What do you think of the novel so far? When you started the book and saw the date, 1910, what did that make you think about? What are your expectations for the characters and the narrative?
Remember we are only talking about the first part of the book--the prewar part. The first reading assignment just barely gets into the war. Please don't spoil it if you have read ahead.
19 comments:
O.K., I have to admit that I have been waiting for someone to post their blog so I can see what type of answer was expected for the “1910” question. I was not sure if we needed to mention something related to what we are studying in class, or some events in history in general. Since no one has posted their blog yet, I am going to go ahead and take a swing at it so I can get my post done before the week begins so I will not forget to do it.
The first part of the novel did not hold my attention at all and I am still not really sure if I like the novel so far. I kept turning each page thinking I would find something unpredictable being said or done, but it was nothing new and different that really surprised me. Even the sex scene, although it was very descriptive, it was just a matter of time before it would happen, so it wasn’t a surprise at all.
One thing that happened in 1910 that I remembered was that Mark Twain was born in 1835 and one of the appearances of Haley’s comet occurred in 1835, also, Mark Twain died in 1910 and Haley’s comet appeared in 1910. This has nothing to do with what we are studying, but again, I didn’t have a clue as to what was expected.
My expectations of the characters are that they do or say something totally unpredictable that sets an entirely different tone for the novel in order for the narrative to hold my attention.
So far I am really enjoying the book. It's very interesting and not at all what I expected. I was surprised by the date since it was written in 1993 and I thought it might make it more difficult to read, but it hasn't at all. I am a little nervous as to where it's going to go from here. And wondering if they are going to bring back the father and the children. Also if Isabella will come back or not because I really like the couple together. I'm excited to read more.
Im enjoying the book so far, the setting of the novel is interesting. The early 20th century in Europe was a place to not be in, after that Europe was in wars for next 40 years. My expectations for the families are that somehow everything is going to work out between them.
Suprisingly, I like this book it is very easy to read and has a good flow to it. The intamacy between Stephen and Isabelle makes you want to read faster to see what is to happen next. Like Maegen, I thought it would be harder to read since it is from 1910 but not at all. Also, 1910 means there is a war fixing to come up. I think Isabelle and Stephen will get together but this isnt disney, the ending wont be happily ever after, it'll be undesirable.
The book seems a little hard to get into at times but I feel like once I et started reading it I can't stop. The beggining of the book seemed to take forever to start getting interesting but that is with all books. However, I was so surprised of how eay the book is to read and follow along. I was a little nervous when I saw the 1910 date and I had mental thoughts of how I thought that the book would have nbeen written.
I really was not sure what to expect with the novel. So far I like the book; it is pretty easy to get into. The characters are interesting to say the least, it is a scandalous read in the first party of the book; it kind of feels a little like a soap opera scene. I also envisioned how the characters looked and talked. I would then play each scene out when I was reading.
Usually I am not a fan of these types of books, but Birdsong is actually very good a drawing you in. Even though it took a while to get comfortable with the flow of the book it starts to feel as if you are watching a play and its great. My favorite part was the introduction of the Berard couple, they were absolutely amusing. I agree with Maegan about the anticipation of what is going to happen next in the book. It is exciting.
The first part of "Birdsong" has developed slow for my liking. Stephen seems to have it rough because of his feeling for Madame Azaire. It is interesting where their relationship ended up.It is an interesting predicament they are in. I enjoyed reading the backgrounds of the some of the characters, such as Madame Azaire came to be a woman , and married to Mr. Azaire. When I saw that the story took place in 1910, I first thought about the Titanic. People were overcome by such a design and beauty that we today will not glance twice at because technology has brought us so far. My mind strayed to those years of how technology really awed people. It is weird to read about a time where they don’t have the basic technologies we have now such as a cell phone or computer, or even a digital watch.
To my surprise, although the novel did take a bit to get into, I am truly liking this book. It's interesting how from one instance to the other, Stehpen and Isabelle build up a relationship right after she confesses everything to her former husband, which I did not expect for the confession to be said and done in such a fast/easy way. Since the ending of the reading seems to be a little fast pase, it makes me think that the characters and the narrative may suddenly change. Seeing the date 1910, it made me assume that it would probably have difficult dialogue reading; however, the novel seems very easy to read and as to me, I can visually picture the settings.
-Lisbeth
The novel is interesting so far, it makes me want to keep on reading to find out what happens.. I hope the characters build up more, they seem like bland characters, so I'm hoping for a twist from one of them. From seeing France 1910, it seems like these people are about to be completely caught up in a international war.
The novel, like most, is rather slow in the beginning. However, I recognize the number of characters already, and the deep descriptions Faulks goes into, in order to create this realistic prewar setting. From this point on, I expect the characters to develop and find new information about themselves. Isabelle has already started by leaving Stephen, to backtrack her life. Stephen may possibly be changing, but as far as Part 1 is concerned, he's cold.
Comment to Krzsztof
You are absolutely correct. That is a good term to use because this really was considered the calm before the storm. Life as they knew it would never be the same for a very long time. This was the time that they would later look back on and say "I remember when...". Those days were long gone and were nothing but fond memories.
Comment to Maegan:
I agree with you about thinking the book might be difficult to read since it was written way after the war. I thought the book might not be as accurate then if the book was written during the time of the war. I am also excited to see what happens to family, maybe the children will get another new stepmother. I am really anxious to know what has happened to Isabelle. We will have to wait and see.
Comment to DeMetra Russell...
At least you are honest about not knowing what 1910 meant, I just figured the book took place slightly before the war, I didn't figure anything else but that. But I thought you response was funny. But I don't think Haley's comet and Mark Twain have anything to do with it.
In response to Dakota,
Interesting way of tying in Titanic to the novel! It is very easy to be reading along and wanting to say "just use a computer, cell phone... etc." but we have to keep in mind that there really wasn't any kind of technology back then and whatever few they did have, had to be take extreme care for.
-Lisbeth
To Elise,
I think that's completely true. The book is a fairly easy read, but is seriously slow in the beginning. Part two seems to have picked up quicker. It may be the action of the story that speeds it up, but it's also quite interesting too.
I am enjoying the book so far because i feel like it is easy to read and the author does a really good job attracting the readers with his words and vivid descriptions. I must say at the beginning of the book i thought it was a "cheesy" love story but since we have gotten to the war i have changed my mind a little bit.
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