McCampLeggBell discussion

Well we powered through this one. Not a lengthy book of course but simply written therefore making it easy to read. (no tractor information to skip through!!)
I found that I liked all of the characters but I must say that I found the most interesting and thought provoking 'statement' was from Eva when she said that she really missed being afraid. (I think they was her words- or something like it). That jolted me a little - maybe because I sit in my safe little world and it was a little hard to understand but was envious a the same time.

The ordinariness of all of the characters was great. I liked that.

I did think at one point (earlier on in the book) that one of the guys was going to die simply from holding their breath underwater for too long - I thought that was where it was going but it didn't, & I liked that it didn't. That would have been too easy (I think that that is the word that I want.) The book would have been a disappointment had that have been the case.

I want to discuss Sando with you, and the 'irresponsible' way that he handled the boys. ie taking them out into very dangerous situations. My adult side wants to tell him off, but another side wants to cheer him on. The boys certainly weren't softies.

Will have more thoughts soon.

I haven't forgotten about this - just been running short of time ... my thoughts soon!

nope not a tractor in sight - thank goodness

gosh karen ... i loved this book ... i loved it for it's simple straightforwardness (a complicated word for something not complicated no?) ... i loved it for the insight into being a stinkie boy ... i loved it because i could smell the ocean from my bed (where i read it in a single sitting one night when i couldn't sleep) ... and i loved the whole breath theme or motif or whatever you wanna call it ...

i agree - the characters felt real for me too ...

now sando ... your adult side is probably right ... but we're not stinkie boys don't forget - our maternal instincts are probably kicking into overdrive ... i get the feeling that the process for becoming a man has elements of being irresponsible ... i mean, it's usually guys that need to conquer impossible things yeah? ... so they do things like surf big waves or climb mountains or swim oceans or go super fast or fight other men or play footy ;o) ... you know - make grand personal sacrifices ... not saying women don't do those things but men seem to have that conquering spirit pre-loaded and running at birth ...

in all honesty - i think eva had the right angle on sando ... he was the guru and they were his disciples ... and even though he played it down - ego was a big part of what he was doing

interesting little jolt you got from eva there ... you're not taking up ski jumping next are you? ...

c'mon karen you've done scary stuff - yes the obvious one being marrying pop and taking on all his bloody children ... but what about diving? ... having babies is bloody frightening ... and singstar ain't a walk in the park!

eva and sando were pretty selfish people dontcha think? ... and i think that probably goes with that whole "doin' scary / exciting stuff" ... so i'm ok with not doin' it ...

now - here's my jolt ... found myself incredibly attracted to ol' bruce pike ... why do i feel i need to be with people i think i can fix?? ... it's so silly 'cos i can't even fix myself ... ;o)

great pick karen ... thanks