Creature (Group Read - December 2010)

[Jenna, Group Creator]

See the poll and vote :) Between :

Guardian
Creature
Nathaniel
Shadows

In January we will start nominating on Dec. 1st for January then a poll will be created on the 7th :)

Sorry for the delays..Im trying to move out of state..Ohio to Pennsylvnia...been hectic.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Creature Wins. Please feel free to Discuss the book in this thread :-)


Creature by John Saul

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Jenna wrote: "Im trying to move out of state..Ohio to Pennsylvnia...been hectic. "

Jenna, have you finished moving yet?

[Erica]

Picking up my copy from the library in the next few days. Have to power read a couple books, then am free to read Creature. I am going into it with more of an open mind. I think my problem with Black Creek Crossing is that once I figured out the plot, I didn't care enough to enjoy it.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

I'm also getting my copy from the library today - not sure when I'll get it started as I'm reading some other books but we'll see :-)

I believe I read the book way back as a teen, but I don't remember much of the story.

[Adelhaida]

I just finished Black Creek Crossing, and I had the same problem. After I figured it out,I was lacking on finishing it but it was a quick read. I want to start on creature ASAP. Sounds good(:

[Erica]

I just got my copy, so I'll be starting it today.

[Erica]

Started reading it, though only on page 3. Already I think the dad is a dick (pardon my language). While this is only my second book of John Sauls', I notice a theme with the dads. Total pricks. It's hard to imagine living with someone like that.

[Maicie]

I have 100 pages left in a book for another group so I should be able to start tomorrow. Any one else join waaaay toooo many groups and have trouble keeping up?

[Erica]

Maicie wrote: "I have 100 pages left in a book for another group so I should be able to start tomorrow. Any one else join waaaay toooo many groups and have trouble keeping up?"

Yes! I try to read all that I can. Fortunately for my Stephen King group I have read all of his already so I don't feel bad about skipping that. I try to read the book selections for this group, and Horror Affionados. Really slacking in the Dean Koontz group.

[Maicie]

Chapters 1 through 11 ****possible spoilers****

If I had the time I could probably read this in a couple settings. It's quick and easy.

The story is fairly conventional. I've read several horror books about football players gone bad. I wonder why it's always football? Wouldn't it be fun to have a tennis player or bowler turn into an evil being? They might not have brute strength but you can do a lot of damage with a racket or bowling ball.

I enjoy reading books set in places I'm familiar with. It adds additional interest. But I wonder why so many horror tales are set in Maine or Colorado. Weird.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Maicie wrote: "Any one else join waaaay toooo many groups and have trouble keeping up?"

Ummm, Yes :-)

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Erica wrote: "Really slacking in the Dean Koontz group."

you should really make that one a priority :-) j/k

[Maicie]

****a teeny tiny spoiler****

This was a quick read and I couldn't put it down during the last hundred pages. As I said ealier, this isn't a fresh story line but it's tight, more than satisfactory and worth a read through.

[Maicie]

Erica wrote: "Started reading it, though only on page 3. Already I think the dad is a dick (pardon my language). While this is only my second book of John Sauls', I notice a theme with the dads. Total pricks...."

I have a bigger problem with wimpy, weak women. The men can be total heels as long as the woman kicks him to the curb at some point during the story! :)

[Erica]

Dustin Crazy wrote: "Erica wrote: "Really slacking in the Dean Koontz group."

you should really make that one a priority :-) j/k"

I am horrible, I know!

[Erica]

Man, I can relate to the kid, Mark, feeling alienated in the town. I lived in a small town for a time, and all they cared about was sports. If you didn't play, then you might as well not even exist.

[Erica]

Finished it yesturday. Really enjoyed it compared to last months read.

[Jenna, Group Creator]

so what r favorite and least favorite points of Creature?

Did you like the ending or think it should have been different?

[Erica]

I personally enjoyed the ending. I am glad Mark survived even in the "new" state he was in. The downside to the book for me was that I figured it out fairly quickly. Still, it didn't ruin it for me like with last months read.

[William]

I liked this book,it took a little while to get going but really enjoyed the last 70 pages or so.Reminded me of Koontz "Midnight" a little,but that's a good thing.3 stars.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Jenna, Group Creator, said:

Synapsis: A powerful high tech company. A postcard pretty company town. Families. Children. Sunshine. Happiness. A high school football team that never-ever- loses. And something else. SOmething horrible....Now there is a new family in town. A shy, nature loving teenager. A new hometown. A new set of bullies. Maybe the teams sports clinic can help him. Rebuild him. Then they won't hurt him again. They wont dare.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Jenna, Group Creator, wrote :

Character analysis at the beginning: How do these contrast to how the characters have evolved at the middle or end..?

The mother, Sharon:In the beginning shes the typical mother, worries about her son, stands up for him because hes small...

THe Father,Blake: In the beginning, we see a glimpse of Blake's personality, he is a bit overbearing,i think, and engrosse din getting his son into sports, make a man out of him..why?

Mark:A small child, sick as a younger kid, still 5 foot at age 16. He is quiet and shy at the beginning.

Kelly: Cute, spunky archetypical little sister...

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Jenna, Group Creator, wrote :

I like the read between the lines type italics that Saul inserts throughout the book...for example page 215( paperback) Don't Believe him. Please...dont believe him.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Jenna, Group Creator, asked :

DO the monsters...i.e. creatures..in this book remind you of any other creatures from other books.?

[Kylie, Natural Born Devereaux]

Other creatures... like werewolves? :P

Honestly, I liked this book quite a bit, but I thought the writing was very shaky. The boys are getting bigger, stronger, more aggressive... and at no time do people start accusing the school of pumping their kids with steroids? Please.