Just Southern Food at Paul's

Dinner and Acknowledgments.

The intrepid Man Book Club headed north to Sonoma as Paul hosted us at his Glen Ellen home last Sunday afternoon.  The venue and atmosphere were a perfect foil for the gritty reality of this month’s book—Bryan Stevenson’s autobiographical Just Mercy, the story of one attorney’s crusade to prevent the execution of prisoners across the South.  Paul’s vineyard home was as far as one could get from the bleak death rows in Stevenson’s book.

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Paul rose to the occasion—as host and as Southerner-in-spirit—by serving a full Southern spread: grits with a Creole tomato gravy, shrimp, sausage, and collard greens.  It was precisely the kind of meal that the men Stevenson writes about would never have tasted in the sordid conditions of their incarceration—at least, not until their last meal.  Well done, Paul, on both the hospitality and the not-so-subtle reminder of what was at stake in our book.

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Our Review and Discussion of Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson.

Just Mercy is part memoir, part legal argument, and part moral reckoning.  Stevenson, a Harvard Law graduate who founded the Equal Justice Initiative in Alabama, tells the story of his early years as a capital defense attorney in the South.  The narrative alternates between the harrowing case of Walter McMillian—a Black man sentenced to death for a murder he did not commit—and a series of related vignettes about other inmates whose stories illuminate the systemic failures of the American justice system: its racial disparities, its disproportionate treatment of the poor, and the troubling ease with which it imposes the ultimate punishment on those least equipped to fight back.

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As a group, we found the book admirable but, at times, almost unbearably heavy.  Several of us—Dean and Dan among them—acknowledged that it wasn’t Stevenson’s writing that wore them down, but rather the weight of the material itself: the racism, the desperate circumstances, and the sheer accumulation of injustice.  Dan, who watched a 60 Minutes segment on the book and admitted he made it only 70% through, wished the narrative had focused exclusively on McMillian.  Those who found the multi-story structure frustrating, though, were outnumbered by those who appreciated it.  Paul and Tom both liked how Stevenson moved chapter by chapter between individual stories and the broader issue of unequal justice, even if it did (according to Larry) give the book the feel of a long-form magazine piece.  Tom was also struck by how easily a young person running with the wrong crowd can end up on death row, a point that resonated with those of us who have raised teenagers.

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Much of our admiration, predictably, was reserved for Stevenson himself.  Stan, who read the book more than a decade ago but listened to it again on Audible, was struck by how Stevenson dedicates his entire life to this crusade and by how horrifying it is that a single man’s perjured testimony can send an innocent man to death row.  Stan could relate, at least in part—he spent six years early in his career working for a nonprofit before concluding, with some reluctance, that he needed to “make a living.”  Glenn commended Stevenson for finding his calling in serving those on death row and inspiring many others to do the same.  He also posed the awkward question of how we’re expected to rate a work of non-fiction—especially one suffused with so much moral urgency—against conventional literary criteria.  

Andrew found Stevenson’s closing argument during the hearing on the motion to set aside McMillian’s conviction especially powerful—a moment that, Andrew felt, captures the essential message of the book: our judicial system makes it far easier to impose the death penalty on defendants who don’t deserve it than to set it aside when the evidence demands otherwise.  Andrew also observed that while efforts like Stevenson’s have helped swing the pendulum back toward a more just system, a troubling question lingers: why should equal justice depend on the political climate of where you happen to live?

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Our Rating of Just Mercy

When the ratings came in, we landed at a well-deserved 7.6—one of the stronger scores we’ve given a non-fiction title.  Terry, who didn’t finish the book, sat this one out numerically.  The rest of us clustered in the 7–8 range, a tight consensus that reflected our collective sense that the book’s importance and Stevenson’s achievement were not really in dispute, even if a few of us found the reading experience more draining than enjoyable.  We agreed that sometimes we need to be reminded of the privileged lives we lead in Marin (and Sonoma) County.  Just Mercy did that for us this month—a stark reminder that in parts of this country, equal and fair justice remain just words for too many people, particularly those of color or those too poor to afford adequate legal representation.

