Well...849 pages later, I'm still processing, evaluating and deciding....what will I say when our book group meets next Tuesday to discuss this book? Clearly, we all like to go beyond the "I liked/disliked it" level, but where to start and where to focus continue to challenge me. Let me predict what everyone's opening comments will be (no names!)...
Member 1: Hated it
Member 2: Really, you guys didn't like it?
Member 3: Enjoyed the historical parts but skipped a lot of the rest
Member 4: May not have read it
Member 5: I won't say I didn't like it but...
Member 6: Hated the ending...he could have written this story in half the pages
Member 7: That's me....there's stuff to discuss here...
Let's get to it. I find it ironic that I don't want to talk too much about the ending of book about a situation we all know the ending to already. (Sort of like the Bible - the hero dies in the end. Is that comment sacrilegious?). Take your pick, the end is A. predictable, B. heartbreaking, C.underwhelming, D. logical, or E. all wrong. You can make a case for all of these reactions.
If you're still reading, let me give you a bit of advice...take time to understand the thematic threads - most importantly history is obdurate. I had to look up the meaning. Dancing and harmonics also help hold this plot together. For me, the book was filled with too many twists and turns leaving me wanting to debark the Tilt-A-Whirl before the ride ended. But I pushed on, shaking my head on most every page, not at what the characters were doing but rather wondering what I would do if pushed to make the kind of decisions Jake had to make. From that perspective alone, I guess the book was a success. It got me beyond the page and into a place where I forced myself to take a hard look at what I stand for and how much I could give, take, and perhaps destroy to up hold what I believe in.
11.22.63 falls apart in two ways, two really significant ways. There are apparent gaps in the development of the protagonist. I liked him from the start - just an average guy, teaching English, living with a few complications like most of us. There was nothing in his character that indicated to me he could even consider murder, let alone act on those thoughts. Plot fail number two - love is blind, in this case, I might be more inclined to say love is stupid. That's my only comment on that since it is rather deep in the book and you might not be at that point yet.
My Facebook teaser got several comments from people who "loved" the book. I'm not sure I'd go there. I will say that if you are intrigued, go for it. Muscle through. You will not be disappointed. If you are struggling, and wavering in your interest, stop. There are too many fine pieces that fit who you are and where you are at this moment in time to finish a book you are not warming up to.
That is another discussion, isn't it? Are you brave enough to stop reading a book you don't like, or is there something in you compelling you to read from cover to cover, no mater what? Hmmmmm.
Thanks for stopping by,
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