Since I'm leading a "book discussion," I thought a "school pix" of me might be apropos. (Actually couldn't think of any other image - and it's nice to have images on a blog now and then!)
I confess that as I started reading this book, I figured out some of what was going to be happening. And in my own impatient style, I skimmed through the book to the end - and my suspicions were confirmed.
But as always happens when I skim that way, I do find out some major details that I suspected - and then realize that the ending has some minor details that I don't understand.
And in addition to being impatient, I am also very curious. So I have to go back and read for the details.
Which is why I love Gone With the Wind - I read it the first time when I was young - and didn't know about "skipping ahead" so I read all the details and wasn't impatient. Now I can just read the "good parts!"
Which leads to my next question - that I want everyone to consider as they read - why does the author "set us up" so blatantly? Or do you even think that she does? (I do.) And many books do this - is it just "bad writing?" Or am I expecting great literature when the author was just intending fiction?
Your thoughts??
But as always happens when I skim that way, I do find out some major details that I suspected - and then realize that the ending has some minor details that I don't understand.
And in addition to being impatient, I am also very curious. So I have to go back and read for the details.
Which is why I love Gone With the Wind - I read it the first time when I was young - and didn't know about "skipping ahead" so I read all the details and wasn't impatient. Now I can just read the "good parts!"
Which leads to my next question - that I want everyone to consider as they read - why does the author "set us up" so blatantly? Or do you even think that she does? (I do.) And many books do this - is it just "bad writing?" Or am I expecting great literature when the author was just intending fiction?
Your thoughts??
11 comments:
Let me add that I have not finished the book - that's why I'm not giving out details I don't even know about yet.
And I wanted your input as you read as well as after you read.
Because I do have a problem with "skimming" books - and reading the ending first!!
Let me say that I just finished it - and in spite of "figuring out" the bare bones of the plot ahead of time, the reading in the second half was pretty compelling.
Let me know - I will bring the book to DC for Hannah and Eliza.
Actually, I have already read it!
Good point about the author setting you up. I figured out most of it; I didn't mind, though. Once everyone has finished it, I will go into more detail.
There were a few other things I didn't like, and a few things I did. I thought the story was good enough to keep me reading. I stayed up until 1:30 a.m. on Friday night until I was halfway through, then I read the rest on Saturday morning.
It's unfortunate that you skipped ahead, Mom--because I think it probably would have been better reading for you if you hadn't. One of my favorite lit professors said that knowing the ending of a good book shouldn't ruin the experience for you. I agree in a way, because I can re-read my favorites and still love it or even still get anxious or excited about a plot twist that I already knew about.
But with this book, I think it's better to read straight through. It's organized so that you have to keep track of parallel story lines, but the chapters are short enough that it didn't bog me down. I read it with few interruptions, so I didn't break the momentum of the story. I think that helped.
Anyway, since I just finished it yesterday I am glad to talk about it while it is still fresh in my mind. I am going to lend my library copy to Hannah, but if she doesn't finish it by the time Mom gets here then maybe she can just take your copy. (it's a quick read though.)
Also, I'm not sure what bare bones you figured out and what was compelling. I already knew some of the "twists" (not really twists) ahead of time because I read reviews of the book that gave a few details. But the climax (or what I considered to be pretty climactic anyway, don't know if it was the "actual" climax) was still rewarding.
Actually what happened, for me anyway, was that the story was "bogging down" and I often just put books down and never finish them when that happens.
I did think the 2nd half was more compelling.
I wonder how the book was received in France?
So i guess I need to get reading! I just picked it up.
Dad started it today - he wants to join the discussion.
I just finished it this afternoon. It was compelling and I enjoyed it. Started it last night around 11:30 and couldn't put it down. We were home all day and I had a chance to read since Calvin was sick. Sad for Calvin, good for me.
I know that Mom always reads ahead, but I can't do that. It is similar to buying and wrapping your own Christmas presents, in my opinion. I did, however, stay up very late to see what happened to Michel.
I am glad that the chapters were short and organized. Often when a book is written with parallel story lines it is hard to switch back and forth, but it didn't bother me this time.
I also didn't figure out all of the twists ahead of time. Which twists were you thinking of?
Has anyone else finished the book?
Phoebe - the story was compelling - the writing was not - at least that's how it struck me. The woman seemed confused writing in her "mother tongue" but she sounded like a French person trying to sound American - which doesn't always work.
I also thought some of the characters were quite "flat."
But I am almost done with "Suite Francaise" which covers the very same time period - the author was a French Jew who died at Auschwitz - and it's not only a compelling story, but she writes beautifully.
I say we compare them!!
Hannah and I have also finished it, and Dad too. I don't know if Bonny has.
So Mom, if Bonny has read it, you can probably post questions for discussion (or whatever you had planned) any time.
Will do - Bonny??
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