November 2017 - The Shell Collector

[Silver]

Debra wrote: "Silver: If you think of the name of the book about .."

I looked it up and it is called A Sense of the World: How a Blind Man Became History's Greatest Traveler

[[deleted user]]

Debra wrote: "Silver: If you think of the name of the book about the blind explorer, I'd be interested.

[spoilers removed]

Lisa: Thanks for your input. I enjoy how we often learn something new/factual when rea..."

Discussing books with others does open your eyes to other possibilities and view points. I often find, if I know I am going to comment on/discuss a book, I pay more attention.

In addition to magical realism, I don't read a lot of fantasy either, but would like to rectify that.

[Cherie]

I read finished the first story, The Shell Collector before I picked up my challenge book. (view spoiler)[ My first thought was at how typical it seems that just when you are happy and where you want to be in your life, doing what you want to do, people can't leave you alone. Not that it happens intentionally, like in Nancy's case. She didn't seek him out, but he was stuck with her nevertheless. He couldn't just leave her on the beach. After she recovered from the malaria and talked his ear off, she came to the conclusion that she was meant to be there. Did he have a choice? He did, but he didn't choose to make her go away. Maybe if he had, there wouldn't be any more to this story! So the little cone bit her and cured her of her malaria. Then he made her go away, but the damage was done. And the rest of the story happened. At the end, was he back in his happy place once again? Was it coincidence that the young girl, whose life he had saved by allowing the cone to bite her, was the one who found him and nursed him back to health? Why didn't he die? (hide spoiler)].

[Cherie]

The Hunter's Wife (view spoiler)[Now that was a story! I really liked it. I have not read this author before, although I have had All the Light We Cannot See on my TBR list for a long time.
He can paint with words! I could feel the cold and wet in the forest when they were out walking. I could almost feel the life that was all around them. What an amazing talent she had. He did not mind when she told him about the animals and his dreams but when she told him she was helping people, he thought she was taking advantage of them and their grief. I could understand why she was hiding the money, but it it was not clear why. Was she planning on leaving him? The scene at the end seemed to imply that he finally understood her and what she could do for people. Is that what it was all finally about? (hide spoiler)]

[Eliestal]

I finished the first story, The Shell Collector this morning:
(view spoiler)[As someone who was born and grew up on an island, I loved the setting of this story. I knew some of the species but had to search the terms anyway since I am not familiar with their english or binomial names.
It was surprising to have a blind marine biologist but I think it served as proof that he is among the best in this field, which is why I think he knew about the properties of the poison.
It was infuriating to see people invade his home after the first woman survived the venom and everything went downhill from here. People robbed him of the joy he found in his work.
At the end, it was like a soft reset because, even though his son died, they were never close to begin with, and he can now start to appreciate the confort of his own home and passion again.
It was a very interesting story and made me feel for the shell collector and his situation. For now I can't say if it's my favorite since it is the only one I've read. (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

Silver wrote: Mssg 43 - Spoiler..."

Silver you had a really good insight about (view spoiler)[the healing powers of the toxin not working on shell collector, as it had the other two people. The others were seeking treatment and a small cone shell was purposely used. I am thinking maybe the shell collector got a bigger dose of the toxin, too. There is such a thing as "the placebo effect" in medicine, which may have played a part in their healing but then maybe Doerr was also making a commentary about faith? (hide spoiler)]

Also, thanks for posting the link to A Sense of the World. I had never heard of that story before.

Clément wrote: "I finished the first story, The Shell Collector this morning: ..."

(view spoiler)[It was surprising to have a blind marine biologist but I think it served as proof that he is among the best in this field, which is why I think he knew about the properties of the poison.
I agree! It also showed a person's ability to persevere in a profession they have a talent for or enjoy. (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

The Hunter's Wife:
(view spoiler)[Magical realism stories are usually hit and miss with me. As always, I love Doerr's way with words but I didn't really care for the story. I also wasn't sure why after 20 years of being estranged from his wife, the hunter would decide to accept an invitation to an event being held in Mary's honor at the university? It was a convenient way to end the story though. (hide spoiler)]

[Lilisa]

Cherie wrote: "I read finished the first story, The Shell Collector before I picked up my challenge book. [spoilers removed]."

