Virtual Book Club

[a_contemplative_life]

Oct 29 is almost 40 pages, so I vote we divide it in half and read up to page 126 by next weekend. Does that work?

Already finished Oct. 29.

Good! Then you can offer an opinion on just how manipulative you think Eli was when she spun around for Hakan, crouched down naked next to him, promised him a night of pleasure, and kissed him on his way out the door.

[a_contemplative_life]

Hakan really wigs out in this chapter. To think he could nab someone inside the Vallingby pool and not be noticed--it's insane. The thought of spending the night with Eli seems to drive him to distraction.

[metoo]

Maybe he wanted to get caught, so he set up the odds against himself.

[gattoparde59]

Good! Then you can offer an opinion on just how manipulative you think Eli was when she spun around for Hakan, crouched down naked next to him, promised him a night of pleasure, and kissed him on his way out the door.

In that passage the English translation says Eli turns "180 degrees." Interesting that Eli chooses that Eli does not go out hunting at this point and instead goes after the deranged Hakan. The bathhouse plan is completely insane, right down to melting his face off with acid.

[a_contemplative_life]

Maybe he wanted to get caught, so he set up the odds against himself.

There are some hints about that, earlier in the novel, as when he has to carry Jocke's body to the river. OTOH, he does seem quite committed to bringing home the bacon when he goes off to the bathhouse. I guess Hakan is a character with a lot of conflicts, which makes him interesting and perhaps even fascinating, even though dwelling on him makes one feel a little gross.

[a_contemplative_life]

This is the section of the book where we are introduced to Staffan. I think Staffan is the least likable character in the novel. He seems vain, narrow-minded and authoritarian, and seeks to control the lives of everyone around him. In a word, detestable. Why is Tommy's mom prepared to overlook these flaws?

[metoo]

This is the section of the book where we are introduced to Staffan. I think Staffan is the least likable character in the novel. He seems vain, narrow-minded and authoritarian, and seeks to control the lives of everyone around him. In a word, detestable. Why is Tommy's mom prepared to overlook these flaws?

She feels lonely?
Maybe Staffan smells good?

[gkmoberg1]

JAL puts a lot into Staffan to help strongly position him this way - as detestable. Good word choice. He completes the trio, though. Yvonne, Tommy and Staffan are a difficult set of characters. There's a lot text in the book for them and I don't think I, as yet, appreciate what JAL might have been wanting to get at by including them. Yes, the play a role, Tommy certainly, but I fall short of understanding what is meant by their presence to the degree that they are included.

[EEA]

Staffan and Ivonne are the two characters that I dislike the most from the book. Ivonne I think is a foil to Oskar mom's in a way. With Tommy I think he is important to the zombie Hakan part. Maybe the same with Staffan too.

[JToede]

This is the section of the book where we are introduced to Staffan. I think Staffan is the least likable character in the novel. He seems vain, narrow-minded and authoritarian, and seeks to control the lives of everyone around him. In a word, detestable. Why is Tommy's mom prepared to overlook these flaws?

A lack of self confidence, low self esteem, or co-dependency issues. She is willing to be in an abusive relationship to avoid being alone. Steffan has some control and anger issues. If they do get married, Yvonne will end up getting slapped around to being killed by Steffan.