Plot

[Ty]

Discussion about the Plot & Setting

[Ty]

I found that when I was reading the book I wanted this to be set in the early 20th century. I'm not sure why, I think because the name Hempstock just sounds really old. So when I was reading and would come across something modern I would always be taken aback. For example in the beginning the car is a mini cooper. Thats a fairly modern car and I just couldn't picture all of this happening in present times. Anyone else feel like this?

[Maddie]

I did, and it kind of reminded me how many people remember their childhoods. Sometimes I get so nostalgic that I remember my childhood like it was some long, forgotten time, instead of only 10+ years ago.

But I think it was also the subject matter; usually when magic is involved it takes place somewhere otherworldly or in the past, before people began learning how the world worked. I really loved the magical realism in this piece, though.

[Mckenzie]

I thought the book was an interesting read. It's just that there are some inconsistencies in the plot (which tend to bother me), but I think that is supposed to be that way because he is reflecting on a "time forgotten".

The story also has both kinds of "magic" in it. Normally there is either complete imagination (think charlie and the chocolate factory) or some sort of supernatural in a real world type of way (think harry potter). They had the Hempstock magical world and powers, but then also had some science elements with the universe, portals, dark energy, and gravity. I thought that was an interesting way to present the story. I still do not know what to really make of it yet. haha

[Maddie]

What inconsistencies did you notice?

I haven't read much Neil Gaiman (though after this, I intend to read more), but he does sometimes seem to write vaguely, my guess is to leave meaning open to interpretation.

There were also points in the story I started to wonder if the story was just a child trying to make sense of normal things happening in his life? Like a mean babysitter comes to live with his family and he creates this make-believe story that she's really a monster in order to justify his not liking her? I started to wonder if his imagination just went so unchecked that it became his reality and maybe in his adult life he remembers how it really happened, until he visits the pond/ocean and his childhood interpretations come flooding back? But that could just be me thinking about it too much...