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babble book club: The Tiger's Wife
January 21, 2014 - 4:09pm
Moving on to our fiction selection, we are now at 'The Tiger's Wife'
I still have yet to draw up a blog with the official details, but as our reading schedule says, the final discussion of 'The Tiger's Wife' will be Friday February 21 right here!
Of course, discussion before and afterhand is always lovely too.
Will post the link to the blog poast when it is published.
My copy has arrived.
Mine too.
Since it is short, I will wait until closer to our discussion date to read it.
OK, I'm in. Just got my copy through the ever reliable IEF (Inter-Extended Family) lending service.
PS. Hey folks, what's with this Caissa dude? "Since it is short, I will wait until closer to our discussion date to read it." Geez - is there an abridged version out there? The copy I got is 337 pages long, - and if I don't start soon, I won't finish before Easter.
He likes to read.
Give him his due, U. Caissa likes to read like Paul Walker likes to drive - FAST!
I'm currently reading an 800 page book, Paris. I read about 140 books last year, sherpa-finn.
140 games of chess a year would not have surprised me, Caissa. But 140 books!! .... I doff my hat to you. Sincerely.
I play well over 140 games of chess ayear since I play blitz and lunch almost eveery work day.
I just checked into this conversation and it is amazing.
I acutally OWN a copy of this book (what what!) -- I asked for it two years ago at Christmas and began reading it and immediately put it down because of the mentions about the Balkan War.
I think this read might have potential compare and contrast moments to The Cellist of Sarajevo just in theme/representation, though The Tiger's Wife doesn't focus on the Balkan War completely.
Read the first 100 pages on the weekend. It is an enjoyable read.
She is a magnificent writer. It is almost appalling that she was about 23 or so when she wrote this.
Appaling or appealing?
haha both! Young talent is always dumbfounding.
Started last night and read the first 30 pages -- very good so far.
but the question still remains WHO IS THE TIGER'S WIFE?!?!
WHAT DOES THE FOX SAY!!??
250 pages down and it is clear who the Tiger's Wife is for the last 100 pages or so.
Just through the first 100 pages ... I find the overall tone and atmosphere (so far) rather dark and forboding .... not sure I would have kept at it if not for the BBB. But some passages (late night elephant; man who could not die) are really quite magical.
There don't seem to be any good movies in town this weekend and I'm not a fan of the Olympics, - so have every intention to make good progress on The Tigers Wife.
Hi, sorry I dropped off there. Have been dealing with some family emergencies these past couple of weeks (sidebar: 2014 is off to a great start. Ah, not.)
I should be able to finish the selection for Friday, and probably no earlier though! Ah!
I'm glad we find out who the Tiger's Wife is and SF that you are going to haaaang on!
It was voted one of the best books of 2012 (or whatever year) ... so that means something right?
It wasn't the best book I have read drecently. Could never develop any rhythm while I was reading it.
It looks like I will be tied up Friday afternoon and unable to join the 'live' discussion. So let me share a few initial comments ....
I agree with Caissa - for me, this was not a great read. There were certainly passages that I found quite captivating - but they all tended to be front-end loaded in the first half of the book. The passages seen through the eyes of the tiger (wasn't that a song from the 80s?) were particularly strong - eerily reminiscent of Grendel creeping around the villages in Beowulf. And the 'flashbacks' told by the Grandfather were also compelling.
But overall I found the jumping backwards and forwards of the narrative confusing and not very engaging / satisfactory. At points I felt like I had lost the thread of it all. And the sense of affection and intimacy between the Grandfather + Granddaughter which seemed central at the outset dissipated as we moved forward, overwhelmed by everything else going on.
All things considered, it was an interesting insight into rural life, mythologies and superstitions in the back hills of the former Yugoslavia. But to be honest, I did not find that the voice / perspective of the primary narrator, Zora the contemporary young doctor, added much to the telling.
All in all, I think the book would have worked better as a simple historical narrative, told more-or-less chronologically through the eyes of the Grandfather. And the tiger, of course.
I'm in so much trouble. I've only finished 52%. My attention keeps wandering for some reason (maybe like the narrative?), and I do have a few other things to do in life - but I find the prose captivating. So in case I don't finish and can't participate as knowledgeably as others, I thought I'd share my favourite bit so far:
I love that so much!
Hi all, I wasn't able to finish reading the book either due to extenuating circumstances, and apologize profusely!
I will still be here throughout the day and at 2pm EST to discuss (and then after when I actually finish), but am eager to hear the other opinions.
Thanks to those who have already dropped some comments too -- quite curious!
Everyone I have talked to (four people, who are all big readers with excellent taste) had nothing but great things to say about this book, so it has been interestin to hear another perspective...
Everyone I have talked to (four people, who are all big readers with excellent taste) had nothing but great things to say about this book....
Which implies precisely what about present company? (He responds, perhaps over-sensitively, as a modest reader of dubious taste).
Personally, I have poor taste.
In case anyone was thinking of biting me.
Exactly that. Hacks with no taste ;)
Merely questioning my friends suggestions is all, and wanting to know the various opinions.
Hmm, interesting points on that one.
I find the jumping back in forth in other historical fiction books I have read (The Man Game for one) very distracting as well, and at times needlessly lengthening a story.
Perhaps it's an unsuccessful format that many choose to blend the two time frames together? (*thinking of successful books that jump timelines*)
Our conversation has begun, and I think we'll be a little thin today because I know a few of us (myself included) haven't been able to finish the book.
However, it seems like some who have did not find it the greatest, which is still an interesting discussion!
Wondering how others viewed the book, perhaps if they would recommend (or what would they recommend instead) and what were some parts that they potentially enjoyed?
Seeing as how I'm not too far, I'll just weigh in a little. Here are my initial thoughts:
- I was immediately captivated. I thought the author did a great job of ushering in themes and style that immediately grabbed me: alluding to the genocide in the Balkans ("what side were they on? what repercussions did this have on their family?") and the death and relationship with her grandfather ("why was he keeping it a secret? Where was he and why?")
- thought her writing was visceral. That tiger attack scene was gripping, as was the getting burgers scene
Interested to know that if it started off great for people (which it seemed to) where did it drop off? Was it just confusion and distraction within the timeline?
Perhaps it's an unsuccessful format that many choose to blend the two time frames together? (*thinking of successful books that jump timelines*)
Trying to think of an example. At first blush it seems to be a technique that works better in movies than books, IMHO.
And the bigger question for me in the case of The Tigers Wife was what exactly was the "added value" of the contemporary story-line. I just did not find thet voice or that element of the narrative particularly compelling. Compared to the "lions and tigers and bears" of the earlier timeline.
OK - I made up the lion part.
I thought the primary narrator was Natalia? Mind you, I've only read 60%.
I already quoted the part that I kinetically enjoyed (13-year-old Zóra's reaction to some priest telling her animals don't have souls). What did you like?