Discussion: Executioner's Song

[Jessica]

Our January book is The Executioner's Song.

We are meeting in person in late January to discuss (see our events-- it is now open for RSVPs!). You can also discuss online here in this thread.

[Joanie]

I pulled this off my shelf and read the first page. We really know how to pick warm and fuzzy holiday reads!

[Joanie]

Has anyone started? I haven't picked it up since reading the first page, I'll probably never finish. Thankfully I know how it ends!

[Jessica]

I got it from the library last week but probably won't start it for another week or 2.

[Jason]

Oooh, this won the Pulitzer, too. I wish I had time to read this in January, but I don't think I do. =(

[Jackie]

I still need to get the book. Whoops.

[Jessica]

Our January meeting will be at Scarlet Oak Tavern in Hingham. The event has been updated with this information. Hope to see you there.

Happy New Year!

[Michele]

I'm excited by this book club selection after reading just a snippet of the foreword by Dave Eggers (in the Kindle edition). I've never read any Mailer, so this will be interesting!

[Joanie]

I just started tonight. I am trying to read it in bed but it's massive! If I fall asleep and drop this on my face it will break my nose!

[jerry]

Its an amazing book and i think the 'girth' of it is a promotional device for the kindle.

[Joanie]

You're right Jerry! I already had a copy of the book I bought at a library book sale a few years ago so I'm reading that but the kindle version would be much easier to manage.

[Jessica]

It looks like we'll have a couple of new people joining us at our January meeting. Very exciting!

(I still haven't started reading the book)

and in case you haven't seen it, if anyone wants some free books, check out my list here and let me know: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...

[Joanie]

I was watching an episode of Gilmore Girls last night (don't judge) and Norman Mailer was on it!

[Debi]

What is the date of the January meeting? I think I saw it but now can't find it!

[Jessica]

if you scroll down the South Shore Reader's group main page you will see the Events section. You will see the January event listed there. Or you can click here: http://www.goodreads.com/event/show/8...

[Jackie]

I am coming to the meeting but haven't started reading, and am doubtful that I will be able to finish in time if I start.

[Michele]

I'm almost halfway through. It's an amazing read. I'm finding it a very fast read, so don't be discouraged by the length of the book!

[Jessica]

I am about 100 pages in.

Which means I need to read about 100 pages a day to finish it in time for book club. :) Well, i did only start it today, so if I completed nearly a hundred pages today, it is still possible!

I am liking it so far!

[Jessica]

I am most likely not going to finish this in time for book club. :( But I will still attend!

Which brings up a point I wanted to mention: for those attending or interested in attending a book club meeting for the first time. It is okay if you don't finish the book in time for the meeting as long as you are okay hearing spoilers and/or parts of the book that you haven't gotten to yet.

[Joanie]

I'm not going to be done either. It's not exactly the kind of book you curl up with lose yourself-there is no way I want to enter that world! On the plus side, we all know the outcome of this story going into it so it will be hard for anyone to spoil it!

[Jessica]

The other night I was reading it and B came up to me and asked me to read it to him. I declined. Not quite preschooler friendly.

[Jessica]

Some extra material to look at:

Gary Gilmore:


This site has 8 pages of images related to Gary Gilmore including friends, victims, locales etc: http://gallery.skcentral.com/thumbnai...

And a 1977 article from People magazine: http://www.people.com/people/archive/...

If you search youtube you can fine 5 parts of an A&E show on Gary Gilmore. Here's a link to part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mC7kdf... from there you can get to parts 2-5. Show includes interview with Nicole and others.

[Jessica]

FYI -- I have a reservation at scarlet oak under my name. If you are new to the group you can ask for my table at hostess stand.

Also I will have a paperback copy of the book with me.

[Denise]

As most of you know, I'm headed to the Celtics game so I won't be at book club. I didn't finish the book, BUT I am about halfway through. I really enjoy Mailer's writing style in this book. I think it's easy to read and it gives a snapshot of the time, place and people. I'm looking forward to finishing it this week, and I'm sorry I won't get a chance to join the discussion live and in person. Have fun!

[Jessica]

I thought I wouldn't have the little man with me today but I do. He fell asleep in the car so I stopped running errands. I am already at the restaurant so i'm sitting in bar area right between hostess stand and the fireplace. i will sit and finish the last 600 pages of the book. ;)

[Jenni]

Unfortunately I had to volunteer at my daughter's school Sunday afternoon so I missed the meeting. I am only half way through the book but I did want to hear what you all think of the book. I actually don't know the ending, and have purposely skipped over the introduction & any spoilers. Although at half way through I am curious to see what the rest of the book is about...

[[deleted user]]

an interesting read on norman mailer (the man, the myth, the bloated legend), Gary Gilmore, and astrology...

http://review.gawker.com/the-fault-16...

[Denise]

That was really interesting. Thanks for sharing!