Challenge Corner discussion

'Is this honest? Are we all being honest here?'

You couldn't really call the man soon to be christened TonyInterruptor a heckler, but he seems to feel an unquenchable urge to disrupt and interrupt live cultural events. Who is he? What does he want? Why does he indulge in behaviour that violates the social contract?

After just such a public interruption goes viral, a small group of characters determine to find out the answers to these question, and end up learning more than they might possibly like about music, culture, relationships, Art, integrity, each other and their own endlessly disrupted and disruptable selves.

As profound as it is exuberant, TonyInterruptor is a comic masterpiece that traces the aftermath of a single event as it reverberates through the online world and its characters' lives, upending everything in its wake and posing fundamental questions about authenticity, the internet, love and, yes, truth.

Looking forward to reading this with you later Carl :)

After your well-deserved break! I'm excited for this one.

Ready to nibble on this one. Honestly! I think we should check in every 50 pages, which should give us about 4 breaks. I read the first chapter and the writing feels propulsive.

I've made a start too :) Seems... interesting so far! I don't have page numbers; where are we calling 50 pages? A number of chapters?

You’re right. I’m also don’t have page numbers lol I’ve read until chapter 8. I’m finding it ok. The characterisation is great and I like the writing. I just think is too much mumbling so far. Did you find anything interesting? I think this is the kind of book that will make sense only at the end.

One thing is certain, there are so many micro-isolated-funny moments, like in chapter 9 (view spoiler)[when Sasha and Mallory are talking in the hospital after her accident, and he describes her as an unholy bitch! (hide spoiler)]

Carl wrote: "You’re right. I’m also don’t have page numbers lol I’ve read until chapter 8. I’m finding it ok. The characterisation is great and I like the writing. I just think is too much mumbling so far. Did ..."

I've just got to the end of chapter 6. The characterisation is great but following it is... well, I think 'mumbling' is a good description to be fair! Or perhaps babbling... It's a lot of words, and half of them don't really mean that much - does that make sense? I don't think I'm entirely missing the point; that does seem to BE the point at this stage...

I agree with micro-isolated funny moments, too. And very spot-on-perceptive moments. For example, from chapter 6 (view spoiler)[ "... I mean at this particular moment in history. It has never mattered more what you say - how you react - and at the same time it has never mattered less." (This is the conversation between Lacey and Sasha).
I'm not really involved (or at all tbh) in Twitter/X culture and trending hashtags and things that are all the rage for one moment and then disappear into obscurity, but this does seem to hit the nail on the head for the feeling of today's zeitgeist. (Was that tautological? Apologies) (hide spoiler)]

I wouldn't say I'm exactly enjoying this book to be honest, but it's... interesting. I think it's probably the kind of book that the Booker judges will be interested in ;) What do you think?

Ellen-Arwen wrote: "Carl wrote: "You’re right. I’m also don’t have page numbers lol I’ve read until chapter 8. I’m finding it ok. The characterisation is great and I like the writing. I just think is too much mumbling..."

Absolutely. I share the same feeling as you. I'm interest in knowing Barker's point of view, but not engrossed. Everything seems to gravitates towards that one moment, that created the... how do you call it? Viral moment. From there, some background information about the characters, that supports that meme. Her writing expresses very well this urgency, anxiety and distraction. Rather chaotic tbf. I think it'll be a 2-3 stars (probably 3 if the thesis is not obvious).

Carl wrote: "One thing is certain, there are so many micro-isolated-funny moments, like in chapter 9 [spoilers removed]"

Yes, that's a good example of a micro-isolated funny moment indeed! But as a whole... to quote the book itself, this book is almost the definition of (view spoiler)[ 'To work hard at being effortless.' And that's intentional on Barker's part, I'm sure. But it doesn't make for riveting reading. (hide spoiler)]

Carl wrote: "Ellen-Arwen wrote: "Carl wrote: "You’re right. I’m also don’t have page numbers lol I’ve read until chapter 8. I’m finding it ok. The characterisation is great and I like the writing. I just think ..."

