The End of the Whole Mess - SKMB Group - 8.15.14

  • This message board permanently closed on June 30th, 2020 at 4PM EDT and is no longer accepting new members.

VultureLvr45

Well-Known Member
Mar 15, 2012
2,650
13,707
Maryland
Since I'm also reading 1984 at the moment, it was scary to read SK's fictitious version of the future in this story and how eerily close to reality it could be-in terms of the state of the world...
Boy Morgan, you are right. With certain areas now finding environmental damage and cancer causing agents. Overall, to me, it is a bit sad.
 

morgan

Well-Known Member
Jul 11, 2010
29,353
104,579
North Dakota
Boy Morgan, you are right. With certain areas now finding environmental damage and cancer causing agents. Overall, to me, it is a bit sad.
It is incredibly sad! In this story the motive was pure and the results were tragic, these days it feels as if the motives are always monetarily based, yet the results are tragic just the same...
 

Neesy

#1 fan (Annie Wilkes cousin) 1st cousin Mom's side
May 24, 2012
61,289
239,271
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Hi Guys,

This is the meeting site for next Fridays discussion group, The End of the Whole Mess, 8.15.14. Let's start a half hour earlier, at 9:30pm EST and 8:30pm Central.

In the back of the book, beginning on page 797 are notes for some of the stories. (Big Thanks to Let's Rock for pointing it out :sweet_kiss:)

Dolan's Cadillac did have notes, so we could discuss them in Dolan's Cadillac 8.8.14 thread if you want between now and next Friday.


Please read with most or some of the following questions in mind to discuss.


1. How did we experience the story? 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, slow or twisty, story pacing.

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 story, 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 story?


These questions gleaned from LitLovers and other reading groups. Also add a question or two if you would like.

I will start with question 8 - Was it satisfying? yes and no - I enjoyed this story overall but it had a dark ending. (Believe it or not I think Dolan's Cadillac was more interesting for me but this is just a personal opinion).
I found it interesting that everyone became more passive and did not want to start wars anymore, etc. but the ultimate price they had to pay was very slowly and gradually losing their faculties i.e. Alzheimer's.

To me that is the scary part of the story and it is due to watching my father slowly 'disappear' as his Alzheimer's worsened. I think for many people this is a disease that is very frightening as really it could happen to anyone. (God - I just hope it is not genetic!)
I think a lot of it is influenced by your level of education, what type of food you eat over the long run, keeping your brain cells engaged with puzzles, etc. I am taking omega 3 oil now and I will eat salmon (not just because I enjoy it) but because of the fish oil.

But I hope this is not getting off topic. :nerd:
 

VultureLvr45

Well-Known Member
Mar 15, 2012
2,650
13,707
Maryland
It is incredibly sad! In this story the motive was pure and the results were tragic, these days it feels as if the motives are always monetarily based, yet the results are tragic just the same...
Agreed, yet, in most of his stories, he gives us hope. In some way, shape or form, it is there like a diamond shimmering in broken coal.
 

VultureLvr45

Well-Known Member
Mar 15, 2012
2,650
13,707
Maryland
I will start with question 8 - Was it satisfying? yes and no - I enjoyed this story overall but it had a dark ending. (Believe it or not I think Dolan's Cadillac was more interesting for me but this is just a personal opinion).
I found it interesting that everyone became more passive and did not want to start wars anymore, etc. but the ultimate price they had to pay was very slowly and gradually losing their faculties i.e. Alzheimer's.

To me that is the scary part of the story and it is due to watching my father slowly 'disappear' as his Alzheimer's worsened. I think for many people this is a disease that is very frightening as really it could happen to anyone. (God - I just hope it is not genetic!)
I think a lot of it is influenced by your level of education, what type of food you eat over the long run, keeping your brain cells engaged with puzzles, etc. I am taking omega 3 oil now and I will eat salmon (not just because I enjoy it) but because of the fish oil.

But I hope this is not getting off topic. :nerd:
Neesy...you made it Chickie :) Not off topic in the least
 

Neesy

#1 fan (Annie Wilkes cousin) 1st cousin Mom's side
May 24, 2012
61,289
239,271
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Agreed, yet, in most of his stories, he gives us hope. In some way, shape or form, it is there like a diamond shimmering in broken coal.
That is a good comment - the fact that in this particular story there did not seem to be any hope (or am I wrong?) Maybe I will go get my copy of the book and dash back here!
Neesy...you made it Chickie :) Not off topic in the least

Thank you! (I will be right back - must run upstairs to get my book)
 

morgan

Well-Known Member
Jul 11, 2010
29,353
104,579
North Dakota
The pure intentions of Bobby and Howie's refusal to blame him for the catastrophic end result, was even sadder to me than what happened to the rest of the world. Probably because we were in this small space with those brothers and could feel their emotions...I tend to be in a bubble with the narrator when I read and often have difficulty seeing the big picture.
 

VultureLvr45

Well-Known Member
Mar 15, 2012
2,650
13,707
Maryland
To me that is the scary part of the story and it is due to watching my father slowly 'disappear' as his Alzheimer's worsened. I think for many people this is a disease that is very frightening as really it could happen to anyone. (God - I just hope it is not genetic!)
I think a lot of it is influenced by your level of education, what type of food you eat over the long run, keeping your brain cells engaged with puzzles, etc. I am taking omega 3 oil now and I will eat salmon (not just because I enjoy it) but because of the fish oil.

Neesy, I agree. Watching people you love or even care about 'wither' is incredibly hard.
 

Neesy

#1 fan (Annie Wilkes cousin) 1st cousin Mom's side
May 24, 2012
61,289
239,271
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
I saw that too-but never noticed those words in SK's works before I joined the SKMB!!! ;-D
I am noticing them now too but before I did not see them (arc sodiums that is :wink:
Yea, this story was short on the hope in the end. But even at the very, very end..I found it so touching that he said ' I forgive you and I Love You' you can't ask for a better ending.
Okay - it turns out there actually IS hope in this little story after all!

I just skimmed through the stuff I read about a week ago (silly me - did my homework too early)...
Here is an excerpt:

"And we f*cked up. In fact I think you could say we f*cked up big time. And do you want the truth? I don't give a sh*t. We killed all the plants, but at least we saved the greenhouse. Something will grow here again someday. I hope.

Are you reading this?
"
This quote is from page 78 of my softcover paperback.