Welcome to Week 1 of the Paco's Story Read-along, hosted by Serena and Anna at the War Through the Generations Challenge. We will be reading one or two chapters a week, and then responding to discussion questions.
1. Who do you think the narrator is?
In your average book, this isn't too difficult to figure out. But in the case of Paco's Story, it is not automatically clear. Based on what I've read, it seems that the narrator is the spirit of a man killed in battle - the same battle that destroyed everyone in the Alpha Company except for Paco. The narrator is also telling the story to "James". I've no idea who this is (yet).
2. What do the opening paragraphs of Chapter 1 tell you about the narrator?
I had to read the first several paragraphs three or four times. It is filled with slang and a hardened, rapid-fire dialogue. The narrator sounds angry and bitter. This is a guy that has been around the block and seen more than he should. He assumes folks don't care to hear his story, but he's going to tell it anyway. I found that once I got through the first few pages, I was able to better follow the prose.
3. How do you think Paco’s survival impacted the medic’s world view? And how did that change the medic?
This poor medic had seen one too many dead bodies, and soldiers that passed away soon after his arrival on the scene. He must have been questioning what real purpose he served in this war, besides acting as clean-up crew. Seeing Paco, the lone survivor of a brutal massacre and days of exposure, presented the possibility of a miracle. He defied the medic's reality. The fork in the road for the medic: To dare fate and hope for Paco's survival? Or leave before reality kicks him in the ass one more time. The medic couldn't face it, and took himself out of the equation, abandoning what may have been a career for him down the line. It destroyed him.
4. Is Paco’s Story narrated in a way that is “too” honest?
My personal opinion is that there is no such thing as "too honest" in a novel. Honesty is what will touch your heart, give you nightmares at night, and change the way you look at life. The question is interesting though, because obviously someone does think this book may be offering just a little too much information. Agreed, it is harsh and graphic, and rubs your nose in the violence of the war. So far, though, I wouldn't have it any other way.
For more Wordless Wednesday photos, click here.
It has been over two weeks since I've read The Singer's Gun. Generally, within a few days of reading a book, I become inspired
to write a review, but not this time. The book almost defies description. But the review must be written, so at this stage, I have to just dive in and go for it. Hope it works out.
Anton Waker has gone missing, much to the irritation of the police force, who suspect him of human trafficking and selling illegal social security numbers. His parents are distraught. Is he dead? Is he gallivanting throughout Europe? A seemingly straight-forward mystery is underfoot.
We flashback, and are introduced to Anton months earlier. He works for a prestigious consulting firm, is a Harvard graduate, is engaged to a famous cellist, and has a close, slightly flirtatious relationship with his lovely secretary. Mandel peels back a layer of the onion, and reveals a few more facts...Anton's illegal family business, a fiance that keeps cancelling the wedding, a vicious and money-hungry cousin, a falsified college degree. We squirm. Another layer is peeled back, and we see a secretary blackmailed to spy on Anton, a life unraveling, and a tortured man wanting and attempting to live a clean life. We read even faster.
We travel from New York, to the frozen tundra in the far reaches of Canada, to a tiny, beautiful island off the coast of Italy. There is a gun. There is one last deal to make. The tension continues to build, and we are hooked.
For those looking for an action-packed thriller, you may be disappointed. Instead, Mandel has delivered more of a restrained, literary mystery that builds slowly and subtly, that pulls the reader quickly into a noirish tale of lost souls. The characters are flawed but endearing...Anton even loves and misses his adoring, one-eyed cat, which pretty much sealed the deal for me. Inequities are present and don't resolve themselves. People die. The ending is wide open. The story is enigmatic.
I read the book in one sitting, and folks, this rarely happens. If my description above appeals to your senses, add it to your list quickly.
4.5 out of 5 stars
So, did you all get some pyro last night? Despite the rain, we definitely got our share. Our friends have an annual 4th of July party that has become legend in these parts, but this is the first time we have attended. Our host special orders, at great expense I imagine, professional fireworks, and sets them off in his BACK YARD. It was as good as any Disney display, and they were exploding right above my head. It was amazing.
