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The Gunslinger (The Dark Tower #1) by Stephen King (Adult Sci-Fi/Fantasy BOM) Starts June 22nd, 2017
(156 new)
Jun 29, 2017 06:54AM
Day 2 Questions: June 23rd - chapter 2-38. I am really enjoying the strong sense of place that King invokes through the senses. Can you share a book that you've really enjoyed that had a strong sense of place?
The recent book of the month, A Gentleman In Moscow. A mor Towels must be a huge foodie, because his descriptions of food - smells and textures - makes your mouth water. His detail to historic architecture and decor paints a perfect picture of the early 1900s
9. At The Way Station, the gunslinger is told to "Go slow past the Drawers gunslinger. While you travel with the boy, the man in black travels with your soul in his pocket" - what do you think this means?
Jake must be very special. If the man in black is a priest, then he holds Roland’s soul by determining its purity and if it is to be admitted into heaven. The Man in Black must have an interest in seeing Jake survive.
10. What do you think is Jake's role in the story?
Apprentice maybe? He pulls emotions from Roland I didn’t expect. He allows the reader to see parts of Roland I don’t think we would have had Jake not been introduced.
11. We begin to learn more of the gunslingers past and what he was like as a boy - do you still see those parts of him as a man?
Some, but his training with Cort was meant to erase any of those traits. To become a Gunslinger, Roland had to give up pieces of himself that he only remembers again when he meets Jake and tells him his story.
12. We've seen so much darkness in the story so far, it was striking to hear about light when the gunslinger spoke of New Canaan. The gunslinger recalls his mom saying, "the only real beauty is order and love and light" - do you think there is hope in this world for love and light?
There has to be a good and a bad. The triumph of good over evil is such a huge plot point in King stories. If Roland is capable of love then it must be in here somewhere. If light comes with the emergence of love, his mother is right.
I should have 40 points for BOMs on the spreadsheet.
The Gunslinger (The Dark Tower #1) by Stephen King (Adult Sci-Fi/Fantasy BOM) Starts June 22nd, 2017
(156 new)
Jun 26, 2017 12:45PM
Day 1 Questions:June 22nd - chapter 1
1. I love the first line of this book, “The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed.” What do you think? Did it draw you in right away? Do you think it sets the tone for the book?
Yes. I think its going to end up summing up the entire story. A chase, a trek. Not fast, just a purposeful pilgrimage. Maybe all about getting to this Dark Tower.
2. Why do you think the Gunslinger is chasing the man in black? Will he catch him? What will he do if / when he does?
I’m assuming he is supposed to be killing him. He will catch him, but there will be a revelation that proves killing the Man in Black is the exact opposite of what he should be doing. Maybe they team up. Or tides turn and the Man in Black ends up chasing the Gunslinger.
3. What do you think of the world building or the world the story is set in? I find it interesting that there are so many differences and yet some similarities to our world, like the singing of “Hey Jude.” It feels a bit like our world has seeped into theirs.
King uses the awesome term “Purgatory waste” A land between life and death. A dry, sort of post-apocalyptic version of our world, like the dry world left after nuclear war.
4. What or who do you think the man in black is? He certainly seems to have some special powers, but with evil undertones. Any ideas yet?
Some sort of sorcerer. Maybe he's gone rogue or taken something vital to the Gunslinger. Someone all Gunslingers would be tasked with destroying, but as the last of his kind, it's a lone mission.
5. Why do you think the townsfolk were so anti-gunslinger? Was it just because of what he represents as a gunslinger, because he’s a stranger, or because of the man in black? Some other reason?
Because of what he represents. Or that he represents the anti-Christian life that is the opposite of the religious community they are. Just that he has these guns makes him a threat to them.
6. What do you think of what happened in Tull? Was there another way for the gunslinger to leave the town without the destruction that occurred or do you think it was necessary or predestined? When Brown asked him if he felt bad about it, the gunslinger said, “Why would I feel bad?” Do you think that’s just because of his training or maybe he believed there was no other way or maybe he just lacks empathy for the death of others?
No, I don’t think it was necessary. Pointless. The reaction is what he is as a Gunslinger. I don’t think there is a lack of empathy, more like morals that don’t represent our society. I think empathy could be directed towards those his morals tell him to be empathetic to. That he has no problem just staying in the town of dead people is creepier.
7. What do you think of the story so far? Anything you particularly like or don’t like?
Very interested in his back story and why he is the only Gunslinger left. I have so many questions that will only be answered if I keep reading. Or at least I hope they are answered and there is more clarification on what this world we are reading about is.
Read The Hate U Give for BOM points.
Jun 16, 2017 09:54AM
9. As Starr and her family huddle around the TV after hearing gun shots the night of Khalil's funeral, they watch news. The news anchor speaks of "multiple reports that a gun was found in the car" and the fact that "there was also suspicion that the victim was a drug dealer as well as a gang member". This comes after the police chief gave a statement stating that they saw no reason to arrest the officer who shot Khalil. What do you think they are trying to do with that information? Do you think it's valid? What about the protestors? Do they have right to be upset about the situation? Does their means of protest get their point across?Could be the news trying to elaborate on information or just using information the police gave them as justification. It turns Khalil’s death into just another gang death – just another drug dealer. Getting these words out to the public allows the court of public opinion to do it’s thing. The protestors have a right to be upset. They also have the right to protest. As soon as violence and looting start, the point of the protest is muffled and gives the media and police even further justification to blame drugs and gangs.
