Introduction

[Ian]

This book has been on my horizon for a while. I read "Amulet", because it was short, I loved it and I decided that I would read some more. Then (Jenn)ifer and Stephen M started talking about a group read.

There is some talk of starting a read on Monday, 2 July. Are you kidding? Can't we get the fireworks out of the way first?

But if this book is within cooee of your "currently reading" list, join up and contribute.

Don't be intimidated by the book. Each time I've picked it up, I think, hey this is OK, and then another six pages go by.

I think we might be onto something.

What do you think?

[Riku]

Game. When do we start?

[Ian]

This is up for discussion. I had just started "Leviathan" when the urge overtook me. Suggest a date.

[Praj]

Ian, when do we start dissecting Madero.

[Stephen M]

I'd prefer to hold off on reading right away but I'm open to whatever date the group decides.

[Ian]

I'm hesitant about prescribing a quick start and finish date, but what about try to start by the end of July and finish by the end of October (three months), on the basis that it doesn't matter if you drop in before or afterwards.

Praj, do you want to do a Dexter and show us your dissective skills?

[Praj]

I like Dexter the cartoon character. My sister used to be Dexter and I the silly Deedee.

[Ian]

Sometimes you remind me of Deb.

[Rayroy]

Savage Detectives is sort of made of a bunch of sort stories, in that much of it is different accounts from people who knew the two poets at the center of the novel.

[Traveller]

I'm in, thanks, Ian! I have lots on my menu as always, but i'd actually like to start earlier since October/November is exam time for me again... :P

[Ian]

I don't want to set due dates for progress through the novel, if that's OK?

When I start, I'll go full pelt, I certainly don't want to take three months or a quarter of a year's reading on any one book.

[Traveller]

Ian wrote: "I don't want to set due dates for progress through the novel, if that's OK?

When I start, I'll go full pelt, I certainly don't want to take three months or a quarter of a year's reading on any on..."

Sure. But anyone against starting in August with the discussion already? How about the last week in August? ..or don't you want to set a date for that either? Would you prefer the book to be completely read before discussion starts?

[Aloha]

Thanks, Ian, for the invite! I won't be joining in for a while since I have some intensive books I need to get through first. But I do have The Savage Detective.

[Traveller]

Well, anyway, i'll read it soon-ish whenever and be ready to just check in as the moderator desires. :)

Ah, so you're a Dexter fan too, eh, Ian? I must admit i'm getting Dexter withdrawal symptoms. Deb certainly went through a lot of character growth. I hated her character at the start.

[Jeffrey]

I should be able to start by mid July after I clear the decks of books already in the hopper. It so happens that the only Bolano I own is "The Savage Detectives" how cosmic is that?

I'm two seasons behind on Dexter. I need to get crackin'. Thanks for the invite Ian, group reads really do stiffen ones spine.

[David]

Thanks for the invite, Ian, but I am, alas, one of the three or four people on this planet who (strongly) dislikes this book. I will sneak a peek in here every once in awhile to see what you guys are (inevitably) orgasming about though—because the appeal of The Savage Detectives remains elusive and mysterious to me.

[Jenn(ifer)]

I remember him from 'The Last Evenings on Earth' http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arturo_B...
Oh Wikipedia, you are so convenient!

[Jenn(ifer)]

Might be interesting to note that apparently the character Ulises Lima is apparently based on this guy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Sa....

[Ian]

Is everybody happy if we keep the timetable pretty loose or even don't adopt one, just drop in when you feel like it?

I had wanted to read Goon Squad after I finish Leviathan (I've been a bit conscious of not reading anything written in the last three years). I'd also been trying to stay under 300 pages for a while.

(Jenn)ifer, what is your timetable? Are you serious about a Monday start?

Obviously, don't refrain from posting, just because others haven't started yet.

It might actually speed the rest of us.

Also, there needn't be any preconceptions that we will all have the same view about the book or that they will be positive.

David, your views are even more valuable if they're against the grain.

[Mark]

I iz ready to be savaged by the detectives, woohoo!

[s.penkevich [mental health hiatus]]

I was going to start this when I finished Wittgenstein's Mistress, so probably sunday or monday, but that was before I knew there was a group read. I will probably start it then just because if I wedge anything in before I'll probably never get to it ha. My reading list changes so often. Unless this is an issue of course.

[Ian]

Here's an old fave from the 70's:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWHZhf...

[Jenn(ifer)]

Spenks and I have been talking about reading this for months & I think we're both pretty eager to start it. I'm sure it'll take me a month or so to finish. And remember folks, Ian here read IJ in two weeks, so I'm sure beginning and ending dates won't really matter; our timetables for starting/finishing will be different.

I'm looking forward discussing this with everyone!

