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Joined: Tue January 01, 2013 11:28 pm Posts: 14522 Location: Space City
That is interesting. What else have you read from Saunders? I'm wondering if those are constant themes in his writing or if he was trying to do something specific with this collection.
Also, did you notice an almost Simpsons-like quality to the way that the narratives unravel? We begin each story with a thought or piece of action that is not really related to the rest of the story except in general tone, and to get from point A to point B, an almost trivial thing always occurs.
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dimejinky99 wrote:
I could destroy any ai chatbot you put in front of me. Easily.
Joined: Tue January 01, 2013 7:41 am Posts: 19719 Location: Cumberland, RI
I've read CivilWarLand, The Brief And Frightening Reign of Phil, and The Braindead Megaphone. All good.
I think that yeah, each of the stories in that collection sort of has the sitcom-like plot where you're thrown into things early with very little explanation, and then things unfold and the first act isn't really as important anymore (with some exceptions). I've no doubt that the sort of sardonic tone of the Simpsons leaks out throughout the stories.
Somewhere on the old board, someone said of No Country for Old Men, that without Tommy Lee Jones' character, it's just another paper chase movie. I think the same with Pi. Without the third part of the novel, it's just another survival story, albeit a compelling one. I don't want to say anymore in case others haven't read it.
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Somewhere on the old board, someone said of No Country for Old Men, that without Tommy Lee Jones' character, it's just another paper chase movie. I think the same with Pi. Without the third part of the novel, it's just another survival story, albeit a compelling one. I don't want to say anymore in case others haven't read it.
I'd agree. Though, for me, the ending (or third part) is
a bit of trap. I felt sabotaged by the book. It took a lot of time - time to ponder, time to reflect - to make my peace with what the book is about before I could say that I liked it. I still don't love everything about the book. But I'm one of the few that liked the "just another survival story" more than the fable ending.
likes rhythmic things that butt up against each other
Joined: Fri January 04, 2013 11:12 pm Posts: 742
Ive found keeping multiple going is more efficient (instead of being stuck in a rut with one and trudging slowly along, i can just switch depending on mood), but i'll occasionally stick to one if i'm in the right mindset or it's short enough.
Currently, i'm reading 4, but at varying focus levels. One is primary, another secondary but still somewhat active, the third i'm taking my time with and i think i like it best that way, and the fourth is 800 pages and falling apart, so im just reluctant to pick it up
I got the first two for christmas while the latter two i bought around thanksgiving. I think the latter two might be more valuable to me in the end.
Skipping "The Brothers Karamozav" for now and picking up these two.
And do most of you read multiple books at one time? I usually switch off between two of them. One person I know switches off between five of them.
I always end up reading a few at a time, but usually just so I don't get bored-- I've got a book at work, a book at home, a book in the car, etc. I focused on "Dune" a few months ago and blew through that in a few sittings.
Ive found keeping multiple going is more efficient (instead of being stuck in a rut with one and trudging slowly along, i can just switch depending on mood), but i'll occasionally stick to one if i'm in the right mindset or it's short enough.
Currently, i'm reading 4, but at varying focus levels. One is primary, another secondary but still somewhat active, the third i'm taking my time with and i think i like it best that way, and the fourth is 800 pages and falling apart, so im just reluctant to pick it up
I got the first two for christmas while the latter two i bought around thanksgiving. I think the latter two might be more valuable to me in the end.
griffinxi wrote:
Harry Lime wrote:
Skipping "The Brothers Karamozav" for now and picking up these two.
And do most of you read multiple books at one time? I usually switch off between two of them. One person I know switches off between five of them.
I always end up reading a few at a time, but usually just so I don't get bored-- I've got a book at work, a book at home, a book in the car, etc. I focused on "Dune" a few months ago and blew through that in a few sittings.
As you guys were saying, mainly so I don't get bored. If I stick to one book I'll get restless. Thank you, age of anxiety.
Joined: Tue January 01, 2013 11:28 pm Posts: 14522 Location: Space City
I used to read multiple books simultaneously, but a couple of years ago I decided to stick to one book at a time. If I don't like that book after a reasonable amount of time, I just...quit.
I find that by giving one book my full attention the good books get better and the bad books don't suck the life out of me.
_________________
dimejinky99 wrote:
I could destroy any ai chatbot you put in front of me. Easily.
I used to read multiple books simultaneously, but a couple of years ago I decided to stick to one book at a time. If I don't like that book after a reasonable amount of time, I just...quit.
I find that by giving one book my full attention the good books get better and the bad books don't suck the life out of me.
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