tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266371808927804670.post5820674582173397725..comments2023-08-15T05:06:03.233-06:00Comments on The Writing Sisterhood: Cephalopod Coffeehouse: The DinnerThe Sisterhoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09889577041903181315noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266371808927804670.post-90725479434568532552013-08-21T17:00:35.761-06:002013-08-21T17:00:35.761-06:00Well, I finally read this book. Perhaps the thing ...Well, I finally read this book. Perhaps the thing that drew me the most to the novel was the format. When you said the entire novel took place in one dinner, I knew I had to read it. That, and the *awful secret* about the teenagers, which I was curious about.<br /><br />Here are some of my thoughts on the novel:<br /><br />1. I loved the format and design of the story. I think it's brilliant to start with the climactic scene (if you consider the entire dinner as the climax/decision point of the story). Of course, the juicy part takes place during dessert, but that was to be expected.<br /><br />2. I love the author's voice and insights (although I didn't always agree with him). Can't say that I liked the narrator, but he had me fooled until we learn (SPOILER ALERT) that he actually did know his son's secret (what a disappointment that was!) I thought it was interesting how in the beginning we see through Paul's eyes and believe in him, but by the end of the novel, the only character I didn't hate was Serge (yet I couldn't stand him at the beginning!).<br /><br />3. It bothered me that they never said what Paul's condition was. Plus, I didn't believe they could diagnose a psychological condition through the amniotic fluid. Didn't you think that was weird? And what about all that secrecy toward the reader? Why couldn't we learn the name of Claire's disease either? Did the author not want to research the names or what?<br /><br />4. Some things were unbelievable to me. (SPOILER) Paul goes around beating people up (his brother, the school principal) yet nothing ever happens to him? There are no consequences?<br /><br />5. This novel proves that characters don't necessarily have to be likable for a reader to like a book. However, I think the unsympathetic characters were compensated by the writing style (which I liked) and the book's "big question" (what is going to happen with these kids?) Lorenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17848249911635132594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266371808927804670.post-59823686172400860612013-06-04T14:26:45.854-06:002013-06-04T14:26:45.854-06:00I only watched one episode of Breaking Bad: it was...I only watched one episode of Breaking Bad: it was too grim for us at the time, but I want to revisit it. (Although I hear it just gets darker and darker as it goes.) Anyway, the more we learn about how disorders like psychopathy work, the more popular these sorts of stories seem to become. Social science has learned SO much about morality just in the last decade, I expect that's feeding the surge in stories about free will, evil, morality, etc. It's a lot more complicated than we thought it was, back when we were taught morality was all about conscious choices.Stephaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02187854108656107958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266371808927804670.post-23208493335882972152013-06-04T14:21:17.042-06:002013-06-04T14:21:17.042-06:00I understand the book has been a hit across Europe...I understand the book has been a hit across Europe for a while, so that may explain the Spanish translation. I will check out the review you wrote; my Spanish is rusty but I'll give it a try. Thanks for sharing!Stephaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02187854108656107958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266371808927804670.post-86280625379081922502013-06-04T14:18:42.133-06:002013-06-04T14:18:42.133-06:00I will keep my eyes peeled for that French film. T...I will keep my eyes peeled for that French film. The Bush references DO make the novel feel dated, and were jarring at first, since the book is being treated as The New Hot Thing by the American press. Mary Mary, there are some scenes in France, which you might enjoy: I learned that the French apparently think of the Dutch the way everyone else in the world thinks of the Americans: as rich, loud, rude, and imperious. I've even been to both countries and never picked up on that attitude, so that was interesting.Stephaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02187854108656107958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266371808927804670.post-38633486417211501722013-06-04T14:15:38.718-06:002013-06-04T14:15:38.718-06:00Thank you! I hope you do read it: please come back...Thank you! I hope you do read it: please come back and tell me what you think!Stephaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02187854108656107958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266371808927804670.post-29024808569676177562013-06-04T13:26:18.034-06:002013-06-04T13:26:18.034-06:00Sister Steph, I agree with Kittie that this is an ...Sister Steph, I agree with Kittie that this is an awesome review and I'm definitely going to look for the book. (I'm in desperate search of a good summer read!)<br /><br />"It must be so much fun to write characters like these: twisted people who justify their unjustifiable actions to the reader. Characters who, as awful as they are, retain a certain charm. Who dare us to empathize with them, just a little bit." <br /><br />"The involvement of two cousins — one related, one adopted — further touches on the what-makes-men-wicked question."<br /><br />These two comments make me think of "Breaking Bad" (I'm currently watching Season 4 -- anyone else watching?) and how the protagonist goes through an incredible transformation throughout the series (and other characters around him as well). What I find interesting is that each character has his/her own moral code and limits for the bad things they do (Jessie, for example, has limits that Walt doesn't. But then there's characters like Mike who have no limits, apparently). So the series poses several interesting questions: what makes someone evil, is everyone predisposed to evilness in desperate situations, does power corrupt all, and what are each person's limits? It seems like "The Dinner" works in a similar way. Lorenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17848249911635132594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266371808927804670.post-84406949004162677782013-06-01T10:36:19.869-06:002013-06-01T10:36:19.869-06:00I loved that book, it was a great surprise to find...I loved that book, it was a great surprise to find it in spanish (many times I end up reading books in english or other languages because they don't get translated). The way it all happens in a dinner, and in one night is actually brilliant. I've nothing but praise for this book. The ending is awesome and very unexpected ;) You've made such a great review, I just felt like re-reading it. :)<br /><br /><br />I read it last year and also made a review for the newspaper I work in -in Spanish, sorry( http://www.informador.com.mx/cultura/2012/350940/6/el-sabor-amargo-de-la-felicidad-familiar-y-digital.htm )Scarletthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03980249375702633756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266371808927804670.post-62800294432055090482013-05-31T19:32:01.018-06:002013-05-31T19:32:01.018-06:00This immediately makes me think of the French film...This immediately makes me think of the French film "Le dîner de cons", which was then remade into the awful Hollywood version, "Dinner for Schmucks". I know "The Dinner" isn't a comedy, but it takes the same premise of a dinner party in one night and all these things come out and happen with odd twists and turns. If you've never seen the French film, I highly recommend it. And, I like this book, so now I want to read it!<br /><br />Do all the references to Bush make the novel feel dated? I've often run into that with translated contemporary novels.Mary Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09429769115085903305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266371808927804670.post-14024212497600894272013-05-31T18:27:18.215-06:002013-05-31T18:27:18.215-06:00What an awesome review! This is a book I've GO...What an awesome review! This is a book I've GOT to read!Kittie Howardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07756250649095903317noreply@blogger.com