The mood of the April 27 Greenhorn Valley Book Club was decidedly more somber and quieter than usual as we, led by hostess Linda Lewis, paid tribute to John Sharpe.
Sharpe, a published author and Colorado City resident who attended the book club meetings passed away in February of 2023.
Sharpe had not attended the last few book club meetings. At the March book club meeting, members were asking Lewis if she knew anything about his whereabouts.
In her search to answer those questions, Lewis found Sharpe’s obituary and notice of a celebration of life to be held this month.
Members who wished shared stories of their memories with Sharpe and discussed how valuable it had been to have a genuine author in the book club giving his opinions of the books and writing styles.
In addition to the loss of Sharpe, the monthly book to read, Shrines of Gaiety, was not a favorite of most of the readers. Although the book did have some admirable qualities and offered a glimpse at a very different lifestyle, most members found it a less-than-satisfying read.
Award-winning, British author Kate Atkinson set Shrines of Gaiety in the frivolous time period of the roaring ’20s as London was coming back to life following World War I.
The book is loosely based on Kate Meyrick, a 1920's London nightclub proprietor. In the book, Nellie “Ma” Coker presides over her diverse family plus an empire of five nightclubs catering to a fun-loving clientele in a way that highlights the wide gaps between the social classes. Following her release from prison, having served six months for a liquor licensing offense, she finds would-be usurpers on all sides. Intertwined mysteries and an abundance of characters leave the reader with questions and slow the pace during the largest part of the book, before an abrupt ending.
The next meeting of the Greenhorn Valley Book Club is May 25, at 1:00 p.m. at the Greenhorn Library. Everyone is welcome.