The DIS Book Club Discussion Group: Round 6 - Fall of Giants

[cc1013]

It is $19.99 on the nook as well.

It is lendable on the nook, though.

The wait at our library is at least 3 months for it. Ugh.

I am going to buy it for my Kindle as my library also has a long wait and I probably won't want to hold such a large book.

Also, for the Kindle owners out there, Amazon has announced that they will be adding the lending option via a software update before the end of the year. The parameters seem to be the same as the Nook lending program.

 

[Cherry Limeade]

I placed a hold at my local library.

Me too. We have a wait of about 40 days, so not terrible....

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Discussion Point 1 - What Do You Already Know?

Fall of Giants is centered around the daily life of five families in the twentieth century. Their lives interchange as a result of extraordinary events during World War I. To get us thinking about what could possibly happen in this book, let's reflect upon what we already know. What do you know about this time period? What do you know about WWI?

 

[Emmarust]

I am pretty far through the book already and have really enjoyed it. I hope this group starts ups quickly so I can fill in some blanks about WWI.

 

[BeamsofLight]

My book just arrived from Amazon today, so I'll be starting tonight, I think.

As for Nikki's question, I'd say I know the 'basics' about WWI, though my basics are probably a bit different than most of the rest of the group, because my history classes were all Canadian. It'll be interesting to see a different perspective.

 

[hmonkeyruns]

I don't know much about WWI and what I do know comes from the German perspective. I took a college class that focused on the novels of Eric Maria Remarque who is most famous for writing All Quiet on the Western Front.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I just wanted to check in and make sure everyone was able to get a copy of the book. Please begin reading. I'm going to divide the text into sections to help us as we go through the 1000+ pages; I'll post that soon. Feel free to comment whenever a thought pops into your head. Just let us know where you are so we don't see any spoilers (or use white text so it's hidden until one highlights it).

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Hi All,

I just wanted to let you know I have added a full reading schedule to the first post of this thread. Please know that this is the largest book club selection we have read thus far and the schedule is fluid. We can move the dates up or back depending upon how everyone does. Moving forward, please title your responses with what part you are reading according to the schedule before sharing your thoughts (Prologue, Part One, Part Two, etc.). This will help us as we comment about your ideas.

Here we go!!! Onward!

Nikki

 

[DWGal210]

Hi everyone! I love reading so I am glad I stumbled upon this thread.

I am leaving for WDW on Saturday, but I'll see if I can start reading before I go, and/or take the book with me for the plane ride and down times at night.

Looking forwarding to chatting with all of you about the book!

Katie

 

[BeamsofLight]

I know "wandering around" is an odd description, but that's really what I've been doing - jumping around to follow certain characters, then jumping back to pick up other threads. I assume this will come back to haunt me at some point but ...

I'm not sure what it is about the flow of his narrative that's not grabbing me in the order he's laid it out, but ... it isn't. On the other hand, there's still a lot of book for him to convince me.

 

[WDWGeek1971]

Discussion Point 1 - What Do You Already Know?

Fall of Giants is centered around the daily life of five families in the twentieth century. Their lives interchange as a result of extraordinary events during World War I. To get us thinking about what could possibly happen in this book, let's reflect upon what we already know. What do you know about this time period? What do you know about WWI?

I've read a lot of Leon Uris' and Alexander Solzhenitsyn's history-based novels, so I know some fact and some fiction of the era. ;-) I'm waiting to read about Austria, since that should play into this at some point, since WWI started with the assassination of the Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand. But at this point, I'm well past the Prologue so I'll keep my mouth shut about what I have read. What I do know about European politics pre-WWI would fill a thimble. ;-) I know that there were a great many marriages between the German and English royal houses that formed the basis of some unusual political maneuvers leading up to WWI. This was also the apex (or nadir depending on your viewpoint,) of the industrial revolution. Agriculture was being displaced by factory work, and this created a great deal of social tension between the very, very rich, and the very, very exploited working-classes. I also understand that Winston Churchill's family garnered great wealth by selling arms to both sides during WWI and WWII. Let's hear it for Capitalism!

It all ends quite badly with mustard gas and horrible fighting conditions. It was supposed to be the War To End All Wars, but the treaties ending the war created bitterness and resentment. This bad ending to the war actually laid the groundwork for WWII. And that is why we had the Marshall Plan after WWII to avoid WWIII. This has worked, so far.

 

[hmonkeyruns]

I started reading today and finished up the Prologue over lunch.

Not much has happened so far, but I just keep picturing my nephew, who turned 13 in August, as Billy and I'm just completely blown away by the idea that a kid this young would be working full time in such a horrible place.

