I am a little in advance this time, and I've got the permission to start with the discussion. Here some questions as appetizer:
What do you think about the beginning of "Good neighbors" up to the autobiography (not included)? Does it fit with the rest of the chapter? Not too much for me. The start is like a bad chapter of desperate housewives: a little too much of gossiping-nothing to do-ladies which really does not encourage to keep on reading. A bit of stereotype male thinking of a woman... Luckily the books turns out to be different from the autobiography onwards. Good shift? Definitively.
What about the freedom? How does affect to the book structure? to the characters?
It seems to give this strange section arrangements with an autobiography cut and placed in different parts. The concept is given the main position already in the title and its developed through the evolution of the characters. Do you think characters are really free to chose their ways? This "freedom" seems to make them quite miserable.
I am a little bit behind schedule and I have to say that your post has cheered me up. I am at that point of the book in which I need a good shift, and although I had hope it would happen, I am happy to know it is there.
ReplyDeleteI like how the descriptions of the characters were approached at the beginning of the book. However, I now feel I have had enough of the gossip-meaning comments part. Let's see what leis ahead!
So far I am enjoying the book very much. I like the atypical structure with the "Good neighbors" presentation of some of the characters and then the autobiography from Patty (pretty sad life there, but who wants to read about perfectly happy people?) and then the views from other characters. I like the Katz character, I think it is very solid and I like his love/hate relationship with the Berglunds. And reading the subtext, I like that there is political discussion going on, feminism, career, conformism, environmental issues or mass consumption (like in Katz's rejection of his rock hits) and that the author inserts that all very naturally within the story. For those behind, new exciting shift of the story from around page 200 :-).
ReplyDeleteI agree with Monica that the shift when the autobiography part starts is definitely a good turn. The story becomes one of searching the roots of Patty's miseries and at the same time analyzing her role in her own life. Apparently, she had freedom to make her life choices. However, it seems to me that since the very beginning (not only after all the mess with her son) the choices she made entailed some giving up. But, is not like that with everything and everybody? Also, I would dare say she was free just to certain extent - if we not consider that social pressure, family expectations and her own fears where influencing her decisions. Again, is not like that for everybody?
ReplyDeleteAs Rocio, I also like Richard Katz and his relationship with both Patty and Walter.
Looking forward to the next shift!
In my opinion the book starts very well. From page #1 we discover that something is going on in that family, that something is not as we think (or as the rest of the neighborhood thinks). I like the very first part of the book.
ReplyDeleteBut then it comes the autobiographical part of Patty, and I really don't like it. I find Patty so mediocre, boring, insecure, with so low self-esteem that I find that part of the book annoying.
Happily enough at some point comes Katz with his acid, sacarstic view of life and the book comes back to be interesting again.
I understand that the life of many people can be as the one that Patty is living, but I don't think it is interesting to write about it. I hope that the rest of the characters will have something to say as well, to make this book a nice descripcion of the declining health of a family nowadays in the USA (and probably elsewhere).
I think I am behind schedule too, but so far I am enjoying the book. Unlike J, I think sometimes it is interesting reading about people like Patty, because we tend to forget that they exist. Although I agree sometimes it is annoying.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Macarena, we think we are all free (and we are to some extent) but not always make decisions only taking into account our preferences, but we are all influenced in one way or the other by society, family, friends, and their expectations.
I enjoy the characters very much. I find them pretty extreme, each of them sending thie own message.
I liked the first chapter too, with all the neighbors and the silly situations with Carol, Blake, Connie and Joey. Surreal. Of course, I wouldn’t like to live near them.