2017 Reading Challenge discussion

Entertaining book. Oddly reminiscent of House of Cards, to me.

You know? You're right about House of Cards, but I kinda think HoC is more successful. Made myself finish just to see some characters get their comeuppance. Got really tired of it, but was intrigued by Serena's strange, almost mythical character. Kinda reminded me a little of Cathy in East of Eden.

I havent read East of Eden.

I agree about HoC...HoC is a LOT better.

I have to also agree that it dragged in several parts but I kept going...and stopped rooting for the bad guy. (Unlike in HoC where I'm still rooting for Frank, and especially Doug.)

I'm with you and rooting for the "bad guy"...I certainly like Frank Underwood more than Serena or Pemberton. But I held on to Serena because she was so otherworldly in her intense drive and ambition. And that image of her mounted on horse with that snake-hunting huge predator bird and one-armed "lieutenant." *shivers*

I love Doug! I wonder is he trying to be good or just so in love he's being reckless (for him). I was hoping Rachel would be good for him....

As far as East of Eden, I felt like I needed to read a Steinbeck beyond Of Mice and Men (or the Eng dept would shun me). Plus I read that Mumford & Sons were inspired by his writing.

Larissa wrote: "I'm with you and rooting for the "bad guy"...I certainly like Frank Underwood more than Serena or Pemberton. But I held on to Serena because she was so otherworldly in her intense drive and ambitio..."

So I need to add East of Eden to my reading list. LOL

YES, that picture of her on the horse. That was great. In my mind she was this ethereal beauty that commanded respect and every eye. Hard to just leave the book with that in it!

I was hoping Rachel would fix Doug too. Instead he seems to be going crazy because of her.

When Doug got the picture from hacker-dude, I was like Noooooooooooooo! But he does seem like he's getting back on the horse with Underwood.

Crap. This is a thread about Serena and I've hijacked it into House of Cards. *chagrin*

As far as East of Eden, it kinda left me unsatisfied in a similar way as Serena, though less so. It's more generational--with a wider net of characters. There's also a whole Cain and Abel aspect of it. I'm glad I read it even though I felt it left me a little meh. The way Steinbeck tells that story, the language, has a different feel from most things I've read (especially his Of Mice and Men).

I was in a book club that chose Serena and everybody pretty much hated it. Apparently the movie is kinda dead too--think it went straight to video? What a shame. I think it could make a really great movie. Gosh just the visuals and horrific logging accidents and creepy characters and trying to kill an innocent girl and child.

(Oh god, apparently I had not watched the last HoC of the season. Dammit, Doug! Poor Rachel.)

YEAH, I was careful not to give spoilers cause it seemed you hadn't.

Yes, that was pretty shocking.

So thoughtful, my dear! :)