Story Discussion 2018: Bog Girl by Karen Russell
- Thread starter Dana Jean
- Start date
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I'll ck back in in a few-- Dana Jean -- when you sign off pick a volunteer for next weeks group.
I enjoyed this story. Quirky and fun, the way everyone accepts Bog Girl. I thought she did come alive at the end, that Cillian's love brought her back. But then he didn't want her. That made me sad. I thought they would live happily ever after. Ha!
Kind of reminded me in a way of the movie Lars and the Real Girl with Ryan Gosling. The way everyone went along with the fantasy.
Kind of reminded me in a way of the movie Lars and the Real Girl with Ryan Gosling. The way everyone went along with the fantasy.
Yes, everyone just accepted this Bog girl as just another girl. Maybe a lesson for us that we need to be more accepting of things and people and cultures and religions and and and and....that we don't understand. That scare us. That are different or odd.
Yes , another good comparison. Lars and the real girl.
He wanted her until he felt she was really wanting him, then the magic was gone and he puts her back in the bog. WTH?
To "meet" her family. Yes!
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.
Cat or Doc, are either of you thinking about a story you would care to share for next week?
I'd be glad to but I don't have one in mind. If Cat is game then I'd happily acquiesce.
In every story we read, we are all going to relate to it from a body of knowledge. So no, I don't think you are over thinking it. It is your truth as you see this story and these characters. And that's what makes a great discussion. We all see and feel something different and by sharing it, we open ourselves up to look at things from a different viewpoint, a different perspective.
It's interesting to get people talking about writing.
I think every two weeks would be a better rhythm, for me. That's just a suggestion. Life flies by and I feel like there is so much to cram in.
You're also running The Stand group so that's hard to fit it all in.
But, I like the weekly story format because they are short stories and nothing too involved time-wise.
I agree. This was really an after thought, though. I didn't dissect it as closely upon finishing it as I am this evening. It is more conjecture than analysis.
cat in a bag -- do you have a story you'd like to share for next week?
I am going to look for Vampires in the Lemon Grove when I go back to the used book store.
That had some great stories in it.
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 for hosting next week.
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 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?