Haven

MichelleCarmen · Aug 15, 2009

Hey, I finished the book!

After posting that I thought it may have been a bit too violent, I left it on my side table for a few days and thought about it. . .then I picked it up again and plowed right through it.

The last chapter really gave it a softer ending than it would have had with only the 20th chapter to round it out, and was much realistic to how the lives of many wild children turn out in the end. I could easily imagine little Alex's life turning out that way.

(So, yes, I did enjoy the book!)

Thanks for mentioning this book in posts!

Haven · Aug 15, 2009

I''m glad you liked it! I think I''m going to reread it when I finish trudging through Julie and Julia this week.

I love what it makes me think about. I love how it first shocks me, then disgusts me, and then makes me take a good long look at myself and the world I live in and think about my beliefs about how and why we make choices.

We''re off to a wedding now, but I''m going to come back to this thread later so we can discuss!

If you like the dystopian genre, there are a whole slew of other books I can recommend. Did you read The Giver in school? It''s a good one, too.

MichelleCarmen · Aug 15, 2009

Thanks for the recommendation. I'll pick up the Giver at my next used book store run and add it to my stack. Right now Farinheit 451 is at the top.

ACO was intriguing to me because, although Alex was considered a blight of society, I felt compelled to support him and wish his life would turn right for him. Then I'd have to remind myself (as I was still reading along as he continually was thinking of and/or beating people to a pulp), wait again, this guy is a thug. A little monster. A woman's worst nightmare and also a guy who would be the one to beat me to death (or do other crimes!) if met in an alley! He's the kid I read about in my local paper who appauls me. He should be in prison. What he only gets 12 years for his crime? He should be in there for life. . .But, there I was reading his side of the story, leaving me with the feeling I should be sympathizing for him.

Anyhow, my kids are going to grandparents, so DH and I are going to see "District 9," at a little theater in Seattle

Yeah, two nights of freedom for only the price/cost of watching a violent sci-fi thriller. . .kind of reminds me of Alex. lol

Hope you guys have a great time at the wedding you're attending!

ETA - did you see the ACO movie? I am debating it. . .not sure if seeing it will ruin the book for me, you know?