WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?
Ummm...what do you want me to say????
Ok, well I will start by saying, this book just isnt for me. THE END....
Ok for real, the first page and a half is a little weird. I'm not sure what it was talking about, nor what a hare and it's nose moisture has to do with the quick and the dead. However, I do like the last question on the page "Which would you prefer to have your life compared to, wind or dust?" Its an interesting question, although Im not sure what the wind and the dust represent, or if they are supposed to represent anything. But this question did make me wonder and I think if I had to choose, I would want to have my life compared to wind. I dont know, Im not sure. I think wind. But I think, rather than comparing I think the question would be better as "Which would you prefer to live your life as". This has nothing to do with anything so lets move on.
The first paragraph of the book sounds like a play on words for a suicide note. Maybe thats just my negative look on things, maybe its because I was watching a suicide story on tv while I was reading it and it was fresh in my head.
I think little Alice here has the WRONG job. She should not be around kids. Or anyone for that matter. She should be watched closely at all times. What is with not being able to talk about compost early in the morning? I mean come one. People can talk about compost allllllllllllll day! And jelly bags are my new favorite article of clothing. No doubt.
Now, through these chapters I was trying to figure out what the heck was wrong with this Alice girl. She is just weird. But some of the things she was talking about was kind of genius, she is smart, and intelligent, yet dumb and stupid. The more I read, the wiser she became. When she was with Corvus talking about her family, she actually seemed human.
I'm not too sure what is going on in this book, but I don't like it, its almost as bad as Annie Dillard. Dont get me started with that woman!
http://jerz.setonhill.edu/EL237/2009/10/williams_the_quick_and_the_dea/
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Shellie Polly on WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?: Melissa, I think theres a poss
Brooke Kuehn on WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?: Josie, im glad someone else is
Josie Rush on WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?: Whoa, Annie Dillard, huh? You
Melissa Schwenk on WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?: I hadn’t thought too much abou
I hadn’t thought too much about the questions in the beginning of the book, but now that you mention them, I’m wondering whether or not the wind represents the quickness part of the title and the dust represents the dead. This could be a bit of a stretch, but there is a similar parallel between the two words and objects.
As far as Alice was portrayed, I think she was a little weird, especially in the beginning, but as you said she does progress into showing that she is a better person. However despite all her growth, she was pretty insensitive to hearing about Annabel’s mother’s death. Instead she goes on to talk about “A fish restaurant, here? Where do you find a fish restaurant around here?” (29) and then continues to ponder the fish thing more than the actual fact that Annabel is explaining about her mother’s death. Mostly, I think Alice has her good and bad moments though.
Whoa, Annie Dillard, huh? You must really hate this book. lol.
Karyssa and I were talking about the possible metaphors throughout the story so far. We've decided that we are profoundly clueless, basically. But we have a game plan that I will share with you, because I think this book has the potential to be a favorite for many people. Don't overthink the metaphors as you read. Just sort of read, take in the plot, let things "jump out" at you, and then, later, analyze it. This may be a book that has to be read twice to be really appreciated. Once for pure entertainment value, and once for "understanding".
Just don't freak out if you think you're missing something. We all are.
Josie, im glad someone else is waiting to analyze the deeper meanings until after reading the book. There is so much we could close read but if we analyzed everything this book has to offer then i dont think i would be able to finish the job this semester.
Melissa, I think theres a possibility that you might be right about the wind and the dust, I never even considered that. I think I was too "away" with the book that I was just curious but didnt really want to know haha. But it could be anything. And I appreciate your help and insight! :)
Josie, THANK YOU! haha
Brooke, well make jerz do all the analyzing since we are getting nowhere!
Maybe this is a good book and I'm just not seeing it. Maybe it is one that has to be read more than once and or cose read while reading it in order to get the full understanding and appreciate it. I will hang in there for a little while longer!
You're not alone in disliking this book. It just seems so sad and depressing with no structure or light at the end. The open-ended plot adds to my dislike as does the switching in point of views. It's weird because I enjoyed Catcher in the Rye, but not this.
And I agree, she should not be around children. I don't think she should be locked up though, but maybe it's because I don't relate to her/care about what happens.