the poll: Time to vote on a book to discuss in September > Likes and Comments
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Would we need to read Tommy Orange’s There There since Wandering Stars has been called a sequel There There.
I have read and very much enjoyed There There but my understanding is, even though Wandering Stars contains some of the same characters, Wandering Stars can be read as a stand alone. You may wish to know the backstory of some of the characters but it may not be necessary for what the author is trying to achieve. I have heard/read interviews with the author where he suggests this (there is an excellent review in the most recent New York Review). At the same time I feel I should point out that There There contained a great many characters whose individual stories developed over time and coalesced in a shared event toward the end of the book. I point this out because some readers are uncomfortable with a lot of characters as they are not clear about whose story they should focus on. I could be wrong here but I believe this writer is not as interested in telling the story of a single individual, but of a shared identity of lots of very different people who have in common a historical relationship to colonial culture. I put this out there because I think it might help others to appreciate what this talented author can bring to the table.
I am interested in Wandering Stars, but wanted to read There There first. I voted for The American Daughters, but either book am interested in reading.
Im interestec in 3... Wandering Stars, American Daughters, and Ours
Michael wrote: "I have read and very much enjoyed There There but my understanding is, even though Wandering Stars contains some of the same characters, Wandering Stars can be read as a stand alone. You may wish t..."
I agree.
Definitely interested in Wandering Stars.
I read Wandering Stars but haven’t read There There yet and can confirm it can absolutely stand on its own.
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Bennee
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Jul 24, 2024 09:58AM
Would we need to read Tommy Orange’s There There since Wandering Stars has been called a sequel There There.
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I have read and very much enjoyed There There but my understanding is, even though Wandering Stars contains some of the same characters, Wandering Stars can be read as a stand alone. You may wish to know the backstory of some of the characters but it may not be necessary for what the author is trying to achieve. I have heard/read interviews with the author where he suggests this (there is an excellent review in the most recent New York Review). At the same time I feel I should point out that There There contained a great many characters whose individual stories developed over time and coalesced in a shared event toward the end of the book. I point this out because some readers are uncomfortable with a lot of characters as they are not clear about whose story they should focus on. I could be wrong here but I believe this writer is not as interested in telling the story of a single individual, but of a shared identity of lots of very different people who have in common a historical relationship to colonial culture. I put this out there because I think it might help others to appreciate what this talented author can bring to the table.
I am interested in Wandering Stars, but wanted to read There There first. I voted for The American Daughters, but either book am interested in reading.
Im interestec in 3... Wandering Stars, American Daughters, and Ours
Michael wrote: "I have read and very much enjoyed There There but my understanding is, even though Wandering Stars contains some of the same characters, Wandering Stars can be read as a stand alone. You may wish t..."I agree.
Definitely interested in Wandering Stars.
I read Wandering Stars but haven’t read There There yet and can confirm it can absolutely stand on its own.
