Monday, May 2, 2011

Book Club Forum #15: The Passage

Book Selection Status: READ
Month: May 2011
Genre: Science Fiction
Book of the Month: The Passage
Author: Justin Cronin
Question source: http://bestsellers.about.com/od/bookclubquestions/a/The-Passage-By-Justin-Cronin-Book-Club-Discussion-Questions.htm
Discussion Questions:


1. What do you feel were the main themes Cronin was wrestling with in this novel?
The Passage by Justin Cronin
2. What was your favorite quote/intro to which section of the novel and how do you feel it best set up what was to come?

3. Did you think the national response to the crisis was realistic (ex. California seceding from the U.S.)?

4. Do you think Cronin’s writing techniques and style changes were successful in bringing this world to life? Why or why not?

5. Did you have a hard time transitioning from the first third of the book to the last two-thirds? Why or why not?

6. Was there any point in the story where you felt you couldn’t read anymore?

7. Did you have any issues with the pacing of the novel? Why or why not?

8. Which character do you think loved Amy the most? Which do you think Amy loved the most?

9. Was the ending satisfying or did it leave you thirsty for more?

10. Rate The Passage 1 to 5.





3 comments:

Jennifer Young said...

Sorry, I am horrible about posting here:( I read this book months ago, so I wish I had the book in front of me for a refresher. Here goes...

1. One of the main themes is good vs. evil. The Virals (and those who created them I suppose) representing evil. Amy and the remaining humans representing good. Out of that comes another theme: survival. Is that a theme? Both sides are trying to out-survive the other.

2. I can't remember.

3. People do all kinds of crazy things when things get desparate. I do think it was a realistic response.

4. I do. I enjoyed Cronin's writing style. I loved all this characters, especially those of the Colony.

5. It definitely wasn't a very smooth transition, but I really liked the last two-thirds of the book. After reading some reviews, I feel like I'm in the minority on that one.

6. When the survivors got to Las Vegas and met that other colony of humans, I almost couldn't take it. I thought he was just drawing it out there and the book was so long already. I didn't really care for that part, but maybe it will have some significance in the other 2 books.

7. No, I thought the pacing was fine. I actually read through it fairly quickly. Long book, but it went fast for me.

8. I can't remember... I would say Brad. Or maybe the nun? I don't remember who Amy loved most.

9. I actually liked the ending. Not every book has to have a happy ending. I didn't realize that this was a trilogy when I was reading it, and I will be interested to see where this goes.

10. 4 1/2 stars!

Here is my review from Good Reads:
I really enjoyed this book--4 1/2 stars. Don't be fooled by the synopsis on the book jacket. That's barely a quarter of what the book is all about. Not that it's a bad thing, just not exactly what I expected. I am in the minority I guess, because I loved the second part of the book--about the Colony and all of its characters. I can see how some would be turned off by the length, but I enjoyed the ride. I loved the writing and the characters. I actually liked the ending too. Not every book has to have a happy ending. I didn't realize that this is a trilogy, and I will be interested to see where this goes. (I *really* wanted to fit a "Flyers!" comment in here, but couldn't swing it. Ha)

Tysheena said...

Thanks Jen!!!!!!!

bikki said...

I am trying to catch up on my posting so I may be a little fuzzy about what happened since I read this awhile back:

1. I agree with Jen in that a main theme was definitely good vs. evil and what we do to survive. I think you could also see the theme of what happens when we try to control nature - which isn't meant to be controlled.

2. I think the quote at the beginning of the book summed it up well: "The road to death is a long march beset with all evils, and the heart fails little by little at each new terror, the bones rebel at each step, the mind sets up its own bitter resistance and to what end? The barriers sink one by one, and no covering of the eyes shuts out the landscape of disaster, nor the sight of crimes committed there."

3. I think if anything like that were to happen then it is quite possible that any reaction could be taken in response. We never know what our response will be until we are faced to make a decision.

4. Yes. I enjoyed the book and thought that Cronin did a good job of moving the reader through the beginning through the trauma to the re-building of the world and how those who were left coped. It was very realistic to me.

5. I did not have a hard time transitioning - I thought the author did a good job of preparing the reader for what was next. I wasn't prepared for learning that this was going to continue for two more books, but I would be interested in reading where the story goes from here.

6. I thought the book was very detailed in the search for others so the last 100 pages seemed long...but at the same time I was anxious to see what would happen next. Then I remember feeling let down that there wasn't a true ending...I would be waiting for the next book to see what was happening next.

7. I think the author is very detailed so there where parts that I thought were slow...but I always wanted to know what was going to happen next and where the story was going to take me.

8. I think the FBI agent loved Amy the most and I think Amy loved him the most (I can't remember his name!)

9. The ending was satisfying, but I still am interested in the next book.

10. I would rate it 3.5 starts out of 5. It was a solidly good read for me. I enjoyed it even if there were a few parts that were slow to me.