May 20, 2004

ON MY BOOKSHELF

“The Miracle Life
of Edgar Mint”
By Brady Udall

Suzanne Rostamizadeh 54,
Vineland Branch Library manager

Vineland Branch Library Manager Suzanne Rostamizadeh has extended a special invitation to ambitious seniors craving good times and better company. At 10:15 a.m. the fourth Thursday of every month, a rowdy group meets at the Vineland branch across the street from Dartmouth Middle School for a book club extravaganza. There, according to Rostamizedah, ideas fly, stories brew and horizons expand perhaps even more so than other book club meetings.

“With seniors,” said Rostamizadeh, “there are always a variety of interests and personal experiences. With a club of seniors, members gain an opportunity to hear about their friends’ history, exploring new topics brought to mind by the books we read.”

Currently, the approximately 15 members of what is commonly referred to as the Senior Book Discussion, are preparing their agenda for the remainder of 2004 and first of 2005. More than 20 books have been nominated and the group awaits the final determination as to which books will be selected to read.

“The most important thing about trying a book club is being lifted out of your comfort zone,” said Rostamizadeh.

“A book club forces you to try new books, helps you open up to new ideas, makes you think deeper than yourself, and, frankly, opens up entire new worlds.”

Most recently, the Senior Discussion Group met in April to discuss Brady Udall’s, “The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint.”
Edgar’s is a story of conflicted consequence. As a 7-year-old half-Apache, half-white Edgar struggles with a disability, prejudice and abandonment growing into adolescence. The book begins with a postman backing over Edgar’s head. Later, after a remarkable recovery, Edgar learns that his grandmother and alcoholic mother have left him for dead.

Ultimately, a doctor rescues Edgar from an orphanage. Through the doctor, Edgar learns about himself as a human being. He finally comes to terms with his destiny and is able to forgive and serve.

“I think that everybody in the Senior Discussion Group would recommend ‘The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint,’” said Rastamizadeh. “At times we found passages difficult to read because of the cruelty, but overall, it was a great book. It was enlightening in terms of learning about government policy and Native American culture. Udall really had some great descriptions.”

—By Justin Petersen

For more information about the Senior Discussion Group at the Vineland Branch Library, contact Suzanne Rostamizadeh at (408) 808-3000.