Reading and Discussion Club

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VultureLvr45

Well-Known Member
Mar 15, 2012
2,650
13,707
Maryland
Beginning This Friday Evening 10pm EST, 9pm Central

SKMB Reading and Discussion Group


Book Discussion -Nightmares and Dreamscapes

First Story - Introduction and Dolan's Cadillac


All are invited to participate in discussion about the story. Please re-read the story and be prepared to discuss some or all of the questions.

Please note, we are fans of the Kings Families works. We are starting this thread for those who want to read together, discuss and learn from 'the best'. We respectfully ask to keep on topic during discussion. Please no snark or 'cut down' of others opinions.



Questions to use as we discuss each of the reviewed stories. These were suggestions gleaned from LitLover as well as other reading discussion groups. Perhaps we can add more questions later but this is good to start.

1. How did we experience the book? Immediately engaging?

2. Main Characters Actions, were they justified? What about the dynamics between characters?

3. Any Growth or Maturity by end of tale?


4. Plot, was it engaging? Fast or slow or twisty?

5. Was the timeline sequential or lots of flash backs? Structure, single viewpoint or multiple viewpoints?

6. Themes - Main Ideas used? Any Symbolism?

7. Profound Passages, funny dialogue, or sections that summarize the story

8. Was it satisfying?

9. If you could ask the author one question, regarding this book, what would it be?

10. Has the novel or story changed you in some way?

11. How does the setting figure into the story and would you recommend the book?
 

niro

Well-Known Member
Apr 5, 2013
2,434
14,206
Beginning This Friday Evening 10pm EST, 9pm Central

SKMB Reading and Discussion Group


Book Discussion -Nightmares and Dreamscapes

First Story - Introduction and Dolan's Cadillac


All are invited to participate in discussion about the story. Please re-read the story and be prepared to discuss some or all of the questions.

Please note, we are fans of the Kings Families works. We are starting this thread for those who want to read together, discuss and learn from 'the best'. We respectfully ask to keep on topic during discussion. Please no snark or 'cut down' of others opinions.



Questions to use as we discuss each of the reviewed stories. These were suggestions gleaned from LitLover as well as other reading discussion groups. Perhaps we can add more questions later but this is good to start.

1. How did we experience the book? Immediately engaging?


I liked the introduction makes you want to read Ripley don't you think? Dolans Cadillac is a great short story. It's a fast and easy readable.

2. Main Characters Actions, were they justified? What about the dynamics between characters?
There are not many characters in the story. The main character is a pretty lonley guy. His wife is dead but he talks with her in his imagination. His colleagues at school aren't nice to him. He only mentions one friend which he uses to get his revenge plan done because he needs some help with mathematics.

3. Any Growth or Maturity by end of tale?

After the main character got his revenge. He is haunted first by visions of Dolan. But in the end he finds something like inner peace. He doesn't hear the voice of his dead wife in his imagination and is pleased by that.

4. Plot, was it engaging? Fast or slow or twisty?
It was a fast read. But I knew the storyline because I had seen the movie made of it. I think there is one small change in the plot of the movie. The wife thinks she is pregnant and wanted to buy a pregnancy test. She is killed by starting the ignition

5. Was the timeline sequential or lots of flash backs? Structure, single viewpoint or multiple viewpoints?
The story is written from the husbands point of view. There are flashbacks mostly at the beginning of the story.

6. Themes - Main Ideas used? Any Symbolism?
The main theme is revenge.

7. Profound Passages, funny dialogue, or sections that summarize the story

8. Was it satisfying?
It was a well constructed story. All the planning to get Dolan into the trap. But I don't know if all the bruises of the main character are realistic.

9. If you could ask the author one question, regarding this book, what would it be?

10. Has the novel or story changed you in some way?
It is never discussed by the main character even not in an inner monologe if revenge is the right thing to do. It's years ago when the renvenge takes place. Years during the main character maybe could have lived a better life. On the other hand that's something I like about short stories in general not everything has to be discussed or to be explained.

11. How does the setting figure into the story and would you recommend the book?


How did you expereience the imagined voice of the wife in the end of the story? I thought it was gloomier in the end. She pushed him even when he got injured more and more.


Have fun today while discussing the story. I will have a look on what you think about it.
 
Last edited:

Kurben

The Fool on the Hill
Apr 12, 2014
9,682
65,192
59
sweden
Beginning This Friday Evening 10pm EST, 9pm Central

SKMB Reading and Discussion Group


Book Discussion -Nightmares and Dreamscapes

First Story - Introduction and Dolan's Cadillac


All are invited to participate in discussion about the story. Please re-read the story and be prepared to discuss some or all of the questions.

Please note, we are fans of the Kings Families works. We are starting this thread for those who want to read together, discuss and learn from 'the best'. We respectfully ask to keep on topic during discussion. Please no snark or 'cut down' of others opinions.



Questions to use as we discuss each of the reviewed stories. These were suggestions gleaned from LitLover as well as other reading discussion groups. Perhaps we can add more questions later but this is good to start.

1. How did we experience the book? Immediately engaging?

2. Main Characters Actions, were they justified? What about the dynamics between characters?

3. Any Growth or Maturity by end of tale?

4. Plot, was it engaging? Fast or slow or twisty?

5. Was the timeline sequential or lots of flash backs? Structure, single viewpoint or multiple viewpoints?

6. Themes - Main Ideas used? Any Symbolism?

7. Profound Passages, funny dialogue, or sections that summarize the story

8. Was it satisfying?

9. If you could ask the author one question, regarding this book, what would it be?

10. Has the novel or story changed you in some way?

11. How does the setting figure into the story and would you recommend the book?
I would love to participate but 10 pm eastern time is 4 am my time so chances are i'm off too dreamland. Could i in someway discuss later? Or how does it work? Blasted time differences!
 

VultureLvr45

Well-Known Member
Mar 15, 2012
2,650
13,707
Maryland
How did you expereience the imagined voice of the wife in the end of the story? I thought it was gloomier in the end. She pushed him even when he got injured more and more.

Have fun today while discussing the story. I will have a look on what you think about it.
Hi Niro,
To answer your question
I felt the tone of Elizabeth's voice was
encouraging throughout the story not gloomy. It became something that gave him energy to do the task. Was he haunted by her? No doubt, but it was much more than a revenge story.

Was her voice imagined? I read it as real in his mind (along with an inner pessimist, Harvey Walker, and Tink). To me, this was a story of love and loss, of revenge, regaining balance, then ultimately, letting go.

Our conversation will be on the specific thread. Feel free to read it tomorrow. If you want, next weeks story is The End Of The Whole Mess. Why not read it ahead then we can discuss it if you would like. Both You and Kurben are on Wonky time, but your thoughts are valued.
 

VultureLvr45

Well-Known Member
Mar 15, 2012
2,650
13,707
Maryland
I would love to participate but 10 pm eastern time is 4 am my time so chances are i'm off too dreamland. Could i in someway discuss later? Or how does it work? Blasted time differences!
Kurben,
Join us by reading next weeks story early
. I will start a thread for The End of the Whole Mess towards the end of next week so you can put your questions or thoughts in it. Then when the group reads and discusses, your thoughts can be brought in as well. Definitely, you are welcome to join.
 

SutterKane

Well-Known Member
Jun 7, 2014
297
1,891
41
Kurben,
Join us by reading next weeks story early
. I will start a thread for The End of the Whole Mess towards the end of next week so you can put your questions or thoughts in it. Then when the group reads and discusses, your thoughts can be brought in as well. Definitely, you are welcome to join.

I'll be on board for it next week. This is a great idea by the way!!