11/20 Fever Dream, General Discussion

[Whitney]

Here's the place for a general, no spoiler discussion of Fever Dream.

These are some interviews with Schweblin that I found interesting, they do contain spoilers, so read at your own risk.

Interview in The Skinny. https://www.theskinny.co.uk/books/fea... I love the last part of this interview: [Schweblin]“Literature allows you to go to this dangerous space, and come back to your real life absolutely untouched.” Thinking of her book prompts a raised eyebrow; absolutely? “Well, you keep the pain,” Schweblin admits, “but you don’t have any wounds.”

Rain Taxi: https://www.raintaxi.com/discovery-in...

The London Review of Books
https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v39/n...

The New Yorker
https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-...

What did people think of the writing? Anyone find the feverish jumping around to be frustrating, or did it suit the subject?

A lot of people recommend reading this in one sitting. I can see how that would work well with the headlong rush of prose, but I didn't manage it. Anyone else read it one go?

For people who have read other books by Schweblin, how did this compare?

As usual, please post any links, questions, or comments that you find interesting.

[Bretnie]

Whitney wrote: "“Well, you keep the pain,” Schweblin admits, “but you don’t have any wounds.”"

That seems about right!

This was my second read. My first read a couple of years ago the writing definitely felt in line with how I thought I was supposed to feel - confused, a little frantic, a bit like a fever dream.

I listened to it the first time in one sitting (on a road trip - maybe bad choice!). This time I read it in print in two sittings. It felt less chaotic and confusing, but still this sense of desperation and HURRY UP.

Edited to add: All that to say I loved the writing since it made me feel the feelings I think Schwebelin was trying to convey!

[LindaJ^]

I liked the writing. I did not think it jumped around feverishly. I read it in two days - half one day, half the next - in the morning when it was bright and sunny.

I read Mouthful of Birds and liked the short stories. I thought this novel was of equal quality.

[Mark]

Just got a copy from the library. For pandemic reading, it's a little "on the nose"...

[Whitney]

Mark wrote: "Just got a copy from the library. For pandemic reading, it's a little "on the nose"..."

You should try THIS one: Survivor Song.

[Jess]

I really liked this book. Normally I don't like this type of rambling writing that doesn't allow breaks but the tension was kept at such a level (and it was short enough) that I could handle it this time.

I intended to read it in one sitting but ended up going to bed and finishing in the morning because my partner was begging me to turn off the light!

[Stephen]

I read this a couple of years back. It certainly keeps the tension level high making it a Goodread. I wouldn't want to experience those feelings for much longer though.

[Stephen]

I read this a couple of years back. It certainly keeps the tension level high making it a Goodread. I wouldn't want to experience those feelings for much longer though.