Title: The Dark Half
Author: Stephen King
Pages: 496
A Book Club Discussion: (SPOILERS)
Bookworm:
First, what did you think of the book over all? I know that you've read King before, but what did you think about his writing style? Also, King referred to the duality that exists within writers. What is your opinion in regard to that?
Me:
I really liked it over all. EXCEPT....I felt like I had a better ending in my own head than the book had. (P.S. This is one of my main King complaints...he never gets the ending quite right for me) But I love the way King writes his characters. That's something he excels in. And I usually fall in love with the people that live between his pages. Writers ARE two people. At least I think I am. There's the world you really live in and the world you create in your head. While I come up with some questions it's your turn to answer.
Me:
As a first time King reader, what did you think? Would you read anything by him again? Was it too scary? Or too gory?
Bookworm:
I liked the book very much with the exception of the ending. I would have liked a bit more follow through on that. But I was happy that everyone made it out alive (the exception being Stark and his victims of course) because I did fall in love with his characters. In this regard, he reminds me very much of Dean Koontz. I agree with the duality of a writer, though I have trouble sometimes trying to keep myself out of my characters. As for his writing style, I don't like the amount of cussing but even that I could deal with. He is crass at times and that really turns me off. He definitely isn't too gory for me, and this book wasn't scary at all so yes, I would read another book of his.
Me:
How would you have ended the book? Before William and Wendy were born, Liz was pregnant with and lost a set of twins, does this mean that the cycle could continue? Does each twin have it's own ghost twin?
Bookworm:
For an ending I like something very tidy. I would have liked to see Alan, Thad and Liz 3 months later enjoying coffee together, watching the twins play. I really wanted to know that Alan got over blaming Thad. As for having a ghost twin, I don't quite know. I think Thad's situation was different from other similar situations in that he was a writer. I think the duality of a writer's personality actually had more to do with the creation of Stark than the fact that Thad was his twin. What do you think? And did you have a favorite quote or part of the book? I did. My favorite quote: "...writers INVITE ghosts, maybe; along with actors and artists, they are the only totally accepted mediums of our society. They make worlds that never were, populate them with people who never existed, and then invite us to join them in their fantasies. And we do, don't we? Yes. We PAY to do it."
Me:
My ending would have been Thad using his writing to vanquish Stark. And then fast forward to Thad having a best selling book on his own and living happily with Liz and Wendy and William. Sadly I read online that in King's book "Bag of Bones", it is revealed that Thad committed suicide. Knowing that, does it change your perception of Thad or the book?I think King is saying being a writer is almost the same as a ghost twin. Two people in one body. The duality of man. Favorite Quotes: I wrote down a couple. But I will only list my top two."When you put a bunch of English teachers together with an almost unlimited supply of booze, you could burn down a weekend." (Pg 88-24)"Thad closed the eyes God had put in his face and opened the one God had put in his mind, the eye which persisted in seeing even the things he didn't want to look at." Pg. 157
Me:
Many of Stephen King's characters are writers including: Thad (The Dark Half), Ben Mears (Salem's Lot), Paul Sheldon (Misery), Mike Noonan (Bag of Bones), Scott Landon (Lisey's Story), William Denbrough (It), Jack Torrance (The Shining), and Roberta (Bobbi) Anderson (Tommyknockers). Why is that?
Bookworm:
I'm so sad to hear about Thad killing himself!!!!!!!! Hell yes it changes my perception of the book though it shouldn't since it doesn't actually occur in this novel. I have to say I like the story a little less. What about you? Does it change your perception of Thad or the book? To answer your question about so many characters being writer's I'm guessing that it has to do with writing what you know. I know I find myself writing characters who are writers or in some way related to writing (editor, literary agent). I also find that I write many of my female characters as I am. What's your take on that?
Me:
Poor Thad! I feel so bad for him. And it opens up so many questions. Why did he do what he did? Was it because of a failing relationship with Liz? Was he afraid of himself? Did he feel George returning? I think King writes about writers mostly because it's a subject he knows well. But I also think that he chooses writers because of a writers mind. A writer would much more easily believe the weird things happening (ghosts, monsters, witches, etc), because they have the kind of mind that is more open to possibility and uses more imagination.
Bookworm:
Have you read bag of bones? I kind of want to now just to follow up with Thad.
Me:
Yes, I have read Bag of Bones. And I remember not caring for it very much. Probably not worth reading it just for follow up on Thad. Especially since it's probably just a passing sentence and we already know what it says. If you read another King, please read The Green Mile.
