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Post by Otus Shortwing on Jul 7, 2015 5:42:23 GMT -5
Hey that's a great idea! The forums move slow enough to where it makes sense to just take a longer time on a larger chunk.
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Post by Burfle, Brookfill & Madrigal on Jul 22, 2015 5:29:48 GMT -5
Speaking of taking a long while * various sheepish expressions* Apologies for slipping behind with book club. I was a little busy for a bit, sorting out end of term with a school related job, but now that I am free again it appears I've lost my Lord Brocktree book If anyone else would like to start conversation on part three then be my guest, or if you want to move on to the next book then just let us know in the thread.
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Post by Otus Shortwing on Jul 22, 2015 6:19:45 GMT -5
Oh no, poor Burfle! I'm working my way through Lord Brocktree still, but it's been hectic since we're still unpacking things and arranging rooms and whatnot, plus working full-time. I am not good at time management. X'D
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Zeke Ruffgar
Loyal Dibbun
Right Paw
"Good always wins. Always! Not just in books but in real life."
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Post by Zeke Ruffgar on Jul 26, 2015 12:14:59 GMT -5
I just realized we haven't discussed Book 2 of Brocktree yet! Well, it's my favorite, so get ready! XD
Book 2: At The Court of King Bucko (also entitled: "The Tribulations of a Haremaid")
Book two is, I would argue, the strongest portion of an already strong book. Let's get into some lit. theory to discuss why:
In fiction writing, there are several very popular book styles - if you break down a plot to it's core conceit, many fiction and fantasy books boil down to one of a few simple plot vehicles. For instance, most Harry Potter books are "school" books. For many many years of writing, authors have penned tales centered around a school. And they sell. Readers love fictional schools. Recently popular are so-called "game" books, in which the plot hinges on some sort of fictional game. And of course, especially in fantasy, writers frequently rely on the age-old classic, the "quest" book. The Lord of the Rings is obviously the quintessential quest book, but there are countless others preceding and (mostly) following in its footsteps.
Now interestingly, in more recent memory, some of the most popular and bestselling fiction books have begun to rely on a combination of two of these tropes. I would contend that some authors may feel that the pinnacle of writing in each category may have already been reached, or that it is stale writing to continue in exactly the same vein. Whatever the reason, audiences have clearly responded favorably to combination books, in both sales and critical acclaim. Two examples: Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game is both a game book and a school book, and won both the Nebula Award and the Hugo Award, the two most prestigious accolades in science fiction. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was the best-selling Harry Potter book at the time it was published (excepting the 1st book, because the 1st book in a series is always the best-selling, fun fact). It was also the most popular to-date, especially with younger readers. GoF, like previous HP books, was a school book, but it was also a game book.
Back to Lord Brocktree: The vast, vast majority of Jacques' books are quest books. Brocktree is both a quest book, and a game book. And book 2 is probably my favorite part of it because of the game mechanic of the book, King Bucko's court. Jacques paints such a vivid picture of the chaos and languor of the court. We see a court that revels in excess, and he builds an environment that appears to be a never-ending party. Jacques satisfyingly answers the question we've all been asking since the beginning of the book - "Wait, why did all the hares leave Salamandastron?"
For me, I love the games in book 2 for the reason everyone loves game books - competitions are fun to read. However, it's also closely tied to Dottie, one of my favorite characters of all time. Jacques deservingly gives Dottie the subtitle of every chapter because this book is not really Brocktree's book - it is hers. Lord Brocktree is the plot device, but he is a largely static character. A bit of our favorite badger deus ex machina tells him to go to Salamandastron, and he spends the whole book as the same person, with the same goal. Conversely, Dottie is a living, breathing, flawed character. Jacques clearly builds her as our window into the story - people quite rightfully identify with the incorrigible haremaid. Brocktree is inacessible and withdrawn at many times for Dottie and others, just as he is to us. But we know exactly how Dottie thinks and feels at all times. We are in her head. Lord Brocktree is really Dottie's coming-of-age story, and Book 2 is so compelling because it is the pivotal moment in which she begins to realize who she is and what she feels her purpose is. She stops shying away from responsibility, and for the first time, realizes that she can rise to other's expectations without sacrificing her uniqueness.
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Post by Burfle, Brookfill & Madrigal on Aug 31, 2016 17:11:23 GMT -5
So a revival of the book club seems to be on the cards then. Considering how disorganised the previous iteration was I think we need a more structured format. Activity through the year seems like it might be a little scarce for many, so perhaps a system where book club is held every two months? One month to read an allotted amount (either whole books or by sub-book) and then a month of time in which we can discuss our thoughts? That gives time for both reading amongst people's work etc. and also time enough for people to get at least one post down with their ideas if they so wish.
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Post by Aurelias & Vernados on Aug 31, 2016 17:17:41 GMT -5
That sounds perfect to me!
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Zeke Ruffgar
Loyal Dibbun
Right Paw
"Good always wins. Always! Not just in books but in real life."
Posts: 348
Main: Zeke Ruffgar
Alt 1: Tristan
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Post by Zeke Ruffgar on Aug 31, 2016 21:36:22 GMT -5
YES PLEASE TIME TO NERD OUT XD
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Post by Isaiah on Sept 1, 2016 1:53:26 GMT -5
Sounds like a good structure to me. It can always be adjusted if we find it's moving too slowly or too fast as well.
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Post by Aquamarine on Sept 9, 2016 11:25:47 GMT -5
I approve of this 100% and would love to join in once I have time to read along. And I will probably lurk on the thread when I don't have time for as much reading.
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Post by Burfle, Brookfill & Madrigal on Sept 9, 2016 15:55:08 GMT -5
Well since we're pretty early in september, perhaps we could count September as our first reading month. I reckon we could either carry on and do the third book of Lord Brocktree, start it over again to give new book club members a chance to give their views, or move on to the next book. Which would be Martin the Warrior (I'm not going to count the middle book of Legend of Luke as a separate thing).
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Post by Aurelias & Vernados on Sept 9, 2016 16:10:32 GMT -5
I don't really care, but my preference would be Martin the Warrior. Burfle, you could create a poll so it would be easier to see what majority picks, do you think we should do that?
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Zeke Ruffgar
Loyal Dibbun
Right Paw
"Good always wins. Always! Not just in books but in real life."
Posts: 348
Main: Zeke Ruffgar
Alt 1: Tristan
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Post by Zeke Ruffgar on Sept 9, 2016 17:16:50 GMT -5
I think we'll call the Brocktree discussion closed since we want a fresh start. Maybe we'll go back to it someday. *Sniffle* I LOVE IT Okay I'm fine. Also I agree - they're chronological on my shelf and I place Legend of Luke where books 1 and 3 fall.
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Post by Aquamarine on Oct 1, 2016 15:52:09 GMT -5
This needs to happen. I'm hearing votes to move on from Brocktree – Martin the Warrior, then? Read in October, discuss in November?
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Zeke Ruffgar
Loyal Dibbun
Right Paw
"Good always wins. Always! Not just in books but in real life."
Posts: 348
Main: Zeke Ruffgar
Alt 1: Tristan
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Post by Zeke Ruffgar on Oct 1, 2016 16:25:31 GMT -5
Yes! Let it be.
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Post by Aquamarine on Oct 1, 2016 16:48:43 GMT -5
Done! *shamelessly edits Burfle's inital post*
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