I thought maybe we'd change the format of the discussions a little and have threads on different aspects of the book. We can talk about the characters in this thread, adding to it as we continue reading the next chapters. Now that we're well into the book we know enough about the characters to discuss them.
Let me start with yet another digression. There is a medieval mystery series that I like a lot by Candace Robb, the Owen Archer mysteries. The setting and stories are great, however there is a serious problem with one of the characters. If I remember correctly, this boy is supposedly about 10 years old. Since he's an orphan, he survived by following after soldiers. The boy is treated like a 5 or 6 year old and it drove me crazy. In that time, and living in that way, I would imagine him to be much closer to being an adult that a child raised safely in a home. Presenting him as such a young child was annoying.
Fortunately, I don't feel the same way about Swede. I've known children with extraordinary abilities. We had one kindergarten student who could do very advanced math...if someone read him the problems which he could not yet read himself. He thought that test was a lot of fun. I do appreciate the story being told through Rubin's more "normal" eyes. We see that Swede is a very gifted writer, and clearly intelligent, but she's still a child.
I felt so bad for Rubin when he testified on the stand and I love the way he tells the story. Rubin feels his job is to bear witness and he is unwavering in his honesty, even about himself. The descriptions of his breathing difficulties makes you feel like you can almost understand what it would be like.
Davy is a mystery to me. I have no problem understanding why he did what he did but the way he disassociates himself from the consequences makes you wonder about him. You know he's a good person because Rubin tells us so but killing someone, even when they've hurt someone you love, seems to indicate a certain contempt for the importance of life. This is surprising to me, given his family beliefs. One of the biggest surprises of the story for me was when we found out at the trial that Davy had escalated the conflict by breaking out the windows on Finches car.
Jeremiah Land is the biggest mystery of all. Rubin is telling two stories here, one about his brother, and the other about his father. You can't help but be impressed with this dad, no matter what his profession. The irony surrounding Jeremiah is interesting. Here's a man who can heal others but he suffers from nearly continuous headaches. He is kind and forbearing but didn't hold back when beating the boys in the locker room.
For just a minute I'd like to mention the language in the latest passage. Enger's use of irony can be very subtle however, that is not the case with the letter that starts, "Dear butcher...." I hate this letter but I love the irony in it. All the things the writer is saying about Davy were actually true about the boys that Davy killed.
NEXT READING:
Read through "The Last Thing He would Do" (p. 148 in my edition)
Friday, July 10, 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
Peace Like a River Discussion (1st 4 chapters)
I'm going to start with a brief digression:
I once went to a presentation by a well-known librarian about what we librarians call reader's advisory. She was telling us how to help patrons find books that they would like to read. For many people the most important thing about a book is the action, the story line. For others, it's the characters or setting. You have to talk to people to find out why they like a particular title before you can recommend something else. When my husband and I were traveling in Alaska we each bought 2 books to read, planning to trade off during the trip. Jim chose a science fiction work by a famous person whose ideas Jim really liked. Now, I like science fiction too, however the writing in this book was just terrible. Jim is himself an excellent writer and readily acknowledged the issue but, as a physicist, he was most interested in the science of the story.
The language in Peace Like a River is what attracted me to the book. I think it is some of the most beautiful prose I've ever read. I didn't realize that it was the language of a book that was important to me until I read this book and went to this librarian's talk. Therefore, I'm going to start my discussion by looking at the language a little bit.
Enger is able to write a descriptive paragraph that tells me what the setting looks like but also gives me a sense of how the place feels. He's able to do it with a careful choice of word and phrase, yet isn't verbose. I don't get bored reading his descriptions. He also incorporates discussion of language itself into the story through Swede and her writing. I'll have more to say about Swede as a character later, but for now I'm just thinking about her use of language. I like her poetry and what it tells us about her. Enger comments on his own use of language when talking about Swede. Here's an example of that:
Swede opened her mouth and couldn't find a word in it. While loving all things Western, I doubt the facts of horse and saddle had ever occurred to her as real; they were simply poetry, though of the very best kind. Hammerhead roan and dancing bay pony and, now I mention it, Texas stock saddle -- to Swede such phrases just loped along, champing and snorting and kicking up clover. And rightly so: Take away such locutions and who's Sunny Sundown? Just a guy out walking.
Enger doesn't just say, "Swede stood there with her mouth hanging open." He turns that simple phrase into a poetic paragraph. That's why I love this book.
Feel free to talk about anything that caught your eye in this book. I'll talk more about character, setting, etc. in another post on another section. For next time read through "A Boy on a Horse", p. 107 in my edition. Should we read for one or two weeks? Let me know what you prefer.
