Sept 2018: Lean On Pete Discussion Thread

[Bookworm with Kids]

This is the discussion thread for our September group read - Lean On Pete by Willy Vlautin.

[SueLucie]

I am 3% into my copy (you can tell I'm reading on Kindle). Looking forward to joining everyone on here.

[Allan]

For UK, and I assume ROI readers, the movie version of the book is now available on Prime. My in person group read this last month at my suggestion, which I had done due to wanting to compare the movie to the book. Will be interesting to see how people see them hold up to each other.

[Susan]

I have ordered my copy from the library so will read when I get it. The movie is on Amazon too here in the U.S. Do you recommend reading the book before watching the movie, Allan?

[Allan]

Maybe so, to avoid spoilers...

[Diana]

I have ordered both from the library as well. It will be interesting to watch the movie after reading the book - I'm 54 of a handful of DVD copies, but I should get the book soon - no wait for that!

[Barbara]

Susan wrote: "I have ordered my copy from the library so will read when I get it. The movie is on Amazon too here in the U.S. Do you recommend reading the book before watching the movie, Allan?"
Susan- I ended up with 2 copies and in my book purge gave it to the library used book store. Kicking myself.

[Barbara]

Susan wrote: "I have ordered my copy from the library so will read when I get it. The movie is on Amazon too here in the U.S. Do you recommend reading the book before watching the movie, Allan?"
I went to see the movie when it was in the theaters so I will be doing it in reverse. But I don't remember details from movies so maybe I'll be OK.

[Barbara]

I should add that I won't be able to start this yet as I have my Solas Nua book club Monday. We're reading The Blood Miracles and I've just started it.

[Susan]

Barbara wrote: "I should add that I won't be able to start this yet as I have my Solas Nua book club Monday. We're reading The Blood Miracles and I've just started it."

That looks interesting. I can't wait to read your review.

[Bookworm with Kids]

I have just got my copy from the library so I hope to start it at the weekend. Looking forward to it!

[Phil]

I actually reread this at the start of the year (it was the first book I read, as is tradition my first book is always a reread)

[SueLucie]

Just finished it and it was almost too much for me. I was so worried all the way through about what could go badly for Charley, his options were so limited. I thought the simple style of writing effective and reflected his day-by-day, hour-by-hour existence.

[Barbara]

OK. I haven't started yet because I wandered into Barnes and Nobel last Saturday and couldn't resist buying the last book in The Shetland series Wild Fire by Ann Cleeves. I hope to finish tonight. Then on to Lean On Pete.

[Susan]

I just finished it yesterday and it was so amazing. His sparse, vivid writing captures the geography so perfectly. It's amazing in such a large country that so many parts are so rural and how many people fall through the cracks. People live so far apart that resources just aren't readily available. It wasn't until he got to the "bigger" cities that he could even find a mission to feed him. His hunger literally leapt off the plate and spilled into his every day. Hunger for food, for comfort, for help, companionship and love. So thought provoking.

[Bookworm with Kids]

I have opened the spoiler thread here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
I just started this yesterday but it seems quite bleak at the moment. I feel really sorry for Charley.

[Barbara]

I'm about halfway through. But to balance the bleakness, I am also reading How to Find Love in a Bookshop. The term bookshop lets you know it's not American : ) It's a "romance" but actually more substantial than fluff.

[Donna]

I read that one Barbara and enjoyed it very much.

[Barbara]

Donna wrote: "I read that one Barbara and enjoyed it very much."

I was picked it up not sure I'd like it but that's the great thing about library books - the only investment is my time and a few cents for gas.

[Kimberly]

I finished this book in a day and half! I loved it and wonder why I had never heard of this author before! Thank you for such an awesome book!

[Susan]

Isn't he marvelous? It was Allan who turned us on to him. Thank you, Allan. There is a movie about the book on Amazon. I am going to watch it.

[Barbara]

Kimberly wrote: "I finished this book in a day and half! I loved it and wonder why I had never heard of this author before! Thank you for such an awesome book!"

This book was very sad. His other books are easier going and great reading.

[Susan]

And yet in the end, it was quite heartwarming.

[Bookworm with Kids]

I have just finished this. What a terrible time Charley had! The poor boy. It was beautifully written.

[Barbara]

This book is different from other Vlautin novels because the main character is a child. Yes, he's old enough to fend for himself, but legally a child. There are so many broken people in this book. It is worth seeing the film although it is pretty faithful to the book because his aunt is more of a "winner". She has a small house, and is a bit better off though not at all "well off".