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The Passage by Justin Cronin
message 151:
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Adam
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Jan 25, 2014 09:33AM
I have dropped every other book until I finish this.
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I'll probably do the same as I feel like I've been reading this for ages. I need to make some room for Feb's book reads:)
I'm at 51% and not sure if it's worth continuing. I don't want to be bored for another 200 pages or so before it gets good again. I think I'll set it aside for now. I need a Curran novella or something to break this up and then maybe come back to it.
I just picked up Headhunter, 11. That one looks good.
I've just downloaded that, it looks so good.
I can't disagree with everyone saying it's too slow to continue with, as I felt the same way. But I'm glad I finished it and would happily recommend it to others with the proviso it is slow in parts.
I've finished and I love the book. It didn't matter much that it was a bit slow, I loved how the story progressed. The ending was good as well(view spoiler)
Ok, finally finished the book today. I have to say that I forced myself to continue, just so I could put this one behind me. I was almost bored to tears about 80% of the time, this one could have used a lot of editing. Not sure if I would be interested in reading the next book in the series. Good writing, but slow slow slow and some parts just seemed totally unnecessary.
One important thing for people to know going in is that this is not an action packed horror novel. That isn't what this book sets out to be so I think it is a mistake for anyone to market it as horror. It has horror elements but isn't really a "horror" novel. If you go in believing it is, then you will probably be disappointed. If you like the mystery of an apocalypse scenario unfolding over time, then this is more for you. Just so people know, the parts that seem pointless now will pay off later in this book and the future ones. I've already seen this happen while reading "The Twelve".
Same with me, I loved the Twelve and I'm dying for the third. What did you think of Wolgasts wife?
Angie wrote: "Same with me, I loved the Twelve and I'm dying for the third. What did you think of Wolgasts wife?"I don't want to spoil anything for others who might continue so(view spoiler)
One thing I love about Mr. Cronin is that he said when he wrote "The Passage" he wanted to write a book about a girl who saves the world. I love that idea.
I finished and will say Isabella nailed it with her statement. Not a horror novel, really. Does that mean I didn't like it? Not at all, I really enjoyed it as I began to settle in a little over halfway into it. I have an affinity for apocalyptic fiction,.and this book was a unique spin on the genre. I will read the second one.
This book shows us where the horror genre can go. It's one of those rare novels that can bring non-horror people into the fold. True, it's not hard-core horror as recent posts have pointed out; it's almost the apex of what should really be a genre unto itself nowadays: apocalyptic fiction. But it's too bloody and frightening in places to be classified anything else by a book store trying to sell books, I think. Still, it's really social theory and literary fiction with monsters and world-ending cataclysm. It's beautifully written by one of America's more accomplished young literary authors, and yet not a single line seemed pretentious or unnecessary. Really, as gripping and well-crafted the story is, and as fleshed out as (most, but not all) of the characters are, the writing is elegant, sometimes even gorgeous (especially in the first 150 pages). No small feat. It's what makes this book stand apart. Can you tell that I loved it? The Twelve was almost as good as this, also a book I called in sick to work one day to hammer through, but I enjoyed the Passage more.
It looks like some people really loved it and others found it a lot of work to get through. I felt like it got bogged down in unnecessary character studies rather than focusing on the important plot points, which created pacing issues. I suppose some people would compare it to Swan Song, which is a book I absolutely loved and has the same "girl saves the world" theme, but I found Swan Song to be much more enthralling. To each his own.
I started reading The Passage independent of this discussion and stumbled into the comments after I finished by virtue of Angie. Everyone makes strong points here, but I'd definitely agree with Isabella and award the book 5 stars. I'm not sure what to categorize it as, but I notice when I love a book like this, I call it "Suspense" and when I hate it I call it "Horror". I was never bored. Cronin has the ability to very quickly invest my emotions in characters, and I dig well written novels about the collapse and rebuilding of a world.
Cronin's research was bananas. I love how plot twists hinged on things like radio signals, battery power or firearms. Reminded me of James Cameron using the Vietnam War to plot Aliens. It's science fiction, but grounded in logistics. I felt I was in the hands of a gifted storyteller, not somebody making things up as they went along.
I wanted to give props to Maxine who even in her negative appraisal cites Swan Song, which is a terrific read as well. I think Cronin might be more dexterous with character than McCammon but both books are fantastic. I knew I was into it when my favorite character seems to be dead at the end, only to pull through her attack after all.
I'm curious if anyone has read the sequel and how it compares.
Well.said, Joe.Maxine, the reason I decided to ride out the deep characterizations was a matter of realizing this is a trilogy, so the slow build up is understandable. Swan Song was a much more concise novel and worked perfectly the way it was. I completely understand how you feel about The Passage, though. There were several times I wanted to walk away, but it kept calling to me, and I am happy I answered.