[Jenn(ifer)]

Ian wrote: "Here's an old fave from the 70's:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWHZhf..."

'Detectives' always makes me think of this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xO_sDt...

[David]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53vhBY...

[Jenn(ifer)]

Ian,
can you add a picture to the group page? the grey silhouettes make me sad.

[Steve]

I think this one will be great for a group discussion, especially with the group you've assembled here, Ian. Thanks for the invitation. With the discussions that are sure to follow, I'll know more of what to look for with a skim/reread.

[Ian]

(Jenn)ifer wrote: "Ian,
can you add a picture to the group page? the grey silhouettes make me sad."

Done. Let me know if there are any images you'd prefer.

[Jenn(ifer)]

Ian wrote: "(Jenn)ifer wrote: "Ian,
can you add a picture to the group page? the grey silhouettes make me sad."

Done. Let me know if there are any images you'd prefer."

Gracias muchacho!

[Jenn(ifer)]

s.penkevich wrote: "Hey, I was probably going to start this in the next few days since I've had it lined up to follow Wittgenstein's Mistress. If I throw one in before, I'll get lost in my web of books and never get b..."

We heard you on message 24! Why you make Steve repeat himself Jay Rubin?

[mark]

Ian wrote: "Is everybody happy if we keep the timetable pretty loose ..."

keep it loose. that's my advice for all situations.

[Stephen M]

mark wrote: "keep it loose. that's my advice for all situations."

twss

[Stephen M]

mark wrote: "keep it loose. that's my advice for all situations."

twss

[s.penkevich [mental health hiatus]]

(Jenn)ifer wrote: "s.penkevich wrote: "Hey, I was probably going to start this in the next few days since I've had it lined up to follow Wittgenstein's Mistress. If I throw one in before, I'll get lost in my web of b..."

Ha yea, totally forgot I already spoke up. Why you so forgetful Jay Rubin?!

[mark]

Stephen M wrote: "mark wrote: "keep it loose. that's my advice for all situations."

twss"

oh come on, that was already implicit!

[Traveller]

mark wrote: "Ian wrote: "Is everybody happy if we keep the timetable pretty loose ..."

keep it loose. that's my advice for all situations."

When I works, I works hard.
When I sits, I sits loose.
When I thinks, I falls asleep. :)

[Traveller]

Hey, i'm so happy! This is my first evah group read with this specific group of people - being my bestest GR friends! w00t! Thanks ever so much Ian - much appreciated. :)

[Shovelmonkey1]

Hello thanks for the invite - i need to find a copy of this book first and then find out what it's about - never heard of this guy or anything by him - i'm such a culture void! And hello everyone in this group too *waves*

[Ian]

(Jenn)ifer wrote: "And remember folks, Ian here read IJ in two weeks, so I'm sure beginning and ending dates won't really matter"

What you say is not untrue. However, this was over Easter and possible a second long weekend.

Maybe we should schedule an Easter Read each year, where we knock over some book on our Difficult/Exert Yourself Lists?

I was thinking last night that, while you can read a book too quickly, you can also read it too slowly to get it.

In the latter case, the book can "die on the vine".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOhVEt...

[mark]

Maybe we should schedule an Easter Read each year, where we knock over some book on our Difficult/Exert Yourself Lists?

i like this idea.

[Jenn(ifer)]

You must think we all live in countries that give us time off for Easter. The university doesnt give us a single day! Good idea though for those who get a break.

[Ian]

Don't you get Friday and Monday holidays? Do you have to take your hot cross buns and easter eggs to work?

[Jenn(ifer)]

I'm lucky they don't make me come in on Sunday

[Ian]

(Jenn)ifer wrote: "I'm lucky they don't make me come in on Sunday"

Are you a baker?

[Jenn(ifer)]

Psychologist. Baking would probably be a lot more fun though

[Ian]

Mike wrote: "David wrote: "I saw them at the IL State Fair in '84, I think, with a band called Berlin, who went on to attain a much-deserved obscurity. No idea if th..."

I got into Thompson Twins for a while. They had big hair, didn't they?

P.S. I've made a soundtrack folder for music suggestions, to make theme easier to find.

[Jenn(ifer)]

That doesn't make you a nerdface! I'm looking forward to it too!

[Jim]

Late to the party, but thanks for the invitation, Ian! I am definitely game.

Timing for me is pretty flexible. I just ordered and it will take a few days to arrive, but I can catch up.

The Thompson Twins did have big hair. I saw them in St. Louis in a previous life - '84 sounds about right. Was Berlin with them? Can't remember.

[Ian]

Jim wrote: "Late to the party, but thanks for the invitation, Ian! I am definitely game."

There is no too late for the party. We party until we all go home to our own beds. Just like the 80's.

[Jim]

Sounds great!