Q&A with Josh Lanyon discussion

Preparing for BOM November 2012

What are we reading this month? Did the poll end already?

Never mind! Looks like Sky Bound it is!

Yep. Skybound by Aleksandr Voinov is going to be the Book of the Month in November. :) Discussion starts here November 24th.

You can see the results of the poll for November's BOM here.

LOVE This book. It's beautiful. But very short...fyi...

Susan wrote: "But very short...fyi... "

If I remember correctly this was part of the reason it was nominated.

Yep, short is good for me since I'm writing a novel in a month right now, and also determined to finish a series of books at the same time. lol.

So, it's November 24th, time to start discussing Skybound, Book of the Month.

Who read it and what did you think?

I read it and loved it. Very beautiful almost lyrical writing, a distinct feel of the time and place, and I can only guess what amount of research was needed to accomplish that, without the story being drowned in detail to show off. It is just all there to make it feel authentic.

It is also interesting and refreshing to read a story from the war situated on the "wrong" side that tells about the ordinary lives and the humanity of the common soldiers and people during wartime, reminding you that such were the lives of people too.

In other words, a great little book.

Good news for all of you who like to buy paper versions of your favorite books:
Aleksandr Voinov wrote today in his blog post that Skybound is now released also in paper.

So, if you want to pick it up from Barnes and Noble, here's the link:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/skybo...

And if you'd rather buy from Amazon, here's their link:

http://www.amazon.com/Skybound-ebook/...

Just like Anne and Na, I thought that the story was insightful and lyrical. And yes, it always makes me humble when I realize how much research must have been done before and during the writing process.

I felt that this short story was surprisingly powerful, yet subtle. I, for one, loved the names the author had chosen to these two men — Felix and Baldur. Those two words describe them so accurately: the other one really was the lucky one while the other name means bold, brave and good.

I think that the word love isn't mentioned in this story at all, but the presence of love is strongly there. It's in the will to die for someone and in the desire for "friendship as deep as destiny". Felix was willing to do anything for Baldur. And he was willing to have Baldur to do anything to him. Is there bigger love and devotion than that? I was also left quite wordless at Wischinsky's fate and decisions. No doubt the extreme circumstances call for extreme actions, but his character haunted me for quite a while afterwards.

In the story the actions of men speak louder than words. This was due to the era and the difficult situation, but to me there was something very familiar and even comforting about it. Only now I realize that this is precisely how many of the men in my family and around me behaved while I grew up. Not too much talking and sweet words, rather more just participating and working hard. Maybe this is why I thought that the most precious moments were the moments when not much was said between these two men. When they match their stride while walking side by side for the first time: "It's almost like a conversation, walking together to the barracks." And when Baldur is gently brushing the keys of his piano: "Unplayed sound is like unspoken words." The lenient silence speaks for itself.

Overall I was moved by the fact that so little was more than enough for Baldur and Felix — just the knowledge that other one knew your name, a stolen glance, a hand against neck, a gentle kiss. It makes me think about the things that really are important in life, the things we so easily forget when the life goes on, hurrieldy day after day, when nothing very dramatic makes it halt.

I treasured the small, wonderful details related to birds and flying: How Baldur's eyebrows looked like wings to Felix and how in the the basket of food were "some eggs with the occasional feather still clinging to them". And when Felix was afraid for Baldur, his heart was "rattling like a badly maintained engine".

I also keep thinking about the bullet that Baldur so nearly escaped in the beginning of the story and which Felix later pulled from his seat. This one bullet in the palm of Felix's hand was a gift, a treasure for him. It was everything he feared the most and at the same time it was a symbol of a second chance. In a way it was the new beginning for both of them. The beginning of their story together — and I do have a soft spot for second chances...don't we all? :) Anyway, I like to think that the true adventure is actually ahead of these two!

Johanna wrote: "Just like Anne and Na, I thought that the story was insightful and lyrical. And yes, it always makes me humble when I realize how much research must have been done before and during the writing pro..."

your post is so lovely Johanna, and you capture the heart of the story so well.

I guess the men you talk about are like Norwegian men of my father's and my own generation. They don't talk about love, they just do things. It isn't always easy to understand that shovelling the snow or fixing the car means 'I love you', but sometimes that is what it does. :)

Thank you for the insightful comments. I suppose I can't add anything ;-).

I loved the book and it got 5 stars from me, because it is a small jewel.

Anne wrote: "I guess the men you talk about are like Norwegian men of my father's and my own generation. They don't talk about love, they just do things. It isn't always easy to understand that shovelling the snow or fixing the car means 'I love you', but sometimes that is what it does. :)"

Indeed that's exactly what I mean. :) Felix and Baldur remind me so strongly of my grandfather, who was about their age at that time (1945). I don't remember him ever telling me that he loved me, but I never doubted it. His actions spoke louder than words. He was a farmer and a mason. He also was a skillful potter and as a little girl I used to sit in his workshop build in the basement of their farmhouse and to watch for hours how he threw clay pots. He taught me how to make pottery and how to plant potatoes. :)

Well, I just carved out a couple of hours to myself to re-read Skybound. The emotion that is created is far greater than any particular quote. It is the way the pieces are put together that lead me to something more, More than the words on the page. What a ride!

