Sci-Fi Group Book Club discussion

This is the discussion thread for the first book of the month, or group read, for February. Please remember to use the spoiler tags where necessary.

The other group read topic for this month (The Midwich Cuckoos) can be found here.

Starting to read Watchmen today, as I finally got the book yesterday and was able to finish up another book as well.

I am looking forward to this. This is my first experience with a graphic novel, so I am looking forward to this new format and also to the discussions this month.

For those who prefer audiobooks, I see that there is a narrated playlist on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLdqK...

Just finished the book. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. As mentioned, this was my first graphic novel, and I really admired the comic book presentation. It's easy to see why Watchmen is considered a classic of that medium.

My problem with the book is that I couldn't get excited about the plot at all. It's probably simply a matter of super heroes and their problems aren't interesting to me. With the exception of Jon, I never felt any sympathy for any of the characters.

What I did like a lot was Chapter IV, where Jon is jumping around in time and how he evolves from Jon Osterman to Dr Manhatten. I liked the way time is presented in the book ("There is no future. There is no past....Time is simultaneous, an intricately structured jewel that humans insist of viewing one edge at a time when the whole design is visible in every facet")

Has anyone else been reading Watchmen? I'm looking forward to reading other opinions on this book.

I read this book nearly nine years ago and thought it was an interesting take on the foibles of superheroes. It was also my introduction to Tijuana bibles, which are briefly mentioned in the book.

I think I would agree with you, David, that most of the characters are not sympathetic. In some ways they are almost anti-superheroes without being super-villains.

I love this book. Read it many years ago. It is one of my all time favorite graphic novel.

I don't see this as a super hero story. It is in fact anti super hero. Most super hero stories stink of fascism. It is the strong man who knows what is right and wrong and it is the strong man who brings security through violence.

This book is very critical of that. It shows the danger of such powers and how easily they can be misused. Yes these characters are not clean cut heroes. They are human. Another reason why I love this book.

Every time I re-read watchmen I like it a little bit more. It is far ticker and more dense than you first realise.

The last time I re-read it I really liked the tiny vignette of the lesbian relationship and the way the author presented their relationship.

Alan more is a great writer and for me this continues to stand up. Its not the most accessible I have ever read but I did enjoy it a lot.