Cherie - you pose interesting Qs (view spoiler)[Right, he was happy, enjoying his solitude and nature - and then the "hoards" came - Nancy, the two Jims - so stereotypical of the loud bumbling folks. I like that Doerr didn't tie this story up with a red bow -- I want to believe that the after the young girl took care of him - returning the earlier favor - that he was able to return to his life of peace and pleasure. (hide spoiler)]

[Lilisa]

Cherie wrote: "The Hunter's Wife Now that was a story! I really liked it. I have not read this author before, although I have had All the Light We Cannot See on my TBR list for a long time.
He can paint with word..."

Cherie - glad you enjoyed this one too. I interpreted (view spoiler)[her hiding the money this way - she though he wouldn't approve of what she was doing, folks wanted to pay her and she didn't want to refuse and I had the feeling she was also saving it for a rainy day - wondering if living with him in that environment was sustainable long term. I'm not sure that he understood her finally, but I think he came to the realization that he had to make some sacrifices - just like she did - for their relationship - if they were going to rekindle it. She gave up her world for him for the time she lived with him in his world. Now it was time for him to be in her world and appreciate what she enjoyed and gave her pleasure and satisfaction, just like she did when she supported his love of nature, hunting, etc. Again, I love that Doerr leaves the door open to interpretation. If there was a course on this book, it would be fun to take it. This book would make a great live book group discussion choice as well, where conversation would be at the "now and ready." (hide spoiler)]

[Lilisa]

Clément wrote: "I finished the first story, The Shell Collector this morning:
As someone who was born and grew up on an island, I loved the setting of this story. I knew some of the species but had to search the t..."

Clemente - great to hear your perspective (view spoiler)[about living on an island and the believability of the shell collector's marine biology prowess. I too hope he was able to enjoy his peaceful life again after the hoards left him alone. What are your fondest memories of growing up on an island? (hide spoiler)]

[Cherie]

Lisa A ⛅ wrote: "The Hunter's Wife:
[spoilers removed]"

A way to end a story. (view spoiler)[ I like your conclusion, about a means to an ending. Magic realism is hit and miss with me too. I usually just decide that I have to go with it, because I cannot see any way to do it. I wondered why the husband was going to see his wife perform, even before the story was under way. (hide spoiler)]

[Cherie]

Lilisa wrote: "Cherie wrote: "I read finished the first story, The Shell Collector before I picked up my challenge book. [spoilers removed]."

Cherie - you pose interesting Qs [spoilers removed]"

[Eliestal]

Lilisa wrote: "Clément wrote: "I finished the first story, The Shell Collector this morning:
As someone who was born and grew up on an island, I loved the setting of this story. I knew some of the species but had..."

I'm 25 now and I lived there for the first 20 years. I go home at least once a year though since all my family members live there. I love that in the span of about 90min max you can go from beach to mountain to volcano to city. By car you can drive around the island in about 4 hours so this is great. I compete in a lot of tennis tournaments so when I was there I was always on the road with my parents on the week ends. The tropical climate is a big plus too (I am not a fan of this period of the year in the north hemisphere...)

[Silver]

I just finished The Hunter's Wife

(view spoiler)[I truly loves this story. One of the things I most appreciated about this story was the author's description of nature. Particularly the winter landsacpe. As the hunter's wife, winter is one of my favorite seasons because of the stillness and the quiet.

I agree with having mixed feelings about the hunter and his job. He is what I considerva true/honorable hunter. Someone who lives off the land and respects the environment. He is very primitive. But I was dissapointed in his willingness to guide what seemed liked rich yahoos who wanted to kill things just for the thrill and bragging rights of having killed something. In a way it is as if he was helping others destroy what he proclaimed to love.

