So, how do you talk about a book when you haven’t finished it? I think there’s a book for that right? Unfortunately it’s too late for me to get that book and figure out what I’m supposed to do. And, given that my book is for an online discussion group that means I can’t just hide behind lots of coffee sipping and head nodding.
Well, the Slaves of Golconda are going to have to forgive me again. This year my track record isn’t good with the Slaves. I tried to read more of Vertigo by W. G. Sebald for the discussion but I just couldn’t get past the 50 pages or so I read.
When I read some reviews of the book, “disorienting narrative” often accompanied the reviews and I can totally get on board with that assessment. The novel starts with a young man’s recollections of his military career. As you read along you wonder if everything true? What are the sequence of events? Who is this person? On and on.
I could easily say I wasn’t in the mood for this story but that would really be a cop out in this case so I’ll just tell you the truth. I just don’t really like this type of narrative. I can handle dream-like, fantastical and the like and I’ve enjoyed some books which sort of reminded me of the narrative style; such as The Street of Crocodiles and The Unconsoled, but this book was a struggle. And, I gave up.
So I’ll take a peek at the discussion board but I won’t be offering much. If this was for an in person book group I’d still go although I hate showing up without finishing the book. Now, if it’s my mystery group, I definitely wouldn’t go as no doubt the killer will be revealed and who wants to have a whodunit spoiled!
Anyway, what about you? Do you go to your book groups even if you haven’t finished the book?
I don’t have a book group–but I am reminded of having to “wing it” when, back in school, I had to attend class even if I hadn’t seen a wink of the required readings, haha. I prayed not to be called upon to recite. 🙂
Keeping track of my reads in my reading journal, and the blog, well, I tell them, “I made it to page 56, and this is why…” Sometimes it’s fun to elaborate what prevented me from liking the book, haha.
I have always finished my book, however, I’d say there are always at least two people who haven’t each month! So you would be in good company with my group!!!
Sorry you couldn’t get past page 50. You could say you were overcome by vertigo 😉 I didn’t love the book but I did enjoy it and puzzling through trying to make sense of everything.
I’m the leader of our book group here at the library, so I have to show up. I’m always upfront with the group and say I didn’t finish and why. And as I’m listening to their conversation I always find good questions to ask them about the book – lot’s of “why did that happen?”. Then at the end of the discussion I always tell them if thier discussion has made me decide to finish it or not, and why. Do I like going to book club without finishing the book? No. But sometime life gets in the way or I simply hate the book.
Yes, but I usually skip to the end and skim (or read a summary online), so I can at least keep up with the discussion!
I didn’t finish this either. I really do want to read Sebald, and I want to read more challenging sorts of books, but I just wasn’t up for this one right now and didn’t stick with it. I’ve been a little bit hit or miss with the Slaves lately, too, so hopefully will get back on track.
Sasha – Haha, oh yes, I remember those kind of school days. For me though it was usually just related to math class. Ugh. 🙂
Sandy – It’s really rare for me to go to a book group without finishing the book. I just hate that because I just think what the heck am I doing there not contributing!
Stefanie – That’s it, that’s what happened to me 🙂 I can’t wait to read your thoughts on the book. Hopefully they’ll help clarify a lot for me – a puzzle indeed!
Melanie – Oh you definitely have to be there then! I am usually good about finishing the books unless I’m really hating them and then it’s just because I refuse to finish a book I hate. I have way to many others waiting for me.
Tiffany – Ok, I’ve done that too with books I haven’t been into. I was going to try it with this one but it’s so out there that I’d probably be just as lost! ha.
Danielle – I’m with you. I want to read more challenging books too but this one was just beyond me. I tried another Sebald book years ago and couldn’t get into it either so maybe I’m not hopeful I’ll ever read him but oh well, there are others to try! And, yes, I hope I can get on board with the next Slaves book. I’m losing my credibility here! haha
Interesting question as I am teaching a novel (The Book Thief) this week and next week in class. Students had to read to page 250 by today and will finish the book by Thursday of next week. It is difficult for me to teach a novel. Some are episodic and lend themselves well to teaching over a length of time. Others, not so much.
Even with re-reading it, it is difficult for me to file away the knowledge I have of the entirety and focus on the first half. What I eventually had to do was focus on the narrative voice itself, discuss the conscious decision writers make about who will narrate the story and how it affects students’ reading. It’s a difficult thing. Teaching a book is totally different than simply reading for pleasure and discussing within the context of a book group or even a blog. There has to be a method to the madness, and it’s one I’m still learning.
If there is a specific reason, though, that you are not able to finish, I’d share it. See what others thought. Examine the weaknesses or strengths and how that turned you off. I am always interested to hear about the different reception and reaction of each person to a particular text.
I’ve had a few times with my in person book club where I haven’t had a chance to finish the book but have attended the meeting anyway. There was only one time when I wished I didn’t do this. The group talked about the ending of the book that I was planning to finish and it spoiled it for me.
Sometimes in school I wouldn’t finish part of an assigned book and I became very adept at finding things to bring up in the discussion. Usually I would listen to my classmates for a while and then make an intelligent comparison between, say, two comments from two different classmates, or I’d mention a similarity to a previous book.
I’ve gone to book discussions without finishing the book, but I generally talk about why I didn’t finish the book.
Interesting question. ‘hide behind coffee sipping and head nodding'<-lol! for some sad reason, that reminded me of meetings at work…lol.
I'm not part of any book discussion groups, but I guess i'd just let them know I gave up on the book and my reasons why.
Iliana, If I am not enjoying a book by page 50 I give up on it. Seems like a cruel thing to do but let’s face it, there are 1000’s of books waiting in the wings and I really don’t have the time to waste on a book that’s not doing anything for me. I wasn’t always like this, even when I didn’t particularly like a book I would struggle to finish it just so I could talk about it (good or bad). Now I just give up and like SavvyVerse, I just talk about why I couldn’t finish the book. You’ll be amazed at how much conversation that generates! :))
I agree with Serena. We’ve both had that happen, and we just talk about what didn’t work for us.
I go to book group if I haven’t finished reading a book. Their comments will help me determine whether I should finish the book or not.
Since I am the organizer of the club, if I hate a book, I will put it in a month that I will be on vacation. So, I don’t have to read it! Evil and clever, am I not?
I go to book group whether or not I’ve finished the book. That’s because I love my group, and never want to miss it. Also, we have a rule–if you haven’t finished the book, you put five bucks into the kitty. We’re saving up to go out for drinks or dessert together some day!!
I find it interesting that I did fairly well with the Sebald, but I had a harder time with The Street of Crocodiles. I think I do less well with fantastical kinds of things and I do okay with disorientation. It’s interesting how much tastes can differ sometimes! 🙂