Proud Readers of Great Stories discussion
note: This topic has been closed to new comments.
February Two Week Read
>
The Maze Runner Week 1: Chapters 1 - 31
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Letitgo
(new)
Jan 30, 2017 05:00PM
Mod
reply
|
flag
Yes, new, and after the first few chapters, I have absolutely no idea what's going on. But neither does Thomas, and I'm okay with that. :-)
Mod
Letitgo wrote: "About halfway done. Does anyone have an idea of what's going on? What's the purpose of the maze, and what's the purpose of the girl? Thoughts?"Not sure but I doing the reverse, reading the book after seeing the movie. I'm about halfway. The book is way different, and I'm not sure what's going on.
I voted for this one, and so far I'm not disappointed. But I have no idea what's going on either. Hehe!
The writing's okay. I'm intrigued. But nobody knows what's going on. The other boys in the maze won't even let on to what they know, and I'm more than halfway through the book. So yeah, still in the dark for the most part. Keep reading.
Just finished the book today. Spoiler-free thoughts: overall, I found the book just okay. Did the cutesie cussing bother anyone else? I found I was *really* bothered by the fact none of the boys will tell Thomas anything. Everyone seems mean for no reason. I'm not sure why I had a stronger reaction to that.
I wish the boys had some variation in terms of voice. All of the Gladers sound alike.
The last third of the book kept me interested, though. It makes me wonder if I will continue the series based on the last few chapters, or if I'd just be as satisfied reading the summaries of each of the next books.
Mod
Yeah, I think that's the author's purpose to keep the readers in the dark and it feels a bit contrived. It seems like a good idea, but I'm not sure Dashner's pulling it off.
k.wing wrote: "Just finished the book today. Spoiler-free thoughts: overall, I found the book just okay. Did the cutesie cussing bother anyone else? I found I was *really* bothered by the fact none of the boys ..."
Yes, it bothered me, too, K.wing. It just doesn't work for me in a dystopian. Doesn't seem necessary. And it also doesn't make sense that the boys are withholding information from Thomas. It feels more like they're withholding information from the reader.
It's okay, but I must admit, I thought it would be better.
Finished the first half. Now I'm looking for some answers. This is totally different then the film.
I will say that I like the multi-cultural aspect of the book, though Although Alby's role seems more token than an actual leadership on the part of Dashner.
John wrote: "k.wing wrote: "Just finished the book today. Spoiler-free thoughts: overall, I found the book just okay. Did the cutesie cussing bother anyone else? I found I was *really* bothered by the fact no..."
Totally agree, John. A bit to contrived for me.
Finished this morning ... returning to The Count.
Mod
Well, Anna, what say you about the Gladers, at the least the first half?
I like it so far. I must have missed that this was a movie too. It'll be interesting to watch it after the group read. Doesn't anyone know who this girl might be?
Newt is the best character and obviously the real leader but nobody's talking about anything.
I didn't start this until two days ago, which is my fault for not checking what order we were reading the books this month sooner! (I've had the Maze Runner loaded on my tablet since last year, so this is the perfect motivation to finally read it.)I've just started chapter 18, and I'm still not sure how I'm feeling about it. I don't mind Thomas' questioning, because that seems natural. It seems like the other characters go overboard in avoiding answering even the least thing, which is probably what John means in that Dashner's making the 'mystery' seem contrived. It also seems a bit contrived, how he's thrusting Thomas immediately into the 'special hero' role. It's not bad or boring, it's just not standing out to me yet.
(I'm not a big fan of the slang, either.)
Taryn wrote: "Anna wrote: "Finished this morning ... returning to The Count."Well, Anna, what say you about the Gladers, at the least the first
half?"
Well, Taryn, first impressions ... they are surprisingly organized and willing to do their respective jobs. I does seem hard to believe that none of them are more curious about why they are there, why they have to battle the Grievers, etc. And it makes no sense to me that they are surprised that a newbie is asking questions.
What are your thoughts?
Mod
Agreed, Janelle. The read is good enough, but all the mystery seems unnecessary and as you and John pointed out, a bit contrived. Add to that they introduce a girl (a pretty girl which also feels contrived) and straightaway put her in a coma which muddies the water even more.
Mod
Well, Anna, what say you about the Gladers, at the least the first
half?"
Well, Taryn, first impressions ... they ar..."
You said it all for me, Anna. There's absolutely no reason the other Gladers should be surprised by Thomas' questions. They hear them every time a new boy is introduced to the mix, and the haven't been there long enough to forget they had the same questions, more or less, when they arrived.
Mod
Lol, I was digging the book until I jumped in the discussion. It does feel a little made up with all the blatant secrets.
I like it because it's a boy story, but the slang is annoying. The griever also isn't described as scary as the boys make it out to be.
I think I'm liking the discussion better than the novel. Maybe the big reveal, in the end, will be worth the darkness we've had to endure along with the Thomas for the first half of the book. I agree with Janelle about the instahero, too. All too much too quickly.
Janelle wrote: "I didn't start this until two days ago, which is my fault for not checking what order we were reading the books this month sooner! (I've had the Maze Runner loaded on my tablet since last year, so ..."Good observation on the instahero role, Janelle, a little too quick.
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