I see a lot of similarities between this story and the Shell Collector. Both stories highlight the beauty and destructive powers of miracles both the hunter and the shell collector lost somethng because of miracles. Magic always requires some sacrifices. There is always a take for the give. (hide spoiler)]

[Cherie]

I read So Many Chances last night. I started it before I went to bed and finished it after I had climbed in. When I woke up this morning, it took me 10 minutes before I could recall what the story was about. I almost reached out to look in the book before it came to me. I was a pretty good story - nothing strange or magical, but it apparently did not make an impression on my psyche. (view spoiler)[I felt bad for the young girl and really for her family too. They did not seem very happy, to say the least. I was happy for Dorotea, that she finally learned to use her fly rod and actually caught a fish. I thought she was going to take it home, but then she released it. I think this story was about the struggle to find what makes you happy and be able to feel good about yourself. I think that is what happened to Dorotea at the end and why she released the fish. (hide spoiler)]

[Silver]

I just finished So Many Chances

(view spoiler)[ I thought this was a truly beautiful story with very moving descriptions. The way it started I anticipated the story would have a tragic ending. I was expecting either the mother or Dorotea would end up killing themselves. I really liked the way in which the ending almost seemed like a more hopeful rendition of The Old Man and the Sea instead of being about coming to the end of life it was about the beginning of a life.

I liked the symbolic aspect of the story. In a way The Boy seemed almost like a merman. He appeared to show Dorotea the way to her passion and her true self and then retreated back into the sea. I found it interesting that the Giant was the one who gave her the skill she needed. (hide spoiler)]

[Lilisa]

Clément wrote: "Lilisa wrote: "Clément wrote: "I finished the first story, The Shell Collector this morning:
As someone who was born and grew up on an island, I loved the setting of this story. I knew some of the ..."

What great memories of growing up on the island, Clement! Which island is that? Sounds like you're continuing to create memories every year as well - sounds wonderful. Maybe half the year spent in sunny climes - like now, and the summer months in the northern hemisphere would suit you well! :-)

[Lilisa]

Silver - I agree, which is why The Shell Collector and The Hunter's Wife tied for first place as favs. Silver/Cherie - Second Chances was good but not great for me. (view spoiler)[I found that a common thread in Doerr's stories seem to be a somewhat obsessive attraction that the main characters have for either their partner or another person - like Silver's "merman" - (hide spoiler)]

[Cherie]

I finished story #4, For a Long Time This Was Griselda's Story (view spoiler)[when I finished, I thought, so? what? Is there a moral? Is it like, {home is where the heart is?} As I was writing down the title, I think I understood. The title said it all... (hide spoiler)]. Did I get it? I think I want my two hours back!

[Trudy]

Cherie wrote: "I finished story #4, For a Long Time This Was Griselda's Story [spoilers removed]. Did I get it? I think I want my two hours back!"

I felt the same way after I finished reading Griselda. But, a week later, this is the story that I remember most completely.

[Cherie]

Isn't it ironic what sticks with you sometimes? After not being able to remember the third story, of Dorotea, when I first woke up this morning, it stuck with me all through the day. I kept thinking of the descriptions of the water and the colors. I have this strange green color in my head, like light sage green. I never felt any ocean pounding or waves breaking, only little combers rolling in. The mist was almost a character too.

[Cherie]

Chugging right along, I finished story #5 July Fourth (view spoiler)[ A whopper of a fish tale. Did you feel sorry for the poor guys? They were trying so hard and no matter what the hardship or what happened, they were determined to fish right up until the last day to try to win the bet and not have to run naked through the street. The one that got away is always the biggest fish, and I guess we are supposed to feel good for the American fishermen that they allowed the huge carp to go back into the river, even if the only people who saw it were the school girls and their teachers, who had been calling them Fools. They knew that they had caught the largest fish, even if they had no evidence. In their hearts, they were happy. Well, that is what I got out of the story. It was a fun read. (hide spoiler)]

[Cherie]

Silver wrote: "I just finished So Many Chances..."

