The House on Maple Street, Reading and Discussion Group,12.12.14

[VultureLvr45]

This is SK's version of a "children's story!"

There is a love of the children and their cleverness as well as a nod to 'blasting into space' and 'freedom.'

I had an evil stepmother who I refer to as my stepmonster. I sure wish this would've happened to her!!!

Sometimes those mental games helped us keep our sanity in a difficult situation.

The kids were amazing. I hate that the mom didn't see the dad for what he was....

Me too. I hate that she lived with it and didn't take action when she noticed (if she noticed) their sadness.

 

[morgan]

??Did you all figure out what was about to happen??

No-I was truly lost and didn't really "comprehend" the possible ending until the first trip to the wine cellar where SK pretty much spelled it out.

 

[VultureLvr45]

??Did you all figure out what was about to happen??

I knew the kids had something going on. But I thought the house was just going to explode and not rocket off to Mars or the Moon.

 

[do1you9love?]

That was better than waiting on the street to find out! LOL

 

[morgan]

I thought it was interesting the Bradburys were Unitarians and years after this story was published, Naomi King became a Unitarian minister.

 

[do1you9love?]

Alright yall, I gotta run. I have mssied this and will try to catch up again soon.

Thanks!

 

[VultureLvr45]

I thought it was interesting the Bradburys were Unitarians and years after this story was published, Naomi King became a Unitarian minister.

Good connection, Morgan.

 

[VultureLvr45]

Alright yall, I gotta run. I have mssied this and will try to catch up again soon.

Thanks!

Thanks for popping by.

 

[morgan]

Alright yall, I gotta run. I have mssied this and will try to catch up again soon.

Thanks!

Hope to "see" you next week!

 

[VultureLvr45]

I had a hard time understanding why the neighbor would let the kids sit outside in the freezing rain waiting for their mother. He acted like it was all their fault, and really didn't seem to sympathize with the kids at all. At least he could have invited them in out of the rain or got them an umbrella or had them sit on his front porch out of the rain or something.

 

[morgan]

I was kinda lost the first few pages-didn't really understand what it was the kids were seeing. But I was deeply touched by the back story and the relationship the siblings had. All the usual teasing and such, but a deep respect and love for each other.

 

[VultureLvr45]

Adults can be so cruel and clueless sometimes...hey wait. Maybe that is one of the themes in the story.

 

[morgan]

I had a hard time understanding why the neighbor would let the kids sit outside in the freezing rain waiting for their mother. He acted like it was all their fault, and really didn't seem to sympathize with the kids at all. At least he could have invited them in out of the rain or got them an umbrella or had them sit on his front porch out of the rain or something.

He was too worried about having to explain the event to others and too selfish to see past his own bewilderment.

 

[VultureLvr45]

I envied the siblings interactions. Having grown up a significant portion of my childhood as an only child ( my sister is 7 years my senior and my brother 10 years older).

 

[morgan]

Adults can be so cruel and clueless sometimes...hey wait. Maybe that is one of the themes in the story.

Yes! After reading the "Notes," I really wish I could've read Tabby and Owen's short stories!

 

[morgan]

I envied the siblings interactions. Having grown up a significant portion of my childhood as an only child ( my sister is 7 years my senior and my brother 10 years older).

I understand-I only have half siblings. Two of them I grew up with, but they are both boys and have the same father and I always felt like an outsider.

 

[VultureLvr45]

Yes! After reading the "Notes," I really wish I could've read Tabby and Owen's short stories!

Me Too. I think it is a testament that Tabby has everyone in the family write a story based on pictures from a childs book. The woman is brilliant. Talk about making reading and writing fun.

 

[morgan]

Me Too. I think it is a testament that Tabby has everyone in the family write a story based on pictures from a childs book. The woman is brilliant. Talk about making reading and writing fun.

All of the King children were reading and writing WAY before most children do-no wonder they are all successful!

 

[VultureLvr45]

Morgan, I am so happy you would come to chat about the story tonight.

All of the King children were reading and writing WAY before most children do-no wonder they are all successful!

I think that probably has something to do with genes and the fact their parents spent a lot of time reading to them and encouraging them to learn. I doubt they were the 'helicopter' parents of today. Regardless, they did many things right and the proof is in the outcome.

 

[VultureLvr45]

They can look at their family with pride, and know the family comes first. I really admire that sentiment. Almost everyone i know puts other things before family, including hobbies, work, and religion as an institution. Perhaps that is why they are so successful. (And why I enjoyed reading this story so much. the absolute love the siblings had for each other was wonderful. To me, this story was written in the Bradbury tradition. If you have a couple of minutes, check out Ray Bradbury discussing writing on youtube. He was so bubbly and positive.