I was just wondering which story everyone seemed to like the most then. Or, if you liked none, which story could you connect to the most?
And of course, what was the story that everyone feels could have been, well, just skipped and not read at all.
I'd have to say that my personal favorite was either Magic for Beginners or The Constance of Abal. MfB, despite any obvious forms of 'magic' as we know it, was great because the whole idea of a show within a show was very psychologically stimulating to me. The group mentality spawned by the tv show was also something that I felt I could relate to. The CoA, a basic 180 of MfB, was also great because it dealt with direct magic like ghosts and charms and whatnot, and that's something I am a personal sucker for.
And, hands down, my least favorite story was probably The Wrong Grave. I thought it was, for a lack of a better word, stupid. Although I usually feel unsatisfied with Link's endings, at least they usually leave room for contemplative thought where you can either justify your own ending or guess as to what Link wants you to think. This story basically wrapped itself up, rather pointlessly, I felt like. It sucks that this was the first story in the book, as it did not get my hopes up for the rest of the novel, but thank goodness the other stories had more to bring to the table.
I believe The Wrong Grave was more like a wearisome teaser, meaning that if they'd put the best story first, the reader would be disappointed as each story thereafter would never live up to the first. Then again, there is always the danger of a bad story first, causing the reader to put down the book with the mentality that all of the stories are just as horrendous.
ReplyDeleteEveryone probably knows my opinion already, seeing as I wouldn't stop running my mouth about it in class. My favorite is still The Faery Handbag simply because I loved the idea of an enchanted artifact being a simple, furry old handbag. Furthermore, the elements of "is the old woman lying or isn't she?" appealed to me, having been raised in a family that comes from a long line of storytellers. You never know what is bs and what is real. And in a way, I liked that growing up because it allowed so much room for my imagination to roam.
Plus, I also dominate at Scrabble.
I personally liked The Wrong Grave for the resolution of its ending. Sure a cliffhanger ending is fun every now and then, but time after time of this I found myself angry with Link for this. It seemed for many of the stories a huge climax was ensuing and she would get lazy and end the story. I'm sure everyone didn't feel that way, but I like an intense descriptive climax and resolution. The Wrong Grave was not my favorite story though by any means. I really like The Surfer for its science fiction feel with the flu outbreaks and quarantines. I anxiously await next week's riveting discussion.
ReplyDeleteI liked The Wrong Grave too. For some reason I kept thinking about Pet Semetary by Stephen King, even though the stories are nothing alike. I think it was the act of him digging her up that made me think of that. My favorite story would have to be Magic for Beginners, I just liked the story and characters.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite was the Wizards of Perfil. It exhibits the qualities of a "quest" and "coming of age" story the most out of the book and that is very appealing to me. It also has a satisfactory conclusion in my opinion. The endings or lack there of aren't always upseting as long as I can find the change within the story. As far as the Wrong Grave goes, I thought it exhibited Link's strengths as an author even if it was not one of my personal favorites. It has a strong voice, backstory comfortably woven into the present story, and a carefully chosen use of words and details. But the worst in my opinion is definitely "Monster." Magic for Beginners is another amazing pretzel of a story. I only wish that Link would write a complete series/book of short stories concentrating only on "The Library"
ReplyDeleteHaha, I really didn't think I would be alone in not liking it very much. That's funny to me that I said all of that and many of you actually liked, or if not like, at least appreciated, the story.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kellie in that Monster was probably my second least favorite. The whole part about Angelina Jolie really irked me for some reason. The idea of something so modern in a story took away the fantastical element for me.
And I also further agree with Kellie's proposition of a complete series focused only on the The Library. It is clear that this story sparked interest for almost everyone I think.