June 2017 - Group Read #2 – The Library at Mount Char

[Kimberly]

43% and this is like reading an ENTIRELY different book!

[Lena]

Yes it is!

[Graeme]

Evocative terms, "Heart coal."

[Nicole]

Up to The Luckiest Chicken in the World and I am already loving this bizarre and out of earth book!! Love the whole confusion around the stories but that's the whole purpose of reading something that's definitely out of your own range 👌

[Kimberly]

Nicole wrote: "Up to The Luckiest Chicken in the World and I am already loving this bizarre and out of earth book!! Love the whole confusion around the stories but that's the whole purpose of reading something th..."

I have to agree--this isn't a book I would have picked up based on the synopsis alone, which is one of the reasons I LOVE these group reads, and commit to reading and participating in at least one each month, no matter what book gets chosen. I've found several that I had to buy to put on the shelves after I finished them, through these. :)

[Kimberly]

Finished--and I have to add that everyone who said to "stick with this one" after the awkward beginning, was right! This book was incredible once the pieces started falling into place! :)

[Marco]

Yep that chicken was really lucky!

[Jen from Quebec :0)]

WHAT THE..? But...HOW...I mean...

I am like, 75% finished with this wacky, awesome book (apparently)...but I do not understand. HOW can THIS not be the ENDING?? Surely, there is nothing more...? Yet my audio book still has like, 3 HOURS left to go, and I must say- I am super pleased that there is more to this crazy story...but yeah...I also absolutely thought that what I've just read was definitely the end of it all...so excited (and confused again- but in a good way).

Yes, it is THAT kind of book...the kind that turns me into a mumbling, blathering idiot. --Jen from Quebec :0)

[Lena]

Crazy hasn't even begun girl! You haven't looked behind the curtain yet.

[Kimberly]

Lena wrote: "Crazy hasn't even begun girl! You haven't looked behind the curtain yet."
THAT'S the truth!!!!

[Nate]

I felt exactly the same way at 75% or so. It sure felt like the end. Enjoy the rest; I sure did!

[Becko]

Finished this last night - wasn't planning to stay up that late but I got to a certain point and like has been said couldn't think of what else could be told. Totally different than what I thought this story was going to be when I started ( me likey).

[Jen from Quebec :0)]

OK-- had a crazy night last night, only 3 hours sleep, my boyfriend lost his job, family arrived, chaos occurred, and all I could think of was: "I wonder what the hell could happen next in that book??" Back to it!! --Jen from Quebec :0) (Yes, I DO use reading to escape real life- haven't we allll been guilty of this, though? I hope so, anyways).

[Lena]

I feel you Jenn. That's also why I read so many books at the same time.

[Melissa]

This on my TBR list! Probably will be far behind everyone, but I'll start soon.

[WendyB , Witchy Woman]

Melissa wrote: "This on my TBR list! Probably will be far behind everyone, but I'll start soon."

Don't worry, Melissa. The thread stays up and active for as long as anyone wants to discuss the book.
Welcome to HA!

[Nate]

I love the ending sequence.

(view spoiler)[How many times in life do you say or think, I would never do such and such, and immediately find yourself with the sneaking suspicion that you may do that very thing? I love how this ended with Carolyn performing the one act you are sure she would never perform - the resurrection of Father. And he was actually kind of a cool dude with an amazingly long con. (hide spoiler)]

[Scott]

The last 25% of the book is simply put...an amazing piece of modern fiction. I loved this book more than words can describe.

[Marti]

What a crazy interesting gem of a book! I really enjoyed it through all the confusion and puzzle pieces snapping together at just the last minute. I keep recommending it to people but am at a loss for words to describe it. I don't really consider it horror, though there were some horrific scenes...

[Graeme]

It's at times savage rather than horrific.

[Nate]

Agreed, I think it's more fantasy than horror, but it does resist labels. Which is probably a good sign. Parts of this were reminiscent of a Tarantino movie in the brutality, seeming randomness, and humor in the midst of all that. For me, the character Steve and his adventures were worth the price of admission right there. The cosmic backstory and it's religious underpinnings were magnificent and elevated the story beyond genre, IMHO.