10. Starr has been giving her boyfriend Chris the silent treatment for a while now and when he confronts her about it, she tells him that he wouldn't understand. Her rationale for that is because he's white. What was your reaction to that statement? Do you agree or disagree with that? Can Chris understand where Starr is coming from?
She’s right. There’s no way he could understand the conflict going on in Starr’s head. Or the conflict going on in her community. She can explain and he can try to understand, but as a white man he can never fully understand. And that’s okay.
11. The protest at Starr's school "For Khalil" really upset Starr. She mentioned that her "Williamson rules go out the door and the Starr from Garden Heights shows up". Do you think we are going to start seeing more of "Starr from Garden Heights" while she's at school? Do you think the two personas were necessary?
The personas are necessary, but it’s good to see them blend. It’s who she is.
12. At the end of chapter 11, Maverick, Starr's father, tells Starr, "if you're ready to talk baby, talk. I got your back." Do you think that Starr is going to talk? Do you think that she should talk? What do you think you would do in that situation?
Yes, she’s going to talk. She needed justification from her father – someone who can easily put himself in her place. She needs to talk, not just for herself but the black community. She can be the GH Starr at school. It’s going to get out anyway.
Jun 16, 2017 06:33AM
Day 25. Starr returns to school for the first time since the shooting. We get to see the other side of her personality, the one she puts on for her prep school friends. How does the situation we are in impact the way we relate to others? Do people have several personas or are we for the most part our true selves in whatever circumstance?
Masks. We all wear masks. It’s easier to fit in than not. No matter how much you want to be true to yourself, the actions of others around you can easily sway you the longer you are around them. It’s a survival technique. Only when we find ourselves constantly in situations in which we are comfortable with being ourselves, can we toss the masks.
6. We are introduced to Starr's prep school friends. Hailey makes a comment related to "fried chicken" and Starr gets offended. Do you think Hailey meant the remark in an offensive way, was it intentional or not? Was Starr being hyper-sensitive? How do you think this will affect the relationship between the two girls in the rest of the book?
I think it was intentional, but I don’t think she understands the depth of the stereotype. She lives in a bubble. Starr wasn’t so much hyper-sensitive, but more aware. She’s starting to notice the line that she previously saw past. Her view is becoming more and more focused as the reality of being black in a very prominently white school sorts itself out in her head. I doubt their friendship can be the same – not that it can’t remain a friendship, but it’s more of a ‘you can never go home again’ thing.
7. Throughout this section you feel the underlying guilt Starr is experiencing regarding the relationship between her and Khalil, or lack thereof. Do you think this was a conscious decision on her part, because she wanted to distance herself from life in Garden Heights or was it inevitable, a natural progression as they got older?
They grew apart as they grew up. Starr focused on school and working, while Khalil did work at the family store, he quit months ago. Starr had no reason to believe he was in any sort of trouble. Even as she got into the car with him, she still saw Khalil as the kid he was. Only at his funeral does she finally realize how much the boy in the casket shaped who she has become.
8. Starr is asked to recount the events of that fateful night to the detectives. How do you think she handled interacting with the police officers? What does this say about her character?
She was angry, but composed. She’s only 16! There were outbursts, but her mother’s presence helped.
Jun 13, 2017 11:09AM
Day 1 Questions, Chapters 1-41. Starr is considering whether to admit she was at the scene or not, due to fear of her own safety. What do you think you would do in that situation?
I’d say that I would admit to being at the scene, in hopes of seeing some justice. But what is the likelihood of real justice in Garden Heights? I can’t put myself in that situation. I’m a middle class white chick.
2. Do you think Uncle Carlos is right when he says that the police officer may have felt threatened because he knew Khalil was a drug dealer?
There is some validity to it, but the officer would have been trained to command Khalil to put his hands up or on the roof of the car before taking any physical action. Even if the officer knew or thought Khalil was a drug dealer, he had already been searched and obviously didn’t have a warrant.
3. Starr is reluctant to trust the police with her statement, and I think I would feel the same in her situation. Do you think that Starr should trust the police?
No. The killer is one of them.
4. What are your thoughts on Mav's insistence on staying in the neighbourhood despite the fact that Starr has lost two friends in her short life to both a gang shooting and a police shooting? Do you think that life would be safer for Starr if she moved away?
Life would be safer and easier for Starr, but there is something to be said about staying and taking a stand. They shouldn’t have to move.
Annika wrote: "Caly ☯ wrote: "megan wrote: "Why is my Gentleman in Moscow not receiving the BOM points?"Will have Bethany check on that, I'm not sure either. Thanks for noticing"
You need to add read date to t..."
But I don't have access to modify the team spreadsheets.
Why is my Gentleman in Moscow not receiving the BOM points?
