Last Night in Twisted River by John Irving General Discussion

[Scout]

Some of the logging information was interesting, but not interesting enough to keep me reading. Sorry, but I gave it up. I will try the next selection.

[Lonnie]

Martha wrote: "I noticed the mention of food repeatedly throughout the book and wondered why."

I didn't see any reason other than to add words to the novel. Maybe he got paid by the word ;)

[Linda]

Me too, and he went on in great detail about it. I found it unnecessary.

[Almeta, co-moderator]

Scout wrote: "Some of the logging information was interesting, but not interesting enough to keep me reading. Sorry, but I gave it up. I will try the next selection."

POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT!
Okay, I've kept my mouth shut about this...but can no longer resist!

Keep in mind that I am not an author, so apologies to Mister Irving and to folklorist everywhere, for my presumption that I would know the first thing about how to tell a story!

I enjoy learning some while reading my fiction...In fact it practically has to be wrapped in fiction as a disguise or my eyes glass over. Textbook larnin' and I do not get along.

So wasn't this the perfect opportunity to put this logging history knowledge in a more palatable form? He had a bunch of crusty ole loggers, from different cultural backgrounds eating together in the cookhouse...not once did we hear an exchange of ideas:

"Boy, that sure was a rough one today!"
"Yeah you know back in my day we had horses to pull them big ole' toothpicks down to the river."
"Aw, that ain't nothing Frenchie. Oxen was the way to go!"
"Ya damn yank, you don't know what yur're jawing about!"
"Well, back in my day there was this big damn brute named Paul could pull a whole cord out all by himself in the dead of mud season."
"Well now, one winter it was so cold that all the geese flew backward and all the fish moved south and even the snow turned blue. Late at night, it got so frigid that all spoken words froze solid afore they could be heard. People had to wait until sunup to find out what folks were talking about the night before."
"Yeah, I remember that..didn't Paul have a Blue ox named Babe?"
"Yes siree, now stop interrupting ya damn Frenchie...As I was saying...."
"Well now Paul Bunyan scouted around the north woods of Wisconsin for quite a while afore he found the perfect spot for his winter lumber camp. It was right next to a fast river, and Paul figured they could pile the logs up right next to it and come spring time it would be mighty easy to tumble the logs into the river and float ‘em down to the mill. "
"Did they use thing-a-ma-bob cribs then?"
"Yep, or some times those other kind, whatcha-ma-call-its."

Yada yada yada

"Well time to turn in. You coming Angel?"
"Nah Ketchum, I think I'll stay and jaw with the boys for a while."
"Okay then, remember to keep your feet moving tomorrow. G'night."

some excerpts from http://americanfolklore.net/folklore/...

[Debra]

Scout wrote: "Some of the logging information was interesting, but not interesting enough to keep me reading. Sorry, but I gave it up. I will try the next selection."

Don't blame ya!

[Debra]

Almeta wrote: "Scout wrote: "Some of the logging information was interesting, but not interesting enough to keep me reading. Sorry, but I gave it up. I will try the next selection."

POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT!
..."

OMG! Too funny, and FAR more entertaining. You SLAY me!

[Carly]

Sorry for you who gave up - yes, it is long winded, but it's worth reading through to the end.

As for King - he wouldn't have a problem with long winded books - his stuff is usually pretty thick.

[Linda]

That is so funny Almeta, I found it interesting that a lot of the time they talked about sex, I was really surprised by the amount of swapping that was going on, was anyone else surprised by that, or was it just me???

[Sab]

I will read the next book on the list!!! I hope to be able to keep up with this group! thanks for adding me!

[Almeta, co-moderator]

Linda wrote: "That is so funny Almeta, I found it interesting that a lot of the time they talked about sex, I was really surprised by the amount of swapping that was going on, was anyone else surprised by that, ..."

One thing that stuck in the back of my mind was the behavior of the “logger’s wives”. I can’t remember their names….Dot and Meg? I don’t remember, but you know who I mean. The ones that worked in the kitchen.

Why would a wife trick Dominic into fondling her breasts by pretending to choke?

Logging in Canada must be a “horny” inducing occupation. Maple leaf Viagra.

[Debra]

Almeta wrote: "Linda wrote: "That is so funny Almeta, I found it interesting that a lot of the time they talked about sex, I was really surprised by the amount of swapping that was going on, was anyone else surpr..."

Bunch of weirdly sexual folk in this book.

[Debra]

Sabrina wrote: "I will read the next book on the list!!! I hope to be able to keep up with this group! thanks for adding me!"

Unless we change the current format, we are taking 2 months to read each group read book, Sabrina. We don't "officially" start Fieldwork until October. So no need to hurry.... and glad to have you here!

Buttttt... I've been thinking... well... maybe... we could start Fieldwork in September and have a vote for another book for October? Pondering...

However, I think we should definitely take Dec and Jan to read The Passage, as it is a HUGE book. Plus, we will be reading it over the holidays.

Will discuss further with my co-moderator and maybe send out a poll about this....

[Starry]

I'm relieved I loved this book, since its my first time reading this author and it is very male oriented. I love fugitive stories, though many other readers who love fugitive stories would be disappointed at how many roots these fellows were able to put down and how little they had to run for their lives. I still loved it! And guess what, I'm keeping it! Probably what kept me interested in between the fugitive elements was that as a writer I enjoy soaking up anything related to writers and writing... thank god little Danny grew up to be a writer.