I'm glad we're feeling the same things about this book - it's... frustrating. The whole book is centred around this 'viral moment' and everything is just sort of meandering around it. It's very 'literary'. but not the kind of literary that is exactly enjoyable. (Which is why I think that it's the kind of book that will be a Booker contender, incidentally. Books that are 'clever' (possibly), trying to do something different - and in this case, trying too hard. It's sort of painful to read, if that makes sense?

I'm actually getting on better with it by reading it faster and not trying to analyse it in great detail. Barker has created urgency, anxiety and distraction (as you very succinctly put it), but... what about?? I suppose that's the whole point. I'm don't 'get' it, but that's also part of the point, I think.

Chaotic. Very current. (Hyper current, too
Glad to have someone to bounce ideas off!

Ellen-Arwen wrote: "Carl wrote: "One thing is certain, there are so many micro-isolated-funny moments, like in chapter 9 [spoilers removed]"

Yes, that's a good example of a micro-isolated funny moment indeed! But as ..."

Yes! Exactly. I'm glad we are reading the same book and having the same perception. As for literary, I was having a discussion about what it actually means literary (GR group newest literary fiction). There are some very interesting points, and most agree literary fiction challenges your world view. Does just beautiful writing makes it literary? This is falling more on contemporary. =X

Carl wrote: "Ellen-Arwen wrote: "Carl wrote: "One thing is certain, there are so many micro-isolated-funny moments, like in chapter 9 [spoilers removed]"

Yes, that's a good example of a micro-isolated funny mo..."

I'm glad we have similar thoughts - this has been a really lovely buddy read, thank you Carl (and I didn't only enjoy the chat because we agree btw :P)

Interesting you were having a similar discussion about 'literary fiction'; it is the most nebulous genre, and - for me - very hit and miss. I loved, for example, Ducks, Newburyport, which some people hated, but didn't get on with The Luminaries, which lots of people loved! For me, there has to be a balance between an interesting concept AND a reason for me to actually be reading it. It's not enough just to be 'impressive'; I read for enjoyment (mostly)!

Anyway, I digress!

I liked the change of pace that came with the second part (view spoiler)[ Three years later - and we got some more character development. I'm still kind of intrigued by Mallory, and how that was left hanging... would it have been better if we'd had another section from her PoV? I guess that's the point, leaving the reader unknowing... I had assumed that Gunn was Shore's daughter - that was an interesting 'twist' (sort of).

I can see why India felt lied to; there wasn't a lot of 'honesty' in that household. And if Mallory's way of being 'honest' was to leave... I don't know, it just made me uncomfortable. The whole ridiculous fiasco over the hair installation was both, well, ridiculous, and... I'm finding it hard to describe what I think about this. Sorry.

I liked India in the second part, her being more grown-up, seeing her stand up very effectively to her dad - although what does it mean to even be 'effective'? Literally, this book has you questioning every word choice - which is, undoubtedly, the point.

I did like the conversation between John Braithwaite/TonyInterrupter and the Francophone African ex-nun. It was... interesting. In a mild way. Goodness, I'm finding it hard to know what to say about this book! (hide spoiler)]

I'll be interested in what you think about the book as a whole. It was, I suppose, clever, but - for me - ultimately dissatisfying. I'm not interested in the subject matter - viral moments that have unexpected consequences... wait, that's not true - too huge a statement! It was just... hmm.

I'm hoping you'll have something more eloquent I can reply to, because I'm a bit lost! I did find it more compelling (not quite the right word) from the second act, but it's not a book I would recommend...

I do stand by what I thought at the start of reading - that this will potentially be a Booker nominee. It's almost as though she wrote it with that in mind, as opposed to trying to write a good book.

