Virtual Book Club

[a_contemplative_life]

Can we cover from "Part Two - The Humiliation" to Thursday, Oct. 29 by next weekend?

[Daniel Ether]

very good!

[a_contemplative_life]

While those resembling the police sketch lie in their beds weighing the benefits of a new hairstyle, a Soviet submarine has just run aground outside of Karlskrona. Its engine roars and echoes across the archipelago as it tries to free itself. No one goes out to investigate.

It will be discovered by accident on Wednesday morning.

The Soviet submarine incident--in detail:

http://compunews.com/s139/sp2.htm

[gkmoberg1]

Thanks for the article reference! What a stressful event this was for Sweden. It doesn't mean much for a lonely 12 yr old boy living up near Stockholm; however, this would be a distraction for most adults in the country.

The article says the distance from the stranding to the naval base was 2km. Yet lining up the map in the article to where I think the naval base is located looks to be a much larger distance, about 25km.

[metoo]

I would think Wikipedia articles are more accurate than the linked webpage.

The Swedish one, and a shorter English one.

Anyway, the issue of Soviet submarines in Swedish waters was high on the agenda at the time, so seeing an actual Soviet submarine on ground created a strange feeling, indeed. All the other reports might have been false, but this one certainly was true!

[a_contemplative_life]

Oskar edges closer to some tipping point in this section of the book after he is whipped by the bullies for refusing to take the stones out of the sandbox before school begins. Staring at his clown-like reflection in the mirror and saying "kill them . . . kill them . . . kill them..." is particularly chilling. Oddly, though, the novel makes it clear that Oskar's decision to take a stand against the bullies, which leads to the whipping, finds its inspiration in his relationship with Eli, even though he does not seem to be consciously aware of it. Oskar seems to be going through a process of self-definition and just like the Morse code sheet for Eli needs to be his best work, he appears to be concerned that he be his best for Eli. And his best is not someone who continues to be cowed by his tormenters.

I'll have more to say about this part of the novel, but I wanted to get this thought out there while it is fresh in my little brain.

[gattoparde59]

Yes, he does seem to be inspired by Eli to fight back even though resistance does not work out for him.

With the bit with the piss ball as nose, Oskar does seems to be a monster all on his own thanks to his mistreatment by the bullies. Eli oddly seems to be a positive influence bringing out the creative side of Oskar. First with the morse code and then with Oskar's flying off the tire swing. That Eli is there for him clearly means a great deal to Oskar.

Overall I felt like this was a very busy section of the book with perhaps too many subplots. Tommy, Tommy's Mom and Staffan seemed like too much. I am not sure what Tommy adds to the the story with his Prince of Denmark thing with Staffan, the shooting trophy etc.

I do like the part with Gosta and his cats and all the rest of the bums. They do add something for the story I think.

[a_contemplative_life]

Eli oddly seems to be a positive influence bringing out the creative side of Oskar. First with the morse code and then with Oskar's flying off the tire swing. That Eli is there for him clearly means a great deal to Oskar.

. . .

I do like the part with Gosta and his cats and all the rest of the bums. They do add something for the story I think.

Oskar experiences a sense of freedom while swinging with Eli, showing her what he can do. This could be just from the activity of swinging, but I wonder whether he would have experienced this feeling, or have been so motivated, had Eli not gotten to the bottom of his brutalizing experience with the bullies and promised to help him fight against them. When we know that someone loves us, or even just cares about us, does it make us feel liberated? Does it give us a security within ourselves to venture out, to strive to reach beyond ourselves and overcome our self-imposed limitations? Maybe this is happening to Oskar.

I am pondering over Gosta's role in the novel. He loves his cats, but there is a repulsive, inbred, death-like quality to him and the life he leads. I suppose everyone knows or at least has bumped into a "cat lady" at sometime or other. Is there a kind of misdirection to his love?

[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?

[gattoparde59]

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.