Tournament of Books discussion

Thread for discussion on Telephone by Percival Everett

I’m wondering what version of Telephone people have read?

I’ve read the B version, and I am actively hunting for physical copies of the others, but all that seems to be available in the independent bookstores of Boston is more B versions.

This is the one book my library doesn't have.

I mean, I liked it enough that I am prepared to buy all three versions if I can find them. But I am a collector, make of that what you will.

So are does each version have a ending or what's the pony trick here?

My library didn’t have Telephone either, but I requested it. Hopefully they get it soon - is there not an ebook edition?

I was not able to find any copies at my library or local bookstores but ordered copies online. I was able to track down the NW (B) and SE (C). Does anyone have an extra NE or (A) version? I can trade it for a physical copy of the SE (C) version.

I think I’d heard earlier this year that due to covid and supply chain issues that only (or mainly) the B version was shipped to retailers. I am not sure if that is still the case.

This is a good piece that addresses some of the differences between versions (spoiler-free):

https://www.latimes.com/entertainment...

Audra wrote: "So are does each version have a ending or what's the pony trick here?"

I've read versions A (NE compass) and B (NW compass). There are very slight variations throughout the book, and in these two versions at least three or four passages that are distinctly different. It's amazing how these mild differences result in a very different feeling about the overall story, for me mostly about the person of the narrator Zach. My GR review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Chrissy wrote: "My library didn’t have Telephone either, but I requested it. Hopefully they get it soon - is there not an ebook edition?"
There is definitely an ebook edition. There is a GR discussion of the book here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... Someone there mentioned getting it on Kindle and someone else on Nook.

I read mine on Kindle, the C (northwest) version. And although I liked the book I thought the ending was really abrupt, I wasn't a fan. I saw someone reviewing on Amazon who said the same thing, while others said they loved the ending...So I've put the paper book on hold. There's a wait, but hopefully I'll get it in the next month because i really want to compare.

What a fascinating concept for a book! Does anyone know of books that have done something like this before?

I got an ebook from my library but haven't started it yet. I can't tell what version it is from the library, and interestingly, nothing about the description of the book indicates other versions exist!

How to be Both by Ali Smith was published with two versions; the story is split in half and the difference was in which half came first. My book club read it and had a great time discussing how our perspectives changed depending which version we read.
I just finished Telephone (version A northeast) and admittedly got so sucked into it that I completely forgot about the existence of two other versions until finishing. I’m so curious about the details of the differences - for instance I was so glad Zach didn’t sleep with Rachel as that seemed like an obvious cliched setup, but does he sleep with her in the other versions? Or Hillary? Or DeLois?

Thanks McKenzie - I actually have How to be Both on my shelf, unread, so that's a motivator to read it in 2021!

Thanks for the links Phyllis and Sharon - very helpful!

The goodreads discussion was helpful but very long, so if anyone is interested in the things that were most helpful for me, here's the how to tell what version you have (I'm a dummy and wasn't following what you guys were saying):
-All three editions exist in physical copies. All e-book versions are the C edition. the ISBN number ends in either A, B, or C and the cover's top right compass either points to NE, NW, or SE respectively.


And here's a description of what's different in each version. Not really spoilers, but hiding as spoiler just in case. (view spoiler)[ Each version has different plot differences that start around the middle of the book.
-How his daughter's illness is treated is different. (She doesn't die in each).
-The Paris trip is different (his involvement with the police changes).
-The changes alter the weight and feeling of the ending. (hide spoiler)]

I read the SE version and would love to know the specifics of what was different in the other versions. Ok to talk about spoilers here?

Also, interestingly, as a standalone book it wasn't really for me. As in if this was the only version, I found the sad things that happen too sad and the ending too outrageous and abrupt. But I am finding the articles and discussion really fascinating and is making me appreciate the book more.

I just put a hold on this in our state catalogue and will have to read (or try) whatever version I get. However, based on what Bretnie wrote I may not like this. I have a low tolerance for sad or dark novels at this point, although I do read a few.

Karin wrote: "I have a low tolerance for sad or dark novels at this point, although I do read a few.."

