MB Book Club

Son of JayJamJah · 06-30-2009, 10:28 PM

Well looks like a few folks forgot, but overall good start, I enjoyed reading the few responses we had.

I love the story and think it does a wonderful job of taking a satirical look at the caulty concept of absolute equality. The beautifully surreal notion of everyone being special and the resounding thud of hypocrisy. Still their is a sort of unmatched cynicism throughout which rears it's most undeniably in the final scene when the Inspector General restores order and everyone forgets what just happened.

The 1984 comparison is a common one, it's describe as Orwellian, but unlike George, Kurt has a wit about him that disarms rather then instigates.

Vonnegut is fantastic reading, I especially recommend God Bless You Mr. Rosewater to the previously uninitiated.

I would like Shiseido Red to make the next selection if there are no objections...

NumberNineDream · 08-11-2009, 02:15 AM

i didn't feel it was about the absurdity of the idea of equality ... it was the starting point of course ... but it was more of the fatality of any oppressing mentality once it starts working ...

but the dark humor was obvious in this neutral reaction by the two protagonists at the end.

When we feel that there's a chance at last, that at least someone will think of continuing the revolution after the barbaric death of the emperor and the empress. Then the idea is simply forgotten and like nothing ever happened.

I felt like reading a really simplistic play by Sartre. Anyone who ever read a play by Sartre, about revolutionists specially, it always takes you through 100 pages feeling that there's hope for the revolution and that everything is going to change. That even if they're going to die the next day [which is usually the case] that the flame of revolution will carry on. and then the next page, the last page, the guards kill the heros without anyone knowing about them.

Not even they're death could help with carrying the idea of this revolution, and that is what i felt here, but it was really light, maybe because of the shortness of the story.
All in all, it was a good read ... count me in for the next one.

Son of JayJamJah · 08-11-2009, 07:53 AM

I'll open it up for suggestions, we can go Vonnegut again or anything else, I'm imposing a general maximum of 250 pages. I'll ask Lateralus to select again, but no one else be discouraged to opine.

Fruitonica · 08-11-2009, 08:04 AM

I think there were a few people who were keen when I suggested Life of Pi last time around. It's a fairly popular book so quite a few already have it, has a very readable style but with enough substance to create some good discussion.

Astronomer · 08-11-2009, 08:06 AM

^ I'd be up for that, or if anyone is after something shorter there's loads of short stories I could suggest/ provide links to.

NumberNineDream · 08-12-2009, 11:46 AM

i don't have a problem with length ...

SATCHMO · 08-12-2009, 11:49 AM

Life of Pi would be a great book for discussion on here.

Incidentally I regret that I somehow missed the first book.

adidasss · 08-12-2009, 12:04 PM

You're a mod again?

You poor bastard...

Anyhoo, I'm looking for an incentive to read Life of Pi. (:

simplephysics · 08-12-2009, 12:21 PM

I'd be down for this. Haven't read Life of Pi yet either, sounds good to me.

Son of JayJamJah · 08-12-2009, 12:22 PM

That not what your girlfriend...

08-11-2009, 02:15 AM	#42 (permalink)
NumberNineDream Blue Bleezin' Blind Drunk Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: The land of the largest wine glass (aka Lebanon) Posts: 2,200	i didn't feel it was about the absurdity of the idea of equality ... it was the starting point of course ... but it was more of the fatality of any oppressing mentality once it starts working ... but the dark humor was obvious in this neutral reaction by the two protagonists at the end. When we feel that there's a chance at last, that at least someone will think of continuing the revolution after the barbaric death of the emperor and the empress. Then the idea is simply forgotten and like nothing ever happened. I felt like reading a really simplistic play by Sartre. Anyone who ever read a play by Sartre, about revolutionists specially, it always takes you through 100 pages feeling that there's hope for the revolution and that everything is going to change. That even if they're going to die the next day [which is usually the case] that the flame of revolution will carry on. and then the next page, the last page, the guards kill the heros without anyone knowing about them. Not even they're death could help with carrying the idea of this revolution, and that is what i felt here, but it was really light, maybe because of the shortness of the story. All in all, it was a good read ... count me in for the next one. __________________ Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats?Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats?Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats?Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats?Do bats eat cats?Do bats eat cats?Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats?Do bats eat cats?Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Welcome to the Black Lodge

08-11-2009, 08:06 AM	#45 (permalink)
Astronomer we are stardust Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 2,894	^ I'd be up for that, or if anyone is after something shorter there's loads of short stories I could suggest/ provide links to. __________________

08-12-2009, 11:46 AM	#46 (permalink)
NumberNineDream Blue Bleezin' Blind Drunk Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: The land of the largest wine glass (aka Lebanon) Posts: 2,200	i don't have a problem with length ... __________________ Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats?Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats?Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats?Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats?Do bats eat cats?Do bats eat cats?Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats?Do bats eat cats?Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Welcome to the Black Lodge

08-12-2009, 12:04 PM	#48 (permalink)
adidasss Slavic gay sauce Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Abu Dhabi Posts: 7,993	You're a mod again? You poor bastard... Anyhoo, I'm looking for an incentive to read Life of Pi. (: __________________ “Think of what a paradise this world would be if men were kind and wise.” - Kurt Vonnegut, Cat's Cradle. Last.fm

08-11-2009, 08:04 AM	#44 (permalink)
Fruitonica Pale and Wan Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Aus Posts: 917	I think there were a few people who were keen when I suggested Life of Pi last time around. It's a fairly popular book so quite a few already have it, has a very readable style but with enough substance to create some good discussion.

08-12-2009, 11:49 AM	#47 (permalink)
SATCHMO Al Dente Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 4,708	Life of Pi would be a great book for discussion on here. Incidentally I regret that I somehow missed the first book.