Here we can discuss The Girls by Lori Lansen.

In UK books this means From page 240 till last page
In US books this means from page 313 till the end.

OMG I had to share. I have just started part 3 and I am nearly peeing my pants from laughing.
He forgot his mother. WTH. :duh: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

O I am sorry but this is hilarious although sad. :lol:

Eta: I have finished this book.

O Now what to read next? :unsure:

I thought it was really interesting that they described how people in Slovakia DO NOT stare at them.....

And I learnt something - my best friend, her mother was Swiss (German speaking) she died a few weeks ago. She was Katy, but her real name was Katherina and now I know that her birthday was St Katherina's day. I didn't know that.

I keep thinking of intelligent and clever things to observe about this book - like msjoanna just has in the part one thread - but when I come to write them down they disappear. :sigh:

Finished!

I stayed up too late last night to finish the book. In some ways, since the beginning of the book used the book within a book frame, I wanted it to be bookended with the same frame and include a chapter from a narrator -- maybe narrated by Nick or Mrs. Merkel. Somehow, I found having the book just end unsatisfying and made me even less happy with the way the book started.

That said, I enjoyed reading the book. I ended feeling connected to the characters and thought they were interesting and reasonably complicated. I thought the story about the trip to Slovakia was wonderful -- maybe my favorite part of the book. The author did a great job of setting the confusion and the fear associated with the strange scenes in the book and it really served to highlight the way that the characters lives were surprisingly normal in Leaford.

Overall, I feel like the author picked a terrific subject and did a fine job. A more experienced or skillful author could have taken this idea and made it a phenomenal book; this author ended up with an enjoyable book.

I did think the portraying of Slovakia as a very backwards country, with people who believed in ghosts and such, was a bit not nice.
I think she has never visited this country. sorry.
It annoyed me.


Overal I did enjoy the read. Not as good as I hoped it would be.. Enjoyed the first part best.

I think you are right it wasn't as good as I thought but still very good. But truly, how many books are there that are phenomenal?

Finished on the train down to London.
I was expecting not to like this book. It's one I've seen around a lot and thought it would be a bit 'vic-lit' fr my taste but in fact it's not at all.
Like the rest of you I didnt think it was an astoundingly marvelous read, but I did enjoy it.
I can't imagine how authors think of their plots at the best of times, and even more so with this.

I'm rubbish at reviews, but hope that if we do more of these readalongs, I might get better!

Glad I took the time to read it :)

I finally finished this last night.. in my opinion I thought the ending was very weak!!! I was like I read this for that ending are you kidding me! LOL

I loved the whole story of The Girls but I do agree I think the last chapter should have been by Nick and told us what happened to the girls and when blah blah blah but it just kinda stopped.

I was also disappointed she didnt try to find her daughter or Frankie. I thought it would have made a nice twist to the story!

I have definitely read better books but it wasnt the worst either.

Yes I agree. That would have been great. if it would have Nick that would tell us what happened.
missed opportunity

And yes I love to do anotehr read along.

here are some questions


The Girls is written as a fictional autobiography. Why do you think the author chose this format? Did you ever have to remind yourself while reading that The Girls is a novel rather than a memoir?


Rose and Ruby have spent every moment of their lives bound to each other, and yet they have forged two very distinct personalities and ways of looking at the world. What does this novel say about identity? How does each sister manifest individuality? In what ways do they borrow from each other?


The girls are accustomed to being stared at. But when they travel with Aunt Lovey and Uncle Stash to Slovakia, they find themselves in a situation where for the first time in their lives not one person stares. Why does Rose find this so unsettling?


A major theme of the novel is the challenge of being an outsider. Are there characters other than Rose and Ruby who could be considered outcasts? What do they add to the story, and to your understanding of the novel?


Throughout The Girls we are let in on information that Rose and Ruby don't tell each other. What role do secrets play in the story? Were you surprised by some of the things Rose and Ruby kept from each other? What about Aunt Lovey and Uncle Stash?


What function does the town of Leaford have in the narrative? Could this lonely corner of Canada be said to be a character in itself? How might the story have been different had it taken place somewhere else?


The novel is, at times, endearingly funny. Do you have a favorite comedic moment?


Aunt Lovey is portrayed by Rose and Ruby as a very wise woman. Is it possible that their perception of her is influenced by their deep gratitude for her sacrifices in raising them? Why do you think they never refer to her as their mother?


Did you find yourself forgetting that Rose and Ruby were joined at the head? In what way is the bond of sisterhood more important than their physical link?


The girls said that, if given the chance, they wouldn't want to be separated. Is this a sentiment you understand? How does the dynamic of the girls relate to real-life relationships you've been in or witnessed?

I agreed with you on that.
But I am thinking... what is the significance of that trip? What difference does it make to the story, to the girls, to Uncle Stash? I don't see a major significance in that - the story will flow as well without that trip, in my opinion, and I may even like the book more. Is it to show how somewhere out there someone will consider them a lucky object?

Good point azuki.
You are right. Or that there are people who do not stare and they miss it? :rolleyes: