Litsy

Hey #LiteraryCrew ! It‘s time to discuss this month‘s book. I have 8 questions posted as spoilers; you can find them on my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching the group‘s hashtag.

We conclude the year with Colm Toibin‘s Brooklyn. Official post tomorrow, and I hope to have the results from voting ready by then to also announce next year‘s titles!

mcctrish, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, tpixie, LapReader, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Prairiegirl_reading, Deblovestoread, Sace, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Pogue, dabbe, Sargar114, Karisa, bumpinthenight, Singout, julieclair, AllDebooks, IriDas, Lkempf

Sargar114 Thank you for this selection and hosting. A very good read! 1d

Jerdencon I didn‘t get around to this book and d read Brooklyn years ago - will try to remember and join the discussion. If not looking forward to the new books for next year. (edited) 1d

tpixie Thanks for hosting! I look forward to seeing you next year‘s reads. 1d

julieclair So excited to see next year‘s titles! 21h

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Librarybelle

The Leftovers | Tom Perrotta

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8. The Leftovers was made into a series on HBO in the mid-2010s. Have you seen it? If so, what are your thoughts on it? How does it compare to the novel?

IMDB link to the series information: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2699128/

#LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Sargar114 I have not seen it. But I plan on watching. Especially since we didn‘t get much closure in the book. 1d

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Librarybelle

The Leftovers | Tom Perrotta

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7. This is a deep novel that explores ideas of faith/spirituality, grief/loss, and moving forward, among other themes. Perrotta participated in an interview where he discussed these themes in part; the book itself was written after his father passed away.

Link to interview: https://theabsolutemag.com/14442/books/novelist-tom-perrotta-on-the-leftovers-an...

#LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Sargar114 It‘s an incredible look at loss and how we move on. I was nervous at first because the rapture was always a terrifying concept to me. I found the lack of religious connection in this story much more interesting and mysterious. 1d

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Librarybelle

The Leftovers | Tom Perrotta

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6. Discuss the ending of the book. What do you think happens to the main characters after the book is over? ~from Book Movement discussion guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Sargar114 I definitely wanted to know more about what happens. Perotta did a great job of character building and invests you in their story but then suddenly ends it. Makes me really want to watch the tv show. 1d

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Librarybelle

The Leftovers | Tom Perrotta

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5. How would you describe the relationship between Laurie and Meg? Did you find what happens to them believable? What about the relationship between Kevin and Nora? ~from Book Movement discussion guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Sargar114 Two people seeking a connection put together are bound to make one. Especially given the restrictions of the group. It was shocking what ended up happening, but not surprising. The GA recognized their connection and that it could be a problem, so they found a way to convince them they were doing something for “The greater good.” Incredibly sad. 1d

Sargar114 I liked Kevin and Nora, but clearly Nora wasn‘t ready for that close of a relationship yet. 1d

Sace The GR is no better than Holy Wayne in my opinion. A cult trying to control their members and ruining lives. I did not see the appeal of the GR at all. 1d

Sace I was actually rooting for Nora to cut ties and get away. I understood her motivation. That ending left me wondering though. 1d

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Librarybelle

The Leftovers | Tom Perrotta

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4. Why do you think Laurie Garvey joins the Guilty Remnant? Once there, why do you think she stays? What sort of benefits might a cult-like community offer to people reeling from an event like the Sudden Departure? What about the Healing Hug Movement led by Holy Wayne? ~from Book Movement discussion guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Sargar114 It seemed like they were looking for some kind of purpose or connection. I‘m sure there is a feeling that you weren‘t “chosen” in the mass departure and maybe there was a reason why. Kevin is much more practical and likely didn‘t engage with her in the bigger conversation so maybe she was looking for more. 1d

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Librarybelle

The Leftovers | Tom Perrotta

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3. Jill Garvey thinks it‘s easy “to romanticize the missing, to pretend that they were better than they really were.” Is this true? How do the main characters in The Leftovers view their friends and relatives who have disappeared? ~from Book Movement discussion guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Sargar114 I think she is spot on. People are uncomfortable speaking ill of the dead (or missing). So the only things that get said are the positive and that keeps building on itself for that romanticized version. I think this also is what makes it harder on her having her mom and brother both still alive but seemingly abandoned her. 1d

julieclair Each of the main characters seems to follow the old advice, “Don‘t speak ill of the dead.” And some even take it a step further, and seem to have totally forgotten the ills of the dead (or missing). 5h

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Librarybelle

The Leftovers | Tom Perrotta

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2. The Leftovers is set in an idyllic American suburbia—with adult softball teams, a strong school system, and beautiful leafy neighborhoods. Why do you think the author set this novel –and his other novels--in such a place? Is there something especially pleasant or idyllic about the suburbs? Or is that just a myth? ~from Book Movement discussion guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Sargar114 What we learn in this telling is that even small towns have their problems and secrets. This is a somewhat controlled environment so makes it probably easier to write for. to create its own world; untouched by the events in the bigger world. 1d

julieclair I think the stereotype is that leafy green suburbs are pleasant places to live. And, having lived in such suburbs all my life, in various parts of the US, I tend to agree. I have not read any of Perrotta‘s other novels, but certainly for this book, the idyllic suburban setting makes this disappearance seem all the more shocking and disturbing. Things like that don‘t happen in Leave It to Beaver land, lol! 5h

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Librarybelle

The Leftovers | Tom Perrotta

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1. om Perrotta‘s The Leftovers focuses on life after a mysterious mass disappearance that may or may not have been the Rapture. How do the various characters feel about being “left behind?” Which character's view of the Sudden Departure makes most sense to you? ~from Book Movement discussion questions #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Sargar114 It seems they are all trying to figure out how to move on. Lori was confused and looking for some kind of connection. Kevin seemed to be trying to move forward and establish some sense of normalcy. Tom seemed to be trying to find purpose. Jill was more like her father but also dealing with what probably felt like abandonment from half her family as well as just being a teenager. ⬇️ 1d

Sargar114 Notes was the most interesting as she was navigating such immense losses. Ultimately I feel like I would probably be most like Kevin, just trying to move forward. But I could see myself a lot like Nora if I lost everyone important to me. 1d

Sace I think Tom‘s made sense to me in a weird way. I can see the allure of a charismatic leader and the sense of purpose and hope it must have provided for Tom. Unfortunately his feeling of being adrift after that falls apart also makes sense to me. I would probably be the same. I do NOT understand Laurie‘s reaction at all. I can‘t fathom abandoning my child after that kind of event. (edited) 1d

julieclair Tom‘s point of view made the most sense to me. It happened, we don‘t understand it, we‘re grieving, but we‘re still here and need to move on with our lives, while also acknowledging and respecting our losses. 21h

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Sace

The Leftovers | Tom Perrotta

pick

4.5/5⭐️ (between very good and excellent)

I am glad I was impulsive and decided to read this. Once I started I couldn‘t stop. I am not really bothered by the lack of an ending. It seems to me that‘s what every character in the book is dealing with.

I‘m looking forward to the #LiteraryCrew discussion. @Librarybelle

Librarybelle Yay!! 2d

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