I once went to a presentation by a well-known librarian about what we librarians call reader's advisory. She was telling us how to help patrons find books that they would like to read. For many people the most important thing about a book is the action, the story line. For others, it's the characters or setting. You have to talk to people to find out why they like a particular title before you can recommend something else. When my husband and I were traveling in Alaska we each bought 2 books to read, planning to trade off during the trip. Jim chose a science fiction work by a famous person whose ideas Jim really liked. Now, I like science fiction too, however the writing in this book was just terrible. Jim is himself an excellent writer and readily acknowledged the issue but, as a physicist, he was most interested in the science of the story.
The language in Peace Like a River is what attracted me to the book. I think it is some of the most beautiful prose I've ever read. I didn't realize that it was the language of a book that was important to me until I read this book and went to this librarian's talk. Therefore, I'm going to start my discussion by looking at the language a little bit.
Enger is able to write a descriptive paragraph that tells me what the setting looks like but also gives me a sense of how the place feels. He's able to do it with a careful choice of word and phrase, yet isn't verbose. I don't get bored reading his descriptions. He also incorporates discussion of language itself into the story through Swede and her writing. I'll have more to say about Swede as a character later, but for now I'm just thinking about her use of language. I like her poetry and what it tells us about her. Enger comments on his own use of language when talking about Swede. Here's an example of that:
Swede opened her mouth and couldn't find a word in it. While loving all things Western, I doubt the facts of horse and saddle had ever occurred to her as real; they were simply poetry, though of the very best kind. Hammerhead roan and dancing bay pony and, now I mention it, Texas stock saddle -- to Swede such phrases just loped along, champing and snorting and kicking up clover. And rightly so: Take away such locutions and who's Sunny Sundown? Just a guy out walking.
Enger doesn't just say, "Swede stood there with her mouth hanging open." He turns that simple phrase into a poetic paragraph. That's why I love this book.
Feel free to talk about anything that caught your eye in this book. I'll talk more about character, setting, etc. in another post on another section. For next time read through "A Boy on a Horse", p. 107 in my edition. Should we read for one or two weeks? Let me know what you prefer.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Peace Like a River Information Post
I'm so glad we're going to do this one next. I started looking at it again tonight to get a sense of what we should read and the way the chapters lay and I'm getting excited to start talking about it. Sounds like most of you have it. Here's my suggestion for our first discussion.
Let's read p. 1-50. That will take us through 4 chapters. I guess we'll take 2 weeks to read this first section and see how everyone feels about it. I'll put up a discussion post on Friday July 3. If anyone has any other ideas about how to do this let me know.
Let's read p. 1-50. That will take us through 4 chapters. I guess we'll take 2 weeks to read this first section and see how everyone feels about it. I'll put up a discussion post on Friday July 3. If anyone has any other ideas about how to do this let me know.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Wee Free Men Chapters 13-14 Discussion
We reach the end of Tiffany's story, her showdown with the Queen and her discovery of the true power of the land she holds in her bones through her Granny. We also get an introduction to the most respected witch on the Disc, Granny Weatherwax, and Tiffany reminds Roland who the real boss of the land is. All's well that ends well, and Tiffany understands that she has a duty to the land, and to the borders.
Along with the discussion, we should probably decide what to read next so that people can procure the books. I like the look of both of our current suggestions, and if those who haven't contributed yet think of a title they're interested in sharing, by all means put it on our list and we can take a vote or something.
Along with the discussion, we should probably decide what to read next so that people can procure the books. I like the look of both of our current suggestions, and if those who haven't contributed yet think of a title they're interested in sharing, by all means put it on our list and we can take a vote or something.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Wee Free Men Chapters 11-12 Discussion
Tiffany learns how to play the Queen's game at managing dreams, learns about the indestructability of the Nac Mac Feegle, and receives a devastating blow when, despite all her efforts, she finds herself unable to save her brother. My apologies for the tardiness of this post, it's been a busy weekend, but here it is. I'm glad you all are enjoying the wordplay. As a bit of a word player myself, I'm always so fond of reading the work of a master of the game. Let the discussion commence!
Friday, May 8, 2009
Wee Free Men Chapters 9-10 Discussion
Tiffany learns more of Fairyland, what there is to fear and what the Queen does to those who cross her. She also finds the lost son of the Baron, Roland, and resolves to bring him back home again also. Fairyland, while not quite what she expected, is becoming quite the challenge as she works to help her brother and Roland and keep the Queen at bay long enough to get out. Let the discussion commence!
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Wee Free Men Chapters 7-8 Discussion
I apologize for being late with this post, but I've had a busy few days and a difficult week. Anyway, this week's chapters give Tiffany and the Feegles the information they need to rescue Wentworth...at a price. Tiffany becomes kelda, does a bit of political maneuvering to keep things running smoothly, learns about her own abilities with First Sight and Second Thoughts, and enters into the maddeningly unreal land of Fairy, impatient for the trees to smarten up and look like the real thing. Thoughts?
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