Hope some of that made sense! Looking forward to your thoughts :)

Btw, I've provisionally given it 3 stars, but it's probably more of a 2 - I hate the star system anyway because it doesn't give enough nuance to what you thought about a book... Hmmm.

It has been really good to read along with you. And I share the same feelings. I just finished it and I'm like... really? The second part basically explained everything we had previously discussed. It is a very heavy-worded novel and much of it was meandering in a chaotic way (wan't even philosophising and all). I'm giving it 3 stars as well (2,5 rounded up).

This book feels very Booker Prizey, but there are so many better options. I need sometime to make sense of things but the thesis seems to revolve around honesty (with the end being a ridiculous example of utter honesty - in Mallory's case). This will be hard to review in an interesting and non-spoilery way. Next!

Carl wrote: "It has been really good to read along with you. And I share the same feelings. I just finished it and I'm like... really? The second part basically explained everything we had previously discussed...."

Haha, my thoughts exactly! How can you review this without either (a) being totally opaque and not saying anything, or (b) saying exactly what happens - which isn't much?

And yes, Mallory's actions were an example of ridiculous utter honesty. Okay, maybe she was acting honestly, but it wasn't moral or okay in any way at all! I was quite cross with all of them lol.

I think I'll give it 2, rounded down from 2.5 - I can't bear to give this 3... it doesn't deserve it.

Have you come across any other Booker Prizey reads yet this year? It's always interesting what pops up... And thanks so much, reading with you made this so much more enjoyable!

Ellen-Arwen wrote: "Carl wrote: "It has been really good to read along with you. And I share the same feelings. I just finished it and I'm like... really? The second part basically explained everything we had previous..."

Yes, she wasn't moral or considerate. Perhaps utter honesty can be inconsiderate and destructive and far-reaching. I think this is a good point. Still, too convoluted just for this. Most people rated it 3 or 4 with a fair number of 5 (and mainly enjoyed the writing). Ultimately, I reckon this is what will appeal to people.

I have come across some really great contenders for the booker. , , , apart from the first, all others are being highly spoken about.

Carl wrote: "Ellen-Arwen wrote: "Carl wrote: "It has been really good to read along with you. And I share the same feelings. I just finished it and I'm like... really? The second part basically explained everyt..."

Destructive indeed... I've been surprised reading other reviews to be honest, it's had a better reception than I expected. I suppose you're right that people enjoyed the writing... but I didn't, honestly. It was fine - nothing more. Nothing to write home about.

Interesting Booker contenders; these are ones you've read? Any you particularly recommend?

The Booker longlist just got announced. https://thebookerprizes.com/

There are some really great books. I have read only Endling and listened to Universality. Other fellow readers read others and loved. I think this is a great list. Disappoint Me and Dusk are VERY good and quick and easy. Endling is brilliant and fun but more experimental.

I'm not sure if I'll read the whole list because I'm not buying any more books! I'm gonna be more broke lol My library has The South and I've heard good things about it. That's it.

Oh, one GR friend just commented on my rate, saying she always abandons her books because they're pretentious lol exactly our assessment. The writing was fine and convoluted. Period.

I saw the list too - and was about to come and tell you, but you beat me to it :P

I haven't read any of them, but I have Universality on TBR already, which has been SUPER popular, so I have (cautiously) high hopes. I'll try and get Disappoint Me and Dusk from the library (although I expect they'll have very long waitlists as of today...), because I am also NOT buying books - and doing pretty well actually! (Not so good on not requesting ARCs but I'm working on it lol). My self-imposed book buying ban is more because I have so many unread books that I (literally) don't have shelf space for them, and I feel guilty about not reading them... Books are just so easy to buy, aren't they?

I think your GR friend's assessment is a good one. I wish I was better at DNFing but I always feel a bit of a failure... even with the pretentious-ness.

If my library has The South, I'll let you know - another buddy on the horizon? This has been a good discussion, despite the bad book haha.