A Visit from the Goon Squad
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Chapter 1: "Found Objects"
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Sara
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Jun 12, 2011 07:14AM
I have a hard time liking a book when I don't like the characters. I did finish the chapter though. (-:
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I also like the back and forth. Had no clue what the book was about but i'm already sucked in.
The shifting flowed so naturally for me that it didn't even occur to me that it was something special/out of the ordinary until I came to this discussion forum, heh. I found Alex annoying, and was glad when he was out of the picture. Sasha is intriguing--getting to be inside the mind (kinda, sorta) of a kleptomaniac is a treat, in an unexpected, odd sort of way.
I didn't find the flashbacks confusing at all. Egan did a fantastic job writing it so that it was perfectly seamless. Sasha is a fascinating character and I hope that we can learn more about her and her background throughout the book. Her inner battle with her kleptomania was sometimes heartwrenching reading about her need to steal something and yet knowing that she shouldn't. I'm looking forward to reading more!
I enjoyed it, especially the bathtub in the kitchen (haven't heard of that one at all). Interesting to read Sasha's take on why she steals.
I just finished the first chapter today and I have to admit like most of you that it has captured my attention. I saw this book as a big group read and just picked it up...I was afraid that I would not like it but so far so good. I liked the way that Egan shifts from the present to the past. It was to me as if I was Sasha in the story flashing bad, or watching it like a movie. Looking forward to chapter 2.
I started it and had to go back after a few pages and start again, i wasn't confused but i wasn't paying attention... let me say this it got my attention and i'm loving this book... it's really like being in two places at once....
Linda wrote: "Do you think this book would be just as easy to follow if listening to an audio version? Or would these shifts be too confusing on audio?"This is a wonderful audio book, the shifts flow seamlessly yet they surprise. Probably one if the top tier of audio books
The first chapter has pulled me in right away. And I thought the shifting was super smooth, which is awesome. Good start!
Yeah I liked the shifting. After this first chapter I'm kinda hooked in.
I agree with many of the comments about not liking Sasha. What a selfish person. I mean stealing the precious note from the wallet of someone she likes? I found it intensely disturbing. This is sociopathic behavior. Put the book down after that and wondered if I should continue. Guess so...
So far, I like the writing. But honestly, Sasha just seems like the typical lost American woman. Lots of baggage, sexually loose, devoid of any moral compass. It's sad that other readers actually felt compassion and wanted her to take the wallet. Yet, I am glad she's seeking treatment...and I hope she is able to find her moral compass, stops stealing, and finds a meaningful purpose to her life. Right now, she's just a thieving slut.
The flashbacks are written seamlessly, but it took a moment for me to make that connection. It might have been the cold meds that were causing me to be fuzzy. I gotta say I'm intrigued with Sasha, but not sympathetic to her plight. I get the impression that while she wants to change her issues, she's not willing to put in the time and energy, as she's very easily able to say all the reasons WHY she's stealing and what she should do, but doesn't do anything about it. The compulsion was written very well and I could see the dilemna (sp?) but I get frustrated with characters that don't take a chance to make a change. Hopefully that will happen sometime in the book. On to Chapter 2...
I was intrigued by this book because it won a prize and was the book for this book club when I picked it up, yet I am skeptical that the subject matter will be something I can related to/am interested in. Just read the first chapter and am going to keep reading to see if I can get into the characters, etc. So far Sasha seems like a pretty self-absorbed character.
Just finished the first chapter. Very interesting! I did not have any problem with the transition between the story and Coz' office. I think Alex was just one moment in the story and I don't need to know any more about him.
Enjoyed the first chapter very much! Like other readers, I did not sympathize with Sasha but still enjoyed the complexity of her character. Additionally, I enjoyed the dialogue. I often find dialogue to be unbearable in a date-like setting, but I think Egan wrote excellent dialogue for this chapter. I look forward to reading the rest of the book!
