tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post7931105784911525184..comments2024-03-24T13:45:25.132-05:00Comments on Bookfoolery : Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth PfefferBookfoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08247136634069540446noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-60027291292294322222009-02-02T13:41:00.000-06:002009-02-02T13:41:00.000-06:00I think Becky is right, the 'Christian' characters...I think Becky is right, the 'Christian' characters may have seem to been portrayed as bad people but were more influenced by a bad priest. Nobody's PerfectAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-37140524422651835212008-07-22T09:02:00.000-05:002008-07-22T09:02:00.000-05:00Teddy Rose,Thanks! I enjoyed Life as We Knew It a...Teddy Rose,<BR/><BR/>Thanks! I enjoyed Life as We Knew It and looked for the companion novel, this weekend (no luck, so far, but I'll find a copy!). Do you ever have Mt. TBR avalanches? Just curious. We did, but I've been working on shoving the piles aside. My toes were tired of being sore. :)Bookfoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08247136634069540446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-76065056066997809162008-07-22T01:10:00.000-05:002008-07-22T01:10:00.000-05:00Great review! I've seen some other really good re...Great review! I've seen some other really good reviews for this book and added it to Mt. TBR.Teddy Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16145413222317511542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-17845596988557687882008-07-20T14:59:00.000-05:002008-07-20T14:59:00.000-05:00Nyssaneala,I space out my post-apocalyptic reads, ...Nyssaneala,<BR/><BR/>I space out my post-apocalyptic reads, too -- but I pretty much do that with everything. I try to blend the heavy with the light and nonfiction with fiction, etc., because I easily tire of the same old thing. So far, I haven't gotten to The Road. Maybe it's good that there are about 100 people in line ahead of me at PBS! :)Bookfoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08247136634069540446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-53132952568203162952008-07-20T14:15:00.000-05:002008-07-20T14:15:00.000-05:00I can only read post-apocalyptic literature once o...I can only read post-apocalyptic literature once or twice a year. Anything more than that and it's just too depressing. The Road by Cormac McCarthy quickly filled my personal threshold this year!Nyssanealahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01880042178848084407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-40927788740334550762008-07-16T19:55:00.000-05:002008-07-16T19:55:00.000-05:00Iliana,It struck me as odd when I realized that I ...Iliana,<BR/><BR/>It struck me as odd when I realized that I actually really <I>enjoy</I> post-apocalyptic fiction, hence my little analysis of what makes it appeal to some of us. I haven't read any of the titles you mentioned, although I'm pretty sure Parable of the Sower is on my wish list. I'll have to go look. <BR/><BR/>That is an interesting observation. There are, I think, people who are convinced the "end times" are near in <I>every</I> generation. I discovered that by flipping through my mother's books. From my own experience with disaster, though, I can tell you the religious groups calmly stepped forward to do their part after Katrina. My church became an official Red Cross shelter for refugees during and after the storm, then they sent teams with food and water and, eventually, groups to help with rebuilding. It was awe-inspiring and may have something to do with my strong reaction to the negative religious portrayal in Life as We Knew It.Bookfoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08247136634069540446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-91061406697525613712008-07-16T17:13:00.000-05:002008-07-16T17:13:00.000-05:00I'm definitely curious about this book. It's weird...I'm definitely curious about this book. It's weird, I wouldn't think I am one to enjoy post-apocalyptic fiction but I can think of several books that fall into that category which I've greatly enjoyed -- Parable of the Sower, The Handmaid's Tale and A Gift Upon the Shore... Interestingly enough in some of these some of the "religious" people are also a bit, ah, loony. Have to think about that some more.Ilianahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07026669671843769219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-60489451051850396752008-07-15T21:51:00.000-05:002008-07-15T21:51:00.000-05:00Stephanie,Thank you. I think my biggest disappoin...Stephanie,<BR/><BR/>Thank you. I think my biggest disappointment was the writing style, but the two Christian characters were definitely sad. I guess the minister could be compared to televangelists who've taken advantage of people to live cushy lives and Megan is a bit like a cultist in her zeal. You described religion so well -- <I>Religion is supposed to be a backbone to help you live your life.