I am so impressed. This is the first story I have ever read from the perspective of the German fighter in the 'trenches'. Then he goes and makes it into a M/M Romance type story too! Oh my. And something that "shouldn't" have worked, works Beautifully!

What a unique accomplishment. I am so glad to have been exposed to this. I will be buying a couple of paperbacks and giving them to folks. Gotta share something so amzing!

Johanna wrote: "Just like Anne and Na, I thought that the story was insightful and lyrical. And yes, it always makes me humble when I realize how much research must have been done before and during the writing pro..."

This is so beautifully stated, Johanna. I'm re-reading once more to see if I have anything to add.

Johanna, your post said everything :)
I don't have a lot to add, but like Antonella, I thought the book was a little gem.

This, absolutely:
It is also interesting and refreshing to read a story from the war situated on the "wrong" side that tells about the ordinary lives and the humanity of the common soldiers and people during wartime, reminding you that such were the lives of people too.

Anne wrote: "Johanna wrote: "Just like Anne and Na, I thought that the story was insightful and lyrical. And yes, it always makes me humble when I realize how much research must have been done before and during..."

I think that was a whole generation Anne.
My father is quite old, and he was raised by his grandparents.
He isn't used to talk about love, he's very reserved. What he does is try to show you, in his way, that he cares.

Darkm wrote: "Johanna, your post said everything :)"

Well, not everything for sure — I only had a few thoughts in it. :)

So, what did you all think about Skybound? And was it a good idea to read a short story for the BOM discussion? Do you guys often read short stories? And if you do, do you usually read them from the authors you already know you like? Or is it your way to discover new interesting authors?

Johanna wrote: "Do you guys often read short stories? And if you do, do you usually read them from the authors you already know you like? Or is it your way to discover new interesting authors?
"

As I didn't read Skybound... on the topic of short stories: I like them but I don't trust every author to pull it of. A short story is a very special format and not everybody can do it justice in regards to prose or impact. That might be the reason that I don't actively look for them but am nevertheless delighted when I stumble upon a good one. Anthologies are a place to find good short stories and new authors. But then again I don't trust anthologies ;) at least when I have to buy them. Still, there are libraries to borrow from...

A question regarding Skybound: Is the story a description of the evolving relationship and the war is like a backdrop or are there detailed scenes of war and its cruelties? (the latter is a reason why don't dare read it, to much of this kind of stuff in too young age at school...)

Calathea wrote: "A question regarding Skybound: Is the story a description of the evolving relationship and the war is like a backdrop or are there detailed scenes of war and its cruelties? (the latter is a reason ..."

No details of war and its cruelties. It is more than a backdrop though, it plays a part in the people's lives but from the perspective of a pilot and a mechanic. Nothing like the war stories we were told at school.(which needed to be told and learned from of course). So if that is your fear, you shouldn't worry. And the story is well worth reading.

Calathea wrote: "A question regarding Skybound: Is the story a description of the evolving relationship and the war is like a backdrop or are there detailed scenes of war and its cruelties? (the latter is a reason ..."

What? You haven't read it yet?

This aspect is really ok, not gruesome at all. And the book is excellent. It gives you the idea how people were living in Germany.

Johanna wrote: "So, what did you all think about Skybound? And was it a good idea to read a short story for the BOM discussion? Do you guys often read short stories? And if you do, do you usually read them from the authors you already know you like? Or is it your way to discover new interesting authors? "


I enjoyed it. I wasn't sure about the present tense at first but I warmed to it and found it added to the atmosphere. Which was probably the reason for using it :D The language and style was old-fashioned enough that I felt I was there, in 1945, instead of reading a modern historian's account of their story.

It's nice to read a short story for this discussion once in a while. I wouldn't want to do it every month though.

I'll quite often read short stories. Sometimes it's a freebie read set in an existing universe (Kate Sherwood's Dark Horse series comes to mind here) and sometimes a stand-alone. It doesn't necessarily have to be from an author I know and trust. The usual rules apply: if the blurb looks good and it has some good reviews or it's been recced by this group, chances are I'll buy it if I'm in the mood for that kind of story.

I already told EVERYONE I was in Berlin when the book was released and went on a mission to find the Messerschmitt.




I like to think of this story as the affirmation of life over disaster. I think even on our dying breath we will recognize the spark of love of a soul mate and live better and in a fuller way, even if it's for one second more.


This is my full review from which I will extract what was the moment that made me hurt and be happy at the same time.

Leutnant Vogt seems unattainable, they're apart because one belongs to the heroic flying crew, the other to an ordinary ground crew; they also have different backgrounds because Felix's origins seem humble, while Baldur comes from money. The one thing they have in common - men loving men - sets them apart from their peers and brings them close.

