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October 2014 Group Read: The Troop by Nick Cutter
I will never understand people who have more empathy for animals than human beings. I get it animals are innocent and cruelty to them is no doubt tragic but some people empathize more with them than with humanity. Human life in my opinion should come before an animals except in instances were the human being is more monster than man. Call me vain, egotistical, shallow, or cruel but that's how I always felt.
I tried this one and am embarrassed to say it didn't work for me. Maybe it's because I'm just coming off Michaelbrent Collings' Darkbound. Now that is one heck of a gruesome tale with nice twists, different premise but same concept. My review is here:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Tim wrote: "Latasha wrote: "I'm going to skip this book, then. I don't mind blood & gore & stuff but I don't like reading or seeing animals being tortured or hurt or anything like that."There is one scene th..."
That scene was upsetting. It even upset the characters in the book.
Ken wrote: "It is horror. In order for horror to work it has to pull you out of your comfort zone a bit."That's a very valid point.
The best horror books I've read are those that have done exactly that. They've made me feel uncomfortable and pushed the boundaries a bit.
Greg wrote: "I will never understand people who have more empathy for animals than human beings. I get it animals are innocent and cruelty to them is no doubt tragic but some people empathize more with them tha..."
I don't think you're vain, egotistical, etc. for saying that. In a way I agree, it seems intuitively obvious that we should have more empathy toward our fellow humans... and yet I'm one of those people who get really turned off by cruelty to animals. I'm not even an animal person; I've never had a pet more sophisticated than a goldfish and I don't particularly want one, and yet scenes like the one in this book really turn me off.
I think it may have to do with what you mentioned - the inherent innocence and vulnerability of animals. I have the same reaction to bad things happening to children in books, but that's more understandable because I have kids myself. Humans doing bad things to other adult human beings? Maybe it's a sad commentary on our society, but it's such a commonplace element in popular entertainment that I guess I'm a bit numb to it.
Another reason may be because the urge to hurt animals seems so pathological and almost alien to me. There's usually at least some selfish, morally unacceptable reason for hurting another person. I can judge that selfish act harshly and condemn it, but on some level I get what drove the person to do it. The type of person that tortures an animal just seems like such a psycho to me.
I hear this a lot from people who defend Michael Vick. They point out that other pro athletes have done stuff that has affected and even led to the death of human beings, but they faced less backlash - why does Vick have a crowd of people who will hound him (no pun intended) for the rest of his life? The answer for me is that, while the actual result of Vick's actions may not have been as tragic, the motivations behind it (having dogs kill each other for pure entertainment) just seems so soulless and evil.
I don't think you're vain, egotistical, etc. for saying that. In a way I agree, it seems intuitively obvious that we should have more empathy toward our fellow humans... and yet I'm one of those people who get really turned off by cruelty to animals. I'm not even an animal person; I've never had a pet more sophisticated than a goldfish and I don't particularly want one, and yet scenes like the one in this book really turn me off.
I think it may have to do with what you mentioned - the inherent innocence and vulnerability of animals. I have the same reaction to bad things happening to children in books, but that's more understandable because I have kids myself. Humans doing bad things to other adult human beings? Maybe it's a sad commentary on our society, but it's such a commonplace element in popular entertainment that I guess I'm a bit numb to it.
Another reason may be because the urge to hurt animals seems so pathological and almost alien to me. There's usually at least some selfish, morally unacceptable reason for hurting another person. I can judge that selfish act harshly and condemn it, but on some level I get what drove the person to do it. The type of person that tortures an animal just seems like such a psycho to me.
I hear this a lot from people who defend Michael Vick. They point out that other pro athletes have done stuff that has affected and even led to the death of human beings, but they faced less backlash - why does Vick have a crowd of people who will hound him (no pun intended) for the rest of his life? The answer for me is that, while the actual result of Vick's actions may not have been as tragic, the motivations behind it (having dogs kill each other for pure entertainment) just seems so soulless and evil.
Katy wrote: "Tim wrote: "Latasha wrote: "I'm going to skip this book, then. I don't mind blood & gore & stuff but I don't like reading or seeing animals being tortured or hurt or anything like that."There is ..."
