Welcome back, members of the PopUK Book Club. We've discussed the first section and the second part of Choke, so now it's time to talk about the final section and the ending.
Here's a reminder of how the PopUK Book Club works: each week I'll suggest chapters to complete by the next post (each Monday). In these weekly posts, I'll suggest a few discussion-provoking questions for us all to think over and respond to in the comments section.
After the jump you'll find some questions and topics to get the discussion started, but feel free to write about whatever you found interesting.
Take a look at my slideshow of possible future Book Club reads and be sure to let me know what you'd like to read!
Ready to discuss the final section of Choke? Just read more.
- The importance of creation and invention become more and more explicit as the novel moves towards its ending, with Ida Mancini regretting her destructive past. What forms do creation and invention take?
- Victor says he wants to be needed. How does this affect your reading of his addiction, and his choking routine, and his friendship with Denny?
- I was surprised by the twist that Paige Marshall turns out to be a patient, not a doctor. Did the twist work for you? How does her delusion relate to the other forms of invention in the book?
7 For All Mankind
L'erba
Forte Forte
I was completely taken by surprise by the twists at the end - about Paige, and about Victor's Mom's mummyhood - or lack of it!
Paige Marshall being a patient was very clever, especially as there were clues like when the nurses talked and giggled about Victor and Paige.
I think all the delusions are threads of the same one - trying to escape the c..p in their lives, and in the world, they live out fantasies that describe how they could make a difference because in the real world they have so little chance of doing this in their lives.
Paige Marshall has chosen a medical role so that she can make people well and whole again (in weird ways admittedly!) She even cares enough to floss their teeth, which I found particularly revolting
Some of the things that Ida tells Victor about are true - how the world has been made so sanitised and safe that there is no room left for adventure except the kind you can buy, like roller-coasters etc.
Victor is searching for his own identity on many levels and it's fascinating how this seems to enable him to play roles he doesn't have any place in - like pretending to be the bad guy who most of the old residents in the home blame for different things in their past. And this gives them peace with these issues! I think that's brilliant, though I wouldn't like to try it myself!
Lots more to think about here but must stop for now. Looking forward to hearing what you thought of it Pop and spc
1Just got my book, will catch up with you guys soon.
(I
won't give up haha!)
2good for you Advah! looking forward to hearing your comments
3Great news Advah, looking forward to hearing what you think of it!
Thanks so much for your comments, supersocks, you make lots of really interesting points.
I totally agree with you about the twist being a shock, but then realising there were little clues earlier - such a clever plot device!
What you say about delusions and the search for identity is fascinating - the book is so interesting on this, isn't it.
I enjoyed this novel even more than I thought I would, and am looking forward to seeing the film version in November too!
4Hi Advah, how are you getting on with the book? Would love to hear your thoughts
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