Mary wrote: "The shifts between Coz's office and the date were very cool. It's like a whole new method of writing flashbacks. It also presented this idea of being present in all times; nothing is the past, noth..."Loved this Mary! This is exactly the way I felt reading this chapter. It flowed in and out of time without being disruptive to the story or to the characters. I was left intrigued.
I've just finished chapter one and I enjoyed the flashbacks to Coz's office, on the couch. They made me understand Sasha's thought process a bit more. Kleptomania is made more real in this chapter, and I found myself taking it very seriously. That fascinated me.
This is definitely the best chapter to draw a reader in to the novel. I enjoyed the shifting from Dr. Coz'z office to the date with Alex. One of my favorite chapters.
I thought the “shifts” were employed in part to prevent us from taking an oversimplified view of Sasha’s situation. The therapist analyzes Sasha the way we ourselves are analyzing her as readers: asking what motivates her (“How did she feel? How did she feel? There was a right answer of course”) and asking why she’s failing to follow a generic set of morals. We see Sasha become disgruntled with Coz’s approach because of its superficial tendencies—in her view, instead of addressing raw warped elements (like her father disappearing when she was six), this approach focuses on a redemptive narrative. As a reader we’re in a similar position to Coz, so this functions as a warning, I think, to the reader to avoid the pitfall of focusing on a redemptive narrative instead of addressing the raw warped core of the individuals in this book.As a story, I thought it stood alone fine, but I think that warning applies well to the rest of the book, so I like that it’s the starting piece.
I thought the transitions were very easy to follow, though the frequent use of parenthesis might get old. I have only read the first chapter, so I will see if I get bored or annoyed with it.
Chapter 1 is really the theme of the whole book about making mistakes in life and trying your best to survive. The book is really about Sasha, and Sasha and Alex, Sasha and Bennie, Sasha and Uncle Ted, Sasha and Rob, Sasha and Drew, Sasha and Scotty and all of their family and friends in trying to grow up and ends with Alex,Bennie, and Sasha. Very sweet. Every character was tied to someone else in the story. The Safari chapter told us that the Warrior that danced for Charlene would come to America and marry LuLu. Bennie, his wife, wife's boss, the mother of LuLu made her an important part of the story.
I'm really late getting started on this. I love exploring psychological disorders through characters, so I'm hooked. I think it's amazing how the author shows the clinical view and the personal, emotional side to Sasha. I'm looking forward to more.
The shift was very easy to follow. I didn't give it any thought at all until I read the question addressing it. I think this chapter could easily have stood alone as a short story, but it would have been a story that left me wishing it had continued. This first chapter sucked me right in. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked the book, right from the beginning.
I hardly even noticed the transition in scenery from the therapist's office to Sasha's date -- it all seemed intertwined to me. Her perception of time was dead on.Alex didn't interest me too much as a character (although I am slightly intrigued in the story between the childhood note -I BELIEVE IN YOU-) but I'm much more interested in Sasha's development.
I thik the shifting was well done. I like Sasha in this chapter- liked Coz- disliked Alex and hope we have seen the end of him.
I liked the shifting between the two scenes. It was very easy to keep track of what was happening where.I really like the part when Sasha goes back into the bathroom to `look for the wallet`and her encounter with the women when she gives it back. I found this a very emotional moment for Sasha.
I think this could probably stand alone as a short story, as long as there was a bit more of a conclusion added to it, or a more significant revelation had been revealed about Sasha. As for her and Alex. I enjoyed them when they were together but I`m not attached to them in a way that makes me want to see more of them.
I also liked the immediate 'flashback' format - too often writers will mention something that will come up later in the novel (foreshadowing) but this is perfect for those of us who are impatient and curious. This is my first Jennifer Egan book and I am enjoying it so far.
What is your take on this part from page 13?"I'd rather just go somewhere else."
"There is nowhere else," she said.
"That's ridiculous," Alex said.
I am listening to this on audio and am not finding it too diffucult. Not in this first chapter at least. I am almost finished and want to get the real book to see how it is formatted. Later chapters are frustrating with the audio. Some don't seem to make sense so if you have the option - stick with a written copy. I did find myself caring whether Sasha got caught or not and felt sorry for Alex. He had no idea how messed up she was....