QUESTION for WHEN YOU FINISH (this probably isn't a spoiler but what the hell do I know?)
Danny views Ketchum as the hero of the book, which is natural for him, but do we readers agree? I only just finished reading it so I'm still thinking about it.

[Debra]

Starry wrote: "I'm relieved I loved this book, since its my first time reading this author and it is very male oriented. I love fugitive stories, though many other readers who love fugitive stories would be disap..."

Hey Starry! I'm glad you enjoyed the book. So many of us had mixed feelings... I'm still waffling over my review and rating. It sure has stuck with me, the writing was excellent, the characters well-developed, the Americana fun... but, he went on and on about some stuff that could have been shortened or eliminated, like logging, and cooking... It has generated some good discussion, which is what I love the best about it!

And yes, I think most folks think Ketchum was, at the very least, the best character... and the reluctant hero. But many of us wonder, why oh why, didn't he just kill Cowboy Carl himself? Course we wouldn't have had a story then, would we?

[Linda]

Almeta wrote: "Linda wrote: "That is so funny Almeta, I found it interesting that a lot of the time they talked about sex, I was really surprised by the amount of swapping that was going on, was anyone else surpr..."

I totally agree!! what was that really about! very strange people....

[Linda]

@ Starry, I also look at Ketchum as the "hero" in this book. I loved the relationship that he had with Cookie and Danny. I didn't like the fact though of him being in love with Rosie and the 2 of them having an affair right in front of Cookie - or I guess I should say - how it was just understood, I didn't get it - but yet again - that just went along with all of the swapping around of wives/girlfriends.

[Starry]

the morning after finishing the book, I am definitely able to say Ketchum was the hero, he was certainly the man of action and had such a huge influence on both Danny and Dominic.
I don't say I understand the attraction any of the men had to any of the women in the book, except for Sky Lady - Amy.

[Debra]

I've been guilty of using this thread for comments I should have put in the "Overall Impression/Final Thoughts" discussion thread. Ooooops!

Just a reminder that this discussion thread is for general discussion and we should avoid spoilers here.

[Debra]

Because we've discussed this book so well, and I was paying such close attention as I read it, I feel like I my knowledge of this book is pretty good. I won't soon forget it, that's for sure.

In my meanderings I ran across this quiz about Twisted River, and I got every question right without even having to think hard! Wanna try:

http://www.goodreads.com/trivia/work/...

Let us know how you did! No cheating, now! lol

[Linda]

I took this quiz and got all questions right, I skipped 1 question - which was the one that talked about 2 authors showing up.. blah blah blah - I totally don't remember that part - I may have dozed off during that segment!!! LOL

[Debra]

Linda wrote: "I took this quiz and got all questions right, I skipped 1 question - which was the one that talked about 2 authors showing up.. blah blah blah - I totally don't remember that part - I may have doze..."

Haha, Linda. Too funny!

[Lonnie]

I got all but one correct... and that was the 1st question just because I failed to read the question and didn't choose the name NOT used. Oh well.

[Almeta, co-moderator]

In my meanderings I ran across this quiz about Twisted River, and I got every question right without even having to think hard! Wanna try:..."

I also got them all. Would have missed the two authors question myself, but because
Kurt Vonnegut was mentioned, I got that too.

I don't know who the other author was.

[Debra]

I think it is amazing we remember so much about this novel, we had so many complaints about!

[Carmen]

Late as always, had loaned my 2 books to my sister. About halfway through Twisted, have to say, I'm liking this Ketchum guy but I want to shake Cookie.

[Linda]

Agreed Carmen, he is a pretty cool guy - a little rough around the edges though.....

[Almeta, co-moderator]

Carmen wrote: "Late as always, had loaned my 2 books to my sister. About halfway through Twisted, have to say, I'm liking this Ketchum guy but I want to shake Cookie."

I think that Ketchum was the only character that kept us reading on to the "next chapter". So many actions, including his, seemed incomprehesible, yet we couldn't wait for Ketchum to add the "spice".

[Debra]

Carmen wrote: "Late as always, had loaned my 2 books to my sister. About halfway through Twisted, have to say, I'm liking this Ketchum guy but I want to shake Cookie."

Never too late, Carmen! Glad you are enjoying the story. And yeah, I wanted to shake Cookie, too! Ketchum rocks!

[Carmen]

I am really liking the story. The thing I have noticed about this book is that all the females have sooooooo much personality. Injun Jane, Six Pack Pam, Rosie, Katie, and love the naked sky diver, imagine that, jumping out of a plane is one thing, but naked no less :) lol Other than Ketchum the male characters just seem a little flat.

[Almeta, co-moderator]

Carmen wrote: "I am really liking the story. The thing I have noticed about this book is that all the females have sooooooo much personality. Injun Jane, Six Pack Pam, Rosie, Katie, and love the naked sky diver, ..."

Of all the discussion on this book this was never actually pointed out...but you are so right. The women were far more interesting. Should have expanded on their lives!

[Linda]

Funny - I didn't think of that either.....

[Debra]

me neither, very good point!