Note: If you're not participating in the read-a-long, be warned, this post contains spoilers.
Okay, read-a-long-ers....I really need to apologize to you about being so late with this post. Last week just was not conducive to reading. Way too busy and I think it's only going to get worse. On that note though, I am making a pact with myself and with you that I WILL finish the reading and post on time this week. If I don't, I'll give you my address and you can get a mob together and come after me. ;O)
So....thoughts on the first section of Bag of Bones...being Chapters 1 - 9. As I might have mentioned, this is actually a reread for me. I first read it by listening on audio. I'm really amazed at how different listening to a book is to the good old-fashioned reading of a book. One thing I noticed was how lengthy and detailed the first part was. I did listen to the unabridged version so there were no corners cut, but I honestly did not notice the lengthiness when I was listening. Now, I'm not saying that I disliked it, but I did have a hard time concentrating at times. Maybe it was me trying to avoid the sadness of the tragic loss of Mike's wife. I'm a wimp when it comes to sad stuff like that. I do have to say that SK is very good at portraying grief. I do believe that Mike Noonan contains a little of himself and Johanna, his lovely wife Tabitha, so I think that SK really wrote how he would feel if he was to lose his beloved Tabby.
We're really just getting to the strange happenings in the book in the first section, but I have to say that the part with Johanna under the bed, after she had already died, was a real frightfest. Can you imagine?! Since I have read this before, I can tell you...it only gets worse. I think that's why this book is one of my favorites of SK's. I just adore creepy over blatant scares.
We are introduced to Mattie Devore and her cutie daughter, Kyra. With the phone call from Max Devore, I think you can pretty much tell what's going to go on later. I have to say, I'm never keen about such a young woman with a man 20 years her senior. It just seems kind of lecherous (okay, prude...make an exit), but Mike seems a good guy, albeit a little oversexed (aren't most men?) so I guess I won't hold it against him.
Of course, we have SK's usual brand of funny little quips that never fail to make me laugh out loud. I love "V.C. Andrews with a prick" (sorry, Andrews fans). And he's hilarious with his "I'm taking it to the next level," all the while knowing that he's not writing, but pulling out previously written manuscripts. What a riot! And then there's the quote that his creative-writing teacher attributes to Thomas Hardy,
"Compared to the dullest human being actually walking about on the face of the earth and casting his shadow there, the most brilliantly drawn character in a novel is but a bag of bones." I think any writer can relate to that.
I have my theories too. Even though I've read this previously, I really don't remember minute details. Like Johanna's pregnancy and what was really going on. I think she was having an affair at Sara Laughs and that is why she did not suggest they go there the year she died. Maybe not. What do you think? What are your thoughts on this week's section? Share in your own blog post and leave your link or share your thoughts in the comments or do both. I hope you're enjoying it as much as I am.
This week we're reading Chapters 10 - 15 and updates are Saturday. Start pre-planning your mob, just in case I'm late again and you have to come after me. LOL!
Happy Reading!