But I digress. Where am I going with this? The Monday Movie Meme topic from The Bumbles today is in honor of all that pyro...special effects in movies. Now before I ruminate over my favorites, might I just add that Molly and Andy took the good ones. LOTR, Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Forrest Gump, The Matrix...and you would think I had completely lost my mind if I didn't say anything about them. But I do hate to copy, so I shall find my own! That is the challenge, is it not?
1. Avatar - James Cameron is pretty obnoxious, and this movie was about 45 minutes too long, but one thing you cannot take away from it is the effects. They were amazing. Unlike anything we'd ever seen - a spectacle for the eyes.
2. 2012 - Seeing this movie was like riding Universal's new coaster, Rip Ride Rocket. Strap yourself in, and hold on! The effects are what make this movie a total blast to watch, NOT the acting (all though we love ourselves some John Cusak). California sliding into the ocean! A tidal wave taking out Washington D.C.! Molten lava erupting from the ground in Yellowstone! Grab some popcorn and have fun with this one.
3. Titanic - I sense a James Cameron theme here. The man does value cutting- edge effects, as evidenced by his movies (wait, I have another one coming up in a minute). My daughter watches this movie ad nauseum for Leonardo, but I am left breathless with the images of the sinking of that ship. It is so lifelike, you feel like you are there, hanging on for your dear life.
4. The Abyss - Another Cameron film. It was a good enough movie, but my lasting impression of this film was that intelligent bubble thing that could mimic the faces of the underwater exploration crew. The first time I saw this, I thought it was mind-blowing.
5. Hayao Miyazaki films - These are not your typical effect movies, but I had to mention them because every time I watch one, it is like an abundant feast for my eyes and my mind. All of his movies are animated, and incorporate themes of interrelationships between mankind and nature, often with strong female characters. His most popular movie was Spirited Away, which won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, but his other movies are equally as compelling...Kiki's Delivery Service, Howl's Moving Castle, Nausica, My Neighbor Totoro, Castle in the Sky, Princess Mononoke, the recently released Ponyo, and many more. Do yourself a huge favor and rent Spirited Away, cast aside your inhibitions and prepare to be enchanted. Prepare to become a huge Miyazaki fan, like us!
I didn't mean to digress into a commercial-like spiel on Miyazaki, but that is the mood I'm in today. So have I missed any of the obvious ones?
Another summer week behind us, and another fun, albeit somewhat lazy, one for us. Two good friends of mine were with their families at the beach this week (and I was wishing I were there!) but we still kept busy. We saw Toy Story 3 3D IMAX (much to the depletion of our wallet) and loved it probably more than the first two. The film deals with growing up and saying goodbye to childhood, peppered with some hilarious scene stealers like Ken (voiced by Michael Keaton) and a sexy, dancing Spanish Buzz Lightyear. I would dare most adults not to walk out with a tear or two in their eyes. We also had to see Eclipse, of course, to keep my daughter off my case. While it was by far my least favorite book, the movie wasn't all that bad. Lots of skin and well-defined pecs, you see. A little something for the mommies.
Speaking of movies, I think it is worth mentioning that The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is now out on DVD, and The Girl That Played With Fire has been released at the few theaters that decide to carry it. I will begin my obsessive hovering over our one indie theater for signs of Lisbeth.
A good friend of mine who works at Disney was able to get my kids and I into Disney Quest, a five-story building full of interactive, full-immersion video games. We had so much fun! It almost defies description. You paddle a raft through raging rapids, steer your boat through attacking pirate ships while you shoot cannons at them, design and ride your own roller coaster, ride a virtual magic carpet, and fight cartoon bad guys with lasers. And I got to play Frogger and Q*Bert!!! I felt 14 again. The attraction is actually pretty steep for the paying tourist...$41 per person for the day for kids over 9, but the price was right for us! And it is the good alternative when it is hot and rainy.