(view spoiler)[ I like your thoughts on the symbolism of the boy and the Giant. I was surprised that the Giant actually showed up to take her fishing and that he helped her. His method was different than the boy's, but Dorotea still must have gotten some helpful hints from him. I think just having him be there was helpful. (hide spoiler)]

[Cherie]

Story #6 is done. I feel exhausted after reading The Caretaker. (view spoiler)[Quite the emotional roller coaster. I thought the beginning was very clever. I couldn't stop until I found out why his mother made his bed and cooked his meals for 35 years. I thought something was wrong with him. Well, something was, but you know what I mean? Then, I wanted to, quit I mean, especially after the war stuff started and the grueling/gruesome stuff kept coming. Anyway, then he got to Oregon and those crazy people have him that winter caretaker job. That was crazy! Then, the whales and the hearts. I could not believe the story kept going on and on and on. And he got fired. And he went back and planted a garden and lived in the forest and ate what???? And he saved the girl's life and learned sign language. Ok- seriously, I'm done. That was a short story? I didn't like it. Even the ending. (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

So far, I actually liked So Many Chances the best, perhaps because the story sounded more realistic and wasn't reliant on magical elements. As Cherie mentioned, the descriptions of the ocean and seaside environment was well done.

There wasn't any profound message that came across in For a Long Time This Was Griselda's Story . Maybe I am missing something though.

[Trudy]

Cherie wrote: "Chugging right along, I finished story #5 July Fourth [spoilers removed]"

I thought this story was quite different from all the others in the book. (view spoiler)[ I didn’t feel sorry for the Americans at all! It was a fun challenge, and they lost. (hide spoiler)]

[Cherie]

TrudyAn wrote: "Cherie wrote: "Chugging right along, I finished story #5 July Fourth [spoilers removed]"

I thought this story was quite different from all the others in the book. [spoilers removed]"

I thought it was a fun story too, and yes, different than the others.

[Cherie]

Mr. Doerr must like to fly fish. A Tangle by the Rapid River (view spoiler)[Finally, a story that I can identify as allegory, I think. The man's fishing trip that day was the story of his marriage and his secret love affair. The first fish that he caught and lovingly released back into the river. The line tangled in the bush and his decision to go back and fish was the result of his secret love affair and it potentially being found out. The second fish, the one that took all of his line and got away, is his lover, the line laying slack in the water is what all of the rest of his life will be like, after his niece tells on him. I love the descriptions of the river and the fishing lore. (hide spoiler)]

One to go, another longer one.

[[deleted user]]

So to hear July Fourth was a fun story. That is up next for me.

TrudyAnn and Cherie- You are making fast reading progress.

[Cherie]

Yes, Lisa - the July Fourth story is a little more fun.

I think Trudy is done reading. One more for me.

I have another book of short stories to read after this, for my yearly challenge list and an alternate short story selection. Some day, I am going to tackle the complete short stories of Papa Hemingway, but not this year.

[Eliestal]

My reading is starting to slow down a bit. I blame it on the growing cold :p
But I finished the second story The Hunter's Wife and I think I liked it less than The Shell Collector. The writing is still beautiful and it is still very different from what I'm used to.
(view spoiler)[When I started reading it, I assume it was a short romance story (and I was thrilled because I love romance) but seeing the relationship I was a little disappointed. It felt like two people alone living together, like they were more interested in their own passion/gift than each other. In that regard, their reactions were very logical.
The invitation to the event at the end was too little too late. I don't think you can rekindle the flame like that after so much time especially when their respective world are so different. (hide spoiler)]

@Lilisa - I am from Reunion Island, a (very) small island in the Indian Ocean.

[Sarah]

Wow Clément. Just looked at Reunion Island on the map. I bet it's an amazing place. I have never heard of it before so I've been reading through Wikipedia as you do. I was surprised to see it is a "region of France".

[Eliestal]

Sarah wrote: "Wow Clément. Just looked at Reunion Island on the map. I bet it's an amazing place. I have never heard of it before so I've been reading through Wikipedia as you do. I was surprised to see it is a ..."

It is amazing but my point of view might be a little biased :p

A lot of people are surprised at first (even some French people) I think the term in english is "overseas department". It is the same denomination as Guadeloupe, Martinique or French Guiana.