But Vogt says to the smitten Felix

"I did notice your face under the oil."

and the impossibility is shredded, destroyed and among rubble, oil, defeat, destruction, they become lovers. I liked that sentence, it's the surprising discovery of a treasure in a dirt lot, the vein of gold in the rocks. It gives to the one man in the crowd his dignity, his human dimension and it still calls to a part of our soul that is impossible to suppress, not even during disastrous times.


I LOVED THIS STORY! It made me feel privileged and humbled.

Johanna wrote: "Do you guys often read short stories? And if you do, do you usually read them from the authors you already know you like? Or is it your way to discover new interesting authors?"

I like mammoth books, to spend days and ages with them, but a short story packs a punch that sometimes leaves you dizzy and stunned. I must say that both Josh and Aleks can write beautifully and meaningfully on a shorter distance, because they have the ability to focus, and even if at the end I wish I had more, I know that what I witnessed on the page was something precious and poignant.

I don't think I've ever sampled a short story to decide if I liked an author first, short stories tend to happen to me :)

I liked reading Stephen King's short stories, for example. Dorothy Parker in my opinion wrote beautiful shorts. Raymond Carver. Andrea Camilleri. MARK TWAIN! I realize I love me some shorties...

Emanuela ~plastic duck~ wrote: "Johanna wrote: "Do you guys often read short stories? And if you do, do you usually read them from the authors you already know you like? Or is it your way to discover new interesting authors?"

I ..."

Like Calathea said, short stories are a special format, not all authors can pull it off. I somehow believe it is harder to write a short story well since each word has to count. But a good short will tell you all you need within that limited frame but still leave you to continue the story on your own.

Some authors are known for their short stories, we have a couple here who writes extraordinary ones and has never published a long novel. It's their format and they tell wonderful stories.

Since discovering m/m I often read the free anthologies to discover new authors. A lot of dross, but I have struck gold a few times too.

Emanuela ~plastic duck~ wrote: "I already told EVERYONE I was in Berlin when the book was released and went on a mission to find the Messerschmitt."

And we never get tired of hearing it again. :)

Your review is lovely, Manu. I liked the way you thought of this story as the affirmation of life over disaster. I think that describes the story perfectly in a nutshell. And I'm glad you brought up the line "I did notice your face under the oil." I liked it too — and the way it was said. It's such a powerful, short line with so many delicate meanings.

I feel that I've rediscovered short stories when I started to read m/m (and even a bit before while reading paranormal romance). Or maybe it's simply due to the fact that I've rediscovered reading for fun again during the last few years after reading so many years only professional literature.

I used to read a lot of short stories when I was younger — and mainly in Finnish. I adored Joni Skiftesvik, Juhani Aho, Veijo Meri, Veikko Huovinen... but I also loved Giovanni Boccaccio, Edgar Allan Poe, Ernest Hemingway, Karen Blixen and above all Guy de Maupassant. :)

Anyway, I love Josh's Christmas stories dearly and although I can't exactly imagine Aleksandr Voinov writing a sweet Christmas story, that's still something I secretly hope to witness one day — a Voinov-ized short story with the Holiday theme... ;)

Anne wrote: "I read it and loved it. Very beautiful almost lyrical writing, a distinct feel of the time and place, and I can only guess what amount of research was needed to accomplish that, without the story ..."

That's exactly what I was thinking too.

I can't believe I read the book, and then completely forgot to comment here! Must have been too busy attempting to write a book or something that month. ;-)

Johanna wrote: "Just like Anne and Na, I thought that the story was insightful and lyrical. And yes, it always makes me humble when I realize how much research must have been done before and during the writing pro..."

I couldn't have said it better myself.

I always love those stories where the actions speak louder than words, when you can actually see the love, rather than have the word even mentioned. It takes talent to get your characters to show their feelings like that, and it always amazes me when an author can do that. any time I read a book like that, I feel like the characters are richer and deeper for it.

Johanna wrote: "Darkm wrote: "Johanna, your post said everything :)"

Well, not everything for sure — I only had a few thoughts in it. :)

So, what did you all think about Skybound? And was it a good idea to rea..."

For me, reading something short in November was perfect. Trying to write 50,000 words in one month for NaNoWriMo and read a novel to comment on is not always easy. So short was good for me. Usually, longer can be better, but I like any length, really.

Emanuela ~plastic duck~ wrote: "I already told EVERYONE I was in Berlin when the book was released and went on a mission to find the Messerschmitt. I like to think of this story as the affirmation of life over disaster. ..."

Love the picture! Thanks for finding it and sharing!

I also have to say that most short stories are by authors I already know and like. But sometimes an anthology with a specific theme will catch my attention, especially if an author I like is in it.

It is true though, that most of the anthologies I've read, haven't all been wonderful. Only a few pieces of gold among the rocks. But them's the breaks, I guess. So long as there's at least one good story in it, then it's worth it.