Next Up: The Winner by Teddy Wayne

Dan is our host for next month, and he’s steered us away from the death rows of Alabama toward what promises to be considerably lighter terrain: Teddy Wayne’s The Winner.  We look forward to whatever Dan has in store for us—and trust that the book, whatever its merits, will produce fewer existential crises than our last selection.

Tahoe Weekend 2026

Terry ventures out

Our Sierra retreat last weekend was blessed with an abundance of snow and cursed with a storm that stranded us on I-80.  Hoping to arrive Thursday afternoon, instead we were met by a Caltrans crew in Colfax who closed the highway due to "zero visibility."  After waiting things out at Auburn's Alehouse, Terry, Paul, and I descended another 1,500 feet to secure two precious hotel rooms in Roseville.  Meanwhile, Tom and Larry--who wisely decided to wait until Friday to depart--enjoyed a little schadenfreude at our expense. Everything improved once we arrived in Truckee on Friday afternoon.  The weather was spectacular, the snow ubiquitous, and the company excellent.  As in the past, we fell into our familiar routines of outdoor exertion and indoor excess.  The following illustrates the sanitized parts of our weekend....

Above: Plenty of snow at the house, especially for these two city slickers.

 Right:  Paul's dinner on Friday started with outstanding crudites, to which this picture does no justice.  Too bad we have no pictures of the main event: a nicely-paired butternut risotto, grilled sausages, and falafel salad.

Right: On Saturday morning, the snowshoe hike started off in promising fashion: Terry broke trail and the rest of us took advantage of his hard work.

Below: Things eventually deteriorated. Peter's moody glare, Paul's heavyweight down, and Terry's vamping slowed our progress.

Above: At the turnaround point,  Andrew, Larry, and Terry are standing at the western edge of the Martis Valley, with Northstar's back runs in the distance.

Below: Of course, it had to happen.  No outdoor swim at 6,000 feet is complete without time on the snow!

A trip to town for coffee and a little truth--but no sighting of our favorite one-armed barista.  She remains MBC lore.

Peter and Larry, who spent far too long in the warming hut and far too little time on the trail. (Unseen are the rest of us, nibbling cookies off to the side.)

Paul, in a rare moment of contemplation, sits quietly while Tom prepares his world-famous lasagna on Saturday.  Terry, sporting technical plaid, plays coy in front of the camera.

Left: Peter thinks no one is looking as he tucks in for seconds.  Yes, Tom's lasagna and fixings are that good!  

Below: At dinner's end, a group shot. (Note the infamous painting above the fireplace. It only took five men and a ladder to hang it last year.)

 

No Shortage of Sound at Jack's

Dinner and Acknowledgments...January found the Man Book Club exploring a collection of twelve loosely connected short stories in Ben Shattuck’s The History of Sound. While the stories ranged widely—from lost love to murder mystery—recurring settings, characters, and ideas quietly tied many of them together, often across decades.

The book was selected by the evening’s host, Jack, who set the mood with Cape Codder cocktails and Cape Cod chips before leading us fully into New England with clam chowder, Johnny cakes, and a hearty Guinness beef stew. Dessert—a memorable Old Rasputin chocolate cake—provided a fitting finale before discussion began.

Our Review and Discussion of The History of Sound by Ben Shattuck

Jack opened the conversation, noting how much he enjoyed the short story format and the subtle ways several stories were connected. He admitted, however, that readers needed to brace themselves emotionally before starting each story, especially the final piece involving recording cylinders (“Origin Stories”). Jack appreciated Shattuck’s writing style—clean dialogue, no long sentences—and singled out the interaction among the three friends heading to the cabin in “August in the Woods” as particularly effective.

