Welcome back, members of the PopUK Book Club! Last week we discussed the first part, so now it's time to talk about the middle section of Choke. Feel free to read ahead, but please don't reveal any spoilers in the comments.
A quick reminder of how the Book Club works is that each week I'll suggest a section to complete by the following Monday, and will post a few questions to start our discussion in the comments section. We'll read a book a month.
We'll discuss the final part on Mon. 27th, so we're ready for the film version, starring Sam Rockwell and Angelica Houston, when it's released next month.
After the jump you'll find questions to start the discussion, but feel free to write about whatever you found interesting.
The next assignment: Read to the end of Choke (Chapter 49) by Mon. 27 Oct.
Ready to discuss the middle section of Choke? Just read more.
- What do you think about the idea that Victor was conceived from the foreskin of Jesus? And his mantra of: What would Jesus NOT do?
- What are your thoughts on Denny's rock collecting?
- Victor says addictions enable us to escape our knowledge, and he claims being an addict is a pro-active way of knowing how you'll die. How do you feel about the way addiction is represented in the novel?
Ann Sofie Back
Crocs
Valentino
STILL waiting for my book to arrive, it's been 3 weeks. You have no idea how pi**ed I am.
1Oh no! That's so frustrating Advah. It's a great read, so I hope you enjoy it when it finally arrives. Will look forward to reading what you think of it
2I'll def come back and post when I get it.
Difficult not to read people's comments
to avoid spoilers, but I can't wait to start reading it!
3Great news!
4Haven't quite finished this section, but am enjoying it and will post soon. How frustrating Advah, I hope you get the book soon, it's a great read and I'd love to hear your take on it!
5Looking forward to reading your thoughts on this section supersocks!
6Hi all!
This book gets better and better! Here are my thoughts:
1. It seems pretty ironic that Victor *might* be conceived from the foreskin of Christ, as he specifically says he doesn't want to be sensitive and Christ-like. I think the whole What would Jesus NOT do thing (which I find hilarious, btw) is just like how he calls himself bad names, and is totally down on himself - it's like he deliberately wants to have a low opinion of himself, so that he doesn't disappoint.
2. I absolutely love Denny's rock collecting! It ties in with the idea of creating something that seems to be becoming an important aspect of the book. It's all about the process of collecting, rather than the specific end result - as long as his life adds up to something, he'll be satisfied.
I'm still thinking about the the way addiction is represented in the novel - it's so complex that I'll need to ruminate on this aspect further and report back soon!
Advah - hope you get a copy soon, it's a cracking read!
supersocks - will look forward to your comments too!
7Aaw thanks guys!
Hah I've seen a library near by has the French translation (go
figure), I might just give up and go read that one!
8Thanks for your comments spc!
I know what you mean about the Victor as descendent of Christ situation being ironic. Paige says to him early on in this middle section "You'd like to be God" and I think that's really interesting, when you consider how Victor tries to control situations and pretend to be whichever person others need him to be.
I love Denny's rock collecting too! What you say about the idea of creation being important is really interesting. The idea that "nothing is as good as what you can imagine" is relevant to that aspect of the novel too, and it's one of the most intriguing aspects to me.
I'll look forward to reading your comments about addiction.
Advah - good luck with getting a copy of the book!
91. I think the "conceived from Jesus's foreskin" idea is really funny, and highlights one of the ideas in this book that what we most lack is acceptance of ourselves as we're all a mix of good and not-so-good. Especially ironic as Victor constantly refers to himself in a derogatory manner even when he talks about himself as a little boy eg "the stupid little sh*t-heel kid". I agree spc, I find the What would Jesus NOT do thing hilarious too!
2. Denny's rock collecting is brilliant
i love how he gets bigger and bigger rocks
and how he's found that people will do a lot for you if you are a guy with a baby! I agree Pop, it illustrates the nothing-is-ever-enough side of addiction, and how it can just balloon into
something so unmanageable.
3. I think the book shows how addictions are so closely linked to fantasies and in a sense everyone who has any kind of fantasy is an addict as the seductive nature of fantasy lets you believe anything is possible. Then you don't have to notice the disappointment you feel about your real life.
I thought the "rape" scene was brilliantly described, how very precise a fantasy/addiction has to be in order to work and how to timetable it into ordinary life. I was glad I wasn't reading it in a public place because I laughed so much it would have been very difficult to explain why (as obviously in reality rape is definitely NOT a laughing matter). I think a great strength of the book is how it deals with really serious and upsetting subjects in such a way that the humour gives a distance and a slant on it which lets you review prejudices and feelings of disgust and feel compassion instead.
I'm looking forward to the final section, I can't imagine how it will end!
10Thanks for sharing supersocks, lots of interesting points there!
What you say about the novel's interest in the mix of good and bad in everyone is fascinating, particularly in the context of Victor's apparent origins.
You're totally right, Denny's rock collecting represents the notion of creativity but it also stands for the insatiable aspect of addiction - I hadn't thought of it in that way, but it makes a lot of sense!
I'm intrigued about the link you make between addictions and fantasies - that makes the notion of addiction something that we can all relate too, which is great.
I really enjoy the humour as well - I've been laughing out loud reading this book! Looking forward to discussing the final section with you next week
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