The Book of Strange New Things: Part I (Contains Spoilers)

[Kara]

This thread is to discuss the first section of this book, Thy Will Be Done.

[[deleted user]]

Sigh, just finished part 1. Feel like I should put the book down at this point so I don't get too far ahead. Can't wait to see what you guys think. Me, I'm impressed. Excited for the next part.

[Kara]

I was really impressed with Part 1 as well--so far, this isn't what I expected at all. I certainly didn't think a book about a religious man would have a sex scene right in the first chapter!

[Karina]

Part 1 definitely hooked me. That was one of the most surprising first-meeting-the-aliens scenes I've read, despite finding out about the previous pastor.

...And what happened to Kurzberg and the other people who vanished?

[Kara]

I want to know too!

I thought the meeting-the-aliens scene was VERY well done. I was in shock about their reaction to Peter even knowing there had been a previous pastor.

[Whitney]

It took me a little while to get into Part I (since I don't usually read sci fi), but I'm starting to get pulled in. There's definitely an element of suspense both with the disappearance of the prior missionary and the feeling that something is just kind of "off" with the USIC employees. I'm also surprised by the relative lack of technology on the Oasis. Like, they have the means for long-distance space travel, but they don't have anything resembling a phone? Can't wait to see how this unfolds.

[Karina]

The USIC employees are a peculiar bunch, but I suppose that was exactly what the screening interviews and psychological profiling was there for - they needed to pick people with calm and passive personalities who wouldn't go crazy from lack of stimuli, or be likely to cause social difficulty, or divert resources with "unneccessary" curious and explorative ideas.

[Peggy]

Really enjoying this book so far. I can't believe how unprepared he was for this mission. I would have asked so many more questions before agreeing to the mission. I really wonder what happened to the two missing (AWOL) men. I don't trust USIC.

[Alisia]

Just finished part one. I'm listening to the audiobook and boy is it an experience! The way the narrator expresses the alien (or "alien") voice gives me chills! I went into this book knowing nothing about it, not even the genre, I love doing it like that sometimes because its like a wonderful surprise goodie bag! I can't wait for what's to come!

[Karina]

Peggy: It's unnerving, isn't it? The whole thing with all the obvious questions just not being asked. It contributes to a certain atmosphere, but it really annoyed me, too.

Alisia: Oh! I read a print copy, didn't even think about what a challenge the alien speech would be in audio narration. I have to go see if I can find a listening sample of it to satisfy my curiosity...!

[Kaitlin]

Having not quite finished part one yet, I have a question: do you like Peter? Are we supposed to?

[Kara]

I don't dislike Peter, but he's not my favorite character. I feel for Peter, and I want him to succeed, but I don't think I'd be his friend. I can't quite put my finger on why.

[Cassandra]

I finished Part I on the bus today. I really like how the alien pronunciation is written slightly different - not enough to make reading it a pain, but enough to contribute to the Otherness of the Oasans.

I definitely have an eerie feeling... Everyone seems like they may be plotting something. Peter can't get any motives or real information out of the Oasans and the USIC employees are downright evasive. Put that together with the fact that two former USIC employees have disappeared recently and I'm just not sure about these people.

I really love how the author creates the alien landscape. The rain, the color of the sky, the color of the water, the way the air currents behave all contribute to a pretty vivid image of a planet that isn't ours.

Kara, I agree with you. I don't know why, but Peter just feels disingenuous to me somehow. I guess I shall see as I continue to read.

[Claire]

I am really enjoying this book so far. There are so many things going on, and I believe that everything is going to be tied together, but I'm not sure how, other than the likelihood that USIC is probably going to be responsible for a lot of bad stuff.

Peter strikes me as one of those people with such a laser-like focus on their own goals that they are totally oblivious to everyone else. He's living with a lot of people in Oasis, and yet he doesn't seem to realize that they all seem a bit off. He reads Bea's messages, but doesn't seem able to respond to her in a way that will comfort her. But he's completely tuned in to the Oasans and his plans to build a "lurl" for them.

The USIC employees all seem to be people who are easily manipulated. There seem to be a lot of people with substance abuse issues in their pasts. Combine that with the regular shipments of medicines that are sent, and I have to wonder if USIC is somehow slipping drugs to people in order to keep them under company control? And what is USIC gaining from Oasis? It has to be incredibly costly to operate at such a distance, so there must be some huge profits being made.

What is going on back home? Typhoons, earthquakes, food shortages, and other catastrophes? How will these things affect Peter and the rest of the people on Oasis?

And, of course, what happened to the men who disappeared?

So many questions that have to be answered!

[Kaitlin]

I finally finished part I. I am enjoying the book, but Peter really irritates me. I feel like he is quite codepedent, while also not quite connected to Bea. He just seems to be very "in his own head".

I am looking forward to learning more about USIC and what is going on back on Earth!

[[deleted user]]

Kaitlin wrote: "I finally finished part I. I am enjoying the book, but Peter really irritates me. I feel like he is quite codepedent, while also not quite connected to Bea. He just seems to be very "in his own ..."

Yes! When I finished I thought that Peter was the most naive drug addict in the history of the world. Seems like he'd be a bit more worldly with his background on the streets...

[Megan]

I might have a different perspective, as I went to religious schools and have several friends who are Christian missionaries of different varieties. Peter is spot-on and reminds me of several of my friends. They make stepping out in blind faith an art, while the logical me just screams inside of my head, bring everything and put it all in writing! Anyway, I'm enjoying the book, and definitely cannot wait to see what happens with the indigenous population.

