The Storyteller by Antonia Michaelis (Group Read June 2012)

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic]

June's read is now open.

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic]

Okay, I do plan on skim reading the book again because I think I'm going to pick up even more details the second time around...but for now, I'm pulling back up some of the discussion that Isa and I had about the book because I don't want to forget to discuss these points with you guys after some of you have read it.

Don't read these until after you've finished the book!

About Abel's relationship with his teacher : (view spoiler)[Do you think the teacher was his dad or was he a sexual customer? I don't know if I ever really figured that out (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[Do you think Anna should have gotten close to Abel again after what he did to her? (hide spoiler)]

Also, my original thoughts on the book after I read it the first time :
(view spoiler)[Just finished and it has been a long time since I've picked up a book and found myself unable to do anything but read it at every possible moment. I read until my eyes burned last night, then woke up and read straight through until finishing.

Words can not even begin to describe what I'm feeling right now. I had strong feelings like I did while reading any of these books Forbidden On the Jellicoe Road Between Shades of Gray How to Kill a Rock Star, but I'm happy, sad and angry at the same time. Right now I'm sticking with angry. The story was so beautiful though.

As for Anna. I feel like every decision she made (after the bad incident number one and after the bad incident number two) was based on what she needed to do for herself at the time. It wasn't that she was selfish by choosing when she would and wouldn't forgive (both times being the opposite of how most of us would react), it was that she had her own different way of coping.

I wish that he had been arrested instead of committing suicide. But there was no reason why Abel couldn't have just gone to jail. Yeah, it would have sucked, but he might have been able to see his sister at some point. He was a minor when he committed the crimes, which changes the sentencing
(hide spoiler)]

[Joan (official heroine hater)]

I'm not going to read your spoilers yet. I'm a little more than half way through it. BUT, I'm really enjoying it! That first chapter really threw me, I kept coming up with all these theories, but I think I've figured it out now. Also, (view spoiler)[ Bertil is really giving me the creeps! I have a real bad feeling about him and where this is going to go. I'm afraid there's not going to be a happily ever after at the end of this book. (hide spoiler)]

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic]

Bertil was the stalker guy? For some reason, the name is escaping me.

Since these are reveals from pretty early on in the book that you find out almost immediately, I'm going to go without spoiler tags for these two questions.

What are your thoughts about Abel being a drug dealer? Does the fact that he has to provide for his sister make this more acceptable?

How do you like the "storytelling" aspect of the book? Do you think it's a good way to script the murder mystery?

[Joan (official heroine hater)]

Stacia ~ the professional insomniac wrote: "Bertil was the stalker guy? For some reason, the name is escaping me.

Since these are reveals from pretty early on in the book that you find out almost immediately, I'm going to go without spoiler..."

Yes, Bertil is "stalker guy". He likes to talk about shooting things-dogs, people he doesn't like, etc. Uh, okay creeper!
Abel as a drug dealer? Man, this is one of those hard, ethical questions that I usually avoid at all costs. Technically, I guess I'd have to say that no, its not a good enough excuse. Probably a good percentage of small time drug dealers have a similar excuse. BUT, at the same time, I just feel so bad for Abel and his situation! He's trying so hard to take care of his sister, so I'm feeling a little forgiving. In other words, I'm being totally wishy-washy on the question ;-)
As for the storytelling aspect? I'm okay with it, not a big fan of fairytale type stuff and sometimes I just want him to hurry up and finish, but I am enjoying trying to figure out who the characters are in real life before it's told to us. I think it's a very unique way of doing it!

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic]

Your thoughts about Abel's situation are similar to how I felt. I didn't agree with what he was doing but found it hard not to at least understand somewhat.

I think if the entire book had been done in the storytelling format it would have been way too much. Because it's only in little snippets, I thought it was a nice addition. The writing style of the book is very beautiful to read. There's something almost haunting about it.

[Joan (official heroine hater)]

Stacia ~ the professional insomniac wrote: "Your thoughts about Abel's situation are similar to how I felt. I didn't agree with what he was doing but found it hard not to at least understand somewhat.

I think if the entire book had been don..."

Yes, "haunting" is the perfect word!!!