Stephen King has released his list of recommended summer reads in EW, something I always look forward to, but wish he would publish a little earlier. I was encouraged to see that of the six books/series recommended, I've got four covered (The Millennium Trilogy, The Passage, The Unnamed, and Storm Prey). Rounding off the list are Strip by Thomas Perry and Ordinary Thunderstorms by William Boyd.
The kids and I are about a half of a disc away from finishing The Hobbit, and we've very much enjoyed it. The narrator is a little hard to get used to (especially after Jim Dale). I heard some grumbling in the back seat for the first few discs. But he has amazing versatility and is starting to grow on us. I also finished The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest on audio with a sadness in my heart and disbelief that this is really the end of my adventures with Lisbeth. *gloom* But then I started The Passage on audio, and my attention was diverted. I've also been making my way through Jhumpa Lahiri's Unaccustomed Earth in print, and boy do I love this woman's writing. It is a thing of beauty.
I am also participating in the War Through the Generations read-along of Paco's Story. Look for weekly discussion posts on that in the month of July. I've dutifully read the first two chapters, which I will talk about this Wednesday. I can tell this is going to be one crazy, emotional read. Well, I have to consider the possibility that ALL of the Vietnam reads are crazy and emotional, but this one has the makings of something pretty unforgettable.
It's not too early to begin thinking about and planning for the big book blogger event of the year, the Book Blogger Appreciation Week (BBAW), which will be held September 13 - 17. You may have noticed that bloggers are starting the process of nominating themselves for a niche award category, and posting examples of their work. I nominated myself for three categories, not realizing that we have to pick one (oops) so officially I am registered to compete for Best Audiobook blog. The deadline for registering your nomination is July 7, so make sure you get your name in the hat soon!
The kids and I are preparing for our annual summer migration to Indiana next week. It is always a highlight to go to the farm and spend time with my parents. Some specific plans this year are a get-together with my high school buddies (the friends I cruised with last fall), staying a few days at Turkey Run State Park (a childhood favorite of mine), staying a few days at an amusement park in southern Indiana called Holiday World, and my beloved long walks on the country roads, listening to The Passage. And relaxing. I will be blogging the same as ever though, so you shouldn't notice a blip.
Hope everyone has a wonderful long 4th of July weekend!
This may seem a bit redundant, recapping my year so far, and it is tedious, but it is good accounting and gives me a great sense of accomplishment!
Challenges Completed:
Library Reading Challenge - 25 out of 25 read (see completion post)
Audiobook Challenge - 20 out of 20 read (see completion post)
Memorable Memoir Challenge - 4 out of 4 read (see completion post)
Harry Potter Reading Challenge - 7 out of 7 read:
* Sorcerer's Stone
* Chamber of Secrets
* Prisoner of Azkaban
* Goblet of Fire
* The Order of the Phoenix * The Half-Blood Prince
* The Deathly Hallows
Graphic Novels Challenge - 3 out of 3 read:
* Smile - Raina Telgemeir
* Stitches - David Small
* Fun Home - Allison Bechdel
Read the Book/See the Movie Challenge - 4 out of 4 read:
* Fingersmith - Sarah Waters
* Shutter Island - Dennis Lehane* Their Eyes Were Watching God - Zora Neale Hurston
* The Outsiders - S.I. Hinton
Continuing Challenges:
100+ Reading Challenge - 77 out of 100 read
E-Book Challenge - 3 out of 6 read
Twenty-Ten Challenge - 18 out of 20 read
TBR Challenge - 5 out of 12 read
Read From My Shelves Project - 14 out of 30 read
Vietnam: War Through the Generations Challenge - 2 out of 5 read
EW Summer Books Challenge - 1 out of 3 read
Challenges Dropped:
I hate to quit anything, but I have one challenge on my list that is never going to happen. The Random Reading Challenge sounded good on paper...I just had to read 12 books sitting on my shelves, picked at random. I have become very deliberate and focused in my efforts to knock out my other challenges though, and have only read 5 for this one. I'm not entirely sure when it ends, but I think I need to move on.
