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Post by dolly on Jul 31, 2012 14:27:36 GMT -5
a reminder that the "July" bookclub chat is happening on Wednesday, August 1st at 8pm EST. we will be discussing the book Touch & Go by Thad Nodine. amzn.com/1609530616please see the book club thread for details on how to join us if it's your first time. paradevo.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=devs&action=display&thread=3835 or private message devogirl or myself if you have any questions. all devs are welcome! -------- this thread is for additional discussion of the book pre or post-chat, and for those who are unable to join the chat to participate in the discussion. so please jump in if you have any comments or things you'd like to discuss!
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Post by Emma on Jul 31, 2012 22:40:46 GMT -5
I'm so bummed I am going to miss the book discussion but also am a terrible at reviewing books without some prompting from others. I finished the book a while ago. It was one of those books that I fell asleep reading and woke up wanting to read more. While you all know I am not a blind guy dev it held a little bit of dev appeal for me. I was interested in learning about the things he is capable of and impressed with his independence. I guess what he did may be typical for someone who lost their sight at an early age however I have never known anyone like that or researched it online. My perception of a blind persons ability was definitely changed after reading the book I loved hearing him describe how he was able to compensate and make up for his lack of vision. For example when he talked about using little auditory cues (that most sighted people ignore) to know what was happening in the room. I also enjoyed the parts where they talked about his scar and how others perceived him after seeing it hence the large glasses he wore halfway through the book. I also loved the part with the woman who was sexually interested in him - I can't recall her name. The scene outside on the patio of the pool and after they went running down the golf course hill were devy for me. I enjoyed how his character was portrayed as attractive and desirable by the author and not a typical asexual disabled guy. Overall I found the book well written despite the disability theme which was refreshing since we often are forced to struggle through bad writing just to get a disability themed book.
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Post by devogirl on Jul 31, 2012 23:50:42 GMT -5
So glad you liked it! Blind people can be very independent if they receive proper training. Losing sight very young also helps. Braille is hard; it's easier to learn as a kid, same for mobility. The way he uses wind, air movement, and echoes to orient himself is very common. Some blind people can use that to identify obstacles, not just buildings, but trees and parked cars. He doesn't talk about it in the book, but some people have developed echolocation that gives a pretty accurate picture of their surroundings. It's only been studied and taught recently, but there are descriptions of people doing it as far back as the 18th century.
The girl's name is Natalie, and I agree, I really liked the running scene, very devvy! I also really liked the way he identified everyone by the sound of their shoes or footsteps.
The author said in a note at the end that he based the character of Kevin on someone he knew. That's probably why he's such a well-rounded, realistic character. The author clearly did research too, it really shows. Amazing the difference some research will make.
Oh and there will be spoilers in this thread. I was surprised by a lot of the twists in the plot, I think it made it more enjoyable not to know what would happen next. So if you haven't read it yet but still want to, you've been warned, you might want to come back to this thread later.
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Post by Emma on Aug 1, 2012 0:21:51 GMT -5
Yes DG I have heard of that. I was fascinated by the documentary about the Ben Underwood the blind kid who had amazing echolocation skills. For those who haven't seen it here is part 1 of 5:
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Post by Ximena on Aug 1, 2012 8:32:47 GMT -5
Yes, I read the book Crashing Through - which is a kind of biography of sorts and the blind guy in that had the ability to echolocate, although it's apparently not that common.
I enjoyed this book at first; I loved Kevin and thought he made a rich narrator, but I was disappointed by how the book felt underdeveloped as a whole. I never really felt that Kevin had a chance to resolve his conflict, but eh I'm very picky lol.
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Post by ruthmadison on Aug 1, 2012 19:29:49 GMT -5
I am so thrilled that we have a bunch of new devs! Awesome to meet you all
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Post by Emma on Aug 1, 2012 22:41:46 GMT -5
Missing you all
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Post by devogirl on Aug 2, 2012 6:35:51 GMT -5
Thanks everyone for a great chat. It was nice to get to know so many new members!
Glad to hear that so many people liked the book and found it devvy, even those who are not blind guy devs.
So Ximena, I'd like to hear more about why you thought it was underdeveloped. What was missing for you? What did you think of the Katrina scenes?
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Post by ruthmadison on Aug 2, 2012 7:57:13 GMT -5
Missing you all We missed you too!
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Post by Ximena on Aug 2, 2012 10:07:12 GMT -5
Thanks everyone for a great chat. It was nice to get to know so many new members! Glad to hear that so many people liked the book and found it devvy, even those who are not blind guy devs. So Ximena, I'd like to hear more about why you thought it was underdeveloped. What was missing for you? What did you think of the Katrina scenes? Yes, so sorry I wasn't able to make it!! OK let me see... Basically I loved the book initially, I couldn't put it down. I really enjoyed Kevin, I thought he was an interesting character and I was thrilled that he was the first-person narrator and we got to see the world from his perspective... But once it got to the Katrina part, I really felt cheated, as a reader. Rather than adding something to the story, it almost felt like a deus-ex machina that allowed the author to skirt by without having Kevin face Isa (since she conveniently dies). The pacing also seemed to get totally thrown out the window at that part, and I didn't feel that Kevin ever had a true epiphany in which he realizes he needs to change and is forced to do so (and I did feel a lack of resolution from HIS actions with Isa was a large part of this), so the ending didn't feel satisfying; I felt like the story still had to go on a little more to really resolve his conflict. I was also frustrated by the fact that we never really get a reason or flashback into how Kevin got so deep into drugs in the first place, and since that seemed essential to his growth as a character, I felt this lacking more than I may have otherwise. I felt almost as if the author didn't really understand what Kevin's conflict was, what his path to transformation was. Personally, because his relationship with the children was so strong (and significant), I really expected more of an About A Boy type story in which the children teach the adult how to be more mature and grow up. In the end, I gave it 2/5 stars because it really fell apart so much for me. I was very, very disappointed.
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Post by Ximena on Aug 2, 2012 10:07:55 GMT -5
Here's a copy of the review I wrote on Good Reads, which I did when it was still fresh so it might sound more coherent:
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Post by Kid A on Aug 2, 2012 18:08:49 GMT -5
I just wanted to say how lovely it was to speak with all of you yesterday! I had a blast and can't wait to partake next month. Maybe this time I'll be a good student and do my homework. I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH! <3
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Post by Valkyrja on Aug 2, 2012 21:34:47 GMT -5
Emma you've been missed!!.... but DG was an excelent host! Thanks DG!! It was great to know GoBananas, InTheory and Kid A (at last someone, beside dear Lavly, as "dirty mouth" as I am!!! LOL... I love it!)
Thank you all for the chat, Girls!!... When is gonna be the next one and what are we gonna do...? Book or movie?
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Post by old_dumb_grid on Aug 2, 2012 22:59:30 GMT -5
I wasn't able to make it yesterday due to a road trip... But I'll definitely be there next month - I can't wait to get to know everyone!
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ej
Full Member
Posts: 218
Gender: Female
Relationship Status: In a relationship
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Post by ej on Aug 2, 2012 23:41:31 GMT -5
It sounds like y'all had such a fabulous chat last night! I'm bummed I couldn't join. II'm SO going to next month What is next month's book?
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