Group Discussion for March 26th- The Talisman (King & Straub) **SPOILERS**

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Doc Creed

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Nov 18, 2015
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So much happens within this part-- the good and the sad. Parts I found difficult to re read, even knowing what was to come.

In answer to your question Doc Creed - I do think The Book of Good Farming was the Territories version of the Bible. ("God pounds his nails")
Yeah, and I'm guessing "Jason" was a substitute for Jesus.

It's funny how Richard is older than Jack but he's weaker and not quite up to the challenge. Just me?
 

do1you9love?

Happy to be here!
Feb 18, 2012
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Oh, how I love this story. Even as it breaks my heart, I just can't put it down.

To respond to a few questions:
1) In my mind, The Book of Good Farming is a cross between the Bible and Poor Richard's Almanac. As Wolf says, "Your Bible this and your Bible that, but one verse of Good Farming and you know you NEVER hurt the herd!"
2) Richard is damaged. His experience that led to his Having Enough Forever, plus his father's influence have weakened him.
3) Sunlight Gardener - Is. Pure. Evil.

Jack's journey to Richard, where you can see he is becoming more of his blended Jack/Jason self is so well written. He just has to look at drivers for them to stop. He mentions that Wolf is with him during this time, and I could almost see him, running along in the shadows. When he gets to Thayer, (and Thayer gets weird), just adds to the layers of this epic adventure. Looking forward to reading other's thoughts.
 

cat in a bag

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Aug 28, 2010
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wyoming
The panic I feel when Jack is at The Tap Room is the same as at the school. Sunlight Gardener to me is as scary as Sloat. Maybe even a little more, because in my mind, Sloat is a bumbling fool who stumbles into this power. Bullied his way in and determined to win. At all costs. But Sunlight is ruthless. No feelings, no empathy. Scary.

It is a hard section to read. Other than Wolf dying, the part where Jack and Wolf flip over in their attempt to escape and see and recognize Ferd...that part really makes the heart drop too. Heartache all through this section.

I agree with do1you9love? above, about the mix of Farmer's Almanac and the Bible. And Jason IS Jack. Jack IS Jason. So when invoking the name Jason, it is Jack. He is supposed to be The Territories savior, after all. The Queen's savior.

Daughter is keeping up. I was expecting shouts of outrage when our Wolf died. She never said a word though. I thought she maybe hadn't gotten there yet. But last weekend she mentioned Richard. I said, You never said a word about Wolf! She said yeah. And made a pouty face. She actually read that part at school. She said she gasped really loud and clapped her hand over her mouth. Her teacher noticed and asked her if she was ok.

:D I know it is not funny but it is. I am so so SO enjoying sharing my love of SK with my girl! She is definitely a fan!!
 

Spideyman

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Jul 10, 2006
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The panic I feel when Jack is at The Tap Room is the same as at the school. Sunlight Gardener to me is as scary as Sloat. Maybe even a little more, because in my mind, Sloat is a bumbling fool who stumbles into this power. Bullied his way in and determined to win. At all costs. But Sunlight is ruthless. No feelings, no empathy. Scary.

It is a hard section to read. Other than Wolf dying, the part where Jack and Wolf flip over in their attempt to escape and see and recognize Ferd...that part really makes the heart drop too. Heartache all through this section.

I agree with do1you9love? above, about the mix of Farmer's Almanac and the Bible. And Jason IS Jack. Jack IS Jason. So when invoking the name Jason, it is Jack. He is supposed to be The Territories savior, after all. The Queen's savior.

Daughter is keeping up. I was expecting shouts of outrage when our Wolf died. She never said a word though. I thought she maybe hadn't gotten there yet. But last weekend she mentioned Richard. I said, You never said a word about Wolf! She said yeah. And made a pouty face. She actually read that part at school. She said she gasped really loud and clapped her hand over her mouth. Her teacher noticed and asked her if she was ok.

:D I know it is not funny but it is. I am so so SO enjoying sharing my love of SK with my girl! She is definitely a fan!!
Love your daughter's reaction. Wonder if her teacher has read The Talisman.
 

cat in a bag

Well-Known Member
Aug 28, 2010
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wyoming
Love your daughter's reaction. Wonder if her teacher has read The Talisman.
I don't know! She said she just kinda giggled and told him she was ok. :biggrin2:

I tried to edit my post but time expired. I just think Sloat is determined to win but yet he comes across as kind of a joker to me. As Sloat. He is a bit more ominous as Orris though.
 

fljoe0

Cantre Member
Apr 5, 2008
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I can identify at least one section that Stephen wrote and it's chapter 27. I know Stephen wrote it because the arc sodiums make an appearance.

It took me a while to figure out when Jack flipped at the rest area, why Sloat just couldn't flip there and chase him down. Then on (my electronic) page 503

"The only thing that kept Jack alive this long was the maddening fact of his single nature. When the whelp flipped to a place, he was always in the analogue place he had left. Sloat, however, always ended up where Orris was..."

I was happy when I read that because I couldn't figure that out.


When I was getting close to the end of Richard and Jack's journey across the Blasted Land, I wondered if they had taken any food or water with them. I don't remember them loading any food or water at the depot.


I think Sunlight Gardner's evil is made worse because he hides that evil behind religion.