Lizziefaye's Comfy Corner discussion

There are twenty chapters so I'm dividing it into four parts for discussion. There is no rush to read the book. Just go at your own pace and leave your thoughts after every 5 chapters.

This thread is for chapters 1-5.

I just finished the first five chapters.

It is scary because it is believable.

I like all of the main characters.

The multiple points of view are done well by the author.

Will comment more once everyone has finished.

I tried to start this last night, but waited too late and was too sleepy. So finally I have read the first five chapters. I'm very intrigued. The whole allergy story line is very interesting. When Petra went to the naturalist seeking help, I related to that because we have taken Emelie to a similar type of practitioner.
The origin of the plant was not surprising since the synopsis told us it was in the rain. So I was glad that the author let the townspeople figure that out soon. I don't usually like when authors draw out story lines that should be obvious to the characters in the story.
I liked the plot device of how the rain happened to be saved by Petra in the first place. However, I didn't think she should be too surprised to find the water at least murky the next day. Let most any water sit for awhile and things will settle out of it. It did bother me that she drank it and I hope there are no plants growing inside of her now.
Now we just need to no how those seeds got in the rain. I think the biological weapon theory is definitely plausible. But since the author gave us that right away, I'm sure that we're going to find out that that isn't the case.
Like Donna said, it's scary because it seems like something that could actually happen.
The town meeting was a little frustrating when people yelled out that they should have been warned or told about the plant's properties. Duh! At least the Anaya's father answered their questions calmly and rationally.
I thought maybe we would get all three perspectives all the way through, but I guess the first three chapters were just to introduce us to the three main characters and they will work together throughout the book.
I'm definitely interested, although so far it's not as spine-tingling or creepy as I thought it would be.

The other book I read by Oppel was 'The Nest' which was strange and very internal. Even though the plants in this book come from somewhere else, it is conceivable/believable and the characters can act on what is happening whereas in 'The Nest' the main character was passive to 'The Nest'; taken over by it.

The allergy angle is very close to home as I have many, and very limited food to eat and cannot travel because of it. My social life has been markedly diminished for a long time now even prior to the pandemic. So, I relate to how both girls feel; this adds a bit to the 'creep' factor for me.

The town meeting was typical human behavior which is always frustrating. Most of the people did not act out, but the few are always so vocal to the point of being unreasonable, as in this case.

I finished the book and we get internal dialogue from all three points of view throughout as each twelve-year old deals with what is happening in the world and to them personally. But for the most part, the POV is involved with actions they must perform to survive. A real action-packed story with a lot of agency on all of their parts.

Elizabeth brings out the point that rain water has sediment that can be evidenced the next day. It is particles in the air that actually attracts moisture, makes it heavy enough to become raindrops, so it is interesting that, in this case, the rain really was 'seeded'!

I agree that it is not a spine-tingling book, but it is a page-turning suspense and becomes more and more similar to what we have been through in the pandemic that it is a bit disconcerting.

I did like the book quite a bit as a middle-grade sci-fi. I just finished the 1938 novella 'Who Goes There?' by John W. Campbell, Jr., the basis for the 1951 movie 'The Thing from Another World' and its two remakes. That too was plant based, so fit right in.

Dee wrote: "I have been trying to read this too, but now I have the flu, and my head is aching. I cough every five minutes, so it's impossible to concentrate, but I'm hoping that this virus will move on soon."

I'm so sorry to hear that. I hope you are feeling better soon!

Dee wrote: "I have been trying to read this too, but now I have the flu, and my head is aching. I cough every five minutes, so it's impossible to concentrate, but I'm hoping that this virus will move on soon."

Hoping it moves on soon for you, too, so that you can get back to doing the things you love. Take care.

I just started this and just now finished chapter 5. I think it's kind of interesting so far. I thought it was interesting that the two with bad allergic reactions are the ones that are not allergic to the pollen from the black grass. Did I miss something because why is Seth not affected? Maybe he was just lucky...lol.

I also thought the town meeting was frustrating because how are they suppose to warn them about things when they have no clue what the stuff is or how it would affect them when burned.

I am very intrigued though to see what is going to happen next.