This Thing Between Us

[Dan]

This Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno is the October 2022 group read. Considering we read the oldest book we have read, or will probably ever read, for this group last month, it seems only fitting that we read the latest published book to ever make our group read of the month (so far). It's also nice that we are switching from reading stories, extremely short ones at that, to a meaty novel instead.

I know nothing of this book, so am not really fit to introduce it. Would another member care to?

I do see that new and used print copies start at about $15. One can Kindle this title in the U.S. for $11. That's right about the same value for me on my indifference curve, meaning I would pay about 25% more to have a physical rather than electronic copy of most literary works. So I am unsure which way I will be going on this particular choice.

In any event, with this post the discussion topic for our group read for October is hereby created.

[Zina]

This book was recommended in the House of Leaves Facebook group

[Dan]

National Public Radio has a review of the book: https://www.npr.org/2021/10/16/104639.... Warning: I did not read past the first couple paragraphs because I thought the reviewer was heading too much into spoiler territory. I just mention it in case you're trying to decide whether or not to join in the read this October.

The book is described quite a bit as an exploration into the subject of grief. One of my favorite books, it's in my top ten of all time for sure, is The Dogs of Babel. I read it before I knew what weird fiction was. I'm not sure if I would call it straight-up weird fiction, but it has many of the elements, especially the parts about trying to surgically get dogs speaking. The reason I mention the book is because it's the profoundest study on the subject of grief, a horrifying yet insightful journey through what it can do to one's mind, that I've ever read. It was truly amazing. Guy Moreno has a challenge ahead of him if he wants to say something deeper on the subject than Parkhurst did, at least for this reader.

[Zina]

Ok, I finished it. I am tired now, so just a couple impressions. 1. Very much like Stephen King, but maybe a bit messier, with lots more left unexplained and - well, weird. Also, possibly not as good. 2. It really is dealing with grief, but not sure it is trying to actually give some insight into grief. 3. Naturally, Alexa is the perfect medium for some whoknowswhat or demon or something. Somehow, this kept making me chuckle a little. 4. Somehow, the incredible villainy perpetuated by the evil Fidelia is left uncommented. Like as if it's OK to do that sort of thing, and 'you are not a real Mexican' is a good enough excuse. 5. In the future, I should be more vigilant when somebody claims a book or movie is "amazing." More often than not it seems to mean they are not well read, and have very low point of reference. And also likely, the story is somehow super romantic in their minds.

[Dan]

I considered reading this and used Amazon's "Look Inside" feature to try to figure out if I would like it. The writing looked simplistic to me in a tone that tried overly hard to be approachable, like an intimate letter dictated by a person of at best average intelligence to his recently departed wife. I didn't have the feeling the narrator would have anything to tell me I'd be all that interested in reading. I mean, if we were at a bar and some guy sat down next to me and started saying what he was writing, I'd quickly finish my drink and then politely skedaddle. So I figured why pay this author to bore me?

Your giving it four stars makes me wonder if the book improved later. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[Zina]

Dan wrote: "I considered reading this and used Amazon's "Look Inside" feature to try to figure out if I would like it. The writing looked simplistic to me in a tone that tried overly hard to be approachable, l..."

The book did grow a little in some complexity of what's going on as it unfolded, even as it retained the overly simplistic style. But also - I am a lot easier to please than you are, as is evident by our average ratings. Looking back, I might change it to 3 stars, I don't know.
The protagonist is indeed a simple man of no refinement and little education, so the simple language and simple feelings fit the character.
I don't regret having read it (and after all, it is short enough that it does not take away too much time) but I don't think I will seek out any more books by this author.