Question 1 of 6 #nyrbbookclub
@vivastory @BarbaraBB @catebutler @Liz_M @sprainedbrain @KVanRead @LeahBergen @Leftcoastzen @daena @arubabookwoman @emilyhaldi @quietjenn @mklong @youneverarrived @Reviewsbylola @batsy @Tanisha_A @Theaelizabet @Billypar @merelybookish @saresmoore @sarahbarnes @GatheringBooks
readordierachel Because we start and end with William G.'s entries and it felt like we got more of his backstory, I think the book leans into him just a little bit more. Even though Neaera H. does have equal weight in my mind. 2y
vivastory This was one of my favorite lines in the book. I think that William G. is a minor character in Neaera's story, but she seems to be more of a presence in his life. What is interesting to me is how Hoban managed to give both characters an equal say in the narrative. 2y
vivastory @readordierachel That is a good point about it opening & ending with William G's perspective. 2y
See All 24 Comments
readordierachel @vivastory I really like your take that she is more of a presence in his life. She undergoes more of a change in my mind, has more of a trajectory 2y
merelybookish Oh, I thought they were both minor characters in the turtle's story. Also that we are minor characters in multiple stories. 2y
readordierachel @merelybookish Oh interesting! I love that idea. And that makes a lot of sense 2y
vivastory @merelybookish That's a great idea! 2y
DrexEdit I think we learned more about William Gs story, but Neara seemed to show more growth as a character to me, so I'm sightly leaning towards he's a minor character. Although for a minor character he's got a ton of influence. 2y
arubabookwoman William was a minor character in Neara's story, but only because she (a writer no less) chose to make him a minor character. Weren't we all kind of expecting Neara & William to end up together? Their thoughts, actions, experiences were constantly mirroring, echoing, repeating each other's. They were so alike I often got their entries mixed up. (edited) 2y
vivastory @arubabookwoman I was expecting them to get together. I was relieved that they didn't though. There was that wonderful line in I believe William's diary where he said something to the effect of he doesn't want to be with her because it'd be like being with himself. I thought that was really telling. 2y
quietjenn For me, they have equal weight. Their stories parallel each other, although sometimes intersecting so it's a very wonky, zig-zag graph. And, I think it can all be true. We are the central character of our own story, but we are also a minor (and, for a handful, major) characters in the story of others. 2y
readordierachel @arubabookwoman @vivastory Great points about the way they mirrored each other and that line about them being so alike. That's why she was so worried about him, I think, when she saw that image in her mind of the shark. She recognized something in him 2y
youneverarrived Oh I didn‘t realise the discussion was this weekend 🙁 I‘ve only just started reading it but I‘ll catch up with comments when I‘m finished. 2y
readordierachel @quietjenn So well put! Absolutely agree. 2y
readordierachel @youneverarrived No worries. Look forward to your thoughts! 2y
vivastory @youneverarrived No worries! Please chime in if you can. I always enjoy hearing your thoughts. 👏 2y
Liz_M I thought William and Neaera were minor character's in each other's stories. William seemed to have a sharper interest in Neaera, but not as lasting while Neaera had a milder interest in William, but more drawn out. And while their stories have nearly equal weight (and pages), I actually thought I got to know more about Neaera than William. 2y
BarbaraBB @arubabookwoman I like what you say about them being so alike! I mixed them up too but I‘m hindsight I feel like it was more William‘s story than Naera‘s. Probably because we start and end with him indeed @readordierachel and because he makes Naera more important than she makes him. 2y
Leftcoastzen Agree with so many thoughts here . I‘m glad the author didn‘t go in the direction of William & Neaera becoming romantically linked.I also think both characters living a somewhat solitary existence gave the more time to ruminate on the turtle situation.I kind of give their stories equal weight . Now & then they were so alike I had to go back to the start of entry because I could get them mixed up occasionally. 2y
batsy I love that they were both kind of minor characters in each other's stories, but I think the kind of effect they had on each other was major. That I think seems to the key juxtaposition that the novel was trying to show—we seem to be ships passing in the night, but unknown to ourselves the minor characters have left certain impressions. 2y
GatheringBooks @merelybookish i love this idea! Of course, it‘s the turtle‘s story! 🐢🐢🐢💕💕💕i agree with most of the ideas shared here - i thought the stories have equal weight, and reminded me of the saying that we are the central characters in our own lives - everyone else is a minor/side character. 2y
LeahBergen @readordierachel @vivastory I didn‘t read this one this month as I had tried it years ago and didn‘t get on with it. As usual, everyone‘s thoughtful commentary on here has me rethinking my choice! 2y
vivastory @LeahBergen If it makes a difference it's a quick read! If you change your mind & DO decide to read please don't hesitate to chime in with your thoughts. I'd love to hear what you make of it! 2y
LeahBergen @vivastory Thanks! I most certainly will. 2y
27 likes24 comments