[Samantha]

Ok, I'm totally skipping the comments above to come back later. I'm always terrible at guessing whodunits, even when it's right in front of my face. It's taken me until pg 240 (more than halfway) and I think I see how this is all going to go down and it's killing me!! (view spoiler)[Bertil is a bad, bad person and he's trying to frame Abel for the murders, right? rhetorical, I guess since I'm not going to read spoilers until I'm done, but arrgh!
I realized it after the second guy died with a shot to the neck and after Bertil had his little rant about shooting things, like the dog. (hide spoiler)]
One thing I really like reading this book is it's set somewhere different than I normally read, I just took my first trip to Europe a couple months ago and got to visit Germany, including Munich, so it's nice to picture the setting.

It's also interesting to me the way Anna interacts with her parents. Her mom is so calm and..docile?..it's weird to see how they tiptoe around each other, but all in a very respectful way. And even though I know a lot of people do it it's still weird for me to hear a kid call their parents by their first names.

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic]

Oh, I'm going to love seeing everyone's theories. Want to comment on Samantha's but I can't!

[Samantha]

Just finished it. My terrible guessing streak goes unthreatened! lol

Some interesting discussions here. I'm going to get some sleep now that I've stayed up til after 1:30 to finish it, yikes!

[Samantha]

Okay, I definitely had mixed feelings about this one. I also always wonder about the translation when I'm reading books first written in another language. Did the translator convey the true weight or essence of a scene or dialogue? I hope so in this case.

About your questions, Stacia (view spoiler)[ I think Abel's relationship with his teacher was purely mentor, that there may have been some wishful thinking on Anna's part when it came to thinking he was Abel's father. I don't think he was a customer because I don't think Abel would have been able to be so nice to him, especially in regard to being the lighthouse keeper.

I thought it was a little slow at first, but then I was really drawn to the developing relationship between Abel and Anna. What dashed it all was the rape. Once that happened I wasn't going to be able move past it. I don't care if the author rationalizes it for Anna when she's "reasonable" Anna and when she's "unreasonable" Anna. The fact is she was a victim and continuing the cycle of abuse helps no one. When she went back to him I almost put the book down. I'm not saying this may not really happen with some victims of rape, but it's not what I want to read in that situation.

I honestly didn't mind the ending because I wasn't really that attached to Abel by time the end rolled around. I would have much rather stayed with Anna in the parallel world, but even this bothered me because even though it's nice to dwell in the fantasy of what could have been I worried about her future and her mental health.

I guess I just have mixed feelings on this one. The story was just kind of bizarre overall for me in the end. Yet there were parts that had so much emotion and made me feel for these people she had created. I felt the unfairness of the situation as Anna described it at times.
(hide spoiler)]

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic]

I'll address the spoiler stuff later. I hate doing mass typing on tiny keyboards. I had wondered about the translation as well, if the book might have had subtle details that didn't carry over. As for the flow of the translation...I wouldn't have noticed that it was a translated book had it not been mentioned before. Original was German? I don't remember.

[Samantha]

Yup, it said German.

Another thing I thought of (view spoiler)[When Abel burns his arm and he tells Anna the longest one was for her, what did you think? I think it allowed the author a convenient way of showing the pain Abel felt from his own actions. (hide spoiler)]

[Carina]

Started it and I'm only 12% in, but I already like it. The writing style is so easy to get in to, without it being too simple. Going to bed now, but hoping to read more tomorrow! Those spoilers are taunting me!

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic]

Samantha wrote: "Yup, it said German.

Another thing I thought of [spoilers removed]"

For some reason, I'm having a hard time recalling this scene. I plan on doing a skim re-read throughout the month, so I'll try to pay attention to this scene when it comes up.

[Leea]

I just started this morning (thus I didn't read the earlier posts :) and i've read the first 2 chapters, not sure where this is going but the writing is beautiful.

[Carina]

I am REALLY loving this writting style! It really flows from line to line, making it extremly enjoyable to keep reading.