Hey Joe, I'm really pleased you enjoyed The Passage in the end:D Its one of my favourite books and it caught me up straight away. I've read The Twelve and its a brilliant book. Its still got JC same style of writing but instead of Wolgasts back story it follows his ex-wife. I'd definitely recommend you read it:) I'm dying for the next one but I don't know when its release date is yet but I hope its soon.
I loved this book I am looking forward to reading the next book
Joe wrote: "I started reading The Passage independent of this discussion and stumbled into the comments after I finished by virtue of Angie. Everyone makes strong points here, but I'd definitely agree with I..."
So true about his research. It's the thing that separates the great authors from the good ones. I trusted his world when I realized I was learning about electronics, radio signals, and certain medical/ biological stuff. All while being terrified a plague of vampires would turn off the lights. And that constant fear about the lights going off, how he used real research into the parts of those lights and how they'd degrade and how they could be maintained to make you understand that he set the future parts of the book at such a date that would indicate thing were going to just stop working working by virtue of becoming antiques from an old world... Yeah, this was a book I just can't imagine not loving, although I do understand some people being put off by certain characters becoming wooden. I think the Twelve was more action-packed, but I still enjoyed the Passage more. There was just such incredible research into building up a believable world ending scenario.
Finally getting back to this as I have a crew of other books waiting, I need to finish this, and not regretfully so. Still enjoying and Lish kicks ass!
Maus and the baby....what a guilty secret to keep! I never would have guessed!
Could there be some mind control going on?
Ok. I know I'm just talking to myself cuz everyone else is done but after Michael read the chip, wow, this just got 10 shades more interesting. I'm prob wrong, but maybe wolgast is alive and is transmitting the message. That would be awesome!
I am going to read the sequel withAngie, soon. Hope you join us. This one's success really depends on how well you survive the world building through the middle. Once you getused to the setting and the nuances of the characters, it gets quite interesting. My mind was working on that part with the chip, as well. Cronin is the real deal. Flyers is a word I could happily never hear again, though.
Flyers Adam! I totally agree. Don't you think its kinda catching though:) I would love to join, but I'm such a sllooww reader...lol. Hope you guys don't do it this month. Got a hefty load, but I would do it in march for sure.
I thought I'd commented on this thread with you Addy! It must of been another. The whole idea of a transmitter still broadcasting after 90 years is strange. I mean who could still be alive to do that. Didn't Wolgast die of radiation poisoning at that cabin he and Amy stayed at?Wasn't it good when Amy first started speaking again. I like her so much:) I love Lish and Michael as well.
Sounds like you're right on board now, Addy. Glad you're enjoying it. And you're almost there :-) As is my copy of The Twelve, which for some reason is almost two weeks behind the other books I ordered at the same time...
I'm always waiting for book deliveries lol. Some of them take forever to get here. I don't have a decent second hand shop in my area so I order used books from Amazon and get some good bargains.Where are you up to Addy?
I'm at the part where they're getting ready to leave the fire station.
So they're on the road then, I think Amy is really loving being with people again. I can't imagine what it was like for her to spend 90 years on her own
The thing about wolgast....i can dream can't I?:) My hope, even though its not logical, is that Amy and him would be reunited someday.
I love how this suddenly went to journal style. I love this style the best! Any book read like your reading a journal really captures my attention.
The old lady's journel that lives in the the little town with peter and Michael. She can remember stuff that the others can't even imagine, like Christmas. Can you imagine not knowing those things that are so taken for granted?The whole of her last journey with her dad through the streets was terrifying.
WTH!! Ok, so Theo is alive??!! Are the virals part of some sick twisted game? I honestly thought they were just virals...lol. Shows how much I know.
Damn this is killing me...i want to know what the heck I'm dealing with...75% looks like I'm gonna go for 80.
Addy, I realised you meant Sara's journal!! It is good reading what it was like for them on the road. So 80%, you're so near the end now. So are you up to section 9?If you are the book seems to steamroll from there!
Yes Angie, I'm almost there! But it might have to wait, my husband wants to watch a movie tonight.
Even I can't wait till you get there! I'm dying to talk about it with you:) Enjoy the film and let me know when you start reading again. I love being able to talk book with my friends:-)
Me too Angie! Can't wait! I'm still thinking about what I read today. I'm crossing my fingers that I finish tomorrow. Wont be able to read much on weekend.
The train scene was cool, but its kinda sad what happened to Caleb. He was so spunky.
I feel like all my friends in this story are leaving me. Caleb, lish, Theo, maus...who's next?
Justin Cronin doesn't worry about taking his characters out of his book. He makes you like them and really want to see more of as the book goes on then poof!! They're gone.So if you've just left the train that means you've just been to las Vegas. What a crazy place that was. But if you think about It, there is many people left so the 12 would have to ration.
Keep going, Addy. You are still not to the best part. Unless you finished already. You are in for a treat.
From when the train crashes the book does speed up. I loved everything about this book,apart from that section before Amy turned at the town on the hill. The second time I read it I understood the need for new characters.
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The Twelve (other topics)Under the Dome (other topics)
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