Part One

[Mona]

تنهایی پر هیاهو یکی از کتاب های خوبی بود که خوندم...بخونیدش

[Meghan]

I had to start this one because I had to say I am enjoying this book much more. I think it was a little difficult for me to get used to the format of this book. It's very disconnected and un-book-like. But the story is moving much more easily and we're getting into Liesel's story now.

Anyway, two passages sort of hit me:

"For Liesel Meminger, there was the imprisoned stiffness of movement and the staggered onslaught of thoughts. Es stimmt nicht. This isn't happening. This isn't happening.

And the shaking.

Why do they always shake them?"

From personal experience, you just can't help yourself. He is right though. It is "to stem the flow of truth." But I thought it showed the power of words. For me, those two tiny sentences packed a powerful punch. Even without my own personal experiences, it causes you to vividly picture the scenario in your mind. I love that about good writing.

I have a question regarding the other passage:

"A pair of train guards.
A pair of grave diggers.
WHen it came down to it, one of them called the shots.
The other did what he was told.
The question is, what if the other is a lot more than one?"

What does mean? I've thought about it for 2 days now and I still can't come up with anything. Thoughts?

[Ashley]

I'm not sure what this mean but from the last line,"The question is, what if the other is a lot more than one?", I think it means that what if the second guy is better than the first guy?? Or maybe what would happene if the second guy called the shots. What would his decisions be and what would be the consequences. I think something like. Does this make sense?

[Meghan]

Oohhhh...I think I get it now. What if the other is a lot more than one. Meaning there are a lot more doing than one who's calling the shots. What happens when there is that imbalance?

Thanks. That's quite insightful.

[Sera]

I agree; "The other did what he was told" is "the other" to which the author is referring in the "more than one" reference. I think it also means that what happens when people simply do what they are told rather than to speak out on their own?

Actually, Meghan, you highlight a very important quote. I had not made this connection previously, and you know that I don't give away spoilers, but there is a part later in the book, when this quote makes more sense to me when applied in that context. It will be interesting to see whether you and anyone else can make the same connection.

[Meghan]

Well, I finally finished Part One. I have to say this book really is picking up! I love Rudy and the whole Jesse Owens story. I don't "hate" Rosa, but I do love Hans. He makes me want to keep turning the page to find out more of his story. How did he learn the accordian? Why did reading save his life? I like that Liesel is one tough little girl, who's willing to fight for her rights as well. Heavyweight champion indeed!

[Meghan]

And Sera, that's just mean. You have my curiosity completely peaked now! But the pressure's on...will I be able to spot what you're referencing?!!

[Sera]

Hehe, Meghan - oh, I think that you will be able to spot it quite easily - but you never know