This is where I'm at too - I'm working myself up to read Hamnet, which I am sure will be worth it. I don't think my heart has the bandwith for Telephone.

Karin and Nadine, maybe you guys can find the version that doesn't have bad things happen :) (I don't know if that exists, ha!)

I ordered Telephone from my local bookstore, Bookbin, in Salem OR and picked it up today. My bookseller was so excited that I was reading Percival Everett his favorite author. He told me Everett has a pet crow!!

Bryn wrote: "I ordered Telephone from my local bookstore, Bookbin, in Salem OR and picked it up today. My bookseller was so excited that I was reading Percival Everett his favorite author. He told me Everett ha..."
I just got one in the mail!

Bretnie wrote: "What a fascinating concept for a book! Does anyone know of books that have done something like this before?

I got an ebook from my library but haven't started it yet. I can't tell what version it ..."

Bretnie wrote: "What a fascinating concept for a book! Does anyone know of books that have done something like this before?

Bretine, not sure if this is true, but How to be Both by Allie Smith is a book where half the versions begin the present and then flip to the past, and half the books were published with the past events beginning the book and the present coming at the end. My friend and I didn't realized until we discussed. I checked, and this was the case. It's brilliant by the way.
I got an ebook from my library but haven't started it yet. I can't tell what version it ..."

Elizabeth wrote: "I read mine on Kindle, the C (northwest) version. And although I liked the book I thought the ending was really abrupt, I wasn't a fan. I saw someone reviewing on Amazon who said the same thing, wh..."

Thanks to this discussion and links provided I realized there are three different versions of this book and I have the NE version. Looking forward to reading it and further discussion about all versions once I have :)

There’s something about how he writes the women characters, and they’re practically all women. Mix of fantasy and unbelievability that is bothering me. I’m only half way thru it. No idea which version. Library kindle.

I have just finished the A version and thought it perfect. I'm really curious about the other versions, so I'll keep an eye out for them -- it's not possible to order a specific version (at least on bookshop.org).

I don’t get this book. At the half way mark: Is it one big male fantasy? SPOILERS AHEAD

The student has a crush on him, the woman professor kisses him, his daughter is the first kid in history that begs to go look at old paintings in Paris, and where I’m at, he just superheroed into a terrorist situation to save his daughter because he can’t really save his daughter.

Is this going somewhere interesting? Or is this what it is?

Jason wrote: "I don’t get this book. At the half way mark: Is it one big male fantasy? SPOILERS AHEAD"

Ah, Jason - herein lies the intrigue of the three versions. From the facts you've listed, I'm gathering you are reading the Northeast compass "A" version? That is the one that I read first. The nuanced differences in some of these facts gave me a different feel for Zach in the Northwest compass "B" version, which I read second.

For me, in both of the two versions I have read, it was one of the saddest stories I've ever read. And they did boil down to me as the inability of a father to save his own daughter. But I'm thinking you may not connect with the rest of the story any more than you have the beginning.

I finished this, and I have the B version. The ending in mine was really abrupt...like the author forgot to finish the book. Otherwise, the book was perfect. Of course, the ending is a big, big thing—maybe even enough to take this from 5 to 3 stars. Do all the versions have the same ending? Does anyone here like the ending? If so, can you please share what you liked about it so I can figure out what I’m missing?

Gwendolyn wrote: "Do all the versions have the same ending? Does anyone here like the ending? If so, can you please share what you like about it so I can figure out what I'm missing?"

I've read versions A and B. The endings are the same, though each have different words after, on page 216, "I threaded my way back through the crowd on the bridge."

I was satisfied with the ending. In part, because I've read a lot of Percival Everett (nearly all of the novels), I was not expecting a tidy ending that summed everything up -- he just doesn't seem to do that. And because I love his work, I'm probably not as objective about it as I might be had it been written by someone else. But in terms of the story told in Telephone, the ending seemed fitting to me. (view spoiler)[The whole notion of trying to save someone else's daughter(s) because you can't save your own, was always going to be quixotic, so in my mind Zach was not going to end this story feeling fulfilled. And I felt like the reader was left in that same emotional space of wondering & hoping whether it is ever possible to come back from the loss of a child and, if so, how that will happen. (hide spoiler)]

I just finished this (checked out on Libby-SE version) and I am stunned. It seems like the ending of the A and B versions are more similar because the ending I read was... not as others have described. This as my first Percival Everett and WOW. The dialogue so effortless, the jokes so real, the sadness so deep! Am surprised how much this touched me.