Abel...oh my, what a difficult life he's been put in to. And he's doing the best he can (view spoiler)[taking care of Micha, even before their mom left. I don't think drug selling is the best way to go about it, but I can't condem him either. (hide spoiler)]

And what the hell is the deal with Bertil?? Creppy ass stalker much? Jesus, I have a bad feeling about him...

I really am loving the Fairytale tellings too. An good way for Abel to get throu to Micha. =)

I'm 27% in right now. On to chapter 7!

[Leea]

I'm on Chapter 5 and I had to take a little break. This book is beautifully written and heartbreaking. I have no clue where this is going and i'm not going to even try to figure it out yet.

Abel, is slowly growing on me. I mean how can you not find him attractive with the way his takes care of his baby sister, Micha.

The Fairytale was confusing at first but now I have a handle on it ;)

[Carina]

Holy cow! Chapter 8! (view spoiler)[ Abel got in a fight with Micha's dad and then the guy turns up dead the next morning??? I'm not saying I think it was Abel. I believe him when he says it wasn't him. But dang this looks bad.

I feel like Abel right now: "I wish I could feel relief...he's never gonna bother us again." (hide spoiler)]

34% In!!!

[Leea]

Ahhhh! Dang you women. lol!

[Carina]

Its grabbing me so much right now, and I have to put it down!!! Curse you job I have to go to tomorrow!!!!

Keep reading Leea. Its dark in tone and in text, but oh so engaging!

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic]

I felt for Abel right from the start. What a hard life he must have had and now he's in a spot where he's got all of this responsibility. I think it's easy to understand why he's doing what he's doing to take care of his sister.

[Leea]

Well it's moving now and I have no idea where this is going and at time i'm confused with the fairytale characters and the real life characters and how they are the same and who's who in each tale. Pheww! Please ohhh please ladies, tell me this all gets fixed.

I'm having a real issue with what happened in the boathouse. (view spoiler)[ I mean Abel violently raped her. I feel like Anna wanting to be around his not healthy at all and that this relationship cannot last. I was really rooting for Abel but now i'm not so found of his character. This may be the turning point for me, for a lower rating. (hide spoiler)]

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic]

I'm not telling you anything!

About what Abel did...he was so broken because of what had happened to him. He tried to do the best he could but really had no gauge of how to interact with people.

Well and I also think that what happened partly happened because of what (don't read this unless you know Abel's secret, I don't remember if that was shown before or after what he did) (view spoiler)[was being done to him by those men...the harshness that he was suffering at their hands...in essence he was being raped himself, over and over (hide spoiler)] shaped his views on how he should be interacting with people, which I'm not sure if you know about yet, so I won't spoil it.

In essence, abused people tend to recycle that behavior onto other people. (view spoiler)[He couldn't recycle it onto Mischa, so Anna was his only outlet. (hide spoiler)]

It did bother me but I felt it was a turning point to show how everything was starting to come to a head. After the end, it might resonate more...maybe...who knows. We all see it differently. If anything, I was more shocked at Anna's behavior afterward.

[Samantha]

Leea, that was the thing that bothered me the most, well the act and her later response was really disturbing to me. I think this book would have been totally different without that one scene.

[Leea]

I got the impression in the boathouse (view spoiler)[Right before Abel raped her when he said some about not being able to be gentle. At that point we don't know of any abuse but that what I came to understand from his statement.

I understand that sometimes sexually abused people do then abuse others. I guess the way Anna handled it and didn't tell anyone was very disturbing, although probably very real for a 17 year old girl.

I'm very curious if Abel is going to redeem himself in the last 1/4 of this book. (hide spoiler)]

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic]

Okay, good, I'm glad I didn't spoil anything then. My timeline is a bit fuzzy.

[Katy]

Started it today! I'm really excited for this one...I can already tell I'm going to like it :)

[Leea]

I finished it... Well, I did see that ending coming but (view spoiler)[ It didn't make it any easier. This is such an emotionally honest book. I had tears running down my face that last chapter (hide spoiler)]

[Katy]

I wish I could read this one faster! I'm going to have to see if I can try it make it work on my phone. I'm bad at reading things on my desktop haha.