Final Thoughts:
This was not my most favorite King novel. Not by a long shot. But it was decent and entertaining. And I loved Thad and George. I have to give this one 2 and a half stars.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
The Last Time I Saw You
Title: The Last Time I Saw You
Author: Elizabeth Berg
Pages: 288
Our book club discussion:
Me:
So what did you think of "The Last Time I saw You"? Favorite Characters? And/or moments?
Bookworm:
Overall, I thought the book was okay. In the beginning I couldn't stand her writing style- it seemed choppy. The only characters I liked were Mary Alice, Lester and Candy. I couldn't stand Dorothy and her friends, and I couldn't sympathize with Pete at all. He never seemed truely sorry. I think the last chapter would have to be the best part of the book for me. I liked seeing how it all ended up. Other than that, my feeling toward the book is pretty mediocre. What did you think? What were your favorite parts/characters?
Me:
Haha...it's scary how much we think alike. I thought this book was just "ok"; not great and not horrible. My favorites were definitely Mary Alice and Lester. My most favorite part of the whole book was the table o' truth. Although I doubt anything like that could happen in real life, I thought it was a great idea and I know I wanted to sit there and listen in. It did make me reflect back on my own high school days. In the story, Dorothy had a high school crush on Pete Decker, who was your Pete Decker?
Bookworm:
I liked the idea of the table of truth but found it hard to relate to on some subjects because of the age difference. Overall, her story rang true to me- I'm guessing a reunion would be one huge mean-spirited gossip-fest. As for my Pete Decker, it would have had to have been John Doe!!!! He looked like Keanu Reeves and was just a pleasure to look at. Then I finally talked to him and it shattered the fantasy. Every other word was f#%* and someone told me he was a drug dealer. Did you have a Pete Decker before Mr X? Would you ever read any of her books again?
Me:
Would you ever go to one of our high school reunions? Hmmm....was there life before Mr. X? Hahaha. I had a couple of crushes. Let me go home and consult my year book. The big one I remember is that I liked a boy in middle school (who then ended up at high school) and he was blonde and popular and out of my league. He wasn't very nice to me. But now, I don't even really remember his name. Andy maybe? LoL.
Bookworm:
I might someday. Would you?
Me:
At this moment, probably not. But you know what they say, "Never Say Never". In the book, there is a lot of discussion about change. How have you changed since high school? Do you think people basically remain the same? If people change, do we accept the change or see them as they were? And did your life turn out how you thought?
Bookworm:
Dang, you ask great questions! I have changed alot since high school, I think. I'm less self-centered. In high school I had such a hard time at home that my emotions were all I ever thought of. Now, I think I'm a better person. I think people do basically stay the same unless one seeks counseling. I found that I changed drastically after that!! Seeing change in others can be hard, because of initial impressions. And finally, no, my life has not turned out the way that I thought. I always believed I would have at least 3 kids by the time I was 30. Considering I 'm 29 for only 24 more days, I don't see that happening. Your turn to answer all your fabulous questions!
Me:
Did my life turn out how I thought? Yes and No. I accomplished some things that I wanted to by now, like the dream of owning my own home, and becoming Mrs. X by marrying the love of my life. BUT I was also supposed to be a high school English teacher who also happened to be a best selling novelist. No way did I think that I would be a 30 year old receptionist. Do people change? They can! But it takes a lot of hard work. If people change, do we accept the change? Not right away. I think we are always waiting for the other shoe to drop. Maybe if you spend some time with that person and witness the change, then you come to see it and accept it. Have I changed? I don't know have I? In a lot of ways I feel exactly the same. I think the biggest change is that now I'm not afraid to be different or nerdy or even disagree with a friend. Like in high school I would NEVER have admitted to reading and loving the Harry Potter series because I would have been afraid of what others thought of me. Now, I could care less. I like it and it makes me happy. I'm becoming more me. I'm letting out the stuff I used to hide. I'm still working on it but it's better than it was in high school.
Bookworm:
I think we've all changed (for the better I hope) since breaking free from the confines of high school. Maybe change isn't the best word for it. I like the way you stated it- I'm becoming more me. Brilliant! And by the way, it's not too late to write your novel :)
Final thoughts:
Pretty Medicore! 2 out of 5 stars.
Author: Elizabeth Berg
Pages: 288
Our book club discussion:
Me:
So what did you think of "The Last Time I saw You"? Favorite Characters? And/or moments?
