the covenant title, so we all went to our "next" least favorite for discussion purposes.
We discussed "whoring" and how this term is viewed, secularly and biblically. Ka Saundra defers to Sara Miles' quote in the book and we all have views on this topic. Celeste re-visited "the talk" her pastor gave to her and her soon to be husband, on the eve of their wedding and it was reminiscent of a woman's duty to her husband sexually. We all had viewpoints on this. Is marital sexual activity a "quid pro quo" unrealized? Did Ms. Pearl really begin her whoring life in front of a congregation dressed in white and with God's blessing as Sugar accused? Do marital mates expect rewards or punishments in exchange for sex or "lack thereof?" JayBee recanted an incident in her ancestral family that fit the mold of the latter and actually brought some aspects of the beginning of the novel back to haunt. But as we said in our intimate gathering..."what is said in Panera, stays in Panera" (wink wink).
There were mixed emotions with regards to Rev. Foster. Some of us were very shocked that he was a client of Sugar's while others were not. We all did agree that it was quite confusing that he asked the congregation to embrace her in the beginning. There was some connectivity missing there...we will leave that one as a hummmmmm.
Ka Saundra and Karen have read the sequel, so some of the members were trying to get information regarding Lappy and others, but to no avail; they both held steadfast.
We were all amused with Pearl and later Joe, frequenting the "juke joint." We laughed picturing them there, jamming to the tunes. We were all trying to get a visual of the character, Pearl as well as Sugar and agreed that Viola Davis could be Sugar and Octavia Spencer could be Pearl.
The connection between Seth and Sugar caused us to roll with laughter. How in the world did Seth avoid the bed of Sugar?; he was really a gentleman. Bonnie mentioned that she spoke audibly to her electronic device with cries of "don't do it...don't do it!!" While JayBee was simply waiting to be "disgusted" by this incestuous act that she just knew was inevitable.
We all wondered how or even "IF" Joe will tell Pearl that Sugar is his biological daughter. Also, Lappy's acts of violence towards women had us all yearning for his demise in the sequel, but we will need to read on our own to find out how this saga will end.
Once we were done with the 32 questions that were "masked" as 12, Ka Saundra presented U.S.
G.I.R.L.S. with individually boxed "Sweet Potato" cupcakes from the sinfully delicious "Cami Cakes."
The cupcakes were a funny literary pun to the sweet potato pies that Pearl baked to take to Sugar that ended up on the floor more than once....Hilarious!! Our hostess also presented us with lovely lattice patterned vintage inspired "sip cups" to drink our "Pike-Aid." JayBee mentioned that her sip cup is perfect for her personal favorite version of "pike-aid" ...champagne and cranberry juice (Kir Royale a/k/a Cranberry Mimosa).
Yet another fabulous book club meeting...Thank you Ka Saundra for taking us to the edge of our seats by opening the door to Sugar's Shack.
