Lisa - (Aussie Girl)’s Comments (group member since Sep 26, 2012)

Lisa - (Aussie Girl)’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

Here's the link to the countdown time zones -

https://www.timeanddate.com/worldcloc...

Tina ❣ wrote: "Carrie wrote: "My book has the word watermelon in it!!"

Awesome! :D
I haven't had much luck with watermelon or ube. Ube is no where except in other words - tube, etc."

I have never heard of the word ube before. It does seem a difficult word especially when we scored 19/20 for the Swinbourne bonus. I was able to spell it out once but that's about it. We do have a few watermelons though.

And congratulations Tina, well done to Victorians after such a difficult time. It must have been horrendous in such a strict lockdown for so long. But looks like you guys have eradicated the virus. Woo Hoo.

Hi Mods,

Can we have a link to the current time clock till the end of this round. Thx.

We've got one more week. I'll see if I can find the link for the time clock.

DQs Day 3 - Part 3

10.) With all of the current unrest what do you think Beatty's statement:
"for everyone nowadays knows, absolutely is certain, that nothing will ever happen to me. Others die, I go on. There are no consequences and no responsibilities."
is it still relevant and timely?

Definitely still rings true. Some people just go through life on auto pilot in their own bubble never thinking about the bigger picture at all. And unfortunately we all can think of examples of this type of behaviour in our current world. But I'm a glass half full type of gal, always got to have hope, think positive and move on.

11.) What did you think about Montag's flight from the city? Did the search go how you expected?

I was glad Montag survived and found his "people". Thought it was interesting how the perception was more important than the truth. Another unfortunate parallel to some aspects of our current world with the rise of social media.

12.) The river/railroad tracks have groups of Ivy League educated "bums". Why do you think Bradbury was so specific about their backgrounds and what do you think they represent?

I think Bradbury worked in Universities himself he probably saw his colleagues as the collective "wisdom" and free thinkers of society.

13.) Final thoughts on book? Did it stand the test of time?

I really enjoyed the book. It was a product of the time it was written but made me think and definitely still has relevance to today in quite a lot of its themes.

Bonus Question: The version I read had an introduction written by Neil Gaiman. In it he said:
"If someone tells you what a story is about, they are probably right.
If someone tells you that is all the story is about, they are very definitely wrong."
Do you agree? Why do you think he included this in his introduction to Fahrenheit 451.

Nicely put... there are always two sides to every story and truth is often based on an individual's perception.

DQ'S DAY 2

5. Part 2 is entitled The Sieve and the Sand. How does this relate to what happens in this section? What more do we find out about Montag and the situation?

6. Montag shares his concerns with his wife Millie. How are their reactions different and how does this compare to other characters throughout the book?

7. Montag reaches out to Professor Faber to help him understand his newly found feelings. The Professor has his own opinion on the circumstances and how they must proceed. Discuss the Professor's role in the book including the following quote -
"The good writer's touch life often. The mediocre ones run a quick hand over her. The bad ones rape her and leave her for the flies."

8. Out of all the books and literature in the world, Bradbury chooses passages from the Bible and Matthew Arnold's poem Dover Beach as part of this section. Why do you think he used these works and how do they impact what happens in the story here.

9. For a Fire Chief, Captain Beatty seems very well read and taunts Montag as they approach his house. It seems that the gig is up for Montag, what do you think is going to happen? Is there any chance at this point that Montag and Millie will survive at the end of the book?

1. What are your thoughts on the setting of the novel? Bearing in mind it is nearly 70 years since publication, how well has it lasted the passing of time - which of the projected changes in society have or haven't come true?

The book was written in 1951 and the world was coming out of the horror of Two World Wars, the rise of Communism and the beginning of the Cold War. Not a fun time and quite a lot of dystopian fiction was written around this time set in the future and the depiction being very negative. And in some ways the predictions haven't been too far off the mark. The televisions on all the time with banal content (I'm thinking reality shows) and the interactive speaker reminded me of Google Home and predictive text. And there are still many places in the world where to think and do outside the Government line means imprisonment or death.

2. What are your thoughts on Guy Montag? Would you have preferred to see why he first took a book home, or do you like being in the middle of this second jolt to his life?

Guy seems to be an everyman character. Goes along passively on the surface but underneath he can't stop his thoughts or doubts. He doesn't at first impression seem like a mover and shaker so it fits that he has been surreptitiously taking the books. His reaction can be compared to a slow burn of a fire, slow to catch but then bursting into flames. Maybe this is what the author intended.

3. Montag has interactions with three women in this section: Clarisse (is she the original manic pixie dream girl?!), poor Mildred and the old woman who self-immolates. How do these three women help shape the trajectory of Montag's life?

I really like what Sammy said here - Montag is the passive character and his thoughts and reactions are modelled on the contribution of these three women characters. And it is then his Boss that finally seems to ignite him into action. Boy, nearly tripping over all the metaphors here.



4. I noticed that Bradbury uses a lot of nature metaphors and descriptors, particularly when describing the horrific, mechanical parts of the world (like the snakes in the medical machine). Why do you think he makes these language choices? Do you enjoy the writing?

Well, snakes makes me think of the original sin, they've had a bad wrap since time infinitum and are often used as a metaphor for evil. I'm enjoying the writing as it makes me think about what I'm reading a bit more than usual.

First time reading for me. I've read the first part and wow, even though it was written fifty years ago there are still so many parallels to the world now. Looking forward to discussing with you all.

Looks like we are all enjoying our cold and frozen worlds books. Probably being whisked away to somewhere completely different in the pages of a book is what we all need right now. Hope everyone is doing okay where ever they are in this crazy world at the moment.

Half way through the round. How is everyone going?

I'm having a really good reading couple of weeks because my husband has been away working. It's surprising how many times I've found vinegar in a book!

Finished for Frozen World -

Set in Alaska.

I loved the descriptions of Frozen Alaska especially Kate the heroine on the top of the mountain with the Aurora. 4 stars

Finished Stop 7 - Letter A - Character Adam Kimble

I'll put you down for L, Celia. That leaves Abir to Read Any Book this stop.

Stop 7 Spell it out -

S - Namita
A - Louise
L - Jenny
A - Sally
L - Celia
A - Lisa
H - Maddy
Read any Book - Abir

Stop 7 Spell it out -

S - Namita
A - Louise
L - Jenny
A - Sally
L -
A - Lisa
H - Maddy
Read any Book -

Left for Abir and Celia - L or Read any book.

Good question. But reading below I think you can use them as many times as you find them.


Score Round 2 Additions

17-20 You're the hottest place in town this week and everyone wants to try your meals. Now is the time to think about what your niche market is looking for to maintain your popularity
Meals with the word "ube", "watermelon", or "legume" in the text or title, or used as a spell-it-out will attract more adults for round 2

Stop 7 Spell it out -

S - Namita
A - Louise
L - Jenny
A - Sally
L -
A - Lisa
H -
Read any Book -

Thanks ladies. Maddy, you can slot in at the end.

Stop 7 Spell it out -

S -
A - Louise
L - Jenny
A -
L -
A - Lisa
H -
Read any Book -

Ladies, pick your letters -

S -
A - Louise
L -
A -
L -
A - Lisa
H -
Read any Book -

Spell it out for me too!

Ladies, pick your letters -

S -
A -
L -
A -
L -
A -
H -
Read any Book -

This was the book that kept on giving - 2 vinegars and a watermelon! Shame I didn't like the ending though.