The changing between present and past was easy for me to get past once I found out what was going on, but it was a bit confusing at first.I feel most people here seem to side with Sasha and feel sorry for her with a few feeling disgusted with her. I can say that I am intrigued with her, however I don't know wether to love her, hate her, or even pity her. At first I did pity the need she had for stealing the wallet, I mean she literally could not stop herself. I was even ok with it as she was back in the restaurant. It wasn't until after her confrontation with the lady that I started to feel confused about her. She pleaded with the lady not to tell saying she had a problem. The truth is she had a choice and she chose to take it. I don't care what someones says to me if they stole my wallet they are going to pay for it even if everything is there.
Once in the apartment I started to dislike her again when it felt like she simply slept with Alex to get him a way from her table. I then felt sad and sorry when he grabbed the bath salts. I had the need to scream at him not to touch it, that it was one of her private pocessions. That opinion once again got skewed when she never returned his paper.
As for Alex, the only thing I liked about him was the paper he kept. I often hold on to sheets of paper or whatever that have more meaning than just the basic words on them. Other than that I felt he was a very static character, one the story can go on without and I would not care one way or the other.
I have finished the book, and Sasha gains a lot more depth later in the story, and is actually has a lot more integrity than many of the other characters. She ends up being one of my favorites. The book deifinitely seems like a collection of short stories at first, and I see people saying that a lot of the chapters could stand alone. They could, but as the book progresses you can see that all the stories connect. I think that all the stories together are a lot more powerful than if I had read just one or two standing alone.
Tracie wrote: "What is your take on this part from page 13?"I'd rather just go somewhere else."
"There is nowhere else," she said.
"That's ridiculous," Alex said."
Libby wrote: "I also liked the immediate 'flashback' format - too often writers will mention something that will come up later in the novel (foreshadowing) but this is perfect for those of us who are impatient a..."
Tracie, I love your question and wondered the same thing myself. Wish more people would chime in here with their takes on this.
She's stealing objects that vibrate power to her. Is that typical of shoplifters? Her apartment is boring now because it lost a positive vibration. Coz doesn't want to see her eyes, which is a cold kind of analysis. She doesn't object. Hmmmmmmmm.
I really enjoyed the seamless flashbacks like everyone else. It felt like I was in a movie almost and I always had a clear idea of what was going on. I was surprised as well that I rooted for Sasha and was kind of annoyed by the confused wallet owner because you'd think it would be the opposite. That's when you know it's good writing. Loving the book so far.
This first chapter was captivating. Indeed it could stand alone as a short story. The relationship between Coz and Sasha is interesting - as if Coz is the only thing that Sasha answers to - her conscience perhaps? I don't know much about kleptomania but does the significant value to the owner of the item mean something more to Sasha than just stealing a trivial item? It is almost as if the items she steals has a significant value to the original owner and herself as well. The scarf, the bath salts, the note - I feel as if they tie into who she is and she needs them to help her identity. Whether this makes the character likable or not - that is a different story. The writing is fantastic and seamless - the transitions are so natural you find yourself following them and understanding them without really grasping that the shifts are going on. Beautifully written.
I thought the first chapter was definitely a good start. It read like a short story!I was also fascinated like others with the psychological view of a kleptomaniac. It was wildy interesting to hear her side.
I normally really dislike flashbacks and time shifts (I have been known to avoid books altogether because of it) but I thought I would give this a chance and I am glad I did.
It was off-putting the first couple of times because I wasn't used to it but once I had finished the chapter, it felt natural and well done.
I'm also really sad people don't seem to be connecting with Sasha. She clearly has a problem that is mental and has physical effects and it's not something you can just 'stop'
It'll be interesting to see if we learn what made her start
I'm afraid that I don't really connect with Sasha either. Its not just her stealing, its her general emotional vacuum.But, bizarrely, I did want to read more about her and that I would definitely attribute to the quality of writing.
