Discussion Questions and the Like...

I only have a minute, but thanks Lisa for jumping on into a discussion on this. I want to discuss Laurie more, because I definitely came at her with a different perspective, but neither am I a woman so I'm curious to talk more on that. But! Since I'm short on time, here's some curiosities I have for you. Pick and choose, or come up with whatever you want to discuss.

Firstly, did you like it?

Second, strictly from a plot p.o.v. what did you think? Did you know where it was going?(Admittedly I was surprised by where the story was going; I liked the play on the traditional form.)

Do you think Viedt's plan would work, particularly looking at the world he was trying to fix? What do you think of Viedt and Jon's discussion at the end?

Lisa already jumped in on this subject, but this is definitely a character heavy piece, so who did you like, or hate, and why. All of these characters are responding to things in their world around them, what do you think of their motivations?

Third, and my favorite, tell me thematically what you pulled from this book. Is it an accurate representation (if fictionalized) of our world and society (super hero stuff aside, naturally)? What does it say about us as humans? Or about our future? Do you agree? Can you make any parallels to our modern world?

Talk to me about tone, about parts you liked, about anything, really. Why do you think this book is considered significant. Jennie, are you glad I made you read it? What do you think about it in relation to other "super hero" stories, or films. Do you think the film can capture it well enough to be worthwhile?

Tell me tell me tell me!

Lisa, I have more to respond to your comments, but it'll have to wait until after work. Until then...

Weighing in on Watchmen

Where to begin? First off, I am very glad that Peter assigned this book. I don't think it's something I would have read otherwise, and it was definitely worth reading. Part of why I say that is because I kept getting pissed off at the book, and I always think that's worth my time, because knowing what makes you angry is valuable and interesting, and it's worth examining.

So . . . let's see. As I said before, I was frustrated with Laurie's character. I tend to be sensitive about portrayals of female characters, and if I get twirked off with how an author (male or female) portrays a woman or women, I get annoyed with the book overall. The best explanation I can give for what annoys me most of the time, and what annoyed me here, was that Laurie seemed fake to me. This was not a real person, let alone a real woman. She was a foil, someone's idea of a woman. Written by someone who apparently has never met a girl. She was constantly in histrionics, yelling or crying or sleeping with someone. Seriously?

On the other hand, I thought her mom was hilarious. "Here . . . take my old comic porn . . . har har har."

I loved the quotes that concluded each section, and the interspersion of articles. I thought they were genius and really added to the overall work. People kept seeing me read it and were like, "I didn't know you read comic books!" and I had to decide whether to get into the graphic novel discussion or debate the finer lines of artwork combined with prose that's part of a complete subset of literature . . . anyway. It's a pretty impressive and seminal work in its genre.

I wasn't really sure what to make of the persistent undercurrents of homophobia in the book - were the authors trying to point out others' prejudice or expressing their own? I found that really unclear. Thoughts?

What else - they kept killing animals, the dogs and the pretty kitty, which was super distracting. I dunno - everyone has their trigger points, and animals is way high on my list. Along with fake people and glaring prejudice. I guess the animals and homophobia could have been included as an intentional commentary on the the overall crappiness of humanity though . . . and maybe the authors thought Laurie represented all of femininity and purposefully made her one-dimensional. I don't think so on her, though, I think they had no idea they were writing her that way, because she seemed like one of the characters they liked and thought was worthwhile.

I thought it was really interesting to see how the city was portrayed - it's definitely a representation of NYC in the 1980s, when everything was going to hell in a handbasket. Kitty Genovese reference and all. And of course all the Cold War references, and the despair people felt in the aftermath of Vietnam and Nixon. I think the sorrow people felt with those events was really just the result of technological advances - tape recordings that made it possible to see the machinations of self-obsessed politicians (the machinations and selfobsession being nothing new - Rome, anyone?) and the videos of actual combat situations in 'Nam (Sherman's March to the Sea? the origin of the word decimate?). Anyway, I always think it's adorably naive when people are shocked by their politicians or the realities of war. Not that we shouldn't be upset and hold people to account - but the shock is a bit silly.

Parallels between Ozymandias taking out NYC to cause peace and Truman bombing Japan in WWII. "Hollywood cowboy" reference to RR. Etc., etc.

Hmm- I dunno. Peter, give us some discussion questions!

OMG, LOL, ROFL

Ok- I suck. I did finish Watchmen and I will post at length later tonight! Sorry, I've been dealing with international red eye flights, the roommate hunt, starting classes, teaching classes, etc. But I have lots to say and will say it soon! Yay!