They won't even let him walk to school in today's world, let alone work in a coal mine! (I'm pretty sure both ends of this spectrum are wrong, by the way.)

I'm also pretty shocked that they got ponies down into a mine shaft and that the elevator operates much like the Tower of Terror!

 

[melissac]

When I first learned of the book that had been chosen I was intimidated by its topic, character list (can’t believe how many there were listed) and length of the book. To be honest I am not a history buff at all. So I know very little about WWI meaning who fought against whom. Anyway, I have found this book very interesting and able to keep my attention. In fact, I have been able to keep track of the characters and have even learned a little about history. So far the book is pretty good. I’m only at 16% per my kindle and hope my attention continues to be held. Especially since this was not a cheap book. Anyone else felt the same when the book was selected?

 

[BeamsofLight]

In fact, I have been able to keep track of the characters and have even learned a little about history.

I actually haven't had trouble keeping track of the characters, but I do find them a little ... similar? I guess would be the word. Like all the "lower-class" young men are very alike, and all the rich folks seem to be written the same way. I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt at this point because I suspect they're supposed to be that way... y'know, like "Things are the same all over" kind of a thing, rather than he just stinks at characterization.

I will say, however, if one more person falls instantly in love with someone they've known for all of 10 minutes, I may give up on this one.

The insight into the historical period is really the only thing holding my interest at the moment, and is actually interesting me a lot more than I thought it would when the choice was made. He does seem to have a good hand for working in details like that.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

These are some great thoughts, everyone. Like mentioned in a previous post, I also has some slight reservation about choosing this book for our next selection. I'm not a big historical fiction fan and the length of the book initially appears intimidating. However, I am finding it quite enjoyable. I think that the storyline moves quickly and it does not have a slow start like some of Follett's other works. I'm pleased with my decision now and so glad I listened a little birdie who pushed me towards choosing it.

I also had similar thoughts about the young boy, Billy, from the prologue. I realize that things were much, much different back then, but I could not believe the risks his parents were letting him take by going into the mines. I was especially irritated by the one worker who left him in the dark for so long. That really said a lot about Billy's character and survival instinct. I was very impressed.

 

[D2the5]

Just finished listening to the audiobook. Loved it.

 

[nomie74]

I'm really enjoying this book. I'm just about finished reading (85% completed on the kindle) so I haven't wanted to post anything to far ahead of the schedule. I'm surprised at how much I'm learning about WW1. I had always thought I knew the basics but now i'm finding out that most of what I knew had to do with WW2.

 

[CoMickey]

I just finished part one and I am reading on my Kindle as well and was surprised when I finished it. I really am enjoying this book and try to read every chance I get...which isn't a lot of time with work and a 'for fun' college class I decided to take. I too am learning so much about WWI that I had either forgotten or never learned or just didn't pay attention. I think by adding fictional characters to the historical events it helps me relate more to what is happening.

Hope everyone is enjoying the book!

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Discussion Point 2 - Impressions of Historical Fiction

I've been reading all day to catch up a bit. This buying a house thing really put me behind, but I'm almost at page 300 now and have lots of thoughts.

I have never been much of a historical fiction fan. Sure, here and there I plowed through Medieval texts like Mists of Avalon and other fantasies with some historical accuracy thrown in, but this is different. I did enjoy Pillars of the Earth and thought that Fall of Giants would be similar. I'm finding it very different than what I expected.

I find myself really in love with some of the characters' stories. Ethel's dilemma towards page 200 had me in knots and Walter's love for Lady Maud is a modern day soap opera. I wish the author would focus more on the families and less on the war/historical fiction motif. I find myself bored when long passages about the logistics of war are given, but again I have never been a fan of this genre.

With all of this being said, I am enjoying the book so far. It is also causing me to think more about the time period and lifestyle of women back in those days. It helps to bring the text to life from an angle I can latch on to. I even Googled "Alexander's Ragtime Band" during the duchess's gathering. I played it while reading that scene. It was great fun!

What are your thoughts of historical fiction? Are you a regular fan? Have you found this text to be similar to other books of this genre or is it stretching in some way?

 

[melissac]

Just discussed with my husband about the use of fictional characters and non-fictional characters in this book and how they are woven together to make it more enjoyable to read. I just finished the book and read the authors notes that he researched the non-fictional characters and made sure that when writing about them with fictional characters that this could have really happened. Such as Winston Churchill going to the country for the weekend. Author stated that if this was not possible such as he was out of the country at that time it would not have been written about. Author did a great job at keeping it real and realalistic. Very good book.