Keli’s Comments (group member since Jun 23, 2016)

Keli’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

I just finished Definitely Dead, which had someone using a sword, had a lion in it and author’s name has all the letters of HERA.

I finished Master and Margarita just in time. Hopefully i can get in The Witch's Heart before the 16th.

Hmmm, I loved Daisy Jones and the Six, so I wonder if I'll like Malibu Rising, as a few of you didn't like 6 but liked this.🤔

So do I not have to finish that shepherdess book?

Keely wrote: "Has anyone else read The Master and Margarita BOM? I'm not really enjoying it and if I wasn't reading it for the point, I think I would have given up. On the upside, I'm close to reac..."

I'm reading it too, but I'm quite enjoying it. I've just finished day 3 questions, and will now just plow on until i finish the book.
What do you not like about the book?

Day 3 - DQs

14. Saved by Cock-Crow -> 18. Unwelcome visitors

11)
“Since antiquity, the rooster has been, and still is, a sacred animal in some cultures and deeply embedded within various religious belief systems and religious worship….
In the sixth century, Pope Gregory declared the rooster the emblem of Christianity and in 9TH century the figure of the rooster was ordered to be placed on every church steeple. Also in Central European folk tales, the devil is believed to flee at the first crowing of a rooster.” (Source : Wikipedia)

Maybe it is just me, but I think there is something deeply symbolic about the fact that in the seemingly atheistic society a man is saved from black magic/the devil by a bird that is strongly connected to Christianity and is part of people’s inherent belief/superstitions. Do you think this was intentional on the author ‘s part and if so what possible message was he trying to pass on?

For me the cock was not necessarily symbolic of Christianity or the devil vs god, rather I think it was the more harbinger of dawn. A generic idea that evil cannot flourish in the light of day. Clearly, even demons have to work within a set of rules. But I am not as naive to think that in a world dominated by the Russian Orthodox Church that there isn't an element of Christian relevance, I'm just not sure what Bulgakov is saying.

12) Connected to the question above: were there any superstitions you were brought up with or were told about by your family/friends?

Dozens. Most of them are religious gobbledygook, which were actually tricky to dispense of because they were so entrenched. Holding your breath as you pass a cemetery and not spiltting a pole when walking with someone, were passed on to me by friends as a child. I must have continued to hold my breath until 12 or 13! I still knock wood though for warding off bad luck. Even though I know it won't make any difference, I just can't seem to let that one go.

13) While the plot mainly concentrates on the weird happenings in “modern” Moscow and only few chapters are devoted to Jerusalem, do you think any parallels can be drawn between the two cities or their people?

I think the parallels are in the individual given to experience something mystical or unexplainable, supernatural even, yet when viewed or heard by others is considered madness or fraud. I think writing about religion in such an aburdist, slightly mocking manner, superficially was "safe" to do under uber-atheist Stalin whilst truly attacking or commenting on class in a supposed classless society. He is pointing out the hypocrisy of social class under Stalinism. I can see why it is a classic. It's pretty ballsy. Sorry, I think that's a good parallel too. The religious leaders who put Ha-Notsri to death for fear that his unorthodox attitude could be a threat to their power and standing, is similar to the mid-level party members appearing to be good party members whilst secretly attempting to maintain what they have or better their circumstances covertly.

14) One of the many memorable scenes was when people broke out in a “song and dance flashmob” despite their not wanting to (the evil workings of Korovyev, the “ex-choirmaster”, translator ad assistant of Woland). Have you ever participated in a flashmob or saw one performed in person? If not: have you ever been involved in a school play/choir/etc?

No, flash mob experiences here. And i am so not musically inclined that even in primary school I was not encouraged to sing or even play the recorder along with eveyone else, but was given the triangle. 🤣


15) We already agreed that it is quite difficult to make sense of this book. Have you ever read a book that had similar effect on you? (fascination/bewilderment/what-am-I-just-reading? :)

Yes. If you get the chance read The Mulatta And Mister Fly by Miguel Ángel Asturias. That was quite possibly the craziest book I have ever read. It was surreal and had all kinds of Guatemalan references I didn't understand.

Day 1 DQs - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 2 DQs - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I just knocked another two off my tbr shelf. Sleeping Giants a solid sci-fi read, though it does get a bit silly at the end. And Shakespeare's Christmas, I like the main character but the stories are just little meh. Maybe it's because it's a cozy mystery and that's not one of my preferred genres.
Four more to go before I reach my target, for the first time ever.

