Shusterman - Challenger Deep [Jan 5, 2021]

[Jenna, I'd be free if not for Temper & Edgewalker]

Challenger Deep - Neal Shusterman

January 5, 2021.
Requested by Soo & Caroline.

[Soo]

Thanks!

[Jenna, I'd be free if not for Temper & Edgewalker]

You're welcome :)

[Caroline]

I started reading it today, the chapters are really short. It might take a bit of getting used to. It'd be interesting how that works in the audiobook for you, Soo.

Because I probably read too much about the book beforehand and what it is about (view spoiler)[ I kind of get why he is using those short chapters to kind of jump between the "scenes" - don't know if this actually is a spoiler, but you can never be too sure haha (hide spoiler)]

Anyway I'm at chapter 10 at the moment which is only one page long, so I thought I'd take a break xD

[Soo]

LOL

Are you enjoying it? I'm going to start later tonight. I'll probably be done by tomorrow. It won't take me long. Audios are quick for me.

[Caroline]

Soo wrote: "LOL

Are you enjoying it? I'm going to start later tonight. I'll probably be done by tomorrow. It won't take me long. Audios are quick for me."

I'd say so far it's interesting. So I'm enjoying the read.

Yeah, you told me you're going to be very fast ;) It will probably take me about 5 days to finish it :)

Just finished Chapter 32
(view spoiler)[ Somehow it's sad how Caden worries so much about everything, explaining how it was different not long ago. The same with his friends as well as his painting style.

Those dream lands of his seem to really incorporate events from his not-dream experiences. But I'm not sure if it also is the other way round? Because the guy of the crows-nest was in Las Vegas?

Anyway I think it's cruel to talk anyone especially children into things they are scared of. Especially when it is something unnecessary as the jump in Las Vegas was... I get that they want him to have fun, but his parents have already noticed his anxiety, or haven't they? (hide spoiler)]

[Frank]

The books is choppy with so many chapters.
(view spoiler)[ I just grabbed this, thinking it was more of an thriller novel as with Dry or Scythe. Oh well, so is Caden really living in two worlds or not? I do not care for his parents as well, especially in the Vegas trip. (hide spoiler)]

[Soo]

Are you guys reading the book? Hardcopy/ebook? If so, how are the illustrations? Drawings are done by Neal's brother I think.

Intro: Kid has a vivid imagination!
Alternating Chapters: Kind of weird but there's a lyrical quality that is easy to listen.

Imagination: (view spoiler)[This is like all the horrible events we make up for various reasons and smashing them together! Can you imagine what it would be like to be this paranoid of apprehensive all the time? (hide spoiler)]

[Soo]

I finished. It's not a very long book, is it? I kinda want a phyiscal copy of the book and see what kind of drawings are in it.

Overall, this is a very different story to read from Shusterman.

Does the story feel more tense, apprehensive, etc as you read it?

The tone in the audiobook is somewhat tense but more like a lingering feel of unease/not fitting.

The writing is really well done. A lyrical & surreal take of a real thing.

Will share more thoughts as you guys post. =)

[Caroline]

Soo wrote: "Are you guys reading the book? Hardcopy/ebook? If so, how are the illustrations? Drawings are done by Neal's brother I think.

Intro: Kid has a vivid imagination!
Alternating Chapters: Kind of weir..."

I'm reading the eBook. The illustrations are a bit like sketches just fluent lines. Somehow, like he explains it, a little abstract. Mostly if you look closely they have a connection to the chapters. But there isn't one for every chapter and I can't remember exactly what they were showing.

[Soo]

All the drawings are supposed to depict feelings. A visual to go with the strange things that Caden is feeling/experiencing.

[Caroline]

Now at chapter 48
(view spoiler)[ I learned about Challenger Deep which is kind of crazy and him knowing he is in a dream space, or at least I think this was mentioned, and knowing the captains plans won't work because of what he learned in the real world - To have that much control in a dream is unusual, isn't it.

I also learned about his worsening performance in school and his lost appetite. Aren't this all symptoms of a depression? (With exception to the dreams, which I wouldn't necessarily associate with a deoression, but I'm no expert...) (hide spoiler)]

[Soo]

Hm, read my spoiler for a clue but it may not help. LoL

(view spoiler)[Walking Dream (hide spoiler)]

Did that help or confuse? Bwahahah

[Caroline]

Soo wrote: "Hm, read my spoiler for a clue but it may not help. LoL

[spoilers removed]

Did that help or confuse? Bwahahah"

@Soo: Not really haha (view spoiler)[ I'm not sure if you mean lucid dreaming, sleep walking or day dreaming - Or something entirely different xD I googled Walking Dream and only found song lyrics x.x (hide spoiler)]

I'm not getting through this book as fast as anticipated, sorry!

But today I finished chapter 62 and I think I've found my favorite quote ;) (view spoiler)[ "[...] with modern technology, you'd think our cars could diagnose themselves, but no, all there is on the dashboard is this moronic "check engine" light that comes on whenever there's anything wrong - which proves automobiles are more organic than we think. They're obviously modelled on the human brain.
There are many ways in which the "check brain" light illuminates, but there's the screwed up part: the driver can't see it. [...] No one sees it but the passengers - and only if they're really looking for it [...]" - I really think it is a good metaphor (hide spoiler)]

[Soo]

It is! There are lots of good lines in the book.

I'll explain my clue when you finish. You will probably figure it out before then. lol =)

[Caroline]

I'm now at chapter 103 (view spoiler)[ It's interesting to see, that the people he meets in the psychiatry are similar/identical with the people from the boat. Although the latter he's met earlier at least when following the book? I'm really interested in, who the captain is since he wants him to stop speaking to Poirot and other doctors (hide spoiler)]

[Soo]

=D

How do you find the writing? I liked the lyrical quality.

[Caroline]

I like it, too :) It's so different and yet it is perfect for this story

[Soo]

It flows well between the "dream" and real states. =)

[Caroline]

I just finished the book.

I really liked the way this sensitive topic is described and how I now think I might be able to grasp it more.

I really enjoyed the writing and the different stylistic devices that are used to make it feel more real. As well as the metaphors and word games.

But right now I also feel like I still have to process some parts of the book and just let them settle.

[Soo]

Come back & chat when they settle!

Did you note by the end (view spoiler)[that the dreams were a fanciful reflection of reality? (hide spoiler)]

[Caroline]

Soo wrote: "Come back & chat when they settle!

Did you note by the end [spoilers removed]"

Yes (view spoiler)[ I suspected this, but I'd still like to know what dream walking means, is this an existing expression? :)

I can relate to Caden wanting to protect his sister and try not to scare her or even leave her. The parts of the story where the family interacted were my favorite.

We learned about Carlyle and that he lives with mental illness and was everything Caden hoped to achieve, at least, in regard to living relatively "normal" and developing games. It was so nice to hear, that these days his own son is more like Carlyle. (hide spoiler)]