A few weeks ago, one of my colleagues decided to form a bookclub. Always eager for an excuse to read, I signed up. Our first meeting, which was today, was to discuss our first book, which was one I’d suggested: Water for Elephants
I enjoyed it: in a lot of ways, it reminded me of HBO’s Carnivale. It’s essentially a story of a kid who winds up in a circus during the Great Depression, and his trials as he becomes caretaker to Rosie, a supposedly dumb-as-bricks elephant, and falls in love with Marlena, a performer married to a violent psychopath.
The overwhelming opinion of the rest of the bookclub was that it was, eh, a nice story, but hardly a spectacular work of literary genius. Either they’re all snobs, or I’ll just read anything. Maybe it’s a little of both, certainly, I’ve always considered myself a book snob. Still, it’s always nice — well, maybe not so nice, in this case — to hear other peoples’ opinions.
Even if they’re all wrong. (Okay, maybe I’m a little bitter…)
Next up: Haruki Murakami’s Norwegian Wood
I really didn’t like that book. I think I just really didn’t like the characters, particularly the relationships between the 3 main protagonists. The relationship totally reminded me the love triangle in Sophie’s Choice, which I also didn’t like for very similar reasons.
Comment by Danielle — August 14, 2008 @ 7:48 pm
My wife just bought that book. A friend of hers recommended it from her book club.
Comment by yellojkt — August 14, 2008 @ 9:58 pm
Alright, maybe I’ll read anything too then, ’cause I think this book sounds awesome and I already have the Amazon link open in another tab so I can buy it!
Comment by Arlene — August 17, 2008 @ 12:55 am
Sounds like a good book. I am also a bit of a book snob, I only continue reading a book if it grabs me in the first 4 pages. I started reading atonement last night, and put it down. It wasnt a style of writing that grabs me. Oh well!
Did you know there is an elephant called Arna (my name) I hope they didnt name it after me!
Comment by Arna — August 17, 2008 @ 9:53 pm
Norweigian Wood is the only Murakami I’ve ever not liked.
Comment by epiph — August 23, 2008 @ 7:53 am