I love the point you brought up about the home/office structure of Ida’s section, and how it begins to break down. I want to reread it already with that in mind!
I thank Jess for that! Her paying attention to structure has helped me think through it more. Taking notes and prepping to write also help a lot. I did not see that at all the first time I read it!
Can I just say how upset I am that the piece of Bevel's memoir that really resonated with me was actually a plagiarized memory, hard work on the part of a ghostwriter just clipped and copied to satiate his own conscience? That it was *that easy* for him to think it was him... also that he assigned this kind of project to someone who was relatively inexperienced and expected so much of her. Not that Ida didn't rise to the occasion, but he clearly understands as little about the craft of writing as he does about his own marriage... imagine. "All I need is a secretary."
I'm now pretty convinced that he's bad, but I'm wondering if the fourth part will elucidate what type of villain exactly, whether he's careless or devious? WHICH IS WORSE?
You guys have the best picks. Can't wait to see what happens
Oh Meredith! I love all of these thoughts. I am SO excited to discuss this book in person because I think the reading experiences of each person will vary so widely and it will be so fun to think about.
I loved this section. Coming in hot with feelings and 'facts' (maybe) after Bevel's dreary unfinished autobiography. I liked that we jumped around in Ida's timeline. And loved the nod to Gatsby (in the gift shop) as that one of the first vibes I picked up reading Vanner. I didn't see coming that Jack was the blackmailer. It's fascinating that Bevel gets less impressive section by section as we learn more. Even fictionalised Rask is quite the intriguing enigma. The recounting detective stories at dinner memory theft is genius–completely blew my mind when I read it. That and the fake fake pages, so many layers of false, stolen and fabricated stories. Loved Ida and her Dad dynamic. And the question of immigration it raises when that's the origin of all the super rich families not many generations before. Great round-up!
Agree - this was such a good section! I also never saw it coming that Jack was the blackmailer...I'm interested in the fact that Ida chose to respond to the blackmail threat with fiction/lies. That's essentially what Bevel is doing with his "memoir" in response to the "threat" he is faced with in the reception of Vanner's novel. SO many layers here!!
I love the point you brought up about the home/office structure of Ida’s section, and how it begins to break down. I want to reread it already with that in mind!
Agreed, I would not have noticed that on my own! nice work, Kelsie!
I thank Jess for that! Her paying attention to structure has helped me think through it more. Taking notes and prepping to write also help a lot. I did not see that at all the first time I read it!
Can I just say how upset I am that the piece of Bevel's memoir that really resonated with me was actually a plagiarized memory, hard work on the part of a ghostwriter just clipped and copied to satiate his own conscience? That it was *that easy* for him to think it was him... also that he assigned this kind of project to someone who was relatively inexperienced and expected so much of her. Not that Ida didn't rise to the occasion, but he clearly understands as little about the craft of writing as he does about his own marriage... imagine. "All I need is a secretary."
I'm now pretty convinced that he's bad, but I'm wondering if the fourth part will elucidate what type of villain exactly, whether he's careless or devious? WHICH IS WORSE?
You guys have the best picks. Can't wait to see what happens
Oh Meredith! I love all of these thoughts. I am SO excited to discuss this book in person because I think the reading experiences of each person will vary so widely and it will be so fun to think about.
I loved this section. Coming in hot with feelings and 'facts' (maybe) after Bevel's dreary unfinished autobiography. I liked that we jumped around in Ida's timeline. And loved the nod to Gatsby (in the gift shop) as that one of the first vibes I picked up reading Vanner. I didn't see coming that Jack was the blackmailer. It's fascinating that Bevel gets less impressive section by section as we learn more. Even fictionalised Rask is quite the intriguing enigma. The recounting detective stories at dinner memory theft is genius–completely blew my mind when I read it. That and the fake fake pages, so many layers of false, stolen and fabricated stories. Loved Ida and her Dad dynamic. And the question of immigration it raises when that's the origin of all the super rich families not many generations before. Great round-up!
Agree - this was such a good section! I also never saw it coming that Jack was the blackmailer...I'm interested in the fact that Ida chose to respond to the blackmail threat with fiction/lies. That's essentially what Bevel is doing with his "memoir" in response to the "threat" he is faced with in the reception of Vanner's novel. SO many layers here!!