Bookworm:
Overall, I thought the book was okay. In the beginning I couldn't stand her writing style- it seemed choppy. The only characters I liked were Mary Alice, Lester and Candy. I couldn't stand Dorothy and her friends, and I couldn't sympathize with Pete at all. He never seemed truely sorry. I think the last chapter would have to be the best part of the book for me. I liked seeing how it all ended up. Other than that, my feeling toward the book is pretty mediocre. What did you think? What were your favorite parts/characters?
Me:
Haha...it's scary how much we think alike. I thought this book was just "ok"; not great and not horrible. My favorites were definitely Mary Alice and Lester. My most favorite part of the whole book was the table o' truth. Although I doubt anything like that could happen in real life, I thought it was a great idea and I know I wanted to sit there and listen in. It did make me reflect back on my own high school days. In the story, Dorothy had a high school crush on Pete Decker, who was your Pete Decker?
Bookworm:
I liked the idea of the table of truth but found it hard to relate to on some subjects because of the age difference. Overall, her story rang true to me- I'm guessing a reunion would be one huge mean-spirited gossip-fest. As for my Pete Decker, it would have had to have been John Doe!!!! He looked like Keanu Reeves and was just a pleasure to look at. Then I finally talked to him and it shattered the fantasy. Every other word was f#%* and someone told me he was a drug dealer. Did you have a Pete Decker before Mr X? Would you ever read any of her books again?
Me:
Would you ever go to one of our high school reunions? Hmmm....was there life before Mr. X? Hahaha. I had a couple of crushes. Let me go home and consult my year book. The big one I remember is that I liked a boy in middle school (who then ended up at high school) and he was blonde and popular and out of my league. He wasn't very nice to me. But now, I don't even really remember his name. Andy maybe? LoL.
Bookworm:
I might someday. Would you?
Me:
At this moment, probably not. But you know what they say, "Never Say Never". In the book, there is a lot of discussion about change. How have you changed since high school? Do you think people basically remain the same? If people change, do we accept the change or see them as they were? And did your life turn out how you thought?
Bookworm:
Dang, you ask great questions! I have changed alot since high school, I think. I'm less self-centered. In high school I had such a hard time at home that my emotions were all I ever thought of. Now, I think I'm a better person. I think people do basically stay the same unless one seeks counseling. I found that I changed drastically after that!! Seeing change in others can be hard, because of initial impressions. And finally, no, my life has not turned out the way that I thought. I always believed I would have at least 3 kids by the time I was 30. Considering I 'm 29 for only 24 more days, I don't see that happening. Your turn to answer all your fabulous questions!
Me:
Did my life turn out how I thought? Yes and No. I accomplished some things that I wanted to by now, like the dream of owning my own home, and becoming Mrs. X by marrying the love of my life. BUT I was also supposed to be a high school English teacher who also happened to be a best selling novelist. No way did I think that I would be a 30 year old receptionist. Do people change? They can! But it takes a lot of hard work. If people change, do we accept the change? Not right away. I think we are always waiting for the other shoe to drop. Maybe if you spend some time with that person and witness the change, then you come to see it and accept it. Have I changed? I don't know have I? In a lot of ways I feel exactly the same. I think the biggest change is that now I'm not afraid to be different or nerdy or even disagree with a friend. Like in high school I would NEVER have admitted to reading and loving the Harry Potter series because I would have been afraid of what others thought of me. Now, I could care less. I like it and it makes me happy. I'm becoming more me. I'm letting out the stuff I used to hide. I'm still working on it but it's better than it was in high school.
Bookworm:
I think we've all changed (for the better I hope) since breaking free from the confines of high school. Maybe change isn't the best word for it. I like the way you stated it- I'm becoming more me. Brilliant! And by the way, it's not too late to write your novel :)
Final thoughts:
Pretty Medicore! 2 out of 5 stars.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Book of the Month
November? What happened to October? Well my friends, I have been a bad, bad blogger! I kept putting it off and putting it off and before I knew it October 2010 was gone and November was here. (Note to self: Stop procrastinating!) Well in October, my book club selection was “The Dark Half” by Stephen King (review coming soon!) The main character in that book, like many of King’s characters, and like King himself, is a writer. And it got me thinking about my own writing. I even had an idea for a story! My first story idea in five years! Talk about writer’s block. Actually, it’s just because I’m incredibly shy about letting people inside my head. I’m always worried that I’m not good enough. So for this month’s book of the month, I picked “On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft” by Stephen King himself. Which is part biography and part handbook. And I know that I can’t wait to get my hands on it. I hope I can get it soon and begin my own writing journey.
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