[Lilisa]

Clément wrote: "My reading is starting to slow down a bit. I blame it on the growing cold :p
But I finished the second story The Hunter's Wife and I think I liked it less than The Shell Collector. The writing is s..."

Thanks Clement - love that you find it amazing and it sounds lovely. What is the food like? I'm imagining a combination of many influences/flavors? In the far recesses of my memory lurks a book that mentions Reunion Island but I can't remember. I though maybe Papillon but that was French Guyana. Now that's going to bug me the rest of the day...

[Lilisa]

@Cherie - The Caretakers(view spoiler)[was interesting. When I started it, I though, now this is a bit different than his other stories. And then the caretaker shows up in Oregon, then the whales show up, and I was intrigued to see where the story would go. The hearts part was not believable and I couldn't suspend belief, like I was willing to for some of his other stories. (hide spoiler)]

@Clement - The Hunter's Wife (view spoiler)[I attributed the hunter's change of heart to his realization that he wanted to rekindle his relationship maybe because he was lonely, longed for what could have been or was just getting older realizing he couldn't continue living the life he was. Who knows? I liked this story because unlike some of the others - he ended the story with a glimmer of hope. (hide spoiler)]

Griselda was meh for me and I breezed through Tangled River - Cherie - I will have to go back and re-read it with your thoughts in mind. I'm glad I bought the book - this is one I feel I can re-read a few times and pick up something new each time - there's so much in each story that can be interpreted every which way...

[Cherie]

Lilisa wrote: "In the far recesses of my memory lurks a book that mentions Reunion Island but I can't remember. I though maybe Papillon but that was French Guyana. Now that's going to bug me the rest of the day..."

I think I have heard of Reunion Island too, probably in a book and like you, it will drive me crazy trying to figure out where. The only possibility I can think of right now is in one of the Patrick O'Brian Aubrey/Maturin series books I have read. I will have to look through the story summaries and see.

re: The Hunter's Wife (view spoiler)[Yes, I like your idea that he went to see his wife because he was lonely. I initially thought, just because he was curious, after all of those years and because of where she was "performing". (hide spoiler)]

[Cherie]

Clément wrote: "I am from Reunion Island, a (very) small island in the Indian Ocean..."

Like Sarah, I will be off to the internet as soon as I get out of a meeting that is just about to start. :o)

[Silver]

I just finished For a Long Time this was Griselda's Story

(view spoiler)[ Like many others this was thus far one of my least favorite stories. One of the reason I did not connect as well to this story as the others was because of its lack of emphasis on nature. I find it interesting though how the auhor weaves threads of connection between so many of the stories. There were parallels between this story and The Hunter's Wife.

I ponder over the message in Griselda's speach to the neighborhood. I wonder if she meant that her life was not so remarkable/glamourus as they all seemed to think or if she was saying everyone's life was remarkable and difficult in its own way. Perhaps much like the rumors about her, one should not presume that another persons life is so different from thier own based on a physical presumption or perhaps an envy. (hide spoiler)]

[Cherie]

Silver wrote: "I just finished For a Long Time this was Griselda's Story

Like many others this was thus far one of my least favorite stories. One of the reason I did not connect as well to this story as the oth..."

IF I can bring myself to re-read it, I will keep your conclusions in mind, Silver. Right now, I can't even remember what it was about. ;o(

I read three stories in another book today, and realized it was a mistake. I am liking them even less than any of the other ones in this book, or the Vampires in the Lemon Grove. I may have already over-dosed on short stories.

[Tejas Janet]

I read the first two stories today. Enjoyed both and will go back thru posts now with my own responses to spoilers (posted as spoilers of course!).

[Tejas Janet]

Debra wrote: "I've read the first story, The Shell Collector (book title by the same name). I don't tend to enjoy short stories for the same reason TrudyAn mentioned; they don't usually give me the sense of havi..."

Debra, in your spoiler you did a great job of developing the reasons why I also found it hard to believe the MC was blind and such a successful marine biologist. Maybe not impossible??

(view spoiler)[I thought perhaps his German shepherd, Tumaini, helped guide him and helped him avoid certain hazards. And perhaps he'd learned tips throughout the years that made it semi-plausible.

