Part 1: A Good Story (SPOILER ALERT)

[Debra]

Put your comments about Part 1 here.

[Almeta, co-moderator]

I fell for Josh O'Connor in the very first paragraph of Fieldwork. His means of making a living, varied as it was, seemed ambitious; even while Mischa (the character) with similar spotty employment, seemed like a slacker. Don’t know why I formed that opinion. Maybe Mischa (the writer) had too much difficulty in describing Mischa (himself as a character), and was better able to flesh out the imaginary Josh.

In any case, why couldn’t Josh just have told the story directly to me (the reader)? Instead he told Mischa who then told me. This “technique” does make it seem that I am reading a true account of an episode in Mischa’s life, and not a fictional story. Do you think this is based on a true, but embellished incident.

Although I am learning a little bit about Martiya, a seemingly liberal modern woman, and her family, I keep saying to myself, "Why are these people so intrigued by her that they can't get her out of their mind?"

The burning question is who did she kill?

Of course, I think of her as innocent, or at least justified in some way.

[Almeta, co-moderator]

Now further into the book....

Martiya is treating her experience in a Thai prison as an anthropology experiment. She doesn’t want to entertain the possibility of being able to leave. Why then does she later commit suicide? Did she really kill herself, or was there foul play?

Josh, a perfectly good character, is being ignored/forgotten, while Mischa moves on in his casual investigation, with years passing in between one inquiry and another.

We finally get the mention of the person Martiya has killed, but little else. Soooo I learn, she isn't really innocent, but I can still cling to justified!!!

[Angie]

I am about a quarter of the way in. I think it has great potential, but I find myself having to re-read paragraphs. It just isn't holding my interest. It did right away (I agree with Almeta that Josh is being under-used). I think that once I get further into it, I will be hooked. At this point I am thinking that she didn't really kill herself. There has to be foul play, right?? :)

[Carmen]

Finished with part 1. Really enjoying the book, reading about Thailand. Have been several times and love it.
Hope the rest of the book goes into more depth on the Hill people.
Liked Josh too. Not sure about the suicide, why did she mail the manuscripts, why did she give away most of the money? Seems strange she shot him in the back too.

[Almeta, co-moderator]

Carmen wrote: "Not sure about the suicide, why did she mail the manuscripts, why did she give away most of the money? Seems strange she shot him in the back too. ..."

Maybe she just felt that once her manuscripts were compeleted she was done with living? That was all she wished to accomplish in life?

The shots in the back thing was prefaced by his having severe injuries. Had to "put him down"?

I'm counting on the last section of the book to give me some answers!

[Debra]

I'm about half-way through and no more mention of Josh. I wonder if he ever shows up again. I agree that he is a great character.

We don't find out the narrator has the same name as the author until chapter 4, although if you read the front flap of the hardcover you find out right away! Can't figure out why that feels so strange. Maybe the story IS loosely based on a true story.

I also fear foul-play in regards to Martiya's death. It happened right after she finished her manuscripts. Wonder if there is something "damning" in them; something worth killing her for. And also feel like she isn't a murderer. Why do I want to take her side when I barely know the character?

Food sounds so delicious when descrbied in books; especially exotic stuff. Bet I might not find "native" food to my taste if I was really there in Thailand, though.

What's a "lava-lava" dress? Anyone know?

Bet no one will admit they voted for Nixon, TWICE!

MMMMMMM, orange TANG! I had forgotten all about that. Do they still sell it?