Anyway I'm at the part where (view spoiler)[ Anna finds Micha with her father on the boat and takes her home (thank goodness) and Abel's come home to find her there and gets angry. Poor Anna, I want Abel to open up to her already haha. (hide spoiler)]

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic]

It's okay Katy. There's no time limit. :)

Leea, I never asked you...what were your thoughts on the ending? I honestly didn't understand why (view spoiler)[he killed himself. He should have gone to jail. (hide spoiler)]

[Leea]

I really think that (view spoiler)[ he couldn't live with himself for what he did to her and what he possibly could do to anyone else. Also the pain and hurt. well that's I think. I still feel like he should have gone to jail too. I really didn't like the ending. (hide spoiler)]

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic]

Wasn't he a minor? He would have (view spoiler)[gotten less jail time and been able to see his sister in a few years.

I had a love/hate with the ending. It was one of those things that I didn't like but I accepted it as part of a good story if that makes sense? I was pissed when I finished the book but realized that the writing was beautiful and brilliant. The fact that I could feel hurt and anger and still have unanswered questions was really incredible. There were only a couple of ways that things could have ended. I didn't understand why he thought that was his only option but in a way I understand why he felt trapped and that was a way of running from it all and just ending the cycle of shit.


The fact that he ended up being a male prostitute might have been the one thing in the story that I wasn't expecting. (hide spoiler)]

[Leea]

He (view spoiler)[ Turned 18, remember :) Yeah, Abel being a male prostitute was not a difficult to take as him being a rapist. That scene was hard to read. (hide spoiler)]

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic]

Yes it was. I think there was a part of me that was hoping (view spoiler)[he would become this person who made something of himself but then I realized that the story wouldn't have been nearly as powerful if he'd grown up and become a businessman or something, lmao. It was definitely sad but I hurt for him. If anything, I was shocked that Anna was able to let him back in. I was more wtf?!? at her. (hide spoiler)]

[Leea]

I agree with you. It was the ending that needed to happen.

[Angie]

I finally got this from the library yesterday! There's a few books I need to get to first, but I should get to this before the end of the month! *itching to click those spoilers*

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic]

That's great Angie. :)

[Katy]

I'm 49% in now. I'm still trying to figure out what happened in the very beginning haha.

[Stacie]

Just finished tonight, and it is definitely one of those books that brings out a lot of feelings, mixed feelings. I was captured right from the beginning wondering what had happened as well. And with the shifting POVs it was a bit confusing but it settled in and flowed beautifully.

About Abel being a drug dealer, its how and where he grew up. In his neighborhood it is easy to get a hold of and makes more money than any part time job he would have been able to get. I've never lived in the bad parts of town, but I've been close enough to them to see it happen to friends. So I understand it, and how it happens and just hope that someone is caring and able enough to help them out of that situation. (view spoiler)[And for Abel his help was too little too late (hide spoiler)]

About the storytelling aspect- I loved it. I loved trying to figure out who the characters were and what little things he might try to interpret in a different way. Seeing the rose girl come into the story. Seeing their little adventures come through. The black ship haunting him and always following them around, helped show Abel's fear in a different light.

As for the boathouse (view spoiler)[I saw the warning signs. Rumors about Micha's father and the fact that he lived with Abel for a couple of years had me wondering if he did it to Abel. Then his warning, it's not tenderness...well that got me scared. But still the scene shocked me and pissed me off. I was rooting for Abel, and that's not really something you can come back from. Why would Anna go back? Because she loved him? Is that truly love? Can it I've heard stories and the unreasonable vs. reasonable Anna helped by showing how someone can be conflicted about this kind of thing. I still don't get it though. I can see Anna not talking about it, ever, especially if she thought she loved him and was protecting him. (hide spoiler)]

About the teacher (view spoiler)[I always love it when things are connected. Abel said that Michelle had a fling with an older teacher. Could it be? Never said for sure but I got the impression Abel thought it might be possible and definitely wanted to ask about it. But then was that just a ruse, could you shoot your long lost father? Part of me was rooting for it but then again in the end it wouldn't have mattered. In a fairytale it could ;)! (hide spoiler)]

As for the ending (view spoiler)[ I had a love/hate relationship with it as well. And Samantha, I was totally on the Bertil the Creeper is the killer bandwagon as well! And I totally thought that the beginning scene was in the future, and the rest of the story was working towards that climax. Boy was I wrong!

