Robert McCammon discussion
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The Five
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January Group Read-The Five! We're Done! SPOILERS NOT MARKED
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Charlene wrote: "Here there be unmarked spoilers about The Five! Enter at your own risk!!That said, let's hear what you think!"
Ack! Need to read after Dark Hollow!
Wow. Loved this book. It didn't end as I thought it might, it was a much more subtle end as far as the purpose of the band finishing the song, but I think the subtly of it added to its power.
What did you think of the portion at the end with the list of bands?What did you think of the final chapter with the young girl/woman? (If I remember correctly, this was the last chapter.)
And did you take a look at the questions on McCammon's site?
The list of bands at the end was great fun to read, even if I did not fund Rush listed!! I will seek out some of those bands and give 'em a listen.The final chapter is the subtlety I wrote about earlier. Did not expect that. Thought there would be a much bigger ending, but I love how he ended the story. It came full circle from the beginning!
I did not look at the questions on the site, I'll do that.
One question: Why did whatever it was that was appearing as Gunney want the band to not write the song--just so that Jenn would not get better after her father's death and perhaps kill herself by not eating?
I thought so, yes. So that she would get better and perhaps do something important in the future?Now I'm talking from my memory of reading this back in 2011, so I very well could be wrong on that. But that is what I thought.
What you said above were my thoughts,exactly, batck then...about how perfectly the story came around in a circle.
I believe there was a battle going on with those "on the other side". However, the only thing these evil being could do was to influence those they could use because of their past. I do not believe Gunny was in Jeremy's Imagination..I believe Gunny was a demon or a being that represented pure evil. The water girl represented goodness or could have been an angel from heaven or even Jesus himself. She certainly represented good. I LOVED the list of bands at the end. Made me think of some bands I had not thought of for a long time. I don't remember seeing Steely Dan...lol...but I'm sure he missed some or maybe I missed them.
I didn't follow the questions on the author's page...didn't make a lot of sense to me. Maybe a couple of them, but I was surprised that I was looking at the book differently.
This book had a personal message for me. I do not think Robert wrote the book for me or any thing, but I think some things that have happened to me in the past couple of years (starting with purchasing my first kindle) lead me to this book. Was this a supernatural happening in my life? Yes, I think it was and I am very grateful.
Charlene wrote: "What did you think of the portion at the end with the list of bands?What did you think of the final chapter with the young girl/woman? (If I remember correctly, this was the last chapter.)
And did..."
I can't find the questions on McCammon's site. Where are they located?
Hunter, you're the best. :)I had posted them on our original thread for the group read.
Randolph, I think so too.
Thanks for posting the link to the questions. Kind of lame I couldn't find them where you had linked them earlier, Charlene. 'doh!
No worries! What did you think? Were you able to answer them?
I have decided to revisit the questions on RMcC's web page. #1) Who is Gunny? I believe Gunny is an evil being sent to assist and influence Jeremy
#2) Why Gunny sent at Jer's lowest time? That is when evil could influence him the most
#3) Jeremy's last name Pett?? IDK, is Jeremy being used and manipulated like he is a pet?? I'm not sure
4.How do you think the video was manipulated? I'm not sure about this...I must have missed this in the book.5.Who was the girl at the well? She represented good, perhaps an angel, someone who serves instead of being served
6.Any symbolism in the crows circling the field? Not sure
You know with these questions raised by RMcC, did you notice why he asked them? Here is his quote about the reason for the questions: "I see many, if not most, reviews compare The Five to MINE and say that it is a crime/thriller without any supernatural content.
Students, consider these questions…"
It looks like you do believe there was a supernatural aspect to the story. :)
Here's something about crows, scroll down to "murder of crows", and there's some info there on what circling crows might mean. :)
Thanks, Charlene. That's sort of what I thought, but couldn't exactly put it into words. I do believe there is a supernatural aspect to the story. After seeing the questions RMcC came up with after realizing so many of his fans did not see this, I think it was written with a supernatural aspect...hmmm does that make sense?
So yes, the crows did have a supernatural or symbolic meaning. People, dear friends and members of their band were about to die. The good and the bad right there together with the blackberry pickers...
I think it makes sense. Angels, be they good or bad qualify as supernatural to me. :)
One scene that really got to me was when Jeremy had the band and the FBI guy, True, cornered between the van and the abandoned building. The scene was told from Jeremy's viewpoint, and he described how he saw the members of the band helping each other, showing courage. No Blue Falcons here. That was a truly moving scene, especially as it was told through Jeremy's eyes.
Chad wrote: "One scene that really got to me was when Jeremy had the band and the FBI guy, True, cornered between the van and the abandoned building. The scene was told from Jeremy's viewpoint, and he described..."oh yes, chad...that went right to the heart of things, didn't it. interesting how the supernatural evil ended up not being able to control Jeremy in the end there. it speaks to me that we as humans can make our own decisions when it comes to good and evil. I don't think McCammon is a Calvinist.
That said, let's hear what you think!