November 2012 TMB Book Club Selection: The Passage by Justin Cronin

Discussion in 'TMB Book Club' started by Arkie Proud, Oct 30, 2012.

  1. Arkie Proud

    Arkie Proud The Dungeon Master
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  2. The Blackfish

    The Blackfish The Fish in Black
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    Looking forward to it
     
  3. Iron Mickey

    Iron Mickey a guy who posted here like five years ago hates me
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    Hell yeah. I'm about halfway through the first Tony Hillerman book (The Blessing Way). I'm rocking a kindle; shall I PM you?
     
  4. Gin Buckets

    Gin Buckets Well-Known Member
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    The Passage... (not a spoiler, but spoiling for good measure)

    Vampires meet the apocalypse meets the Contagion -- that is why I read the book, because a friend described it as such.
     
  5. Voodoo

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    Well that sounds fun.
     
  6. Iron Mickey

    Iron Mickey a guy who posted here like five years ago hates me
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    Bart Scott can't wait.
     
  7. Truman

    Truman Well-Known Member
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    It's 12:30 which officially makes it November - so im starting the discussion.

    Read Chapters 1-3 tonight:

    I dont have really anything important to say as the first three chapters are just setting the table. I like the writing style and the dialog reads pretty easy.

    Not important spoiler in Chapter 3
    :loldog: at Jenna Bush being Governer of TX. Isnt she the slutty one?

    Unless its blatantly stated, and I missed it. My Guess Chapter 3 takes place in late 2020s, maybe 30s? The Jenna Bush as GOV is what im basing this off of. That would put her in her late 40s, early 50s

    Do Chapter 1 and 2 take place relatively close to that?
     
  8. Gin Buckets

    Gin Buckets Well-Known Member
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    FTR since it's a trilogy it starts slower than a lot of books because it does a good job of setting up the whole story and world. If you can make it through the beginning the book gets exponentially better imo.
     
  9. colonelrascals

    colonelrascals Mayonnaise-colored Benz, I push miracle whips
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    Just finishing up chapter three. Anthony Lloyd Carter allegedly killed a women in my neighborhood...what a motherfucker. Also this author has to be from houston
     
  10. colonelrascals

    colonelrascals Mayonnaise-colored Benz, I push miracle whips
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    Also I just learned that Justin Cronin is a professor a rice. (which explains his knowledge of houston) I'll make contact and see if he wants to join TMB
     
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  11. Arkie Proud

    Arkie Proud The Dungeon Master
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    Wait until after this month and his book is behind us. He may get pissed if he sees the proliferation of his ebook all piratey and shit. Writers are like that...
     
  12. colonelrascals

    colonelrascals Mayonnaise-colored Benz, I push miracle whips
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    Clearly we will have to edit the piracy out once he joins TMB, but in all seriousness he is an english teacher at rice if I set up an appointment later in the month maybe he could answer some questions. He is a young guy and I dont see why not, it be like TMBBC's own AMA.
     
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  13. Truman

    Truman Well-Known Member
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    As cool as that would be, I think more harm than good could come from it. Plus, Im sure he is really busy. The second book just came out. Im sure he is traveling AND im sure he is involved in the movie that is being made
     
  14. colonelrascals

    colonelrascals Mayonnaise-colored Benz, I push miracle whips
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    Dont you kill me drunk dreams Truman
     
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  15. Gin Buckets

    Gin Buckets Well-Known Member
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    Movie you say?
     
  16. colonelrascals

    colonelrascals Mayonnaise-colored Benz, I push miracle whips
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    I am about to finish chapter 9. Good shit so far
     
  17. Lorne Malvo

    Lorne Malvo Aces!
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    Three chapters in and already hooked. Knew the basic premise of the book, but the start really caught me off guard in how it's been done. But that's been a good thing. Can't wait to read more.
     
  18. SmoochieWallace

    SmoochieWallace Ipse dixit
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    I read three chapters last night and it feels like a World War Z rip off. I hope I am wrong.
     
  19. Truman

    Truman Well-Known Member
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    I haven't read WWZ so it's all new to me.