Heidi wrote: "I just finished this (checked out on Libby-SE version) and I am stunned. . . . This is my first Percival Everett and WOW. . . ."

Oh yay, Heidi! I'm always so excited to hear about any new convert to Percival Everett's writing. He is my personal very favorite living American writer. Now that you're sucked in, you should really try some of his other books, which I can't resist recommending here. He has a wider range than any other novelist I can think of.

My personal favorites in order are what I think of as the funny ones:
- God's Country
- A History of the African-American People [Proposed] by Strom Thurmond
- I Am Not Sidney Poitier
- American Desert

After that come the more poignant (though still with lots of amusing satire), and I love them in no particular order almost as much as the outright funny ones:
- Suder
- Walk Me to the Distance
- Percival Everett by Virgil Russell
- Watershed
- So Much Blue

I will warn you that I found some of his books to be "difficult" in increasing order:
- Glyph
- Erasure
- The Water Cure (this one is downright mind-bending, soul-breaking, confusing, and terrifying; I had to really want to finish it in order to make it through to the end)

I apologize to all for going a little wildly off topic here, but I just can't pass up any opportunity to rave about Everett.

Bretnie wrote: ". . . I read the SE version and would love to know the specifics of what was different in the other versions. . . ."

So I'm seriously outing myself here as a total book geek. I created a spreadsheet annotating the differences between the NE and the NW versions. I plan to add the SE differences once I ever get my hands on a copy. I'm happy to share my spreadsheet with anyone who wants it. Message me with your email address and I'll send it to you -- or perhaps I can upload it to this discussion somehow? And if anyone notices any differences that I failed to see, please let me know.

Phyllis wrote: "Bretnie wrote: ". . . I read the SE version and would love to know the specifics of what was different in the other versions. . . ."

So I'm seriously outing myself here as a total book geek. I cre..."

Phyllis, I love that you did that! I just messaged you.

I'm quite curious if I didn't like the book because it just didn't work for me, or if it was something specific about my version. If I had read a different version would I have like it more? Maybe. Maybe not. Fascinating to think about though.

Phyllis wrote: "Heidi wrote: "I just finished this (checked out on Libby-SE version) and I am stunned. . . . This is my first Percival Everett and WOW. . . ."

Oh yay, Heidi! I'm always so excited to hear about an..."

NO apologies, Phyllis! As you are clearly an Everett expert, many of us need to know where to start. I made a note for most of these.

Thanks so much for that list, Phyllis! I can’t wait to dig in, but I’ve got one more shortlist books to finish before I turn to “extracurricular” reading.

I’m going to message you because I would LOVE to see that spreadsheet!! Wonderful.

Finished. Uh...

Jason wrote: "Finished. Uh..."

Lol. I was pretty sure that since you didn't like the beginning, the end wasn't going to redeem it for you. I thought the first half was fabulous, but I was underwhelmed by the rest. I do still think Everett is brilliant, though.

I'm working on this, but man... the whole thing is just so sad. It's kind of an uphill battle to get through this right now, when I could pick up something else that won't bum me out.

Kyle wrote: "I'm working on this, but man... the whole thing is just so sad. It's kind of an uphill battle to get through this right now, when I could pick up something else that won't bum me out."

So you're going to read Shuggie Bain instead?

With the exception of Deacon King Kong and possibly We Ride Upon Sticks, are there any cheerful books in the ToB?

Alison wrote: "Kyle wrote: "I'm working on this, but man... the whole thing is just so sad. It's kind of an uphill battle to get through this right now, when I could pick up something else that won't bum me out."..."

No. And I'm bummed about that, not just that there weren't cheerful books, but that there were so many that were just downright depressing, which really isn't what we need this year. (Interior Chinatown at least had some humor?)