Beyond challenges, I've stayed below the radar this year. I did participate, for the first time, in the 24-hour read-a-thon with my kids, which was a blast. We're ready for the next one! I've not participated in any readalongs yet this year, but hope to participate in one for "Paco's Story" with the Vietnam group this month. There is so much temptation out there, but have tried hard to stay on track. My goal is to complete a large portion of my challenges this summer and early fall, in time for Carl's RIP Challenge in October. I also look forward to my second Book Blogger Appreciation Week in September.
I said this last year, and I'm saying it again this year...why on earth do I sign up for so many challenges? While everything I signed up for has broadened my horizons, it can also be stifling. It doesn't allow much spontaneous reading, you know? I'm going to have to give it some serious, strategic thought next time around (ha!).
How are you feeling about your year so far? Pleased with your results? Ready to throw in the towel, and go reading with reckless abandon?
So here we are, ten months and 1 week later. Effectively, my kids spent their entire 4th and 6th grade years listening to the Harry Potter Series on audio, and what a wonderful journey it was! My daughter and I had read the entire series in print many times (with the exception of the last book), but nothing quite compared to the audio experience in the capable hands of Jim Dale. Now when it came to the final mac-daddy, we were more excited than with any other. After all, there is no movie yet to ruin everything. Plus, I’d only read the book once, like a crazed fiend in a death race, right after it was released. Except for major plots, I’d honestly forgotten all the details.
So instead of regurgitating everything that happened, I’ll leave you with some of my personal highlights and comments (spoilers ahoy maties, for those wish to remain untouched):
* Return of the Nazis. After the death of Dumbledore, and Voldy took over, it was nothing less than a reign of terror, closely resembling Nazi Germany. One-sided interviews/witch-hunts were being conducted by none other than the abhorrent Delores Umbridge, trying to identify muggle-borns so they could be tortured and persecuted. It was chilling. Too bad the Centaurs didn’t finish her off when they had a chance.
* I refused to believe he is really gone. When I read this book initially, I kept looking for loopholes that would indicate that Dumbledore was still alive. I was in serious denial. Even though I knew this time around that he was decidedly dead, I still had a childish wish that I’d missed something the first time around. The blue eyes in the mirror shard? The doe patronus? HE CAN’T BE GONE! HE’S JUST IN HIDING!
* The first half of the book was really SLOW. To me, it seemed like Harry, Hermione and Ron were doing a lot of aimless running around. After about mid-point, however, it picked up steam and everything was ‘splained. There are absolutely no loose ends here, which, after ten months, I would have no patience for the existence of such. On the other hand, while motivations and sordid histories are laid out naked before us, and all the questions that we had accumulated for the last 10 months were answered, it did seem a bit contrived. I could almost envision Rowling adding that little purgatory conversation between Harry and Dumbledore as the last ditch opportunity to answer anything that was left unresolved. And was I the only one that thought the epilogue was just a bit much? It was sweet and all, but could we get any more predictable?
* Bad guys turn good. I loved the fact the Kreacher and Harry found common ground and some affection for each other. I loved the fact that Snape was redeemed, even if it happened post-mortem. He was love-sick, poor fellow. Didn’t it make you want to give the man a hug, greasy hair and all? Narcissa Malfoy even throws Harry a bone and saves his life at the end, for the simple reason that she desperately loves her son. The little rat bastard.
* I LOVED that Neville took out the snake. Dude deserved the honor if anyone did.
* Harry gets the last word with Voldy. Yes, it feeds into the contrived ending business, but it was sincerely rewarding to see Harry face him down, hold him accountable for his actions, bring him down a notch or two, and call a spade a spade.
So where to go from here? I think the consensus is that we will now conquer the Lord of the Rings Series on audio. But no matter our next project, this audio experience will be something we never forget.
Deathly Hallows: 4 out of 5Entire series: 5 out of 5
Posts