Mary C wrote: "I checked out Sleep in Sea of Stars in 2 formats to help me finish it faster. But I won’t be upset if other long books get used for the monsters.

I’m assuming the deadline is some time tomorrow."

The Monsters deadline is the 15th, so plenty of time.

DQs Day 2
7. The Haunted Flat -> 13. Enter the Hero

6.) Berlioz kept having things disappear from his apartment. What would you of thought if stuff was randomly disappearing from your home? Blame it on the kids? Partner? Ghost? Thief? Do you think it's supposed to represent Stalin's infamous purges where people simply disappear?

I think you are correct with your last assertion.

7.) What do you think of Woland's posse of 3? Would you want to be a part of that group? Of the 3, do you have a favorite character?

I think they are suitably creepy, particularly the cat. I also find the name Faggot rather offensive. I don’t know if that is how it was meant. Or if it's a reference to a bundle of sticks or the food stuff, but regardless, I just find it hard to read. I wouldn't want to be anywhere near this group, much less a part of it.

8.) Thoughts on Stavinsky? Would you want him treating a family member? Considering this is the 1930's and it's a mental asylum, was it what you'd expect? Or more modern?

I honestly didn’t know what to expect. I quite like him and his rather gentle approach. I think I am guilty of viewing past doctors as cold and uncaring. I give them all superiority complexes and a slight cruelty. Although the cruelty isn't sadistic, just uninformed. I have no doubt it comes from watching One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest as a child.

9.) This section made me think about the housing/apartment situation in Stalin's Soviet Union. Maybe because I recently moved house, it made me grateful for the choices I have available about my living situation. Did this resonate at all with you? How so?

It didn't resonate with me, but I did think about how crap housing was under a communist system. I was suprised that the Master was able to move houses when he came into money. I guess i naively thought that it would be harder to do. Although his next apartment didn't sound brilliant.

10.) I still have like no idea what's going on really. I feel like I'm just going to keep reading and hope it either starts making sense or the book ends. How are you enjoying the book so far?

I'm really enjoying it, though it's mad. I'm not one hundred percent sure where it's going but with the arrival of the Master, I feel like we may have the Don Quixote like protagonist to "fight" Woland. Though, i have no idea either really.

Day 1 DQs - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I'll have the shepherdess book finished tomorrow for banking. It's not as dull as I thought it would be. In fact, as I was reading one of the stories seemed a little familiar and I think that's because I probably saw it on tv. The author has or had her own farm program. They do like a farm show over here.

Mary C wrote: "I’ll have another sheep and people cover book finished tomorrow. I don’t think I added it to the sheet. But it can be banked in case we get Polyphemus again. Or just used for regular points.

Had ..."

Mary C, if you’ve got a sheep one done, please use it. I don't want to necessarily read a shepherdess book if I don't have to. It is actually more interesting than I thought, but there are so many other books I would like to get to first. I've got it for two weeks, so I can save it for a future polyphemus.

Melissa wrote: "Keli wrote: "I've added my books Ashes of the Sun to T56, T58 and The Zig-Zag Girls to T57. I've started the Yorkshire shepherd one for T59 & T60. So that polyphemus should be done by tomorrow morn..."

Perfect! And not another polyphemus, phew.

I've added my books Ashes of the Sun to T56, T58 and The Zig-Zag Girls to T57. I've started the Yorkshire shepherd one for T59 & T60. So that polyphemus should be done by tomorrow morning.

Day 1 DQs
Book 1- Chapters 1 (Never talk to strangers) - 6 (Schizophrenia)

1) Poetry and literature. Religion. Philosophy. Deep topics, deftly handled by a mad, funny writer. What do you think so far? Are you fans of Homeless (Ivan) and Belioz and their pretentious academic discussions? Are you intrigued? Confused?

I was a bit confused. Not souch about what they were talking about but the way in which the story was unfolding. It takes a few pages for me to get into the flow of all the absurdist or surrealist novels I've read. This one so far reminds me of a cross between Waiting for Godot and Confederacy of Dunces with the devil mixed in. I do really like it though.

2) So, you meet a stranger that that knows your name, and says that he just had breakfast with Immanuel Kant (who died over100 years ago), and was there to see Jesus, then tells you how you are going to die.
Did you know who the Professor (W, foreigner, stranger, consultant, etc.) is from the synopsis, or when did you start to realize who this character really is?

