The Prince had his book group last night. For some reason I don’t quite understand he is in a book group based in Seattle, whereas we live in Orange County. Kind of strange. I guess he must like the group fairly well! Anyway, I could only hear the Prince’s side of the conversation but it was pretty clear that no one really liked the book, Christine Falls, by Benjamin Black. Everyone seemed to think that Mr. Black/Banville should stick to highbrow literature, which he seems to do pretty well. They all seemed pretty excited about their next book, Netherland, by Joseph O’Neill.  But then I recall they were excited about Christine Falls originally too, and look how they trashed that book. I guess hope springs eternal among humans but is dashed easily.