TDSOH: Less active than usual?

[Julie]

Is it just me or does there seem to be less discussion for this book than usual for the monthly pick? Does that mean the book was less liked? More liked? Or provoked no strong feeling at all?

(It may just be me since I don't normally finish the book until much nearer the end of the month, but there's usually a lot more opinions floating around to nod or frown at).

For my two pence worth...

I'd picked out "the bad guy" way before the half way point, so that was no surprise, only a long wait until it all came out. The over use of metaphors started to grate before long and the plot wasn't half as complicated as it was trying to be.

I did however, like the Heaven/Hell set up, that worked for me and reminded a little of a series and film I liked Eternal Law and Defending Your Life.

Character wise...My favourite character would have to be the Countess, and I liked how that turned out in the end. Bobby himself wasn't particularly likeable (though I didn't really dislike him either).

Worth a read, but not something I'll re-read.(I have seen a number of reviews for this book that are adamant this work is not indicative of other Tad Williams novels, so I may try another since Veronica so highly recommends this author).

[Pedro]

I'm relatively new to the group, but from what I've seen books in the club can generally be found at discount price or used, so it's only natural there has been less activity with TDSOH in relation to the norm regardless of the book's actual quality, as it's a new book.

I didn't find the book amazing either, though there's enough potential for me to give the second one a chance when it comes out.

[Ian]

For me I didn't read the book this month. Just didn't fancy it based on the description and also am a bit fed up of the 'dictated' picks I'm pretty sure the group would not have chosen this in a poll. I'm fine with alternating but there have been 4 or 5 picks in a row none of which I've had much interest in. I think it's not a coincidence that the discussion was much more rich and higher volume with the picks where we did a poll

[Bryan]

Well, it IS NaNoWriMo month.

[Michael]

Ian wrote: "For me I didn't read the book this month. Just didn't fancy it based on the description"
Same here.
Based on the discussion, Tad Williams has slipped down on the list of authors I want to give a try.
He sounds like one of these fantasy authors in need of an editor.

[terpkristin]

I think that fewer people jumped in this time. Plus, it's NaNoWriMo, which a fair few people are doing. And I also suspect that this book isn't particularly deep, so there isn't as much conversation about themes and the like....all contributing factors.

[Rob, Roberator]

I read it a few months ago, and wasn't super thrilled. I've jumped in a bit here and there, but haven't felt inclined to start any threads of mine own like the last few books.

[[deleted user]]

terpkristin wrote: "And I also suspect that this book isn't particularly deep, so there isn't as much conversation about themes and the like"

It's not deep at all.

It's just a popcorn Urban Fantasy book with delusions of grandeur. :P

[D. H.]

Ian wrote: "For me I didn't read the book this month. Just didn't fancy it based on the description"

Yes, me too. I'm sitting this pick out, and the next one for that matter.

[Lindsay]

It's a first-person perspective detective story in a paranormal setting.

With first person there's little ambiguity in Bobby's perspective; we know exactly why he's doing what he's doing.

With a detective story exposing the central question of what's going on is the whole point of the book, so there's not much ambiguity there either.

And the paranormal element in this book is nothing new. We've seen this done before and much better. Gaiman and Pratchett's Good Omens would be the definitive one, but a much more recent and in-genre version is Kelly Gay's The Better Part of Darkness series.

And finally, with the plodding style and exhaustive exposition, there's not much about the world-building that's left for speculation either.

Ultimately, I just don't think there's all that much to talk about.

[Rik]

What its come down to me every month is price and can I get it at my library. I don't want to pay a lot for a book I'm unsure of so go the library route when I can. Others might be unwilling to pay hardback price for it as well and unlike me were not able to get it from the library. I know this is why I missed out on Tigana.

[Leesa]

I'm still listening to it so can't really offer much in the meantime.

[Bryan]

Based on the discussion, Tad Williams has slipped down on the list of authors I want ..."

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I personally think Tad is the best fantasy writer alive today, but I LIKE long books that I can get lost in. And Tad writes long ones. In contrast, I think Goodkind and Brooks (though the latter was important to me when I was young) are terrible writers. Still, I respect people who like them. Every author has a unique voice and different readers will resonate with different authors. For me, Tad resonates like no one else I've read. His latest book is no exception, despite the drastically different style.

