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what the author describes resembles salons[0] more than book clubs. salons have some (negative) connotations of idle aristocracy, but can be modernized to simpl
by clairity 6y ago
what the author describes resembles salons[0] more than book clubs. salons have some (negative) connotations of idle aristocracy, but can be modernized to simply be a bunch of people getting together expressly to discuss interesting ideas around wine/beer/coffee. those ideas could be a few chapters of an interesting book.
i've always wanted to start a salon (insert lots of excuses for why i haven't here).
[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salon_(gathering) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salon_(gathering)
- dragonwriter 6y agoArguably, real-world “book clubs” are largely petit bourgeois salons, without the name with the (as you note) negative connotation because of the association with the pre-capitalist aristocracy.
- twic 6y agoI would say the opposite. To me, the characteristic of a salon is free-ranging discussion on whatever the participants find interesting. What Somers is suggesting is a tight focus on a defined topic.