I think Abel killing himself was a little overboard. But could the exhaustion and the fact he had been fighting for so long been apart of it? Yes, but I still think it was selfish. He said it himself in the beginning when Michelle did it. How could he think it then and not now? Yes, Micha will be taken care of when he is gone but she would want her brother around more than anything else.

As for the question man and answer man, genius. They both have questions and answers and they don't match now but can you match them later. Part of the reason I loved the ending so much. The answers were there are along, he was telling the truth without really telling it. He even reminded her 'Under the beeches, where the anemones bloom in spring,' the answering man answered, and the rose girl had the distinct impression she'd heard that answer before. Like he wanted to relieve his burden and tell someone. Now I'm on a search for where it first shows up in the fairy tell, lol (hide spoiler)]

Sigh, now my long response is over, lol. It was a very good and gut wrenching book.

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic]

I loved reading your entire post! You had a lot of insight into what I think the author was trying to do with the story.

Your comment about (view spoiler)[could you shoot your long lost father? In that aspect, it's probably true that the guy wasn't but I think inside of myself I will always cling to the belief that maybe he was... (hide spoiler)]

I also agree that (view spoiler)[Micha would rather have had her brother in jail than dead. But the more I think about it, the more I think Abel was just tired and worn out. He lived more life in 18 years than most people do in an entire lifetime. He burned bright and burned out fast. (hide spoiler)]

[Samantha]

Great points, Stacie! Ditto to Stacia about reading your post. :)

I guess it's not along the lines of everyone else, but by the end I didn't care too much about Abel anymore. (view spoiler)[I was more concerned with Anna moving on with her life. Maybe finding some way to be different from every adult that found some way to ignore or avoid what was going on in front of their eyes. (hide spoiler)]

[Angie]

I just finished, and unfortunately I didn't like it. I don't really have anything to add to the conversation, since I was just wanting to finish it.

My main problem with the book was Anna. I couldn't stand her, and having it told from her point of view just didn't make me interested. I felt like she was just bored and decided to partake in some social experiment without thinking about the consequences her actions may have on other people. Then after (view spoiler)[Abel raped her, and she still went back to him (hide spoiler)], I had enough. To me she was just a privileged girl looking for a thrill and a way to escape her boring life.

[Carina]

Believe it or not, I'm still reading this. I haven't managed to read more than 2 to 3 percent a couple nights, but at least its progress right?

Now that I see someone who didn't like the book, I'm even MORE curious about it. I love to have different opinions on my reading!

[Katy]

Just read the boathouse part. (view spoiler)[ If I had been Anna, I dont think I could ever look at him again, even if I still loved him. I'm actually surprised he's even leeting himself be around her...I guess I expected him to avoid her like the plague, no matter what she said or did. I'm also surprised she didnt tell someone- or that no one suspected it. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Katy]

I've finished! Overall I liked the book. There were a few things that bothered me, and it's not my favorite book ever, but I enjoyed the story and the writing was beautiful.

[Katy]

Also:

(view spoiler)[ I'm thinking the teacher was his father. They never really say, but it just sort of seems like it- she was young when she had Abel, and she was young when she knew him. For some reason I dont seen Knaake as a customer. (hide spoiler)]

And (view spoiler)[ As I mentioned before, I don't think she should have gone back to him. But, I'm thinking what I would do. I just can't imagine going back to him after that; especially having sex with him again. I felt bad for Abel, because his life was shit, but I think she should have stayed far away after that. (hide spoiler)]

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic]

I think your last spoiler was probably the hardest part to completely understand when it came to a "why."

[Katy]

And (view spoiler)[ You also have to wonder what would have happened if she HADN'T gone back. I'm sure he would have been caught eventually, but you never know. (hide spoiler)]

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic]

True. It's one of those sliding doors/butterfly effect things where everyone's lives could have been different if even a little thing had been changed.

It would be interesting to see what would have happened had Anna never found that doll to begin with. That could make for an interesting alternate story, to see them both go on with their lives without ever having gotten to know each other.