[Karen]

Just finished part one. I had a little trouble getting into this book, but the more I read, the more I want to know! What happened to the two AWOL workers, will Peter and Bea ever see each other again, what exactly is the USIC? I would like to listen to an audio version of this just to hear what the Oasan speech sounds like. He explains the "s" sound but not the other different letters. I also agree with the "something not quite right" feeling when it comes to the USIC and it's workers and want to find out if we learn more about that.

[Amanda]

Just finished part 1 and I really enjoy it so far! This book is very outside of anything that I would read or pick up on my own but I am glad that I did. I can't put it down!

I feel a lot of sexual tension between Peter and Grainger! Wondering if something is going to happen there... I don't really want anything to happen necessarily but it seems like it might! We shall see I guess...

[Jenn]

Amanda wrote: "Just finished part 1 and I really enjoy it so far! This book is very outside of anything that I would read or pick up on my own but I am glad that I did. I can't put it down!

I feel a lot of sexu..."

I agree, there definitely seemed to be something there, but I also think it will be awkward if they go that route.

[Reija]

Uh, I really didn't realize this gonna be so full of religious stuff.. it is little bit alienating for me. But writings is easy to read and story is quite good, I don't know, it feels nothing happens.. he just writes those letters. Maybe I usually like my sci-fi little bit faster pace. Those aliens remind me those Hyperion (by Dan Simmons) numb characters and little bit also some part Ender saga, they both seemed normal and pretty same as we and then bang, they were totally aliens. I wonder how this goes.

[Maria]

I agree with Whitney. I usually don't read sci-fi, so it's taking me a while to get into it. I am coming along but I'm not as rapped up on it as I usually I with books that I normally pick. Also, I'm not religious so that might be why I first was hesitant towards the book. I will, however, finish the book.

[Kaitlin]

I was also hesitant because of the religous aspect, and that may be part of why Peter irritates me so much, but I am still enjoying the overarching story.

[Jenn]

Reija wrote: "Uh, I really didn't realize this gonna be so full of religious stuff.. it is little bit alienating for me. But writings is easy to read and story is quite good, I don't know, it feels nothing happe..."

I agree that it is not moving at a fast enough pace.

[Adam]

The first few chapters I felt were really great. I could feel the anxiety of Peter having to leave his wife Bea and savoring/dreading the last few minutes they had together. I feel the same way every time I have to leave for a long trip.

So far I think it's written really well, and I like the "slow-reveal" story and that there aren't dozens of characters to keep track of. But I'm not sure if I like where the story is going with the religion thing. Up until now the book makes it seem like most everyone else on the base that doesn't believe in God is bitter about the subject and needs religion in their lives. It sounds like Peter pities everyone he meets and looks at them as a project. I really hope the book isn't about him fixing everyone, including the aliens. If it is it'd be a real waste of a good plot. If there is more sci-fi than religion to look forward to then I'm likely going to enjoy the book. But so far it sounds like the opposite of Carl Sagan's book Contact, only this time it's the preacher who gets to take the ride instead of the scientist.

[Maria]

Okay, finished Part 1 and it has gotten so much better for me. Adam, I completely agree with your assessment of the book. I'm cautiously optimistic!

[Evelina | AvalinahsBooks]

My theories on all of the things you guys were speculating about:

1. Where did those missing guys go? I have the feeling they might have turned into Oasans?

2. I have the hunch that the Oasans can do stuff with their minds. How do they build stuff, even make their clothes without nearly anything to make it with or from? More hints on that in part 2, but I'm too shy to comment cause I don't remember where part 1 ends and don't want to accidentally spoil for you guys, although nothing very specific happens anyway.

3. Everyone seems to have a patch with drug abuse in their pasts there. Along with what the USIC driver back on earth said about USIC buying out their mortgages and the attitudes that all the people on the base have, it seems to me that they have no choice anymore. They have to stay, otherwise they might be on the street or even in jail. I got that impression somehow. Like Oasis is like a last chance or something. That's why they're all so.. I don't know. Spiritless.

4. As for Peter, it's funny. At first I thought it was the author, but then I realized that Bea doesn't write like that, nor does anyone else. But the way Peter writes his letters, it's so hilarious.. It's like he talks like Ned Flanders from the Simpsons sometimes. It's ridiculous. Maybe it's cause he's a minister, is that being intensified? I don't know, but it seems funny to me. And embarrassing. I'm sure that's intentional though and it was meant to convey his character. Still funny, though.

[Meg]

Wow, the first part of this book was amazing! I had no idea that this book was about aliens or set on another planet, so it was a really exciting and surprising start. I loved the way things were slowly revealed. It does seem like Peter was totally unprepared and knew nothing about where he was going or what he was doing, although that makes it an interesting read with the gradual revelations, it does make him seem very naive.
The distance between him and Bea (and Joshua) is really sad, especially when you realise how little he knows about how and when he will go back.

[Clare L]

I am a bit late to the game in reading this; I finished part 1 last night. Like a few others, I don't mind sci-fi but it's not my favourite genre so I had a hard time getting into this book. I felt it was a bit too slow paced at the beginning but enjoyed the Oasan encounter and I am looking forward to seeing how it progresses.

I am very curious what happened to the missing people. Something is up with USIC, especially with the lack of information they provided Peter. Part 1 was okay for me, I hope Part 2 picks up a bit. And Yeah, I deffinitely think there something between Peter and Grainger!