Oct. Group Read-Mystery Walk-We're Done!!

[Char]

Are you finished with the book? If so, please come on in and share your thoughts with us!
HERE THERE BE SPOILERS!!

No spoiler tags are needed in this discussion!

[Char]

I just finished! Loved it!
On my previous read of this I was vaguely dissatisfied with the ending. This time around, I loved the ending and I thought it fit perfectly.

What did you all think of the ending and the book, overall?

[Hunter]

I read They Thirst when it first came out in 1981 and loved it. But Mystery Walk showed that They Thirst was no fluke. It was my favorite McCammon novel for a long time. I found the whole book awesome, and my re-read a couple of months ago reaffirmed it.

Hunter

[Char]

I can see why, Hunter. The characters are so well drawn and I could even empathize with the bad guys. I really had a good time with this one, this time around. (My 3rd time, if you can believe it!)

[Hunter]

I can believe it. My most recent re-read was my fourth time through it. 8-)

[Pamellia]

I really enjoyed this book. I love the way McCammon builds layers to his characters. I thought it was interesting how Billy received the gift of truth from his parents, especially his mother...and the other twin was not ever necessarily told the truth. The lack of truth seemed to greatly effect their lives, especially at the end. Billy wanted nothing more than to be truthful and compassionate, I'm not so sure about his brother. I think all the lies and misguided truths left him so confused. I was even wondering at times whether his adopted parents thought he could or couldn't heal.

I like the way Robert gave the Choctaw blood characters who received these gifts a useful talent. At the end of the book, I really wanted to see Ramona's needle work! Must have been beautiful in Robert's mind's eye. Was Billy's brother's talent the model airplanes? That's what I think.

I really hated the big fat guy, Mr. Krepsin (was that his name). He was a very evil character and McCammon wrote him well. I never pitied him even when at the end they were telling why he was so frightened of germs. He was one "sick" dude, that's for sure.

What about the fly that got into the compound. Did you think it might have been Billy's mother? What about Billy's little friend that was killed by his father? I thought it was so cool how Billy ended up with the sacred piece of coal back in his pocket!!

I LOVED Billy's girlfriend at the institute.

I think I would give this book 4 stars

[Pamellia]

Sunday, October 27, 2013
If anyone would like to comment on any part of Mystery Walk I am here to carry on a discussion.

I know those of you from the north/east are most likely still in shock regarding that baseball game last night.

[Rebecca]

I finished last night. It was nearly new to me, as my memory's not great and it's been many years since I first read.

Yes, Mr.Krepsin was a creepy sicko. But I found Mr.Niles more distasteful for some reason.

Hmm, it never crossed my mind that the fly may have been a reincarnation of Billy's mom. But that's a clever way to see it.

As I read Billy's talent/outlet was piano, The Five came to mind. The Five gave A LOT of details about keyboards. Made me think Mr.McCammon may be a player - ha ha.

One thing that I found unclear was whether or not Lonnie had been a real girl or just the shapeshifter. At the very bottom of page 400 to top of 401, it reads that she never existed, was only in his head. Like JJ, I assumed she had been real, just as he had been, only later as the shapeshifter.

[Pamellia]

Rebecca, I think Mr. Niles was more distasteful because he existed as more of a normal business man in the world...and yet he did some terrible things. Where as Mr. Krepsin was totally creepy...he wouldn't sneak up on any one, you see him and immediately know there is a problem.

Actually I think the fly might be Billy's friend who was killed at a young age...Was Lonnie the girl that drowned. I thought she was real?? I remember him saying she wasn't, but I think he was trying to convince himself to not remember it as real.

I'm going to have to read The Five, because I am a pianist.

[~katie~]

I finished reading Mystery Walk yesterday. So glad that this book was chosen for October because it was just the right kind of book to help get me out of a funky mood.
As I was reading along I couldn't help but notice that Ramona is one of those kind souls who teaches compassion for others through her loving example. Long before Billy finds out who Wayne really is, Ramona talks to Billy about him and tries to explain what we all should realize about the people that we don't get along with; that they have their own demons, that taking the higher road is the only sure way to influence people positively.
How complicated the characters were! It reminded me about how hate can become a habit for people when it is encouraged by others and when no opportunity comes around to experience humility.

It's a story about racism and self-righteousness and about how fear can turn our hearts away from what we should probably be embracing.
It's a story about pied pipers and lemmings and about true heroes as well.
I love the way McCammon tells a story. I remember a very tense moment early on when the KKK showed up at the Creekmore's home and as they were scrambling to get away, one car ended up sideswiping another. That just struck me as so funny. I love how he throws that stuff in there. McCammon always manages to strike a balance in his stories that makes them believable in the way that I require an author to be. Fantastical and honest (and always with the hope factor)!

[~katie~]

Charlene,
I did love the ending. Even though it has been years since I have read the book and I couldn't remember even one detail about it, I did remember the feeling that I got from it and knew that it was one worth revisiting. So grateful for my pitiful memory because it made all of the twists just as fun to experience the second time around. AND you are so right about empathizing with the bad guy (at least the Falconers) and then the ones who really ended up growing a whole ton through the story.
Rebecca, You are so right about Mr. Niles being more distasteful. Nothing like exploitation and that it what he was so good at. I don't think that Lonnie was real. I went back and forth on that but since it wasn't something that ever came up in the newspapers and since she seemed too over the top...I think she was not real.

Which reminds me...the ending again...Poor Wayne. How awesome it was that he came around when he did. It didn't seem too hard for him either because it does seem like once a person is able to learn the truth...they can pretty much handle anything. He would never have learned it if Ramona hadn't taught Billy to be compassionate...beautiful

Pamellia,
You brought up some really good points I love the way you think! The part about 'the truth' is so important. I think that Wayne was definitely at a disadvantage...as were his parents because they really didn't know what they were dealing with in him. Wow...that just makes me sadder for him. He didn't get to grow up with his mom to help him. The Falconers were so unprepared to deal with Wayne and not because they couldn't be but because they were more about power and notoriety. Not good.
My mom did needlepoint too and what you write about wanting to see it struck home. I love that Billy didn't think that he wanted the piece at the Barber Shop...I love that he wanted more to be touched by it. Pretty sweet!

[Char]

Wow, Katie! I enjoyed reading your comments. I, too, have that memory problem. :)

[~katie~]

Thank you, Charlene! :-)

[Char]

Randolph, I understand where you're coming from. I think this was an early work from McCammon. (I could be wrong on that, but from the style of the writing that's my guess. ) One of the reasons I like reading his older works is because I enjoy seeing his growth as a writer.
So even though I disagree with you somewhat, I can mostly see where you're coming from. :)

[Hunter]

Mystery Walk was McCammon's fifth novel.

Hunter

[Pamellia]

I do understand what you are saying Randolph. I would not say Mystery Walk is my favorite McCammon, but I did enjoy it and have perhaps some different opinions.

I thought it was believable for Billy to forgive the fire works in the bonfire kid. Billy's upbringing had a big influence on him and he saw how poorly his mother was treated, yet she was always willing to forgive. I think in Billy's world, it was just how things were...on to Usher's Passing...if I ever get there.

[~katie~]

Forgiving others who have changed and who have learned from their mistakes is not something that I could ever disagree with. :-) One thing that I have always been able to count on from McCammon is that there will be characters who stand tall in spite of the things that have happened to them. I am always keen on a book that gives out these messages of hope. It shows that we can and do have control over our lives once we take it and stop allowing evil and hateful influences to win!

[Char]

Nicely said, Katie. :)