Yes. That's why I get why it was included. And I support the author's use of that method of depicting what the characters were going through and the actions they took to try and survive. It was an uncomfortable scene but elicited an emotional connection that was absent. Up until that point, the characters were just a group of differing personalities that were largely unlikeable and uninteresting. Until that scene this was just a 3 star book for me. (view spoiler)
Tim wrote: "Katy wrote: "Tim wrote: "Latasha wrote: "I'm going to skip this book, then. I don't mind blood & gore & stuff but I don't like reading or seeing animals being tortured or hurt or anything like that..."You're right. It did add depth and a reason to root for these characters.
Mod
That's a very valid point.
The best horror books I've read are those that have done exact..."
I completely agree with you, Kate. Those are the books that stay in your mind--whether you want them to or not! ;)
Mod
Joe, I also loved Darkbound by MichaelBrent. I'll have to look at your review now. (I even bought/gifted a copy of that one to a family member)
I had to skip over the one scene, I think it's the one that Tim was referring to, it was pretty awful. I know why he did it as well I just can't stomach that. Otherwise I loved this one; I read most of it in a day. It's my first Nick Cutter book and I couldn't put it down.
Mod
I typically appreciate books that disturb me and make me think, but this was not one of them. The reason the animal scenes were so off putting to me was the graphic detail. It seemed like the author was reveling in the suffering of the animal and the disgust such scenes could evoke in the reader. I don't want to read a book that makes me feel terrible for no apparent reason. Also I don't think we are all talking about the same scene... (view spoiler)
Typically I read horror to have the crap scared out of me. This book didn't scare me. It didn't make me think about the bigger picture or challenge my viewpoint.
All it did was upset me on a very basic level.
All that being said, I don't think there is anything wrong with liking the book or enjoying this type of horror. After all Steven King loved it, and I adore that man. Ghost stories and serial killers are what give me that fun creepy feeling that I think most horror lovers seek. However, some people don't like that stuff and go more for the slasher gross out stuff to get the chills. It's all just preference.
I will say that I thought the character of (view spoiler) was creepy as hell.
Andy wrote: "Greg wrote: "I will never understand people who have more empathy for animals than human beings. I get it animals are innocent and cruelty to them is no doubt tragic but some people empathize more ..."Interesting point about Vick!
Amanda wrote: "I typically appreciate books that disturb me and make me think, but this was not one of them. The reason the animal scenes were so off putting to me was the graphic detail. It seemed like the author was reveling in the suffering of the animal and the disgust such scenes could evoke in the reader. I don't want to read a book that makes me feel terrible for no apparent reason. "I agree with this. The theme was two-dimensional. Only thing it left me thinking about afterward was what was wrong with it.
So I just finished and I really enjoyed it. I gave it a 4 star review. I had a lot of fun with it and didn't find it to be all that disturbing in the gore department. Though then again I have a large catalog of Laymon and Lee books under my belt.I'm however gonna put my one little complaint regarding the end of the book which is unfortunately done to death in horror.
(view spoiler)
Greg wrote: "So I just finished and I really enjoyed it. I gave it a 4 star review. I had a lot of fun with it and didn't find it to be all that disturbing in the gore department. Though then again I have a lar..."I agree with you about the ending. eye roll
Really enjoying this book so far, I am bout 30 pages in only, and i am really loving it, terrifying :-)
Dear Groupread,Have decided to meet challenge: Eat while reading this book.
10/7: Book + PB&J on a bagel. So far, so good.
10/8: Book + mashed potatoes. Nom nom nom.
10/10: Book + M&Ms. Mmmm, brown chocolate.
More as it develops...
G.B. wrote: "Dear Groupread,Have decided to meet challenge: Eat while reading this book.
10/7: Book + PB&J on a bagel. So far, so good.
10/8: Book + mashed potatoes. Nom nom nom.
10/10: Book + M&Ms. Mmmm, br..."Love it! However, I challenge you to eat a plate of spaghetti toward the end of the book!
Michael wrote: "I challenge you to eat a plate of spaghetti toward the end of the book!"*nods fervently* See, I was thinking that spaghetti would be the ultimate accomplishment for this book! I shall endeavor to oblige.
G.B. wrote: "Dear Groupread,Have decided to meet challenge: Eat while reading this book.
