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

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

DQs Day Three - 18 Jun
"There came a day in laste summer..."
"Angrboda agreed." 62%

11. I love how the myths surrounding Loki are casually mixed into this book. I'm a fan of Norse mythology, though I don't know a ton about it. Do you know or enjoy Norse mythology? Do you like how the author is incorporating it into her book?

I'm like you. I like what i know of it, but that knowledge is limited. I bought a big book on Mythology, including Norse, but haven’t gotten passed Greek. I do like this book quite a bit so far, so i can only assume I'm enjoying her take on the myths.

12. "Was I wrong to not tell them the world may not accept the the way they are?"

This is Angrboda's question after not only Loki's other wife, but Loki himself, refers to their children as monsters. How would you answer her question? Was she right to try and protect and hide them from the Nine Worlds? Should she have gone about it in a different manner?

Oih, that is hard. They were quite little and their her kids, so i get her desire to protect them. But i think she should have pointed out how the Aesir are true monsters encased in pretty packages. That things are not always as they appear and for that reason they shouldn't care what others say based on their looks. But as every mother knows, it probably wouldn't have made a jot of difference.

13. What an ending to Part One! Did you see what was to come? Did you already know the myths before or were you completely surprised? If you already knew the myth, did you like the author's interpretation of events? Were you as angry at the world as I was reading all that happened to Angrboda and her children, cause I was ready to fight!

I so wanted her to be able to break free. Loki is truly something. He is so desperate, he sold out his family for his vainglorious pursuit of being amongst the revered. To be with Thor! I hate Thor in this.

14. It seems that Angrboda's dreams can now transport her into other's thoughts. Do you think this is a one-off event because of how much stress she was under? If not, how do you think she'll use this skill from now on?

No, it won't be the last time. It will have to come in handy again at some pivotal point.

15. So Angrboda has a new voice in her head. Who do you think the voice belongs to? Do you think it's connected to Angrboda's seeming inability to die? Do you think it's a friend or a foe?

Sadly, I've read further before I did these questuons.So i know who the voice is, and i was but also wasn't expecting that. I thought it was going to be more a Jane Yellowrock sort of two souls/spirits one body thing.

Yeah another one bites the dust. Read The Master and Margarita for TT. Really enjoyed it, though I wasn't quite sure what was happening half the time.

DQs Day 2 — "He stayed with her as the days ..." to "... given her daughter a new obsession" - 40%

6. After Angrboda performs seid for the first time again, she starts having dreams where she hears someone calling to and beckoning her. Angrboda doesn't believe it to be Odin at first, but her suspicion changes over time. Who do you think it could be?

It had to be Odin. It really couldn't be anyone else.

7. Skadi reappears in this section, having left her husband behind. Do you think he'll come back into the story later? Why do you think she chose a husband as recompense in the first place?

I think she wanted to become a god and marrying into the fold, of sorts, was good enough. I don't think she would've stayed with her husband no matter what cos i don't think she wants a husband. I do like to think that she accepted the husband because when they least expect it she'll avenge her dad.

8. Hel was born with "dead" legs (or dead flesh on fully functioning legs? I'm honestly a little confused by it) and when she over exerts herself she starts turning blue. Angrboda attributes this to when she tried to save her daughter — but I'm not so sure. Do you have any theories on what the cause could be? Is it as simple as Angrboda believes, or do you think it's something bigger to be revealed later on?

I'm with Angrboda on this. In a world where a man can change into a mare and give birth to an 8 legged horse, she totally got dead legs from her brief foray into the underworld. She needs to have a foot in it, quite literally, to rule it, which she does according to Norse Mythology.

9. There have been several mentions of a witch who birthed a race of wolves who chase the sun and moon so far in the story — and now Angrboda has given birth to a wolf. Do you think she is the Old one the stories reference? Or, if not, do you think we will meet that character later on?

At first i thought it might be her. But Loki is a shape changer, so it might just be down to him. But as she cannot remember who she was so long ago, there is every possibility that she is the mother of wolves. If it's not her i think we will definitely meet the real mother later on.

10. Angrboda decides not to tell Loki about his and his family's involvement in her vision of the beginning of the end. What do you think of her decision? Do you think she made the right choice in not telling him?

That is hard to say. Would Loki's nature cause him to seek world domination or to protect his children? I think it's the former, so I would totally get why she wouldn't say. I think I would feel I'd hasten the vision by telling him or make it worse. Though i would eventually tell the kids. They are quite young, but I'd hole up with them at a NEW cave or something and tell them when it couldn't be put off any longer.

DQs Day 1
Beginning to "... a promise she knew that she couldn't keep."

1.) What attracted you to this book? BOM points? That COVER? Because of the Norse Retelling angle to the story? Any expectations you'd like to share?

Initially it was the title, then I read it was a Norse retelling and I knew I'd read it eventually. TT just got me to read it sooner.

2.) What did you think of Angrboda's first meeting with Loki? I mean he brought her heart back in his knapsack basically because he was bored. But he was so charming, I'm not sure I'd care either. Though it didn't hurt I kept picturing him as Tom Hiddleston. LOL

I liked her description of Loki. I really don't like the Tom Hiddleston Loki. Ugh, that black hair on him is so 🤢. Now Hiddleston as the Night Manager is something I can get behind.😍😍😍 As for Loki bringing Angrboda her heart was weirdly sweet. I know he did it out of curiosity, but he didn’t ask anything for it. It was some good foreshadowing too. I just hope he doesn't break it.

3.) Thoughts on Skadi? Why do you think she helped Angrboda in the first place? And to such an extent? If Skadi was male, how different do you think that interaction would of been?

I thought Skadi was going to profess her love. Especially when Angrboda went to stay with her for winter. There's still time. I think it will happen.

4.) The quote from Skadi, "Time doesn't matter unless you are keeping track of it." Resonated with me. What do you think of this? Do you agree with the statement?

Sadly, time matters. One the one hand, I'd get fired and not be able to pay my bills if I didn’t pay attention. But i hate having to pay attention. So it matters but not in the way she is meaning. In the grand scheme of things she's sort if right. If you're just living life, having a grand old time, then yeah, who cares. But when you suddenly look in the mirror and realise that your face looks all 43 of those years, but you've not got much to show for it, then time (or what little is left) takes on a new meaning.

5.) Loki's reaction to the pregnancy was, let's go with interesting. What type of father are you expecting him to be? Do you think he will be a functioning part of the child's life?

He's going to be a terrible father. I imagine Angrboda will have to do everything herself. I think he'll be there as much as his nature and Odin allow. But she knew what she was getting into.🤨

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