I'm reading Piranesi so far, and it seems whimsical and lovely but I'm not that far into it yet.... you guys have me scared that it gets depressing.

C wrote: "I'm reading Piranesi so far, and it seems whimsical and lovely but I'm not that far into it yet.... you guys have me scared that it gets depressing."

I wouldn't say it's depressing really, at least not for me, just a little dark.

C wrote: "I'm reading Piranesi so far, and it seems whimsical and lovely but I'm not that far into it yet.... you guys have me scared that it gets depressing."

I don't want to answer this because it will spoil the ending... once you get there I'll be interested in your opinion on it. I think it depends on the reader.

I would be interested - and I can't seem to track down - in finding out what the difference in the endings is.

Kyle wrote: "I would be interested - and I can't seem to track down - in finding out what the difference in the endings is."

Kyle, it isn't so much that the endings are different, but rather that there are differences throughout. I created a spreadsheet annotating the differences between the NE and the NW versions (I plan to add the SE differences once I ever get my hands on a copy). If you'll message me with your email address, I'm happy to share my spreadsheet with anyone who wants it.

Alison wrote: "I have just finished the A version and thought it perfect. I'm really curious about the other versions, so I'll keep an eye out for them -- it's not possible to order a specific version (at least o..."

Alison where did you find the Northeast "A" version?

I just finished this. It's not a perfect book. I see the complaints Jason mentioned, and understand if this isn't for everyone, but it was somehow just what I needed right now. It is a sad book, but for some reason the sadness didn't depress me. As I'm personally dealing with various medical issues I actually appreciate when they show up in literature. It feels less lonely I guess.

What worked for me with this story was how it explores saviorism, control, and -some of my favorite topics- corruption/systemic issues with law enforcement and international/border/immigration policies. It was so powerful that (view spoiler)[ Zach left New Mexico (a "blue" state in the U.S.) to drive to Juárez, a city known for being a hub of cartel torture and mass murder to approach Mexican federal law enforcement (known for being extremely corrupt and "in bed with" the cartels), to assist in his attempt to save women who have been enslaved by American Neo-Nazis. This is a significant statement and I love it. Some people look down on those south of the border and think we're so ethical and righteous up on this side of it. We're not; we have just as many corruption issues to deal with here, it just shows up differently here than it does in Mexico (and of course we've had a hand in how things got that way there). And of course the idea of smuggling folks south across the border to help them gives the reader a lot to think about. I really appreciate the issues he brought to light with that whole situation, and it made for a seriously suspenseful final chapter. The ending was reasonably satisfying to me, although I thought of an alternate that would frustrate some readers, but drive home the themes in a realistic way...

I also deeply connected with the idea of overwhelm with how much there is to "save." There can be people close to you as well as people suffering in other places that have nothing to do with you, but you might still feel responsible for doing something about it. Ultimately we'll never be able to fill that void, and sometimes there are grave consequences for saviorism. It's something that's defined pretty much my whole life and it helped me relate to Zach, even if there were some flaws or eye-rolling moments in the story. 5 stars (hide spoiler)]

I'd love to start reading more Everett, so thanks for that list of recommendations, Phyllis!

I wouldn't be surprised if this went up against Sharks because of the themes, but I hope not, because I'd like to see them both do well in the tournament.

This was a 4 star read for me but I purposely went into it blind, not knowing about the existence of other versions. Apparently I got the (A) version (paperback from my library). I thought the pacing was excellent and I never got bored. I related well to the theme of trying to be a savior and neglecting those closest for a larger "cause" and doing so out of guilt.

Michelle wrote: "Alison where did you find the Northeast "A" version? ..."

That's the one I got for Christmas from my son who ordered it off of amazon.

I'm getting more intrigued by the day about the other versions, so I'm planning to swing by my local B&N to order a copy.

Alison wrote: "So you're going to read Shuggie Bain instead?."

I laughed so hard at your question. This TOB is brutal.

I was able to get the C book from the library and am tempted to call my local store to see which version they have. I could not put the book down last night. When I described it to my husband, he asked me why I was reading it.

Phyllis wrote: "Oh yay, Heidi! I'm always so excited to hear about an..."

Thank you for your post. I am also a convert!