    Through chapter 5 places are still being set, but I like it so far. Cronin does a great job of charachter dev
     
  20. colonelrascals

    colonelrascals Mayonnaise-colored Benz, I push miracle whips
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    just finished part 1

    :ohholkyfuck: at chapter 14. Whats y'alls opinions on why Amy is so important, I figured since she was the final phase of the virus she would be the most dangerous. That doesn't seem to be the case :idk:. Hopefully cronin can shed some light on all this telepathic communication
     
  21. Arkie Proud

    Arkie Proud The Dungeon Master
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    I think this is much better written that WWZ.
    Through Chapter 3:
    I usually don't like books that jump around too much (see Atlas, Cloud), but even though the first three chapters have been about totally different people and places, I'm loving this. The guys writing really draws you in. You actually care about these people. I was sad at the end of chapter 1 for the young mom and her daughter. Early on, I'm giving it a 8.75/10. And holy fuck at it being 800+ pages. Didn't think it was that long...
     
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  22. Lorne Malvo

    Lorne Malvo Aces!
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    Agree with this completely. After each chapter I was bummed to leave those characters, then I got fully immersed in the next set of them. Great start.
     
  23. colonelrascals

    colonelrascals Mayonnaise-colored Benz, I push miracle whips
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    you guys are wayyy behind
     
  24. Arkie Proud

    Arkie Proud The Dungeon Master
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    Streets behind.
     
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  25. colonelrascals

    colonelrascals Mayonnaise-colored Benz, I push miracle whips
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    I'll be through part II tonight, yay firefighter school for giving me free fridays
     
  26. Arkie Proud

    Arkie Proud The Dungeon Master
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    Read some more last night and I am really digging this book. It is taking turns I did not expect, but while many writers would use these "reveals" as tools to make the book better, this writer uses his writing style to draw you in. To that end, he doesn't seem campy or overly dramatic, even when normally it would. He's good.

    Also, (past chapter 4)
    I love the little hints (at first) then the larger hints that something is amiss in the world and that it takes place in our near future, while one would think at first that it takes place now (if that makes any sense). Governor Jenna Bush of Florida was a nice touch. New Orleans no longer being a real city since the second big hurricane hit after Katrina. Really, really liking this.
     
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  27. The Blackfish

    The Blackfish The Fish in Black
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    Can't wait to start
     
  28. SmoochieWallace

    SmoochieWallace Ipse dixit
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    Finished chapter 6. I withdraw my previous comment. This shit is good
     
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  29. Kevintensity

    Kevintensity Poster/Posting Game Coordinator
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    started reading yesterday. About 25% finished.
    Really like it so far.

    amy just opened her eyes. Feels like all hell is about to break loose.
    i hope it does
     
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  30. The Blackfish

    The Blackfish The Fish in Black
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    Still haven't finished my other book but I will soon. Excited to start and it seems like more people are reading it this month which is great
     
  31. colonelrascals

    colonelrascals Mayonnaise-colored Benz, I push miracle whips
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    I am only a little further than you.

    the jump in time was strange, and I'm not sure where they are going with it.
     
  32. Kevintensity

    Kevintensity Poster/Posting Game Coordinator
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    yeah no idea. All I can think about while reading about this colony is what happened to amy. not really interested in this colony.
     
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  33. colonelrascals

    colonelrascals Mayonnaise-colored Benz, I push miracle whips
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    I'm going to push through part 3 and 4 maybe tonight
     
  34. Iron Mickey

    Iron Mickey a guy who posted here like five years ago hates me
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    Just now getting started. Gotta do work.

    Loved the opening quote, hated the first line.

    :justsayin:
     
  35. Arkie Proud

    Arkie Proud The Dungeon Master
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    It gets better.
     
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  36. Iron Mickey

    Iron Mickey a guy who posted here like five years ago hates me
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    Liking it a lot better so far. Will devour tonight.
     
  37. Truman

    Truman Well-Known Member
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    Just finished 14/ Part 1

    This is the best book Ive read in a long time so far. Really enjoy it.

    I think she turns out to be the heroine. From the first line of the book:

    "Before she became the Girl from Nowhere—the One Who Walked In, the First and Last and Only, who lived a thousand years—she was just a little girl in Iowa, named Amy. Amy Harper Bellafonte."

    IDK but that sounds like she is going to end up saving the day - or not. Who knows. Just cant wait to find out.
     
