Story Discussion 2018: Bog Girl by Karen Russell

[Doc Creed]

I was thinking maybe Pop Art would be a nice follow-up to this one? Since it has been brought up in comparison.

Sounds good to me!

Pop Art by Joe Hill it is. THank you Cat.

Sorry, we've already read and discussed that one three weeks ago. Maybe a different Hill story?

 

[cat in a bag]

That was sort of how I interpreted it, too. The bog girl was a portal to death and when she awakened, ironically, the portal of death opened. Am I over-thinking it? I think encapsulated in this story are some cautionary symbols, like the warnings Louis hears (but ignores) from Jud. Don't go beyond..."the ground is sour". Fear of the unknown...yada yada yada.

I agree with you about the cautionary warnings. But about what? Relationships? The way Cillian abruptly changed his mind about Bog Girl really threw me and I was almost angry at him.

 

[Dana Jean]

Sorry, we've already read and discussed that one three weeks ago. Maybe a different Hill story?

Oh darn! I missed that!

Okay, another try cat in a bag ?

 

[cat in a bag]

Sorry, we've already read and discussed that one three weeks ago. Maybe a different Hill story?

We did? I thought we did Best New Horror. Did I miss one?

 

[Dana Jean]

I agree with you about the cautionary warnings. But about what? Relationships? The way Cillian abruptly changed his mind about Bog Girl really threw me and I was almost angry at him.

It was a typical 15 year old boy. Got too big for his britches and really didn't want it to be that serious -- time to move on to the next bog girl. hahah!

 

[Dana Jean]

We did? I thought we did Best New Horror. Did I miss one?

I totally missed Pop Art discussion.

 

[cat in a bag]

Thank you everyone for participating in the discussion this evening. I do appreciate your time in reading my suggestion.

I opened with this question and I will close with it. While Doc says he will get Vampires in the Lemon Grove to read, what about you Spideyman and cat in a bag and anyone else that might pop in at a later time, would you try more of her work?

I am pretty sure I checked Swamplandia and a short story book out from the library a few years back. But I only made it through a few of the short stories. I would definitely try again. It was only time issues that got in my way, not because I didn't like what I did read.

 

[Spideyman]

Thank you everyone for participating in the discussion this evening. I do appreciate your time in reading my suggestion.

I opened with this question and I will close with it. While Doc says he will get Vampires in the Lemon Grove to read, what about you Spideyman and cat in a bag and anyone else that might pop in at a later time, would you try more of her work?

Absolutely will be reading more of her work. Thank you for the introduction!

 

[cat in a bag]

Oh darn! I missed that!

Okay, another try cat in a bag ?

I will need to think a bit, is that ok?

 

[Doc Creed]

I agree with you about the cautionary warnings. But about what? Relationships? The way Cillian abruptly changed his mind about Bog Girl really threw me and I was almost angry at him.

I was thinking she should have stayed in the bog (and he eventually returns her there, as we know, instead of a burial) and Cillian's taking her home was his way of loving something or someone that could not love him (only the love he projected onto her and accepted as her love) and as soon as she "awoke" the spell was broken. She could try to love him but she was more dead animated than she was comatose. Therefore, the warning is not to look for the living among the dead, as Jesus says. I don't know...just thinking out loud. I like the childlike charm of the story; its mysteries are not all revealed at once.

 

[Dana Jean]

I will need to think a bit, is that ok?

Absolutely! No hurries. Just pop it in here so we all see your choice.

 

[cat in a bag]

Absolutely! No hurries. Just pop it in here so we all see your choice.

Ok, will do!

 

[Dana Jean]

I was thinking she should have stayed in the bog (and he eventually returns her there, as we know, instead of a burial) and Cillian's taking her home was his way of loving something or someone that could not love him (only the love he projected onto her and accepted as her love) and as soon as she "awoke" the spell was broken. She could try to love him but she was more dead animated than she was comatose. Therefore, the warning is not to look for the living among the dead, as Jesus says. I don't know...just thinking out loud. I like the childlike charm of the story; its mysteries are not all revealed at once.

Good thoughts.

 

[Dana Jean]

I missed this, sorry. I will read it this evening and get back to this. I did read Swamplandia and liked it very much.

Would love to hear your thoughts on it, Tery.

 

[Doc Creed]

I will need to think a bit, is that ok?

Here are the stories we have already done from that collection:
"Best New Horror"
"The Cape"
"Pop Art"

 

[Dana Jean]

I am pretty sure I checked Swamplandia and a short story book out from the library a few years back. But I only made it through a few of the short stories. I would definitely try again. It was only time issues that got in my way, not because I didn't like what I did read.

Absolutely will be reading more of her work. Thank you for the introduction!

and Doc Creed

As long as you go into Karen's writing knowing that this really strange thing is going to be introduced into a mundane life, you should enjoy the story. Not all have been big hits for me, but I have really appreciated her style of writing.

She makes me more open to the fantasy and possibilities of world creation. I can't be stagnant or mired in expectations of where a tale can take me.

I hope she does that for all of you.

 

[Dana Jean]

Here are the stories we have already done from that collection:
"Best New Horror"
"The Cape"
"Pop Art"

I am super bummed I missed the Pop Art discussion.

 

[GNTLGNT]

...just did a last minute read and enjoyed it muchly...also appreciate all the comments...all that kept running through my mind was “dammit boyo! That gentle smile on the wee lasses face is naught but a death rictus!”.....great suggestion.....

 

[Dana Jean]

and Doc Creed

As long as you go into Karen's writing knowing that this really strange thing is going to be introduced into a mundane life, you should enjoy the story. Not all have been big hits for me, but I have really appreciated her style of writing.

She makes me more open to the fantasy and possibilities of world creation. I can't be stagnant or mired in expectations of where a tale can take me.

I hope she does that for all of you.

I see you there GNTLGNT -- hope you might give her a try yourself.

 

[Dana Jean]

...just did a last minute read and enjoyed it muchly...also appreciate all the comments...all that kep running through my mind was “dammit boyo! That gentle smile on the wee lasses face is naught but a death rictus!”.....great suggestion.....

Oh, very good! Would you try more of her work?