Glenn enjoyed the book overall but questioned why the Winslow notes in The Journal of Thomas Thurber ended before the murders were resolved, feeling the conclusion came too abruptly. He also appreciated “The Auk,” especially its exploration of an extinct bird and the weight of loss it carried.

Stan liked the collection but found that the abundance of short stories made it difficult to latch onto a single character or storyline.

Larry felt the book was uneven. Some stories, like “Graft,” drew him in, while others, such as “Radiolab,” felt more contrived. He noted a recurring theme throughout the collection: the pivotal moments in life where choices permanently alter one’s path. He cited “Graft” as a prime example, where a young girl’s decision to scar her face reverberates throughout her life, forcing reflection years later when she encounters a young boy in a museum. Larry also mentioned characters who linger in regret, wondering what might have been—such as the young gay man who never follows up after a transformative summer encounter.

Terry appreciated the short story format, finding it allowed him to suspend disbelief more easily. He enjoyed the ambiguous endings and admired how Shattuck subtly knitted storylines together across the collection.

Andrew found the book charming, describing it as a blend of parables and O. Henry–style surprise endings. He highlighted stories like “Graft” and “Tundra Swan,” both of which explore how seemingly small decisions carry long-term consequences—whether a self-inflicted scar or stolen trees that are never put to use.

George also liked how the stories were connected but found the shifting timelines—sometimes spanning over a century—confusing.

Tom admitted he had only made it about a third of the way through the book but said that so far he was enjoying it, with “Graft” standing out as his favorite.

Doug found the collection uneven but engaging. He noted that it’s uncommon for short story collections to be linked in this way, and for him the book felt like climbing a ladder—each story an extension of the opening poem. Doug especially liked how Shattuck blended themes of nature and the arts and enjoyed spotting the small “Easter eggs” that tied stories together, such as the grafted apple tree from “Graft” reappearing in “Tundra Swan.”

Dan, the final reviewer, said the book wasn’t his favorite. He struggled with the frequent jumps in time, particularly in “August in the Woods,” where the narrative suddenly leaps forward seven years. Despite recurring settings and references, Dan found the new characters and storylines disorienting and felt the collection was hard to follow as a whole.

The MBC was especially pleased to welcome two infrequent attendees, Peter and George. It was great to reconnect—Peter newly retired (again) and George visiting family. Though Peter hadn’t had time to read the book, his presence added to the evening’s convivial atmosphere.

Our Rating of The History of Sound

Overall, with twelve distinct yet loosely connected stories, members gravitated toward different aspects of Shattuck’s writing—style, structure, theme, or emotional resonance. This may reflect Shattuck’s tendency toward ambiguous endings, as seen in stories like “Graft” and “The Silver Clip,” which leave readers to imagine what comes next. In the end, The History of Sound offers twelve New England stories and invites readers to linger over their meaning, their connections, and their unresolved conclusions. With these thoughts in mind, we gave Shattuck's collection a well-deserved 7.9.

Up Next:  Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson

Paul's proposed titles for next month were eclectic, to say the least.  With Nabokov's Lolita and Spigelman's Maus both vying for our approval, we instead tilted in favor of criminal justice and a memoir of hope and redemption.  No, not the one by Anthony Ray Hinton, who was freed after 30 years on death row, but rather the memoir by his supporter and longtime capital defender, Bryan Stevenson.  We'll see if our choice is vindicated when we meet in March at Paul's.  In the meantime, we'll convene in Tahoe in February and see if any of the early January snow still remains.

Searching in Vain for Gold at Tom's

Dinner and Acknowledgments

Despite our best intentions, the MBC couldn’t quite turn The Alchemist into gold when we met on December 2. Tom, our host for the evening, certainly tried—treating us to an excellent spread of Middle Eastern dishes: hummus, baba ganoush, shawarma, pita, and several bottles of his award-winning San Marino Cellars wines. 

