The Emotionally Unstable One Speaks...

FIRST OF ALL: I was almost COMPLETELY done with this post before my computer crashed. Therefore, it will not be nearly as entertaining as the previous draft. Grrrrr...

Patty and I got a chance to talk about the book a little today at school. It got me thinking that we should definitely get together soon to discuss. Next week?

I also wonder about Patty's question about Henry running into more than one of himself when he time travels. I think I have an explanation, though it is based on guesswork, not any fact. I think that because Henry cannot control when and where he travels, Henry's chrono-instability prevents him from traveling any time or place where two or more of himself are located. Again. Just a theory.

I also have a lot of thoughts about Clare. For the most part, I think Clare is a pretty good heroine and great example of female empowerment (as per Jeana's discussion a few posts ago). However, I have a lot of questions about her decision-making skills when she meets Henry for the first time in the present. As endearing as Henry is and as much as I empathize with his condition, isn't he just a complete tool? When she meets Henry, he is a womanizing, drunk, lazy douche (for lack of a better term). Yes, yes, yes. I know that I should have a little sympathy, after all, we are just products of our environments (right?). However, isn't that just a sorry excuse to not change? To not make yourself a better person and turn your life around? Yes, I know that Clare knows who he will be in the future (and loves THAT man). But it still makes me angry that any woman would put up with that for any period of time regardless of if she knows the outcome. Even though this makes me angry and I sort of hate Henry for the tool that he is in the beginning, I cannot seem to resist his charm (or maybe I'm thinking about the GORGEOUS Eric Bana who plays him in the upcoming movie -- see above picture).

Last and final thought, how do you think Alba feels about all of this? Do you think it's hard for her to see Henry when she time travels or do you think it's a comfort for her? Do you think she choses to go to a time and place where she sees him often? Do you think she has total control of when and where she goes? And if so, how would she know where to go when she goes to the future?

Wow. Sorry. I totally just unloaded.

Possible next books...

This is a list of books that target suggests for bookclubs...Patty and Pam should recognize a couple right away!

https://bookmarked.target.com/clubpicks/list.vtl?page=1&size=12

Time 2 Spill!

Ok...I think I was the last one but I am finally done. It is time to spill and get all questions, comments, and concerns out in the open. I didn't cry (sorry guys) but I think my emotions are a little messed up right now. I liked it but I don't think I loved it. Reading what comments have been left on the blog already have made me think...keep them coming. I don't have any of my own to add at this moment though. I do, however, agree with Patty. If we are going to have a dang book club, then we need to (at least once) all be reading the book at Patty's pool (with one exception of course...and she will be and is greatly missed!).

What is next on our plates?

Discussion topics, etc.

Hi all! I just added a gadget to the top-right sidebar for discussion topics. You should be able to edit it by clicking on the lower-right on the little wrench symbol, then you can add to it. You just need to be signed in.

I just finished the book, WOW!!! It's a new favorite of mine. I think that Niffenegger writes beautifully, I love her style. It's so whimsical, yet down-to-earth at the same time. I love the simplicity of her descriptions of daily life and daily love; I thought Clare & Henry's romance was beautiful! I think it's even made me appreciate just dinner with my husband in a new way.

I think that the determinism vs. chaos discussion on pg. 76 is an excellent place to begin. So do you think Henry only has free will if he is operating in the present? That everything that he does is governed by this "present" self?

It's interesting that South Haven is kind of the place where Clare is raised to believe in god, and when she leaves it, her faith dissipates as well. I thought that in some ways that South Haven and her home there represented the conservative dutch wealth of West Michigan [in a fairly negative light as a whole, I thought]. I wonder if Niffenegger is from Michigan? It says she now lives in Chicago. But anyway, Clare is certainly painted as someone who completely outgrows her conservative roots at an early age- it's as though she never really belonged there. EX: I LOVED (and was shocked by) the scene in which she takes revenge on her date that beat her, burned her, and (forced her to perform fellaccio? pg. 95, not sure). My favorite (besides Henry kicking him in the balls) is when she takes her shirt off in the locker room and all of the girls there see her bruises and cheer & clap for her. I thought it was a great story of empowerment rather than the silence that typifies those kind of events in reality (especially in conservative environments).

In addition, Clare kind of blooms when she goes to Chicago. Her art gets very popular, she and Henry meet there and make their lives there... it fits them well as a couple. I may have wandered from the initial question, but those are some thoughts of mine.

Note: This next block contains spoilers if you have not finished the book!

Here's a question: Why can Henry do some things outside of his present intentionally- like go back and teach his young self to be a good pick-pocket, or grab winning lotto numbers- yet he can't go forward and move two feet to the right in that field to dodge a bullet? Does he have more power in the past than in the future?

July 23rd done...ugh sad. what next?

Wow can you believe that it didn't take that long to read? When I finished it I was sad, sappy and remorseful. ugh. Smile. I have tons of questions like I had said in the email. Didin't know amazing Jeana would have this all set to go!! smile!

Ok on the dates - and this chrono thingy. The age that he kept traveling changed...so how many in all are traveling - ok you math nerds, couldn't there be one at every age traveling at the same time? I wonder why he only runs into one at a time? This makes me think of mystical fuzzy travels like in this blue hills photo.


MJ on the same thought line that you mentioned I have questions too regarding their conversation. My copy has these great questions in the back of it for me to wonder even more about. Does everyone know what I mean? It is like perfect for book blog discussion...tee hee!

I feel like we should read another one - smile!!

Done!

Okay, so I was worried about being behind...but I ended up reading the entire book in one day. Wow! It was a really good book...not necessary a happy one though, MJ is right. It definitely makes you think though. I liked it alot. I look forward to chatting with you ladies about it! Maybe we should all start brainstorming a happy book for MJ next time :)

So I read Ch. 1

So I finally have read Ch. 1. Yes, that's all so far, but all I can think of so far is what the crap??? It's a little crazy. I'm glad I don't have a chrono-impairment, I know that much! I'm already emotionally distancing myself. Like MJ I don't want to be crying all the way through this book!!! But I'm excited to read on.

Clare and Henry's Discussion on pg 76

I thought it would be a good idea to list ideas we'd eventually like to talk / blog about when we have our meeting. I'd really love to put the discussion Clare and Henry have on page 76 on that list. :) I'll leave it as that, so as not to ruin anything for those of you who haven't started.

Let's give this a try

Hey Aarika, Pam, MJ & Patty!!!

I'm not super amazing at using blogs yet but I think what you will all want to do is sign up to be members of this blog, as seen on the right-hand side of this.  This will be easier if you have a google, yahoo, or AIM account.  Right now, I have it set so that you have to sign up to be a member of this blog in order to publish on it.  Let me know by email if you have problems becoming a member of the blog.  

I'm so excited about book clubbing with you all, you have no idea!  I'm picking up the book today :) and I can't wait!!!