I thought that chapter 1 was a very good vignette to introduce Sasha's character and problem. I also thought it would work well as a short story. And now I realise, from reading this thread, that not only was it published as a short story, but that the book as a whole is structured as a series of interconnected short stories. It will be interesting to see how that works out.
I love the secrecy of her character. The 'not' being able to tell her age, her obsessive urges, etc. The secret side that lurkes underneath her is intriguing. Nice first chapter!
I do like all the shifting in scenes and in time, but you really need a notebook to keep track on all the characters
I am listening to A Visit from the Good Squad on audio. It took me a while to realize that the author was going between two different places/times, but once I realized I thought it was really effective. I have a feeling Sasha is just going to keep getting more interesting!
The shifting scnes confused me at first.Sasha sounds interesting and I'm hoping to learn more about her.
So far I've only read the first chapter and thought the shifting was very smooth, hardly noticed. I also loved that "Prewallet" and "Postwallet". About the other wallet, when Alex was in the bathroom and Sasha was eyeing his wallet, I was yelling, "don't do it" LOL. That'll teach him for asking to use the bath salts ;) When Sasha lifted his note "I believe in you", I thought it was speaking to her for some reason. I'm wondering if it will come back to that little note later in the book...
Great start and it's grabbed my attention. On to the next chapter!
Im way behind everyone just read first chapter. I had put off reading dont really know why maybe title or not knowing anything about book or author but have started now. I as everyone else was drawn to characters quickly! Sasha getting help for her problem big plus but wondering as you all why problem to start with & what going on with she & therapist?? Is there something real going on or is it all in her mind? Then the poor woman at bar. Was she really that naive or what?? Alex- a little weird about bathtub thing- he didn't seem that important to story but it seems all characters have problems (eye contact to stealing) & all these problems lead to what?? Ill want to read to find out if any connections. Great chapter to dicuss & teach flashback & character development with my students-Id just have to be careful due to language in book.
i couldn't help, after reading about this book, thinking that it was very similiar to THE IMPERFECTIONISTS in that it was going to be stories about people living their lives, lives that take unexpected turns and twist, but always manage to survive, lives that are all somehow connected. so, i was hesitate as that book made me feel soooooo melancholy from the get-go with the story about that workholic man and the sad reason behind it. in books like this the first story really does set the tone. i like that this story, a story about a klepto and her one night stand, with it's details about the bathtub, and her feelings and the therapists made me laugh, made me feel ashamed, made me feel for the boy whose precious note was stolen, made me want to take a long bath and made me want to read on to learn more, while that was a real story it was darned upbeat and honest!
Kristin wrote: "Dissenting voice here. I've only read the first chapter and I'm pretty disgusted with Sasha. Yet another self-absorbed single woman in NYC. Ho hum.I agree with Laurie; I get a strong sense of wha..."
I agree. I don't like Sasha at all. She strikes me as arrogant, and really I have a very hard time empathizing with a character who has no empathy for others. If they don't care about other people, why should I care about them? She even looks down on Alex when he expresses empathy. I initially thought her reaction to Alex's outrage was fear of being caught, but really think it was annoyance that he would actually care about the woman. Her playing the victim after stealing the wallet was downright irritating. I'm only at Chapter 3, though - maybe she becomes more sympathetic as the book progresses?
I thought the shifts were seamless. It was very easy to follow and provided insight to Sasha's character.
So far I find the book very interesting. The story has really caught me and I’m eager to read more. I found the part when Sasha returns the wallet the best part of chapter one, I just found it a very interesting scene to read. I also like the way it flashes from what her therapist has been telling her and the story. It’s really written well. A nice easy read so far, and intriguing.
I enjoyed chapter 1 and the shifts. I'm intrigued, not completely compelled to read on but I intend to.
What is your take on this part from page 13?
"I'd rather just go somewhere else."
"There is nowhere else," she said.
"That's ridiculous," Alex said.
I interpreted this as Sasha wryly expressing a New Yorker's sense of superiority (that NYC is so big and so diverse that why should there even be anywhere else?) and Alex's incredulity that New Yorkers (or anybody) could believe such a thing.
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