The menu paired well with Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist, which follows Santiago, a young Spanish shepherd, as he travels across North Africa in pursuit of his “Personal Legend.” Though fewer than 200 pages, the book traces Santiago’s journey from Spain to the Egyptian desert, where he ultimately discovers that the treasure he seeks lies not under the pyramids but back where his quest began. Along the way, he faces temptations to settle into comfortable lives, yet chooses each time to continue onward, guided by mystics, kings, and even bandits.

Our Review of The Alchemist

Tom described the novel as a pleasant, concise read. Having read it decades ago, he welcomed the opportunity to revisit it. He enjoyed following Santiago’s transformation—from shepherd to crystal merchant to desert traveler—and appreciated the book’s themes, particularly Santiago’s romantic attachment to Fatima and his choice to pursue his quest despite it.

Stan wished he could have read the book in its original Portuguese but still found the English translation reflective of other Brazilian literature centered on village life. He saw the book as a string of parables exploring the consequences of life choices.

Dean compared the novel to the Bible, reading it as an homage to the New Testament, especially as Santiago wanders the desert in search of spiritual clarity. He wondered whether the simplicity of the writing stemmed from the translation, but ultimately saw the book as a meditation on self-discovery and the idea that no single religion holds all the answers.

Terry had mixed feelings. At its best, he found the book a solid allegory; at its worst, an exercise in Christian-style positive thinking. He felt Coelho intentionally left room for readers to insert their own state of being and personal perspective.

Doug appreciated the story’s “go for it” sentiment but found the book more self-help than literature. Even so, he valued its affirming message that faith—whatever its form—can manifest in daily life.

Larry felt the book would have held more meaning for him in his youth. Now in his seventies, he sees himself at a life stage similar to Santiago’s ending—comfortable, grounded, and surrounded by family. For Larry, life’s journey eventually becomes less about personal dreams and more about those we love.

Dan didn’t rank the book among his favorites. Despite its brevity, he didn’t find it a quick read (though he appreciated that his edition included pictures). He couldn’t believe how often Santiago lost his money to swindlers. Still, he was glad to have read it, even if it left little impact.

Glen echoed the feeling that the novel is not literary fiction. He found the character development thin and thought the book would fit well in a high-school curriculum. He did appreciate its short length.

Garth felt the book attempted—but failed—to convey the idea that each person is connected to the greater world. He cited the scene in which Santiago “becomes the wind” as particularly clumsy, noting that such transcendent experiences can be portrayed much more effectively. He shared an example from his own life, recalling a similarly immersive moment while snorkeling in the Galápagos.

Paul approached the book hoping for encouragement about pursuing one’s dreams, and that is exactly what it provided. Though he didn’t consider it a great work, he felt he took something meaningful from it.

Andrew described The Alchemist as Eat, Pray, Love for teenage boys. To him, it read like a Hallmark-style guide to spirituality, with a smorgasbord of feel-good ideas designed to appeal to the widest possible audience. 

Jack sensed there was a message somewhere in the story, but felt it was obscured by its young-adult tone and a parade of familiar allegories. Though he found a few passages compelling, he was mostly relieved the book was short.

Rating The Alchemist

In the end, the MBC agreed that while The Alchemist didn’t spin itself into gold for the group—earning a subpar 5.4—it has certainly been a golden goose for Paulo Coelho, with more than 150 million copies sold since its 1988 publication. Our general recommendation: for readers just beginning their life journey, or for those still searching for their Personal Legend, this short novel may provide meaningful inspiration. Or perhaps the real lesson is simpler: sometimes the treasure really is buried right beneath the tree in your own backyard.

Up Next: The History of Sound by Ben Shattuck

Jack proffered a surfeit of excellent titles, among them Nathan Hill's Wellness; Ben Shattuck's short story collection, The History of Sound; Preparation for the Next Life by Atticus Lish; Devil Makes Three by Ben Fountain; and Adam Ross' Playworld.  We opted for the shortest in page length not from laziness but more out of curiosity about a short story writer whose work has gotten rave reviews.  We'll see in January if they're deserved.