Our final #CannonBookClub of 2018 has arrived. Our second Anniversary Read, Between the Bridge and the River, has inspired a wide range of emotions and responses – admittedly most of them negative. Craig Ferguson was after something, and we’ve all had different takes on what he achieved and how he failed.
Ground rules remain the same as they always have. For those of you who might be joining in for #CannonBookClub for the first time (hello new friends!) all are welcome. The topics are numbered and we ask that you refer to them below by that number to help people find the conversation topics they are looking for. If you are responding to someone else’s thoughts, please try to respond directly to them and also tell us about your own ponderings on the book. While we’ve never once had to use it and don’t expect to now, comments that are not germane to our discussion or get out of hand will be removed.
Wrapping up today we will also be talking on our Social Media platforms, and of course in our Facebook group, Cannonball Read Book Chat, so feel free to wander over there throughout the course of today and tomorrow.
On to the topics:
- This is a road trip book – everyone is on the move. Paris, Glasgow, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Delray Beach, Florida, Birmingham, Alabama, and rural Georgia all feature. Why do you think these particular locations are featured? What are they intended to add to the narrative?
- Fraser spends quite a bit of time in what might be Purgatory speaking to Carl Jung and others. How do you feel about the inclusion of these other realities? How did you react to the side stories?
- Why did hating Saul not fall into the natural place of villain?
- Do you think everyone got what they deserved at the end? Or did some get off easy? What do you think will happen with George and Claudette?
- This was originally going to be part of a series. Could you see anywhere else the story could go?
- Do you think Craig Ferguson’s state of mind had anything to do with the disjointed nature of the book?
- The story is written in a rather standard, conversational voice and includes repeated phrases and ideas, as well as a bit of the fantastical. How did Ferguson’s debut authorial voice hit you? Was it what you expected from him as an author?
- If you didn’t finish this book/rage read it and want to tell us all the reasons why because you’re still angry.
- Grab Bag: I have thoughts and feelings I cannot fit into the above topics, meet me in the comment section.
What say you, my dear Cannonballers?