We met at Maribeth’s this month to discuss Euphoria by Lily King. I think we all agreed that it was a worthwhile read. It was a fictionalized account of a few years in the life of the anthropologist Margaret Mead, during which she and her then husband were studying indigenous tribes in New Guinea. They met up with another anthropologist who was already working with a tribe on the Sipek River, and the lives of the three social scientists became intertwined professionally and personally, with dire consequences.

We questioned why Lily King chose to deviate from the facts of Mead’s life in significant ways. King did rename the Margaret Mead character Nell Stone to underscore the fact that although the character was based on Margaret Mead, this was a work of fiction. Fictional yes, but she did craft a moving story arc.

A number of ideas were explored in Euphoria, among them the “Grid” which the three created collaboratively. The Grid categorized cultures in terms of their values and motivations, and it became clear that individual people could be associated with the categories as well – a powerful bit of foreshadowing for the tragic ending of the story, as well as the larger global story, with the Germans using the Grid to justify their actions in WWII.

Let’s pivot for a moment to the food, shall we? Maribeth served a luscious and spicy butternut squash curry, a gorgeous salad, and of course a selection of wines, some from Don’s cellar, some that we brought to share. And the breads! Sourdough bread, a lively seeded bread, and a baguette – whatever your fancy for dipping in soup or pairing with cheese. The cheeses – Irish cheddar, port wine cheese rolled in nuts, and herbed/garlic goat cheese.   Finally, poached figs were served with vanilla ice cream for a sweet treat at the end – so unique and rich. Oh, did I mention the wine and the bread?

At one point Nell Stone quoted a line from an Amy Lowell poem, “Wine is sort of thrilling and sensual, and bread is familiar and essential.” She was questioning Bankson about his relationship with another woman, “Was she wine or bread to you?” She cautioned him that wine doesn’t always turn to bread, and explained to him that, “People are always wine to me, never bread.”

Although they must try to see things as the are, it’s difficult for ethnographers to see their subjects clearly because they’re inevitably experiencing their subjects through the lens of their own experiences and values. I wouldn’t make a very good anthropologist, because I couldn’t quite believe Nell’s statement, even though she was speaking her truth. Wine and bread are equally important to me, and the Book Group provides both. Our discussions are thrilling and our friendships and familiar and essential. Another great night.

Print Recipe

5 from 2 votes

Maribeth’s Butternut Squash Curry

Ingredients

• 2 T butter
• 1 cup onion (finely chopped)
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 2 pounds butternut squash (peeled and cubed)
• 2 t curry powder
• 1 t salt
• 1/2 t ground cumin
• 1/4 t cayenne pepper
• 1/2 cup 2% Lactaid milk
• 2 T honey

Instructions

• Sauté the aromatics – Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook and stir until softened and browned, 10-15 minutes.
• Assemble the soup and simmer – Stir in the broth, curry powder, salt, cumin, and cayenne pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the squash is tender, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• Finish, purée, and serve – Stir in the Lactaid and honey. Purée with an immersion blender until smooth. Ladle into cups or bowls and serve.