Reading Envy Readers discussion

I know some of you have already finished but for those keeping pace, week 3 started today the 15th!

Chapter 6 was long, 100 pages goodness.

Something I kept thinking about throughout this chapter - do you think Richard wonders how close he came to being Bunny for the group? I wonder this. He seems to take it for granted that they are letting him in, telling him their secrets. But underneath that I'm shouting DON'T FALL FOR IT! They all have alibis but he won't. They all vouch for each other and practically have ESP, they can claim he isn't part of them. He keeps secrets that I think they've caught on about. I wonder if he's being set up here.

Of course Bunny used to be in Richard's place at the very least. In the group, at least as far as traveling and being in classes.... what would it take for Richard to become persona non grata?

Oh yeah, even I'm speaking Latin now.

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "Chapter 6 was long, 100 pages goodness.

Something I kept thinking about throughout this chapter - do you think Richard wonders how close he came to being Bunny for the group? I wonder this. He see..."

I know! Every time he gets in the car with one of them, I want to shout, "NO RICHARD! DON'T DO IT!" He does seem to be suspicious of their every interaction with him. I think he knows the precariousness of his situation. I wondered at the time that they went to push Bunny down the hill, why they didn't want Richard to participate. Were they going to set him up later to take the fall for Bunny's demise? I'm actually starting to dislike Henry, now, and am starting to root for Richard.

Hmm. That's interesting.
I never considered that Richard might be a mark, though he could have been, too. I never picked up on that vibe. But Richard could have been a calf they were fattening.

Casey wrote: "Hmm. That's interesting.
I never considered that Richard might be a mark, though he could have been, too. I never picked up on that vibe. But Richard could have been a calf they were fattening."
I don't think I'm saying he was, but found myself wondering how different the situation would have needed to be for them to turn on him, bloodlust and all that. And more importantly, how/why does he appear to feel so safe when I as a reader see danger everywhere? :)

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "Casey wrote: "Hmm. That's interesting.
I never considered that Richard might be a mark, though he could have been, too. I never picked up on that vibe. But Richard could have been a calf they were ..."

I too wonder if they are setting up Richard. Especially when we think Bunny was never really one of them -- I don't think Richard is really one of them either and am suspicious of the level of trust the seem to share with him. I agree with you Jenny, danger lurks everywhere!

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "I don't think I'm saying he was, but found myself wondering how different the situation would have needed to be for them to turn on him, bloodlust and all that. And more importantly, how/why does he appear to feel so safe when I as a reader see danger everywhere? :) ."

I think it would have been very easy for the narrative to flip on Richard, but as the reader, we can see that the first-person past tense approach allows us to breathe easy in the frame of story, at least until the narrative catches up to the "when" of this telling, which is clearly in future. How much future is of course where the author can play with the reader's sense of safety that such person/tense provides.

What catches me flatfooted, is how I never noticed how easily things could have turned on Richard, and now I'm left wondering if I'm a lazy reader, or if I put so much stock in the rules of writing and storytelling that it hems in my reading experience.

"...but as the reader, we can see that the first-person past tense approach allows us to breathe easy in the frame of story, at least until the narrative catches up to the "when" of this telling, which is clearly in future." Or the "where" of this telling.

Sue wrote: ""Or the "where" of this telling."

Good point. I am assuming (so dangerous) that "where" references a possibility of sitting on death row or someplace else that would affect the narrative?

Casey wrote: "Sue wrote: ""Or the "where" of this telling."

Good point. I am assuming (so dangerous) that "where" references a possibility of sitting on death row or someplace else that would affect the narrative?"

That's exactly what I'm wondering about. I can't wait to read the rest of the book and hopefully have all questions answered.

Sue wrote: "That's exactly what I'm wondering about. I can't wait to read the rest of the book and hopefully have all questions answered."

I see. I have thoughts, but I'll save them until we are at the end of things. Now, read like the wind :)

Carol Ann wrote: "JI too wonder if they are setting up Richard. Especially when we think Bunny was never really one of them -- I don't think Richard is really one of them either and am suspicious of the level of trust the seem to share with him. I agree with you Jenny, danger lurks everywhere! "

Don't open that door!
Don't go into the basement!
Don't go down that path!

Etc. :D

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "Chapter 6 was long, 100 pages goodness.

Something I kept thinking about throughout this chapter - do you think Richard wonders how close he came to being Bunny for the group? I wonder this. He see..."

I'll be keeping this in mind Jenny. Clearly Richard is not as intelligent or resourceful or as intense as Henry, so you might be onto something. I'm not concerned for him, or any of the other characters as they seem a bit invincible at this stage. This might be all in Richards head. I've just started chapter 7.

I really dislike Bunny. Racist, sexist, childish, persistent in his annoying badgering of people. I might have killed him with my bare hands or at least a good tongue lashing.

I'm going to stop reading this thread for fear of spoilers but I'm very much enjoying this book!!!!!