Moonii’s Comments (group member since Dec 11, 2013)

Moonii’s comments from the BookaDuu group.

I'm really sorry the Bookaduu group didn't find an opportunity to discuss this book. In fact there was so much in it, I was afraid we wouldn't be able to do it justice.

If I was recommending it to anyone, however, I'd suggest you choose your moment to read it carefully. Tackling it in January wasn't easy, because sometimes I needed a break from some of the issues and if I'd been able to step into the sunshine for a while it would've been good.

I thought Martin Freeman would make a good Howard... having said that I found this character depressing, summed up by this little quote (forgive me I've taken the book back to the library, so just working with rough notes),
'Now with every day that passes, another door seems to close, you begin to hear the sound as a good thing and start closing some yourself even ones that didn't necessarily need to be closed...'
A brilliant piece of writing, I thought.

The link between the Old Boys and current inmates was well done. Turning the pages, the suffocating feeling of containing 'issues' and the inevitable breaking points this leads to, was like creeping up a spiral staircase towards some hidden horror. The lust for power and control are two hideous human qualities.

I've made a note about the repeated phrase 'swim meet, swim meet...'Skippy had drumming through his head. In Robert Graves poem A Child's Nightmare there's a repeated phrase 'cat! ... cat! ... cat!' and I wondered if Paul Murray used it deliberately... just a thought.

Skippy was a vulnerable boy. His father's focus on his mother's illness, left him isolated with no escape route and that's all the opportunity his abuser needed. Hard to read. Stayed in my head. Well written.

I can't ignore the religious aspect of this book. Coincidentally I watched a program on tv last night 'Secrets Of The Vatican' which explored the circumstances surrounding the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI and the challenges Pope Francis now has. Although I'm not Catholic, I've worked in three Catholic schools - maybe leave it at that.

I also noted the female characters in the book. Miss McIntyre, Halley, Carl's mother, Lori. Quite a bunch - I wondered what everyone thought of them, as a collective. Lori's condition was well observed and I was struck by the metaphor '...the invaders in her stomach...' and how she felt she should treat them and other evil things in life as if they didn't exist.

Carl. Grim mixed-up character. In my head he was a mixed up good looking lad, who sadly would corrode everything he touched.

Rupert. His character gave us the string theory, the vibrating universe and multiple dimensions. Rupert's efforts to bring order to his chaotic world, wove their way throughout the book. This scientific orderly approach to life was in sharp contrast to his made up imaginative background story and the lives of the other characters in the book. Though most of The Boys might well have happily disappeared into another dimension.

Overall a tough, but thought provoking book. I've really only skimmed over things that stayed with me after I put the book down.

I have to confess, I haven't quite completed the reading assignment, but happy to go with what I've read, if everyone is ready to go. :)

Mark wrote: "Moonii wrote: "Mark wrote: "Have any of ye read books that were similar?"

I do like books that flick between time zones. The Bridges of Madison County, The Time Travelers Wife, One Day...

Noted ..."

The Bridges of Madison County was written like that, in terms of time. The story was completely different. I loved it though and Clint Eastwood did a brilliant job directing the film. His attention to detail was magic - in particular The hand going to open the handle on the truck.

Silke wrote: "Mark, and everyone, may I (again) recommend "Replay" by Ken Grimwood!!!
Good night from Deutschland.
Cat, well done!!!!"

Nitee - enjoyed the discussion. Harr yes to that recommendation! There's a book to make you think!

Mark wrote: "Moonii wrote: "As a parting thought...

Thread of the book about the powerful idiots who have shaped the history of the world and brought us to where we are now, using explosives and asking questio..."

No indeed, Director Alice was a right(are we being polite in here) 'B'. I do wonder if the gender balance had been more equal would history have been different... that's a lot of ifs and buts though lol.

I felt quietly sad that it was Allan's desire to die that led him to climb out the window in the first place.

As a parting thought...

Thread of the book about the powerful idiots who have shaped the history of the world and brought us to where we are now, using explosives and asking questions were mainly men... according to this author of course!

Silke wrote: "Cat wrote:

Yes, Allan's lack of empathy sometimes seemed autistic... suddenly introducing Amanda made me look back for missed signs.

Still, despite Allan's opportunistic behaviour and lack of em..."

That changed for me... to begin with I liked him, then his lack of conscience annoyed me (as in happy to blow up anything and didn't need to know the details) but then I came back to him as the two time zones grew nearer.

Mark wrote: "Have any of ye read books that were similar?"

I do like books that flick between time zones. The Bridges of Madison County, The Time Travelers Wife, One Day...

Noted the past was dealt with in years and present in days.

Mark wrote: "Cat wrote: "Oh and I loved the "Things are what they are, and whatever will be, will be""

Indeed, a good philosophy!"

There were several repeated phrases throughout the book.

Mark wrote: "Did you think the stories got a bit predictable? A few of the scenarios were dodged a bit too easily."

Yes, very predictable in places. The author had plotted out the historic route he wanted to take and then got bogged down with it... would've been a nightmare to rethink the links though.

Cat wrote: "Silke wrote: "I liked the little story in the story with Herbert Einstein (the not so talented brother of Albert) and his wife, how they made things possible for themselves in a corrupt world they ..."

Yes, Allan's lack of empathy sometimes seemed autistic... suddenly introducing Amanda made me look back for missed signs.

Mark wrote: "Cat wrote: "Silke wrote: "I liked the little story in the story with Herbert Einstein (the not so talented brother of Albert) and his wife, how they made things possible for themselves in a corrupt..."

Discussed turkeys being filled with water with someone yesterday... btw lol

Mark wrote: "Moonii wrote: "Mark wrote: "What characters did you like or dislike?"

Detective Chief Inspector Aronsson was a favourite early on. Julius seemed normal amongst this cast of odd bods. I also like..."

Yes, agree. Author maybe should've thought that section through a bit more, to keep the pace of the book going or provide a smoother transition to the next section of the story.

Funny scenes:

Thus it was that at dusk on the third day after Molotov's ascent the heaven, an explosion was heard in that part of Sodermanland, the like of which hadn't been heard since the late 1920's.

Also raised a chuckle.

Funny scenes:

Soldier two apologised for his colleague's behaviour and when number one insisted that Allan and Herbert had undressed and then dressed each other, he was given a punch on the nose and ordered to keep his mouth shut...

That made me laugh a lot.

Mark wrote: "What characters did you like or dislike?"

Detective Chief Inspector Aronsson was a favourite early on. Julius seemed normal amongst this cast of odd bods. I also liked Benny the Almost. Not forgetting Sonya.

Silke wrote: "What did you think of the storytelling style, especially in the beginning? Found it hard to find my feet there."

Hmmmm see, I found the start okay, I loved him climbling out the window and the little scene in the graveyard hooked me in straightaway.

Mark wrote: "Moonii wrote: "Mark wrote: "There was a lot. Full on Forrest Gump style."

Yes, it would lend itself to visual humour really well, I think.

(trying out replying doo darr)"

I agree!"

There were several laugh out loud moments where I could visualise the scene.

Mark wrote: "There was a lot. Full on Forrest Gump style."

Yes, it would lend itself to visual humour really well, I think.

(trying out replying doo darr)