I already knew who he was. Will Self gave it away in the intro.

3) We move to Judea, in the story that the Professor is telling. Pilate and Yeshua discuss why he has been imprisoned. What did you think of their talk? Did the characters of Jesus and Pilate differ from how you imagined them? What do you think of the different philosophies of authority vs the kingdom of truth and justice, in the book or in life?
What do you think of Yeshua’s belief that all men are good?
(I Personally loved the comment of Yeshua that his disciple keeps recording his words wrong. Teehee)

Honestly, I didn't think to hard about Yeshua was trying to sell. I feel like maybe I should have. But religion isn't really my bag. I
was raised Christian but gave it up. Generally, it just tends to piss me off. So i ignore it. I, too, liked the bit about Matthew writing things down wrong. I thought that was a brilliant commentary on religion or religious texts and the blind faith and conviction of its followers.

4) Well, Ivan’s life just took a turn. A dead friend, levitating men, a giant cat, a dip in a river resulting in missing clothing. Ever had a day like this? Do you think you would have given chase?

No, though I might've if "the devil made me do it." I have the feeling that poor Ivan is being pushed along like a pawn. So even though I wouldn't consciously go after a man who just accurately predicted my friend's death, I might have to nonetheless.

5) I love the psychiatric hospital scene. It is so absurd. “Let him use the phone.” Teehee. I mean, poor Ivan. Do you think he will be there a while, or convince the doctor to let him go?

I think he'll be there for a bit. Didn't the Professor say he had a long life. I think much of it will be spent in the hospital. I liked that scene too. When Ivan attempted to jump out the window was funny.

Bonus question) Anyone familiar with Stalin’s Russia? How does what you know relate to the book so far? Does the fact that this book was written during Stalin’s Russia make a difference to how you are understanding the book?

I don't know much about Stalin’s Russia, except that there was a lot of fear, paranoia, jockeying for position within the party, and a need to always look like a good Russian. Stalin had purges, not just within the party, but included anyone he believed could affect his power; doctors, writers, academics, actors, artists, etc. So the idea that citizens are required to arrest, detain or inform on anyone outside of respectable or acceptable behaviour was not shocking. I am surprised that he wrote this though. Good on him.

Not that I don't want to contribute to our june mini, but you guys are so fast. If one of my books works for a task I'll pop it in, but I'm just going to focus on BOMs. I've got Master and Margarita, The Witch's Heart and Malibu Rising. Well done all you speedy readers, its awesome.

I'm currently listening to Ashes of the Sun, I'm only 21% in and am out of town doing family stuff this weekend, but i can probably have it finished by Tuesday. Sadly, it's 592 pages but it does have the word cave in the text, there are swords used and there might be a mother MC (though right now, no-one fits the bill). So it would cover 2 possibly 3 of the tasks.

Just putting these here in case

Kit struggled for a moment, then produced a glowstone, lighting the cave with a faint blue glow. “Here we are. Told you there'd be something!” The cave was long and narrow, a crevice stretching a dozen meters into the side of the ...

And this is Snipwillow; he loves those little flower-mushrooms you find in ghoul caves sometimes; you can use them—” “Maya,” Beq whispered. “I think someone's following us.” “Who?” Maya said. “Not sure.” Beq adjusted her spectacles and ...

Kit led them through the tunnels under Deepfire to one of a hundred disused, dead-end sections, and Gyre watched in mild surprise as a passage that looked like it had been totally blocked by a cave-in cleared itself in seconds.

It was a cave, roughly circular, with a wider tunnel at one end that ended abruptly in a wood-and-canvas barricade

So im picking up my copy of master and margarita, does anyone know how long i have before participation is cut off?

Melissa wrote: "Keli wrote: "I'm reading Definitely Dead which hasca cat shifter on the cover. I can hold off finishing it until after the mini quiz starts"

That looks like fun!
Is it?"

It's great fun. I really like Sookie Stackhouse now. The first two books were just ok for me. Not sure if that was due to watching True Blood or a new to me series and author thing. But by book three I was hooked.
Sorry it took me so long to reply but I came down with a cold at the weekend, and though it's still lingering, I've only started to feel better in the last couple of days. I slept for three days straight. Ugh, it's been so long since I've been ill with a bug, it was a real shock to the system.

I'm reading Definitely Dead which hasca cat shifter on the cover. I can hold off finishing it until after the mini quiz starts

Volunteering for Jason