tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29864506.post4211510986024157228..comments2023-11-03T05:49:10.841-04:00Comments on Storytelling Rules: Too much of a good thingMaureen McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00494408580378817045noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29864506.post-18456855771748191652010-01-19T20:07:50.937-05:002010-01-19T20:07:50.937-05:00Wow! With a reaction like that, it makes me think ...Wow! With a reaction like that, it makes me think Didion should be incredibly proud. <br />That said, you definitely should not be reading it. <br />Going through a tragedy like that once is enough.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29864506.post-71011999287483936322010-01-19T13:11:00.016-05:002010-01-19T13:11:00.016-05:00I remember crying for several hours after the movi...I remember crying for several hours after the movie Ordinary People and there are parts of Time Traveler's Wife that I still can't talk about without choking up. <br /><br />This book, however, was a completely visceral response all its own.Eileenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09803986849921870941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29864506.post-36074295057984955362010-01-19T12:01:07.876-05:002010-01-19T12:01:07.876-05:00I ditto Kristen's comment. I've had books ...I ditto Kristen's comment. I've had books affect me personally, but never quite to that point. But you were right to put it down.<br /><br />I suppose I've had a couple of books and movies that made me sob for hours and have stayed with me, but never in such a personal way.Maureen McGowanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00494408580378817045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29864506.post-14899009081090555142010-01-19T11:48:17.844-05:002010-01-19T11:48:17.844-05:00You're so right, Molly. It's not like I ha...You're so right, Molly. It's not like I haven't read books or seen movies where the death of a husband was a major theme/plot point. I've even been deeply affected by them, but never like this. This scared me.<br /><br />Kelly, I think that's how my other friends are reading the book. They're able to step back enough to see the different sides to the situation and come out of it with something new.Eileenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09803986849921870941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29864506.post-63919268971477529482010-01-19T11:43:51.203-05:002010-01-19T11:43:51.203-05:00oh wow - Eileen. I'm so glad you put the book ...oh wow - Eileen. I'm so glad you put the book down. Such a physical reaction to a book is yes, too much of a good thing. <br /><br />I believe in art as catharsis and that there's not much that's stronger than shared experience - but at some point you have to realize what is good for you and what isn't. <br /><br />I love Didon's book and I can appreciate your reaction, and the reactions of your friends who have continued to read it. It's a testament to her genius.Molly O'Keefehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15171236688541657736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29864506.post-10802614605033069202010-01-19T10:49:00.150-05:002010-01-19T10:49:00.150-05:00That's a great post and really makes you think...That's a great post and really makes you think. What you went through was devastating and no wonder you had the reaction you did to the book. I found myself reading a book over the summer that mirrored my own current situation at the time and it really made me think about what I was doing and how other people in the situation might be feeling and thinking. It was both a comfort and an bit of an eye opener for me.Kelly Boycehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15459592836145655997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29864506.post-33666320690486257362010-01-19T10:39:51.949-05:002010-01-19T10:39:51.949-05:00Thanks, Kristen. I wonder if maybe it would help w...Thanks, Kristen. I wonder if maybe it would help work things out a little more if I was willing to do it. Part of me feels like I should be more over it after ten years. Part of me feels like I'll never get over it no matter what. <br /><br />Anyway you slice it, I wasn't ready to deal with it now.Eileenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09803986849921870941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29864506.post-79795198225806572692010-01-19T09:20:04.568-05:002010-01-19T09:20:04.568-05:00I'm sorry you had such a tough time with the b...I'm sorry you had such a tough time with the book. I've never had that experience, but I think putting it down was the right thing to do. Why put yourself back in that place unnecessarily?Kristen Painterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07984459504977637298noreply@blogger.com