[J.N.]

Interesting comments. I won't be able to read this just yet, but based on the commentary, I'm adding it to my to-read list.

Tarantino? Winner!

[Graeme]

Here's my review - no spoilers in it. 5 Stars: Scott Hawkins has written a story that blends brutality, savagery, madness, beauty, compassion, self-sacrifice, duty, courage, friendship and wisdom in one book....

[Kimberly]

Great review, Graeme!

[Graeme]

Gee, thanks Kimberly. Much appreciated.

[Nate]

Excellent review, Graeme! I couldn't have said it better. I'm so glad this came up as a group read; it might have moldered away in my TBR pile forever otherwise.

[Graeme]

Thanks Nate. Glad you enjoyed the book.

[Melissa]

Just picked it up from the Library, anxious to start.

[Lena]

You won't regret it!

[Jen from Quebec :0)]

I SO did not expect that ending....well, now, wait- I guess I never expected ANY of the things that happened to happen, really, when I think about it! This was a most UNpredictable book! (In the very best of ways) --Jen from Quebec :0)

[Kimberly]

Jennifer Lynn wrote: "I SO did not expect that ending....well, now, wait- I guess I never expected ANY of the things that happened to happen, really, when I think about it! This was a most UNpredictable book! (In the ve..."

Exactly!!!

[Jen from Quebec :0)]

If pressed, I don't think I could really say WHO exactly is 'the bad guy' of the novel....! --Jen from Quebec :0)

[Graeme]

Carolyn vs David.

Then Carolyn vs self.

[Jen from Quebec :0)]

And Adam Black is NOT considered an antagonist as well? Nor the government, at times? And when you say 'Carolyn .vs. David', whom do you feel is the protagonist in that situation? Carolyn=good, David=bad? Just curious what ppl think! --Jen from Quebec :0)

[Graeme]

@Jennifer.

(view spoiler)[Carolyn is responding to David's specific behaviour towards her (rape, violence, etc), and when she parks him in a state of perpetual suffering - that is a personal response - aka revenge.

Carolyn has a heart coal.

The trouble is, that Carolyn extracting revenge is bad for everyone else, except some of the other immortals that will profit from the ensuing chaos.

The role of antogonist shifts during the story depending on (1) the visibility and (2) evolution of relationships between the central characters.

The US.gov wasn't an antagonist at it never had the power to influence the core events. It only appeared to be a player to those wedded to its power (such as it was) such as the President. It wasn't capable of 'smiting' anyone important.

Adam Black was enforcing a detente amongst the immortals - as soon as he stepped out of the way, one of the others (Iron Duke, etc) would re-write the world in their image, but he wanted to start again with a clean slate and couldn't do that here. He needed a successor to take things forward. Someone he could trust not to screw things up.

He believed for a long time it would be David - it turned out to be Carolyn. (hide spoiler)]

[Erik]

Just started this last night -- looks very good!

[Erik]

I finished this the other day and have just added a review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I love the chapter titles and the imagination shown.

[Melissa]

I'm finished! That was definitely out there! Reminded me of a book club book I read with my high school students titled Going Bovine. My favorites were Steve, Michael, Petey, Mrs. McGillicutty, Dresden, and Naga. Aside from David and Father, it struck me as more sci-fi/fantasy. Glad I read it though, it was on my TBR list for a while now.

[[deleted user]]

Well, I guess I'm a little late to the post. I enjoyed this book, but it was a bit too fantastic for my tastes. I'd have liked it better if it had remained more low-fantasy. Things got pretty cosmic by the end. Still, Hawkins is a talented author - can't wait to see what he does next.

[Nancy]

I am a year and half late to reading this (even though I posted that I would try to squeeze it in).

Loved it! Mind blown. It gave me a huge book hangover.

[Marie Helene]

Any time is the right time 👏