SE Book Club: All That Is - through Ch. 7 by 5/18 - Page 8 - Sporting Events and Fantasy Sports

"What happened with women he loved," (or what I got out of it) is that a. these women get older and lose their youthful (aesthetic) perfection and b. he can't connect to them on a deeper, emotional level. He's so depressed about these things, that he can't find a woman who stays eternally young that he feels a deeper connection to, that he kills himself. Is Salter saying this is a natural male fear? Because I identified with it, though I'm not proud of it.

I can identify with the second part, the idea that you as a male will never be as comfortable with them as they are with each other. I'm still trying to process how that abruptly goes all the way to suicide, but this book has left me scratching my head a few times.

For example, you would think Vivian would need Philip's support the most in dealing with her mother's condition, but that's when she decides to walk away? Maybe that just shows how far apart they really were. She never found out about London, I'm assuming.

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05-20-2014 , 08:54 PM

#178

Shark Sandwich

1-2-teddied

Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 20,503

I took it as her having a little time to herself without him and that "space" making her realize that being apart from him is what she really wanted. Relatively common among females imo, they always like to have a "break" before going full on breakup/divorce.

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05-21-2014 , 02:58 PM

#179

CPHoya

Warden of Taipan Island

Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 73,265

So on a different topic, I read this last night and it was a quick, easy read:

It's a short story designed to pay homage to Vonnegut by adopting some of his tropes and style, but also address September 11 in a mature, first person way. My understanding is that Howey witnessed September 11 from a unique perspective. I really enjoyed this.

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05-23-2014 , 08:50 PM

#180

NLSoldier

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 24,252

I'm only on like chapter 4 but about to get caught up when this plane takes off. Spoiled myself a little but really enjoying the discussion guys. Looking forward to contributing soon

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05-28-2014 , 08:18 PM

#181

NLSoldier

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 24,252

I'm on chapter 26 or something. Guess I'm not too surprised by the lack of discussion about this book... I've had a very tough time caring about anyof the characters outside of Bowman and even he kinda lost me a few chapters ago... Let's get this one finished up and move onto the next one? Anyone even still reading?

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05-31-2014 , 02:45 PM

#182

Shark Sandwich

1-2-teddied

Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 20,503

Almost finished, just got to the part where

Spoiler:

I'm enjoying the hell out of this book, though I can see how it might not be for everybody

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06-16-2014 , 10:21 PM

#183

NLSoldier

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 24,252

Just finished.

Thought the second half was better than the first but overall still pretty meh. The part Sando mentioned in spoilers was probably the best.

Who wants to try this again with a new book?

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06-16-2014 , 11:04 PM

#184

CPHoya

Warden of Taipan Island

Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 73,265

In, may have misfired with that selection. I enjoyed it.

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06-17-2014 , 01:10 AM

#185

Shark Doctor

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 11,738

I'll say it again folks - a sports related book would work better for SE.

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06-17-2014 , 07:39 AM

#186

Shark Sandwich

1-2-teddied

Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 20,503

I thought the book was great and am pretty glad I read it. Even though he takes a massively dim view of relationships in general, there's a lot of timeless stuff that you can easily relate to.

Anyway, in for another.

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06-17-2014 , 09:01 AM

#187

fanerio

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 8,718

i can do Old Man and the Sea by Hemmingway

my impression is that its the best book of its kind by these uber-masculine murcan authors, but that was 10+ years ago

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06-17-2014 , 09:02 AM

#188

Rei Ayanami

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 11,685

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shark Sandwich

Read "Tower of Babylon" while you are waiting for the next book. It is quite awesome.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rei Ayanami

Ted Chiang's "Tower of Babylon" is the best short story I've read all year. It's the first story in his collection Stories of Your Life: and Others, available in its entirety for free on Google Books.

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06-17-2014 , 09:21 AM

#189

Shark Sandwich

1-2-teddied

Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 20,503

Quote:

Originally Posted by fanerio

i can do Old Man and the Sea by Hemmingway

my impression is that its the best book of its kind by these uber-masculine murcan authors, but that was 10+ years ago

Great novella, would read again. You can knock it out in an afternoon too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rei Ayanami

Read "Tower of Babylon" while you are waiting for the next book. It is quite awesome.

On it

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06-27-2014 , 11:29 PM

#190

NLSoldier

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 24,252

Just started reading "the list" by Chris bell. Bought it after playing a donkament with the author. I'm only a few chapters in and like it a lot so far if anyone else wants to pick it up its only like 3 bucks on Kindle.