spoko’s Comments (group member since Mar 05, 2021)

spoko’s comments from the EVERYONE Has Read This but Me - The Catch-Up Book Club group.

Phrodrick wrote: “Pierre is amazingly oblivious. Kind , voluble, well meaning, innocent, weak and in serious need of a re -write.”

I love this description of Pierre. He’s not my favorite character, really, though he does have his moments. But to me at least, his naïveté and spinelessness (in this part of the book, especially) seems almost more of a narrative device than an actual character trait—it’s just too over-the-top.

Phrodrick wrote: “Unless otherwise directed I am assuming this is the only area being used for this read.”

That’s true, Phrodrick. I know that some other groups tend to spread long reads out into multiple threads, but ours is all contained in this one. The risk is spoilers, I guess—but that doesn’t seem like it’ll be an issue for you!

If you’ve read parts 1 & 2:

⟡ What do you think of Pierre? Is he as naïve as he seems, or simply kind-hearted & willing to give everyone the benefit of the doubt? Do you think the inheritance will change him?
⟡ How do you like Tolstoy’s use of the salon as a way of displaying the various political/philosophical currents in Russian society?
⟡ Do you think the aristocracy are genuinely interested in the coming war? Might it simply be the latest trendy conversation topic, or a means for social posturing?
⟡ Tolstoy and his characters frequently glide from Russian into French & other languages. Why do you suppose this is? Do you find it interesting, illuminating, annoying, odd?
⟡ What do you make of Tolstoy’s detailed battle scenes? Interesting? Boring? Something else?

Pony wrote: “spoko wrote: “Posted by JoJo_theDoDo in a duplicate thread

Oh, by the way, when I posted this thread I only hit post once, but my Goodreads app crashed immediately afterward, so I guess for some r...”

That kind of thing happens sometimes. I just cleaned it up to avoid confusion generally.

I second Man’s Search for Meaning.

Most recently, Nobody Needs to Know, a memoir by Pidgeon Pagonis. I don’t really like memoirs, and I’m often not wild about activist books. This was unabashedly both, but also told a very human story with a lot of vulnerability and authenticity. I was gripped.

I second The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store.

I second A Study in Scarlet.

Posted by JoJo_theDoDo in a duplicate thread:

I really liked Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

I second The Spy Who Came In from the Cold.

I nominate Plainsong by Kent Haruf (301 p., pub. 1999), and I second Kafka on the Shore.

I nominate Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens (608 p., pub. 1838), and I second The Turn of the Screw.

This begins our group discussion of our Classics book selection, The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, nominated by Theresa.

This discussion will be full of SPOILERS.

Did you enjoy the book? What stood out to you? Wilde is obviously known for his witticisms & wordplay—which instances struck you? Several characters have double lives of sorts—alternate personas, diary fantasies, etc. Do you think they all serve a similar purpose? Would you say this is a fundamental aspect of human nature, or simply a conceit for the novel? What questions were you left with?

This begins our group discussion of our Modern book selection, The Giver by Lois Lowry, nominated by Lea.

This discussion will be full of SPOILERS.

Did you enjoy the book? What stood out to you? How did this novel differ from other dystopian novels you've read? Why do you think it has resonated with so many people over such a long period of time? What questions were you left with?

Rebecca has been selected as the Catch-Up title for April 2024. Please feel free to continue with points from previous discussion, or bring up something new!

Do remember that this is the SPOILER thread, in case you would prefer to finish reading before proceeding here.

Thanks everyone—nominations are now closed, and the polls are open! Help us pick the next Catch-Up read by casting your vote here.

Thanks everyone—nominations are now closed, and the polls are open! Help us pick the next Classic read by casting your vote here.

Thanks everyone—nominations are now closed, and the polls are open! Help us pick the next Modern read by casting your vote here.

I second The Martian.

I second Pachinko.