MB Book Club

Astronomer · 06-21-2009, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AwwSugar

Goodness, I thought it started already!

I'm in.

Do we have a definite choice, yet?

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayJamJah

Alright time to really get this thing going.

Lets start simple with a short story to work out the kinks, heard someone or a few folks suggest Vonnegut, a favorite of mine lets do it.

Harrison Bergeron

If you don't own it, here's a link to the complete text.

You have until Friday when we open up the discussion.

Who's With Me?

^

Arya Stark · 06-21-2009, 10:01 PM

I should prolly read through the posts, eh? T.T

SATCHMO · 06-21-2009, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayJamJah

Alright time to really get this thing going.

Lets start simple with a short story to work out the kinks, heard someone or a few folks suggest Vonnegut, a favorite of mine lets do it.

Harrison Bergeron

If you don't own it, here's a link to the complete text.

You have until Friday when we open up the discussion.

Who's With Me?

Hell Yeah, Let's fuck this shit up J3!

Son of JayJamJah · 06-27-2009, 12:32 PM

Alright lets here your takes

I'll submit mine as soon as I know someone else read it.

Harrison Bergeron

Kurt Vonnegut

Arya Stark · 06-27-2009, 02:57 PM

I read it. xD

But I don't want to go first. =P

Fruitonica · 06-28-2009, 08:03 AM

Okasey, I'll get the ball rolling.

I'm kind of apathetic about this story, that is, I enjoyed it, but felt it was lacking compared to pretty much everything else I've read by him. Maybe because the idea wasn't fresh for me. I remember the exact same concept from Sirens of Titan and I think it worked better there, where it wasn't carrying the full weight of the story and could be played out in a less overblown fashion.

And crucially, I didn't find it particularly funny. I liked the ending, and how natural their ability to fly seems in the context of the story. As well as the idea that the Handicapper General seems to police infractions personally, that made me smile for some reason.

Astronomer · 06-28-2009, 08:29 AM

Unlike Fruitonica I haven't read anything from this author before so I didn't really know what to expect. I found it really depressing, and extremely Nineteen Eighty-Four-ish (George Orwell). A lot of it felt a bit too typical (suppressed society, rebellious individuals take a stand to be themselves, etc) but the fact that they got shot and everything resumed as normal was really depressing and I think has a strong message. But then again, this message I feel as though I've read countless numbers of times in other texts, like Nineteen Eighty-Four... which is excruciatingly similar I thought! But overall I did enjoy it and it was an interesting read.

mr. goth glam · 06-28-2009, 08:46 AM

I love this story, and the 1984 comparison is fascinating to me. I do see those obvious similarities between them, but this story has a wit about it lacking in 1984. I love 1984, but it's a hopelessly bitter, bleak story by a hopeless bitter, bleak man. This one at least was written by a man capable of looking into the darkness and being able to laugh.

I've always liked it.

Arya Stark · 06-28-2009, 11:20 AM

I found a slight similarity between this story and "Fahrenheight 451" by Ray Bradbury. Although I had a much harder time reading through that novel than this story. It saddened me when the ballerina had to change her voice to make everyone feel equal in comparison... All in all, I found this to be quite a nice read.

Fruitonica · 06-29-2009, 06:55 AM

I'm not sure the 1984 comparison fits (although sadly I haven't read it, so this is going off reputation), because the focus isn't really on the oppression of society, but rather a satirization of the notion of equality.

Everybody is special, which is just another way of saying nobody is. And all that jazz

06-28-2009, 08:29 AM	#37 (permalink)
Astronomer we are stardust Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 2,894	Unlike Fruitonica I haven't read anything from this author before so I didn't really know what to expect. I found it really depressing, and extremely Nineteen Eighty-Four-ish (George Orwell). A lot of it felt a bit too typical (suppressed society, rebellious individuals take a stand to be themselves, etc) but the fact that they got shot and everything resumed as normal was really depressing and I think has a strong message. But then again, this message I feel as though I've read countless numbers of times in other texts, like Nineteen Eighty-Four... which is excruciatingly similar I thought! But overall I did enjoy it and it was an interesting read. __________________

06-28-2009, 08:46 AM	#38 (permalink)
mr. goth glam Music Addict Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Waverly, VA. Posts: 406	I love this story, and the 1984 comparison is fascinating to me. I do see those obvious similarities between them, but this story has a wit about it lacking in 1984. I love 1984, but it's a hopelessly bitter, bleak story by a hopeless bitter, bleak man. This one at least was written by a man capable of looking into the darkness and being able to laugh. I've always liked it. __________________

06-28-2009, 08:03 AM	#36 (permalink)
Fruitonica Pale and Wan Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Aus Posts: 917	Okasey, I'll get the ball rolling. I'm kind of apathetic about this story, that is, I enjoyed it, but felt it was lacking compared to pretty much everything else I've read by him. Maybe because the idea wasn't fresh for me. I remember the exact same concept from Sirens of Titan and I think it worked better there, where it wasn't carrying the full weight of the story and could be played out in a less overblown fashion. And crucially, I didn't find it particularly funny. I liked the ending, and how natural their ability to fly seems in the context of the story. As well as the idea that the Handicapper General seems to police infractions personally, that made me smile for some reason.

06-29-2009, 06:55 AM	#40 (permalink)
Fruitonica Pale and Wan Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Aus Posts: 917	I'm not sure the 1984 comparison fits (although sadly I haven't read it, so this is going off reputation), because the focus isn't really on the oppression of society, but rather a satirization of the notion of equality. Everybody is special, which is just another way of saying nobody is. And all that jazz