</I> So true!Bookfoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08247136634069540446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-42646450108491849112008-07-15T21:18:00.000-05:002008-07-15T21:18:00.000-05:00A very nice review. I'm with you on it, too! ...A very nice review. I'm with you on it, too! I wasn't blown away by the book like I had hoped I would be....but I still liked it. And I agree with you on the Christian characters. The minister was awful, and Megas was just nuts. But I can see how she got to that point, and it's sad really. Religion is supposed to be a backbone to help you live your life. Not something to make a sacrifice of your life. I truly don't think that is what Christ had in mind. <BR/><BR/>Again...Nice review!Stephaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05055676171075203563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-33642899396638232842008-07-15T18:07:00.000-05:002008-07-15T18:07:00.000-05:00J.Kaye,That's true; I've known a few Christians wh...J.Kaye,<BR/><BR/>That's true; I've known a few Christians who are what I'd call "Off the deep end," myself. Very few, though. Yes, I'm planning to read the second book, definitely. I was planning to go look for a copy today, but then my son's car developed an electrical problem (so he couldn't drive himself to work) and I got swatted down by a migraine, so I guess it will wait till another day. :)<BR/><BR/>Amy,<BR/><BR/>When religion is portrayed in such a radical way, I always find myself wondering if an author had a really bad experience. You just never know. But, yep, the book is still a really good read and I'm looking forward to reading the companion novel. Thank you! :)Bookfoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08247136634069540446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-39970098170471755262008-07-15T16:32:00.000-05:002008-07-15T16:32:00.000-05:00I wondered why the Christians were negatively port...I wondered why the Christians were negatively portrayed too. I did enjoy the book though. Very nice review.Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08134658141375355475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-92072401364633272252008-07-15T16:23:00.000-05:002008-07-15T16:23:00.000-05:00I agree with with your insight, but felt the crazy...I agree with with your insight, but felt the crazy Christian slant fit some people I know. :( Are you planning to read book II?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-54583769980549581262008-07-15T09:56:00.000-05:002008-07-15T09:56:00.000-05:00Becky,That's a great way to put it, I don't think ...Becky,<BR/><BR/>That's a great way to put it, <I>I don't think those "Christian" characters had anything to do with Christ</I>. Maybe the author was trying to show that belief in a higher power can easily be twisted to the point that it's not really anything but the individual's will? Or something like that! :) <BR/><BR/>I've already put The Dead and the Gone on my wish list. Not sure I can wait, though! I'm going to look for a copy, today. <BR/><BR/>Chris,<BR/><BR/><I>I don't like it when religion is portrayed as just one big bad monster</I><BR/><BR/>My sentiments exactly, and very well stated. You could be onto something. Maybe the author wanted to show two ends of the spectrum. It would have been nice if she'd balanced the religious aspect better, but that was my only complaint about the book. I'd have read The Dead and the Gone, anyway, but I'm looking forward to it even more, now. :)<BR/><BR/>Les,<BR/><BR/>Aren't we funny with our love of post-apocalyptic stories? The World as We Knew It is a nice, quick read because of the writing style. I'll look forward to reading your thoughts!<BR/><BR/>Andi,<BR/><BR/>I checked my copy out from the library and I'm glad I did. I don't consider it a keeper, but it was worth the time to read it and I will definitely read the companion novel.Bookfoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08247136634069540446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-16741217481226430252008-07-15T08:24:00.000-05:002008-07-15T08:24:00.000-05:00I've heard about this one, but I hadn't paid enoug...I've heard about this one, but I hadn't paid enough attention to actually know what it's about. If I run across it at the library I think I might give it a go.Andihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05220718933942181809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-32679009395415711672008-07-15T05:38:00.000-05:002008-07-15T05:38:00.000-05:00I'm due to read another Young Adult book and you k...I'm due to read another Young Adult book and you know how much I love those post-apocalyptic tales, so this is definitely going on my list.Leshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08345657431432380804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-66235655040609887572008-07-15T00:56:00.000-05:002008-07-15T00:56:00.000-05:00Glad you liked it Nancy :) I had a problem with th...Glad you liked it Nancy :) I had a problem with the religious thing too when I read it. I don't like it when religion is portrayed as just one big bad monster either. With that being said though, she balances things out in her second book, The Dead and the Gone. In that book, the church plays a hugely positive role. I'm curious as to why it was so negative in this book and why it was so positive in the second book. I guess she wanted to show how different people react to the same situation. Looking at the series as a whole, I can see her point, but she had to have seen that she was going to take some criticism when just this book was out!chrisa511https://www.blogger.com/profile/05793512698366676453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-32974092349074802732008-07-14T22:35:00.000-05:002008-07-14T22:35:00.000-05:00I had some of those concerns myself. As in I didn'...I had some of those concerns myself. As in I didn't think those "Christian" characters had anything to do with Christ. <BR/><BR/>For a more positive spin (mostly) on how faith has an impact, you might want to try THE DEAD AND THE GONE in which we see what the Catholic church does in response. It's much more faith-friendly than Life As We Knew It. It's a companion novel. Set in New York City. Narrated by a 17 year old boy, Alex.Beckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00793618692608823102noreply@blogger.com