I don't want you to think I've given up, because I haven't. I'm just trying to find that balance in my life at this moment, you know? Anyway- here are some things I wanted to share since I've started reading this book...
I feel bad for Kate? Not really sure if she is supposed to be the villain or heroin, but I definitely find myself feeling sympathy for her. She certainly is stuck between a rock and a hard place. Family should be the saving grace in your life- your safe zone. Kate unfortunately has no family member that can help her in the way she needs help. Women's roles have changed extremely since the time this book was written, thank goodness. I can't imagine not being able to be with the person I love just because he has no money. Unfortunately- money does shape the future for Kate, because so many people are relying on her to make the "best" choice. Sad. I must say I'm glad I don't have a sister like Kate's.
Sep 23, 2008
Sep 10, 2008
Response
Lindsey, I do hope that my dissatisfaction with the book did not influence you since you were looking forward to reading it. I very much like your interpretation of the "brother", that feels right to me.
Did you notice on p. 68 it makes mention of Kafka? I can only assume that it Franz Kafka. So glad we read The Trial first because otherwise I would not have caught it.
Over the weekend we happened to have two moths come into the house and just as described in the book, they both stayed in one place on the wall for days. I had never noticed this phenomenon prior to reading it in the book, I too will never look at moths in quite the same way again. When on my front porch, when the porch light is on, I will check out all of the different varieties and have been know to call my family out to see them too.
The life that Austerlitz lead seemed extraordinary although it is sad that he always had the feeling that something was not quite right. Such heartache and mental anguish tortured this poor man. Facing your past is something that can be troublesome and difficult, it seems that his life and well being could have moved in a different direction had he been able to seek out this information earlier about who he really was.
Do you think he used the retelling of the story through the narrarator for ease of writing? Isn't it similar to Frankenstein that way?
I'm curious to know if the author had a stack of miscellaneous photos lying around and decided to tell a story based on them or if he wrote the story and then sought out the photos. Without the photos, I don't believe the story would have veered off course as much.
I'm looking forward to our next book, I am going to download it because my library only has the books on tape, not cd. If this is too much for you to deal with right now in your life, let me know. It is truly no pressure so I hope you don't feel any.
Did you notice on p. 68 it makes mention of Kafka? I can only assume that it Franz Kafka. So glad we read The Trial first because otherwise I would not have caught it.
Over the weekend we happened to have two moths come into the house and just as described in the book, they both stayed in one place on the wall for days. I had never noticed this phenomenon prior to reading it in the book, I too will never look at moths in quite the same way again. When on my front porch, when the porch light is on, I will check out all of the different varieties and have been know to call my family out to see them too.
The life that Austerlitz lead seemed extraordinary although it is sad that he always had the feeling that something was not quite right. Such heartache and mental anguish tortured this poor man. Facing your past is something that can be troublesome and difficult, it seems that his life and well being could have moved in a different direction had he been able to seek out this information earlier about who he really was.
Do you think he used the retelling of the story through the narrarator for ease of writing? Isn't it similar to Frankenstein that way?
I'm curious to know if the author had a stack of miscellaneous photos lying around and decided to tell a story based on them or if he wrote the story and then sought out the photos. Without the photos, I don't believe the story would have veered off course as much.
I'm looking forward to our next book, I am going to download it because my library only has the books on tape, not cd. If this is too much for you to deal with right now in your life, let me know. It is truly no pressure so I hope you don't feel any.
Sep 9, 2008
Keeps on Going
I really am not sure if it is because you had a hard time with this book and it influenced me or if I was just let down immensely. I wanted it to be good, something worth getting excited about- difficult is more like it. At times I forgot what the story revolved around (the Holocaust) due to the way the author wrote about it. Too many tangents and none-relevant details. Frankly, I was as lost as you were and very uninterested.
I wasn't sure if you wanted me to say if I think he had a brother or not- honestly I think he was referencing the hole left in his soul after his real parents were gone. A void maybe that he was trying to fill? Sad. That is just my interpretation of course.
One of the things I remember vividly was his description of time. I thought that was so interesting. I'm glad that you made mention of it too. I know that there are too many instances where I catch myself feeling governed by time instead of me choosing to rule time. What a universal thing time is.
I just wanted to point out another scene I remember: when Austerlitz hears for the first time the fate of his mother. What a horrible thing to have to imagine your mother helpless and alone. Then you think about her not worrying about herself but what is going to happen to her child and if he is okay. As a Mother, it hits a tender spot.
I wasn't sure if you wanted me to say if I think he had a brother or not- honestly I think he was referencing the hole left in his soul after his real parents were gone. A void maybe that he was trying to fill? Sad. That is just my interpretation of course.
One of the things I remember vividly was his description of time. I thought that was so interesting. I'm glad that you made mention of it too. I know that there are too many instances where I catch myself feeling governed by time instead of me choosing to rule time. What a universal thing time is.
I just wanted to point out another scene I remember: when Austerlitz hears for the first time the fate of his mother. What a horrible thing to have to imagine your mother helpless and alone. Then you think about her not worrying about herself but what is going to happen to her child and if he is okay. As a Mother, it hits a tender spot.
Sep 3, 2008
I finished! some thoughts, more to come...
This book was difficult for me to get involved in for several reasons. The story was only sprinkled throughout the book, you were only allowed to get it in bits and pieces while listening to the details of the architecutural surroundings. Although the descriptions are vivid, I would have preferred more of a story.
Towards the beginning of the book, p. 54, he tells about being able to see dead people and that they walked around in grey cloaks. "nothing but a piece of silk like that separates us from the next world." He stated that he felt like he had an invisible twin brother walking beside him, the reverse of a shadow. At the end of the book he mentions people in grey and again mentions the idea of a brother with him on the train. Did he have a brother too? Or is it that he is just remembering himself?
The narrarator eluded to his own life here and there, we never got to learn more about it either. He had mentioned eye problems and I don't recall much else about himself.
I liked the ideas that Austerlitz stated about time, (pages 100-101), That it's possible to be outside time. How he had not owned a clock of any kind seemed improbable if he was a student or took public transportation. We definitely plan our lives around the clock, what time does class start?, when does the plane leave? concert start? If you are a part of society you are bound to the almighty clock.
Towards the beginning of the book, p. 54, he tells about being able to see dead people and that they walked around in grey cloaks. "nothing but a piece of silk like that separates us from the next world." He stated that he felt like he had an invisible twin brother walking beside him, the reverse of a shadow. At the end of the book he mentions people in grey and again mentions the idea of a brother with him on the train. Did he have a brother too? Or is it that he is just remembering himself?
The narrarator eluded to his own life here and there, we never got to learn more about it either. He had mentioned eye problems and I don't recall much else about himself.
I liked the ideas that Austerlitz stated about time, (pages 100-101), That it's possible to be outside time. How he had not owned a clock of any kind seemed improbable if he was a student or took public transportation. We definitely plan our lives around the clock, what time does class start?, when does the plane leave? concert start? If you are a part of society you are bound to the almighty clock.
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