Most weirdly of all tho was my thought that perhaps he wasn't really blind. I know, weird. There's not much in the story to support this idea except that the near impossibility of his accomplishing all he did without sight. (hide spoiler)]

[Tejas Janet]

I also appreciate Debra's observation that The Shell Collector(view spoiler)[shares some affinity to magical realism. (hide spoiler)]

[Tejas Janet]

So reflecting a bit more on the story, it felt like to me that (view spoiler)[the main character, the shell collector, was perhaps akin to a person on the autism spectrum, who in a sense might be blind to almost everything except one obsessive passion that they can totally excel in. It doesn't fit with all the facts as presented in the story, and yet in some ways it works symbolically. Just something that occurred to me.

Although some people were named in the story, the main character remained "the shell collector" throughout. That was his identity, who he was, his true name.

He had trouble connecting with most people throughout the story. The specialist his father took him to in Florida may or may not have really been an ophthalmologist. He did no tests on him, but instead just instinctively knew what his status was and how to best help him. Or perhaps he was an ophthalmologist who knew something about autism. Perhaps braille was easier, more natural for the shell collector to understand. Again, just the thoughts that came to me while reading and afterwards. Maybe off base. And yet... (hide spoiler)]

[Tejas Janet]

Clément wrote: "My reading is starting to slow down a bit. I blame it on the growing cold :p
But I finished the second story The Hunter's Wife and I think I liked it less than The Shell Collector. The writing is s..."

So interesting to hear your perspective. I actually liked The Hunter's Wife more than The Shell Collector. Tho i liked them both.

I was entranced with the quietness of the winter in the Hunter's Wife Montana. I really appreciate silence. And I could hear the silence, and then also the special sounds that the hunter's wife could hear and appreciate. Very beautiful story.

More magical realism, it seems to me.

[[deleted user]]

I just finished July Forth. I didn't really think much of this story - I didn't love it, nor did I hate it, it was just meh. Again, the descriptive writing was spot on. I think I would have called this story, Murphy's Law.

[[deleted user]]

Cherie wrote: "Chugging right along, I finished story #5 July Fourth [spoilers removed]"

Great summary Cherie, (view spoiler)[ I didn't feel sorry for the guys but I do take my hat off to them - to keep going even though they were having the worst luck,,not sure if I would have done that. (hide spoiler)]

[Cherie]

Wow, wait until you get to the last story! It is long, but I think I liked it best of all. Doerr's stories really pull you in, don't you think? Even the ones I didn't especially like are so vividly drawn. His descriptions and images are so vivid. You feel the cold and wind or heat and hear the birds and insects and snaps and pops and hum in the trees. The quiet almost has a sound. His characters are so unique, until they aren't. I know that sounds strange. I am amazed at how a short story can take you through a half of a lifetime and not feel like something is left out.

[Lilisa]

Interesting observations - TJ - re: the shell collector and (view spoiler)[autism. Also, I think he's the only character in the book that doesn't have a name. I wonder why Doerr did that? Almost all all the characters in his stories are introverted, and many seem to have intense attractive pull towards someone or something. I wonder if Doerr based these characters on someone in real life or maybe himself? (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

Cherie wrote: "Wow, wait until you get to the last story! It is long, but I think I liked it best of all. Doerr's stories really pull you in, don't you think? Even the ones I didn't especially like are so vividly..."

I agree, Cherie! Although I didn't particularly like the overall subjects of some of his stories, they were definitely well constructed. I never felt like I was left hanging or feeling like I read an unfinished story.

[[deleted user]]

Lilisa wrote: "Interesting observations - TJ - re: the shell collector and [spoilers removed]"

It seems to me that most of the characters were (view spoiler)[ misfits struggling to fit in somewhere or had some deep need to spend the majority of their time in a more natural or rustic environment. Definitely not people who would be happy living in a huge urban city. (hide spoiler)]

_____________

I completed the book yesterday and still have mixed feelings about it, so I decided not to give it a rating on Goodreads.