My Watchmen Weekend

So I apologize for not having written more, but I was in San Diego this last week at... who would've guessed, Comic Con. It was quite an experience, I shall say (Will's life was made when he met Tori Amos). I wasn't able to get into Zack Snyder's presentation on Watchmen, which was unfortunate because I heard him speak about it last year and it sounded like he was making a distinct effort to preserve the comic experience. We'll see how he does (apparently the movie is already 3 hours, and they're doing the pirate sub plot animated, to be released on dvd, then later a special edition cut back in, which would be interesting).

I did meet the costumer of the film, who explained that he had to alter some of the costuming based on demands from the special fx, action choreographers, etc. I think most are okay versions, though Ozymandias I still question a bit. The costumer explained that for the scenes, having that metal thing around his neck didn't work out, which is why they altered that.

Alright, I'm rambling. Its just that this movie if done right, will give people way more than they bargained for. Most people think its just a super hero film, and it really isn't.

Lastly, look! I got to see the owl ship from the film. That's right, its rocking.

Dr. Manhattan

I agree with both of you that this book is difficult to discuss as you're reading it, but I was wondering if I'm totally out of line in thinking Dr. Manhattan is obnoxious. I thought he was pretty cool until I read Chapter IV. As I was reading that chapter I asked Paul about what he thought (he's a little bit ahead of me at the moment), and he agreed with me.

People who don't accept responsibility for their actions and always act the victim of their circumstances really bother me. Sure his dad didn't want him to be a watchmaker. Sure he didn't choose to become Dr. Manhattan, both in body and name. But it seems to me a childish and wimpy thing to do to blame everything that's ever happened to you on other people. The fact that he's the most powerful being alive due to accidental circumstances explains some of it. But Dr. Manhattan was like that before he ever became Dr. Manhattan. On page 5 of Chapter IV he says, "That happens to me a lot. Other people seem to make all my moves for me." Am I the only one that finds this sentiment repulsive? Claiming you have no control over your actions makes you seem more like an animal than a human being. Anyway, I'm interested to see where Dr. Manhattan's story goes. As of now, though, I don't like him very much as a person.

Aside from that, I thought Chapter IV was very cool from a literary standpoint. It was intriguing how the skewed timeline and juxtaposition of seemingly unrelated events told a different story altogether. I understand how this was such a groundbreaking novel. I'm really enjoying it. :)

Stuff from EW!

I just learned it's going to be a movie! So exciting. I'm liking it very much so far, but I need to read fast! I don't want to take it to Ecuador with me because I'm afraid it will get hurt. Maybe I'll just have to risk it - it would be such a great and engrossing plane book.

Here's a cool article I found. I'm sure Peter's already read it, though! Too bad we can't all dress up and go to the premier.

The Trailer is up

http://www.traileraddict.com/trailer/watchmen/trailer

I'm dying to know your thoughts, Peter. Though I imagine you're at a movie theater at the moment, and you'll see it on the big screen tonight.

I'm only about a third of the way through the book, but it was way cool to see some of the scenes brought to life.

What do you think of it, Lisa?

First Impressions

I turned to the first page and thought, "So that's what the cover is!"

Other than that, I'm just 15 pages in, and I'm finding that reading a graphic novel is definitely an adjustment. It's hard to get used to! I'm sure it will get easier as I go. So far it's been difficult to get into a rhythm with the reading and looking at the illustrations. Also, I'm already fascinated with the character of Rorschache, and I'm anxious to delve into the story further.

The adventure continues!

For Your Consideration...

I considered several different books, but one refused to disappear from the back corners of my psyche, and it seems to have won out. My reasons for suggesting this book are many - the least being that it has received numerous awards including a listing as one of Time's best 100 novels, as well as a Hugo; the most being that I would like to discuss this book with other intellectuals (that is if I might group myself into such an elitist setup, or if I'm not invited to the party I'd like to think I would be jumping up and down at the window straining for a glance in...); but average reasons scatter into categories such as the two of you (I'm venturing a guess here) probably haven't read it.

Okay, so I have read this title, but only once a while ago, and I would voraciously welcome a chance to re-read it, and as I mentioned, rabidly discuss it with others (something I sadly lacked on the first go). So without further ado, I humbly propose the next book of Hack 'n Slash Monthly be Watchmen by Alan Moore/Dave Gibbons.

Its an odd book club choice. But really, who cares? Its fascinating, unusual, pertinent and also kind of disturbing. Let me add that while it is a graphic novel, it is not exactly a light read (in my experience Moore rarely relies on the images alone to get you through). It also seems apropos as the film version (which Moore has adamantly rejected as he does all films based on his works) comes out next year. Tell me your thoughts on this.