[JeffVan]

Funny you should mention it...

Jeff

[Eventine]

Jeff,
I'd just like to thank you for coming along this month. You've offered some great insights into the book, yourself and the industry.
I'm looking forward to your tour to Australia later in the year.

Cheers!

[Eventine]

Also, for those interested, Jeff's blog is here: http://vanderworld.blogspot.com/

[JeffVan]

Hey--thanks for having me.

All the best,

Jeff

[juzzza]

Just thought I'd pipe up and say that I am reading VU, and enjoying it a great deal.

It took a while to get used to Nichola's 2nd Person POV but once it clicked I have found it to be a brilliant way to absorb the story. Meerkats! Love them, and what a fascinating character.

[Nimea]

Aargh! I wanted to post yesterday, so that even if I don't have to say a lot and the discussion is almost over, I at least would be in time . . . but my internet connection was terminated yesterday in the evening (and too early) before I had any chance. And my new connection was set up this afternoon . . .

First: thank you, Jeff!

Second: the Album Baxter (by Baxter) now automatically triggers thoughts on Jeff VanderMeer / Veniss Underground for me . . .

Third: I might be one of the few indivuduals who can't say that this book blew me away or that I find it great - BUT: I don't think it is bad either. In fact, just like with The Etched City, I do want to read more by the author (I own City already) and I will try to recommend the German translation (whenever that is published). :)
I also think the book kind of grew on me - mostly because of this discussion. I would not have taken the time to think so much about it without the discussion (and without Jeff's contribution) and I think I learned quite some things.
What I liked from the first moment on even without discussion ;) are the three different voices and the changing from I to You to He - and how they are connected. I also immediately recognized the role of cruelty in the novel - and maybe that is also part of why I was less taken by the book.
And that reminds me of something: maybe I am totally off here but what struck me most was the chance for the meerkat 'society' to be 'better' or at least more beautiful than the old human counterpart, but they utterly failed partly because of their arrogance and 'feeling of superiority'. But maybe that's just my impression.

Uh, did anyone mention dead art vs. living art? Mmh, really should have posted earlier. *sigh*

To get back to my initial mentioning of Balzac's War at the beginning of the thread: this story actually had more emotional impact on me and is even clearer in my memory than the novel.

So, once again, glad to have this book club and glad to have read this book. :)

[JeffVan]

Hey--thanks for the comments. I don't expect everybody to love my stuff, and was actually surprised everybody or just about everybody who posted really enjoyed it. It's just not possible to satisfy every reader, nor should one try. In fact, I would be very disappointed if everyone loved it, since a book should be individual enough and idiosyncratic enough that not everyone *can* love it.

Thanks again for the opportunity.

Best,

JeffV

[FicusFan]

Hey--thanks for having me.

All the best,

Jeff


You don't actually get off the hook that easily :D Although the large part of the posters have had their say, the thread stays open and new people and regulars can and will pop in and post after the month is over. :) (Of course you don't have to respond.)

Just when you think it is safe to venture out on the internet again, we will send you a little reminder that we are still here. The book group session that never ends, now there is an idea from hell. :)

[Rocket Sheep]

Uh, did anyone mention dead art vs. living art? Mmh, really should have posted earlier. *sigh*

To get back to my initial mentioning of Balzac's War at the beginning of the thread: this story actually had more emotional impact on me and is even clearer in my memory than the novel.


I also liked Balzac's War more. I found lots in Veniss Underground interesting and the style of it admirable so I gave it a fairly favourable review. It's definitely worth reading on many levels but, as a story, I felt more connection with Balzac's War. I thought at the time it had more to do with me knowing more about the world by then rather than the change in style.

Are you going to mention dead art vs living art?

[Nimea]

Are you going to mention dead art vs living art?

I hoped that someone else would do that :D . . . but hey, okay, I will do it:

Dead art vs. living art - Did I get that right, that living art has to do with body art - changing living bodies of any kind in all weird kind of ways? I had a word for that but just now can't remember it . . . which is actually for me really where all this cruelty and sickness and ugliness comes from, but which at the same time is held in high regard by the people living in that world.

Ah, sorry, need sleep. Off to bed now. Good night!