[Kenny]

I'd have to agree with the poster above ive been really busy with what is turning out to be the failure of my first nanowrimo

[David(LA,CA)]

A recent response from the Heaven isn't for me conversation made me think of another possible reason.

George wrote: "(Note: I'm just talking about beliefs some people have. I do hope this doesn't spark a religious argument.)"

Perhaps there are fewer responses because no one wants to accidentally set off a religious flame war.

I wasn't around for them, but were the discussions for Good Omens or American Gods a little on the light side as well?

[Kevin]

Julie wrote: "Is it just me or does there seem to be less discussion for this book than usual for the monthly pick? Does that mean the book was less liked? More liked? Or provoked no strong feeling at all?

(It ..."

Bobby wasn't likable?!? Wow, I loved that guy!

[P. Aaron]

I have a theory that everyone is saving up their energy for The Hobbit. Wouldn't want to sprain a finger or something.

[Celine]

I'm not sure about anyone else, but I'm kind of tight on the cash money thing right now so I haven't been buying books unless I can get them for less than 10$. I couldn't find this one at the library or at the used book store, and Chapters sells it for something like 30$.

[Ruth (tilltab) Ashworth]

Perhaps just the time of year is a factor? I've not been part of this group for long enough to know it it is a usual trend, but it can be a busy time of year for some people, especially in America with thanks giving and all (happy thanks giving, btw).

For me, a combo of stress and depression has kept me away from the forums, but I have been enjoying the book, which I got free from audible. Never been a fan of audio books, but this one is read nicely, I think (not much to compare it with), though I do miss having a physical copy of one sort or another.

[Natalie]

For me its just cost - its £10 for the Kindle edition ($16 or so, which is expensive for a book here) and not available at the library. I don't mind paying top price for a book that I'm expecting to be wowed by, but I'm unsure about this..

So I guess I'll catch up on it at some point.

[Kate]

I haven't read this one, a combination of the relatively high price and an expensive time of year and not having a great interest in the premise (and I've already read a book about an angel who solves crimes, Murder Mysteries) but I've only read 5 of the books we've done this year so I'm not necessarily a good example.

If I can call by my parents house and dig up our copy of The Hobbit I might join in in December.

[Shaina]

I read it but I'm wishing I'd skipped it and read something else. It was ok, but not anything worth the time it took to read.

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

I kept thinking I'd get to it but it just isn't capturing me the way The Hobbit and some of my other books are. I'm not going to force it, but may try again later. I suspect I'd like the author's other subgenre work better, because urban fantasy just doesn't do it for me most of the time (and I've tried, I really have.)

[Celine]

Alex wrote: "Celine, have you tried Chapters online? I love them, and buy almost all my books exclusively from them, but their online prices are usually 30-40% less than list prices.

It's crazy trying to buy b..."

I just checked, and they're about half as expensive online. I'll probably be too late to really join in on the discussion, but I'll look there in the future for books. Thanks!

[Anne]

I haven't really been following the group discussions closely these last couple of weeks, mostly due to this "life" thing that keeps popping up and distracting me from S&L stuff. (Damn.)

I've started the book, and managed to get a third of the way through, but it isn't really capturing so far. It isn't bad, it just isn't great and I find it hard to keep going.

I also agree that the book doesn't really provide a lot of though-provoking discussion-worthy content. It's just a nice noir-styled fantasy book. So far I would have a hard time coming up with ideas or thoughts that I consider interesting enough to bring up here in the forum.

[Mitch]

I joined this group a few months ago, but none of the monthly picks have interested me since then. I have instead been catching up on past picks: 1Q84, Elantris, Rule 34, Ready Player One, etc. Hopefully there will be a poll for upcoming months picks.

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

Mitch wrote: "I joined this group a few months ago, but none of the monthly picks have interested me since then. I have instead been catching up on past picks: 1Q84, Elantris, Rule 34, Ready Player One, etc. Hop..."
What is your favorite of the bunch so far?

[Mitch]

Jenny wrote: "What is your favorite of the bunch so far? "

Ready Player One is probably my favorite from the bunch of books I've read since joining. It was just so much fun. I still haven't read Empire State or Lies of Locke Lamora yet, though, so nothing is set in stone yet.

[Katie]

I'm new to the group, but I'll also add that I decided not to join in reading this month's book. I tried the first chapter (excitedly too!) but wasn't interested with the story, or the characters. Decided to read other things on my list until the next month was chosen.