Nerdette Book Club discussion

HEY! We're recording book club on Wednesday and would love to hear from some listeners before then. What do you think of the structure? Which character do you relate to most? What's it like to read this book while in the midst of a different sort of isolation? Even if you're not finished yet, you can still send in questions and comments!

I'm only on Chapter 3 so far ("The Hotel").

But the most interesting aspect of the book for me - especially right now, in the midst of this pandemic - is how, as events are unfolding, we get a glimpse into how they will be remembered and narrated later, or how they will ricochet into a future event.

For instance: ""In later years Walter was interviewed three or four times about Jonathan Alkaitis, but the journalist always left disappointed..." or "'Well because there was just no reason not to be sort of honest,' he told the counselor in Utah, in 2019.")

Leon is my favorite character so far...

Simone wrote: "I'm only on Chapter 3 so far ("The Hotel").

But the most interesting aspect of the book for me - especially right now, in the midst of this pandemic - is how, as events are unfolding, we get a gl..."

SIMONE! This is such a fabulous insight. Would you mind recording yourself saying this so we can play it during our discussion? (If you don't want to, I can read what you wrote, but it'd be so much more fun to hear this in your voice!) Just use the voice memos app on your phone and email it to nerdettepodcast@gmail.com.

Sure I think I can do that! Let me give it a try. Thanks for kind words ☺️

Simone wrote: "I'm only on Chapter 3 so far ("The Hotel").

But the most interesting aspect of the book for me - especially right now, in the midst of this pandemic - is how, as events are unfolding, we get a gl..."

The same thing happens in reverse, as characters realize they never could have predicted where they are now, and reflect on that. Example: "Walter wouldn't have imagined, in his previous life in downtown Toronto, that he'd fall in love with a place where the stars were so bright that he could see his shadow on a night with no moon."

I’m 79% done. Was hoping to be further along, but you know, with the world in such a precarious state, it’s hard to read sometimes. 🙃
Just encountered a spooky parallel/potential foreboding between our current situation and the aftermath of the 2008 collapse that gave me pause: 😳

“In the months that followed, with *** trying to get more consulting work at Neptune-Avramidis, which was convulsed with layoffs and had put a freeze on consultants, and **** rendered unemployable by anxiety and depression, the RV in the driveway had at first seemed malevolent, some kind of horrible joke, like their financial mistakes had taken on corporeal form and had parked there next to the house”

I really like this book in the midst of isolation. I was worried this was a bit more like Station Eleven, which I did not need in this uncertain time. I have been reading other serious books and haven’t followed through with any of them - except this one.

I totally want to identify with Vincent, as a woman, but I feel more like Paul. With his ambition and addiction issues. Feeling of listlessness and untapped creativity. Shame and self-loathing.

I initially was super frustrated at the beginning because I didn’t get the short bursts, but as it continued, I really enjoyed it. I’m glad you chose this book to read because I think it’s going to get super popular.

Ok, just finished. In the beginning, I kept searching for a character to root for, but I feel like I didn’t spend enough time with any of them to become fully invested. I almost felt like it should be Vincent, but she was such a chameleon, and didn’t seem to care about anyone, so I didn’t really care about her. The story meandered for a while, but I’m happy with the way it wrapped up, ghosts and all.

Cathi wrote: "Ok, just finished. In the beginning, I kept searching for a character to root for, but I feel like I didn’t spend enough time with any of them to become fully invested. I almost felt like it should..."

Yay we'll be glad to have you when you're ready!