This is considered a collection. However...

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Takoren

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Nov 25, 2015
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...I think a better term would be "mosaic novel". When I hear the term "collection", I assume that the stories contained have little to do with each other, besides maybe the odd reference, like Andy Dufresne having done accounting for Kurt Dussander.

This book, though, you pretty much need to read all the stories together. They might jump through time, shift focus and introduce new characters, but they're part of a whole, not just a collection of stories that can be read in any old order, maybe even just reading one or two and not the others. They won't make sense that way.

Am I wrong? Should this be counted among his novels, and not his collections?
 

Moderator

Ms. Mod
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Jul 10, 2006
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...I think a better term would be "mosaic novel". When I hear the term "collection", I assume that the stories contained have little to do with each other, besides maybe the odd reference, like Andy Dufresne having done accounting for Kurt Dussander.

This book, though, you pretty much need to read all the stories together. They might jump through time, shift focus and introduce new characters, but they're part of a whole, not just a collection of stories that can be read in any old order, maybe even just reading one or two and not the others. They won't make sense that way.

Am I wrong? Should this be counted among his novels, and not his collections?
Because each could be a stand-alone novella, we put it into the collections category but I do understand your reasoning.
 

Takoren

Well-Known Member
Nov 25, 2015
242
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46
Because each could be a stand-alone novella, we put it into the collections category but I do understand your reasoning.
The first two stories are, to my mind, the only ones that could be called standalone, and even they build on each other. If I'd never read Low Men in Yellow Coats, Blind Willie and Heavenly Shades of Night are Falling would seem kinda pointless. For that matter, Why We're in Vietnam is a sequel to both of the first two novellas.
 

GNTLGNT

The idiot is IN
Jun 15, 2007
87,651
358,754
62
Cambridge, Ohio
The first two stories are, to my mind, the only ones that could be called standalone, and even they build on each other. If I'd never read Low Men in Yellow Coats, Blind Willie and Heavenly Shades of Night are Falling would seem kinda pointless. For that matter, Why We're in Vietnam is a sequel to both of the first two novellas.
i-dunno-man.jpg
:biggrin2:
 

Stephen Hirst

New Member
Sep 25, 2016
4
20
71
Well I've just joined, and wondered what had happened when I couldn't find it under novels. I certainly consider it a novel, and not a collection. To me it's also very underrated, is actually my favourite novel, closely followed by 11:22:63, but I think this could be a generational thing. I'm 64, and no book better describes the era than the time this, even for UK teenagers of the time. Whilst not directly involved in Vietnam protests as much, it speaks of the times even in the UK. we too were addicted to Hearts in College, playing it endlessly in pubs at night, illegally in the UK for money.
It deserves better recognition, and should be in the novels. The first part would end badly for me, if you didnt know there was more to come and what happened to his friends and enemies. We were all in love with the "Gerber Babe"imes which some of us
Looking forward to this Novembers new King, sounds like it too may cover the same generation. Fascinating times which some of us were very lucky to live through, and to use Mr Kings words, "Come out the other Side"
 

Dana Jean

Dirty Pirate Hooker, The Return
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
53,634
236,697
The High Seas
Well I've just joined, and wondered what had happened when I couldn't find it under novels. I certainly consider it a novel, and not a collection. To me it's also very underrated, is actually my favourite novel, closely followed by 11:22:63, but I think this could be a generational thing. I'm 64, and no book better describes the era than the time this, even for UK teenagers of the time. Whilst not directly involved in Vietnam protests as much, it speaks of the times even in the UK. we too were addicted to Hearts in College, playing it endlessly in pubs at night, illegally in the UK for money.
It deserves better recognition, and should be in the novels. The first part would end badly for me, if you didnt know there was more to come and what happened to his friends and enemies. We were all in love with the "Gerber Babe"imes which some of us
Looking forward to this Novembers new King, sounds like it too may cover the same generation. Fascinating times which some of us were very lucky to live through, and to use Mr Kings words, "Come out the other Side"
Welcome Stephen!
 

Stephen Hirst

New Member
Sep 25, 2016
4
20
71
Thank you, Dana Jean. Also apologies for the bit of my post that doesn't make sense, after Gerber Babe. Sometimes this laptop just seems to start printing on any line it wants!........ honest. Can't see how to edit post, or i'd correct it.
Ah, I see now. Too late to edit original post, and not the only mistake, but hopefully it makes enough sense. Should have re-read it at the time, but dinner was calling.
 

Dana Jean

Dirty Pirate Hooker, The Return
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
53,634
236,697
The High Seas
Thank you, Dana Jean. Also apologies for the bit of my post that doesn't make sense, after Gerber Babe. Sometimes this laptop just seems to start printing on any line it wants!........ honest. Can't see how to edit post, or i'd correct it.
Ah, I see now. Too late to edit original post, and not the only mistake, but hopefully it makes enough sense. Should have re-read it at the time, but dinner was calling.
No worries. We've all been the victim of Bad Post Syndrome. I do it every day. Although, I understood you. So it was great!
 

GNTLGNT

The idiot is IN
Jun 15, 2007
87,651
358,754
62
Cambridge, Ohio
Well I've just joined, and wondered what had happened when I couldn't find it under novels. I certainly consider it a novel, and not a collection. To me it's also very underrated, is actually my favourite novel, closely followed by 11:22:63, but I think this could be a generational thing. I'm 64, and no book better describes the era than the time this, even for UK teenagers of the time. Whilst not directly involved in Vietnam protests as much, it speaks of the times even in the UK. we too were addicted to Hearts in College, playing it endlessly in pubs at night, illegally in the UK for money.
It deserves better recognition, and should be in the novels. The first part would end badly for me, if you didnt know there was more to come and what happened to his friends and enemies. We were all in love with the "Gerber Babe"imes which some of us
Looking forward to this Novembers new King, sounds like it too may cover the same generation. Fascinating times which some of us were very lucky to live through, and to use Mr Kings words, "Come out the other Side"
...'allo, 'allo!!....I agree with you man and am glad you've joined us Govanuh!....I was a child during the tumult of the 60's, but it still resonates with me....this was a beautiful novel....