A VISIT FROM THE GOON SQUAD: Discussion March 2012

[Melissa_W Moderator]

For March we shift to Jennifer Egan's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, A Visit from the Goon Squad, set in New York amid the lives of record executives/their assistants.  The novel plays with form, using the style of articles, lists, and even PowerPoint, and received numerous other awards, too (NBCC Award, LA Times Book Prize, PEN/Faulkner finalist, too many best-of lists to name). 

Here's where I have a dilemma:  due to the intricate structure, I'm having trouble breaking it up into pieces like I normally do.  I can give it a go, or do we just want to comment on one long thread?

As far as format, I'm reading this in a paperback format.  It is available as an audio recording and NOOKbook, but with the format tricks it seems the paper version is the way to go here.

[Fozzie]

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Melissa_W wrote:

Here's where I have a dilemma:  due to the intricate structure, I'm having trouble breaking it up into pieces like I normally do.  I can give it a go, or do we just want to comment on one long thread?

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I am going to read the paperback too.  Maybe we could divide it roughly in half?  I don't know.  I haven't looked at the book yet.

[Fozzie]

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Fozzie wrote:

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Melissa_W wrote:

Here's where I have a dilemma:  due to the intricate structure, I'm having trouble breaking it up into pieces like I normally do.  I can give it a go, or do we just want to comment on one long thread?

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I am going to read the paperback too.  Maybe we could divide it roughly in half?  I don't know.  I haven't looked at the book yet.

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I just glanced through the book.  How about two sections --- through 8 chapters or through 9 chapters, and then to the end?

[Melissa_W Moderator]

Yes, let's break up the book after chapter 8.  That's roughly halfway through (and considering the PPT section is long, the second half should fly by).  I'll get the threads up tonight.

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Fozzie wrote:

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Fozzie wrote:

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Melissa_W wrote:

Here's where I have a dilemma:  due to the intricate structure, I'm having trouble breaking it up into pieces like I normally do.  I can give it a go, or do we just want to comment on one long thread?

---

I am going to read the paperback too.  Maybe we could divide it roughly in half?  I don't know.  I haven't looked at the book yet.

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I just glanced through the book.  How about two sections --- through 8 chapters or through 9 chapters, and then to the end?

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[Peppermill]

I'd suggest three sections -- up to the general, then xxx ( haven't looked exactly), and then the final section from the powerpoint on.

Just one view. 

I have read most of it once, but want to revisit.

Pepper

[Fozzie]

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Peppermill wrote:

I'd suggest three sections -- up to the general, then xxx ( haven't looked exactly), and then the final section from the powerpoint on.

Just one view. 

I have read most of it once, but want to revisit.

Pepper

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I think it would be good to follow Pepper's suggestions since she has read the book.

[Melissa_W Moderator]

I was thinking the same thing

[Melissa_W Moderator]

In other, random, news - I'm a full moderator now (I'm a real boy! lol). 

[Peppermill]

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Melissa_W wrote:

In other, random, news - I'm a full moderator now (I'm a real boy! lol). 

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Congrats!  Glad to see others have created a thread to that effect!