Brain Pain discussion

This discussion covers Pages 1-199: Finish "Indian Service"

Observations so far, for this section of the book:

-Just as in all Vollmann novel's I've read so far, the book is a little difficult to start, and then, if you're brought on board, it gets breezier.

-This seems a culmination of so many things Vollmann has done in his fiction previously, and comes together very well for me.

-While not necessarily overt, I feel this book is still under the influence of Icelandic saga, particularly this early part of the book, which reflects the fatalism/sense of inevitability of violent conflict, as seen in Njal's Saga. Cultural factors, the actions of a few rash individuals, and the influence of taunting scuttle all efforts at peace-making and insure the escalation of conflict.

-I'm not worried about it myself, but it's probably worth discussing whether the Indians are sometimes portrayed as a little too simple-minded. If felt that at one point during the reading of Argal, but got over it quick and felt that the further development of the novel put my concern to rest. Now I had a similar feeling early on, and soon felt that it was not so. Still, I'm curious if anyone else had qualms.

-The use of various styles of speech and the diction of the times, combined with Vollmann's own dialog style, seems handled well, is a lot of fun, and I'm sure he enjoys the continued experimentation.

-Oh yeah, well there's formatting. It seems well suited to the material. Multiple levels of indent are the natural choice for nested dialog, internal monologue, and narrative threaded together.

Yeah, the Indians seem kind of simple. War is a lot easier when you're winning. They don't have the internal racial issues that the whites have; nor do they have such varied hopes and dreams. All they want is to stay in their home. Ever since Joseph decided to fight, I've found the Indian parts to be a little more tedious than the other parts.

I love reading the part about White Bird Canyon. I've driven past it dozens of times. It's quite a sight when you're heading south on Highway 95 just out of Grangeville and you come over that rise and see the canyon. I've always found it impossible to imagine American soldiers fighting there, and I still do. It's not your typical battlefield.

Off topic: my beloved red '98 Ford Taurus died on Highway 95 going up the north face of White Bird Canyon. Its final resting place was a Grangeville junkyard

The ghosts are still getting revenge for Ad Chapman's betrayal. (He also drove a Taurus).

Finally picked up a copy, though in Kindle format, I know I'm late for the read, have enjoyed all comments.

Ah, I kind of assumed there wouldn't be a Kindle version. I wonder what it looks like.

Welcome aboard!

Ah, I just checked out a sample of the Kindle, and I see that they do manage to include the multiple levels of indenting, so I reckon that'll work. I never know what formatting limitations there are, but it looks like they did as good a job as they could be expected to do with it.

Zadignose wrote: "Ah, I kind of assumed there wouldn't be a Kindle version. I wonder what it looks like.

Welcome aboard!"

Thank you much

I'm reading Dying Grass on a Kind Fire HDX, I must say the black and white photo for, I Indian Service, looks great.

So far so good.