  38. Kevintensity

    Kevintensity Poster/Posting Game Coordinator
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    I have a question. doesn't need a spoiler, but making one just in case.
    What is a walker, and how is it different than a full fledged zombie or viral?
     
  39. Truman

    Truman Well-Known Member
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    Yay Travel Days. Finished Part II
    R.I.P. Special Agent Dan Wolgast :tebow:

    Cronin is a great writer. Ive really felt attached to these characters. The way he wrote Carter, Amy, Amy's Mom and Wolgast is so touching.

    And Part III
    Didnt really care for this part. I dont know why. Its a creative delivery method but it was anoying to read for some reason.

    Also - The entry shows 1003 A.V. (im assuming AV= After Virus) Are we to assume this was written 1000 years after the Colorado incident and that Wolgast/Amy story? To me this seems like somethign that would happen just a few years at most after all that.

    I assume I will get my answer as I read on, but that is the big question I have at the moment.
     
  40. The Blackfish

    The Blackfish The Fish in Black
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    Finished my other book. Starting this later tonight. Very excite
     
  41. Dwight Schrute

    Dwight Schrute 7 out of every 10 attacks are from the rear.
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    Wait are we reading just the first book or the whole trilogy? Either way, I'm going to hop back in this book club since it first started. Hells yeah.
     
  42. Truman

    Truman Well-Known Member
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    For now, its just the first book.

    And FYI - the second book was just published a month or two ago, so you will have to wait to read the whole trilogy.
     
  43. Arkie Proud

    Arkie Proud The Dungeon Master
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    Not sure which gif was appropriate, so I'll use them all.

    [​IMG]
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    [​IMG]
     
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  44. Lorne Malvo

    Lorne Malvo Aces!
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    Hey Arkie Proud, do you have a .mobi of the second book yet? Obviously enjoying the first one so I'll be wanting that if you do :peekaboo: tia
     
  45. Truman

    Truman Well-Known Member
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    i do. pm me
     
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  46. Arkie Proud

    Arkie Proud The Dungeon Master
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    I think so, yeah. But hit up Truman. :like:
     
  47. colonelrascals

    colonelrascals Mayonnaise-colored Benz, I push miracle whips
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    I would also like one. Also as much as I am loving the book, I think we should wait a month or two before reading the second one
     
  48. Iron Mickey

    Iron Mickey a guy who posted here like five years ago hates me
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    This book is fucking awesome.

    I was called Fanning.
     
  49. Lorne Malvo

    Lorne Malvo Aces!
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    Have a few chapters left in part 1. Will be finishing that tonight and moving on to part 2. Continue to love this book. Will give spoilered thoughts on part 1 as a whole when I finish it.
     
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  50. The Blackfish

    The Blackfish The Fish in Black
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    So yea, I haven't been able to put this down. Just finished part 1.

    Loving it so far. Everything is tying together well. From what I gather the virus was first discovered when the group of cancer patients were taken to La Paz as a make a wish type thing and were attacked by the bats. The survivors became super healthy but then died. Lear became aware of this and started obsessing over the Thalmus gland because of his recently deceased wife. On their expedition they were attacked by the bats and also upon reaching the site they were attacked by the "vampires" who I assume were the rest of the "make a wish" expedition (calling it that because I don't have anything better to call it.

    Upon being rescued, Fanning flipped and became Zero. From him they began studying the virus and infecting death row inmates in an attempt to reactivate a human's Thalmus gland and make us super healthy (possibly immortal) without turning us into "vampires."

    The Special Weapons unit however wanted to create an army of these "vampire things" I guess.

    Just trying to straighten out the origin of the NOAH project, sound about right to yall?

    Random Thoughts:

    -Amy is obviously still a big mystery. It seems like Lear just wanted any child since the thalmus gland in a child was more active than an adult and that happened to coincide with the time Amy was found. So it was all a coincidence right? They had no idea she was special when they targeted her right?

    -Now whats up with animals knowing "what she is" re: Amy

    -Lacey getting signals from "God?"

    -Did Richards remind anyone else of Bill Smoke from Cloud Atlas?

    -I wonder if Amy's mother ever shows back up? I would assume no.

    -Do people bitten or infected by the "vampires" turn? Seems like they might, why else would Richards have been thinking those things about Sykes and why did Zero just bite Grey once on the neck not killing him