Senior Planet Book Club: Good Night, Irene by Luis Alberto Urrea
Welcome to the final week’s discussion of…..
Good Night, Irene by Luis Alberto Urrea
For the final week of our November book club, please read Part 5: Last of the Line. Then, head to the comments below to share your thoughts about what we read!
We’ll meet over Zoom to discuss the full book this Thursday, November 30th at 4:30pm EST! Visit the Book Club Discussion event page for more details!
Here is how you can obtain a copy of Good Night, Irene by Luis Alberto Urrea:
Borrow Online
Most libraries in the U.S. allow patrons to borrow e-books or audiobooks through online systems or applications you can download to your smartphone. OverDrive and Hoopla are two of the most popular services. Good Night, Irene is currently available on OverDrive HERE. If you are in New York State, you can apply for a library card online HERE.
Order a Hard Copy
Contact your local bookstore to see if they are shipping books! We highly encourage you to support the independently owned bookstores in your area.
Or
Visit BookShop.org, an online bookstore with a mission to financially support independent bookstores and give back to the book community.
Or
Read on Your Smartphone, E-Reader or Tablet
Don’t have a Kindle? You can download the Kindle app for free on your smartphone or tablet!
Or
Don’t have a Nook? You can download the Nook app for free on your smartphone or tablet!
Having any issues getting the book? Call (888) 713-3495 for assistance!
Are you new to the book club? Joining is easy! Follow these simple steps:
- Obtain a copy of the current book.
- Read the book club article (updated every Tuesday) to find out the assigned chapters for each week.
- After reading a section of the book, share your thoughts in the comments section of this article below.
- Finally, at the end of the month, join us on Zoom for our group discussion with fellow readers. (The next Zoom session will take place on Thursday, November 30th at 4:30pm EST. Click here for more details!)
What did you think of Part 4? Comment below to share your thoughts!
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Comments
I just googled your book club, I saw you finished & discussed “Good Night Irene” last Thursday. By coincidence I am in the middle of reading this book, and very sorry I missed your discussion. My Dad was in the army during WW2, overseas from early 1942 until December 1945,in N Africa,Italy, D-Day, Battle of the Bulge, France & Germany. My Dad never discussed the war. This book’s details of the day to day relentlessness and danger he & others endured all those years, helps me understand.
I got a late start but am thru Parts 1 and 2. Appealing for two reasons: 1) I am a retired Air Force officer so am glad that the story included the Dollies work with the air crews in England; and, 2) my dad was a WWII infantryman in Europe (Nov ’44 to the end) so this provides some new images of what he might have experienced over there. I have also developed a new appreciation for the damage and destruction of combat in a small town, and the amazing odor of war — especially, of the “grunts.”
Parts 2 & 3 are filed with romance as well as the tragedies of war. Irene who had an abusive childhood, does not trust men and is determined not to become romantically involved with anyone. As the story evolves, however, she meets Handyman(Hans) a fighter pilot, and they fall in love. He is respectful and kind. They have plans for the future when the war ends, but tragedy strikes when Hans and his plane are gunned down at the end of Part 3. I am hoping for a miracle and a happy ending!
My parents were in San Diego having moved there from Wyoming to help in the war effort. Mom shared stories of comradery with others who had relocated. I’m seeing the same connections. Enjoying the read and look forward to discussing.
This book is well written and gives a glimpse of the war not covered in high school history class. I would probably not have selected this if I was just looking for “a read” but I have been drawn in by the characters, their motivations for signing on and the growing complexities of relationships.