10/7: Book + PB&J on a bagel. So far, so good.
10/8: Book + mashed potatoes. Nom nom nom.
10/10: Book + M&Ms. Mmmm, br..."
Haha! Love it! Good luck with the spaghetti!
I thought some Chinese takeout might be a challenge too!
Greg wrote: "I'm however gonna put my one little complaint regarding the end of the book which is unfortunately done to death in horror."I'm not big on the denouement ending, in general. Your mileage may vary.
Dear Groupread, 10/10: Just finished dinner, which was salad + maple chicken sausage + this book. Sausage was delightful. The chimp scene? Not so much. I have realized two things: that this man writes subtly disgusting descriptions of everything, and that I am now out of sesame salad dressing.
Now. What to have for dessert...
Mod
10/10: Just finished dinner, which was salad + maple chicken sausage + this book. Sausage was delightful. The chimp scene? Not so much. I have realized two things: that this man w..."
1/2 way through....Spaghetti is not looking quite the same now....
G.B. wrote: "Dear Groupread, 10/10: Just finished dinner, which was salad + maple chicken sausage + this book. Sausage was delightful. The chimp scene? Not so much. I have realized two things: that this man w..."
lol, G.B., you are truly bodacious.
G.B. wrote: "Dear Groupread, 10/10: Just finished dinner, which was salad + maple chicken sausage + this book. Sausage was delightful. The chimp scene? Not so much. I have realized two things: that this man w..."
Great stuff, G.B., you got me pissing my pants.
Upon finishing I had me some gummy worms as a reward.
Greg wrote: "Upon finishing I had me some gummy worms as a reward."Come to think of it, so did I. But they were sour.
I would enjoy this book more if it was just adults. I't reminds me somewhat of Lord of the Flies. I guess I'm not as hardcore..happening to kids just bothers me...
I would read this at work while having lunch at work..stuff doesn't bother me..but again it being kids didn't settle well...
Finally got a copy of the book today and me and the girlfriend read up to chapter 7. The author is so descriptive, it's looking good so far. Also, learned it's a Canadian author (<3 whoop whoop). I let the girlfriend steal it for now though so I can finish up some of my other reads.
Cait wrote: "Finally got a copy of the book today and me and the girlfriend read up to chapter 7. The author is so descriptive, it's looking good so far. Also, learned it's a Canadian author (<3 whoop whoop). I..."I liked the fact that this had Canadian content as well.
I really enjoyed the setting as it was a little out of the ordinary. I actually google mapped portions of PEI so I could get a better feel for it.
Mod
Marc-Antoine wrote: "I liked the fact that this had Canadian content as well. "Yeah it's scarier since it's so close to home kinda thing. :P
Well, I'm not liking Shelley very much so far!
Well, I'm not liking Shelley very much so far!
Well, I'm not liking Shelley very much so far!
All done. I've read better and I've read worse..I think, for me anyways, less kid victims, more adults would have pushed me past 50/50. It would be awesome to have a weight loss pill like that, well without the killing lol. I don't feel like I wasted my time reading the book..it was ok.
Dear Groupread,Yesterday I read this book while peeling and eating a hard boiled egg. Alas, I happened to have reached an interlude in gruesomeness, and thus did not feel the full connection of egg to egg. It helped as well that nothing crawled out of MY egg.
And on we go...
When I was reading this with my gf -halfway through a chapter- she got up and had to get snacks. The one guy was making her super hungry ahaha
I just happened to pick this up. About 65 pages and enjoying it pretty well. Not a huge fan of how he introduced the characters initially, but his writing is nice and crisp, and the story has potential.
And that's why I need to slow down while reading. I totally just read GB as she was reading while peeing and eating a hard boiled egg. Needless to say I found this behavior to be quite strange.
Greg wrote: "And that's why I need to slow down while reading. I totally just read GB as she was reading while peeing and eating a hard boiled egg. Needless to say I found this behavior to be quite strange."HAHAHAHAHA. Well. That certainly put a new spin on the image...
It's all good. Nothing beats a hardy breakfast while reading a book and dropping a twosy.
Horror Aficionados
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There is one scene th..."
I was on the fence about this one anyways. I hadn't started it yet. I was waiting to see more thoughts on it.