Techno-Thrillers discussion

I’m introducing the notion of a Buddy Read (BR) to our group. It’s something many of the groups do. It is separate from a group consensus Book of the Month (BOTM) read.

Basically, if any 2 or more members want to read a book together, they just go ahead and do it and call it a Buddy Read.

Usually, they put a message out there as an open proposal. If someone else agrees, they go ahead and do it. I’ll eventually write up some guidelines but here’s the gist. If no one agrees, and the proposer gives up or starts reading it solo, they can withdraw it. Or if only one person agrees but the initial proposer has left the group or gone incommunicado, well, it is stagnant until 2 people agree. Ideally, the moderator cleans up (deletes) old messages that got no response after a year or so. Some groups maintain a spreadsheet because there are so many requests.



Anyway, Apple TV is going to start a Dark Matter mini series tomorrow, Wednesday, May 7, 2024. I wanted to read the book before watching. So, I am. I’m liking it so far. Since time is off the essence due to the release tomorrow, and I want to show what a Buddy Read might look like, … I’m just going to go ahead and do it even though no one has agreed yet. Respond if you’re in. Month to read it. I’ll watch it to, so it is a Buddy Watch (BW) too. Just made that up, but that’s the plan.

22 of you have already read it. Most liked said 4-5 stars. A couple 3-stars.

Sorry for making it Blake Crouch or bust month. Will try to avoid such a monopoly in the future.

About 80% through the book, and now 2 episodes into the show. The show deviates somewhat from the book, so they are two different experiences. I like the main actor, but not necessarily for this role. He seems to play a more dazed and confused character than the book. He doesn’t credibly convey the type of intellectual he is cast for, a physics PhD, who would invent the technology in the book. Much more is conveyed by confused looks than dialogue in the show. The wife is good looking, and I like her as an actress, but wouldn’t have cast her either. Was looking for someone with a thicker Spanish accent, and a little more cheery demeanor. They both do a good job, but I feel the audiobook Is a little better emulating these characters on the mark.

Amazed at how utterly spare Blake Crouch seems to cover the technology premise, now in all 3 of his books that I’ve read. It is the opposite of Crichton’s curated fire hose of technical data and real-world journal articles, that typically inhabit chapter 2. Still, he makes it work, and exploits the premise so quickly that you hardly notice how flimsy the premise is and get concerned about the character’s predicament.

Looking forward to how they portray Chapter 13, (view spoiler)[ a scene with email/chat where several versions of the same character discover each that each other are present in the same world with the same intention. That really struck me as a classic and memorable scene. Then, he walks out the door, and see himself and then another. Again, Crouch is exceedingly spare in offering any explanation why that would happen, and focuses rather on the question: what if it did. I’m watching with my son and expecting his mind to blow when that scene happens, I imagine some will knee jerk negatively, or find it hokey, but I liked it in the book. It really saps all hope that the protagonist can thread the needle. Stephen King and Michael Crichton have written many successful stories where it feels a little hokey at some point. Like why on Earth would a car named Christine somehow be alive. Nevertheless, it is successful with most people. It is kind of courageous to write something like that. I don’t think I could. I would be more like Andy Weir, who tends to keep it plausible, … until he momentarily doesn’t. And yet, I keep reading these books and loving them anyway. (hide spoiler)].

Finished it … the book. The TV series is still going with the last (9th episode on June 26th. I definitely liked the book. Chapter 13 has what I expect to be a classic scene or two really, … something that sticks. Something you’d probably discuss with anyone you met who’d read the book (spoiler in my last post). It zigs dark, leaves you wondering how it could possibly zag back from the demoralizing depths. Some people may/may not like that chapter. I liked it.

My full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/edit...

I think the epic Chapter 13 scenes in this book will probably air in the upcoming episode. Suggest that anyone following the series catch up in the book through chapter 13 before they watch it. Still time.

OK, tonight’s episode (#7) caught up just to the start of Chapter 13, I think, in the gun store. The show deviates a little from the book, but I think/hope the next episode faithfully portrays Chapter 13, which I thought was a classic scene (or 2 or 3) that I’ll remember as long as I remember my name. Mind blowing might be strong words, but probably not too far off. Can’t wait for the next episode. And … I’m going to be traveling … and won’t be with my son, who I’ve watched this show with, so I’ll have to wait to the end of the week to watch it with him when I get back. It will be hard to wait.

This week had the classic episode I thought was coming. It portrayed what happened in Chapter 13 of the book. My grown kids agreed, it was pretty cool. It turns it up to 11 (Spinal Tap reference). Stuff hits the fan … leaves you with … now where can it possibly go from here?

The show finale was this week. It differed a little from the book. I liked them both. My son liked it too.

Steve wrote: "The show finale was this week. It differed a little from the book. I liked them both. My son liked it too."

I'd forgotten there was a show, will check it out. I think it's on Apple TV?

Yes, Apple TV