The Next Best Book Club discussion

Hey there everyone! Today kicks off our discussion of The Wonder, led by Ethan!

How many people have read this one already?

I've got this one queued up as the next book on my Kindle! Has anyone read any other books by this Donoghue? I really enjoyed Room, but I can't imagine this one will be similar at all.

Oh, I loved ROOM! Such a bizarre but well written novel.

Just added it to my list as my next read.

Just joined the group and can't wait to read The Wonder!

Laura wrote: "Just joined the group and can't wait to read The Wonder!"

Welcome to the group!

Hi,
I"ve been a member for awhile, but haven't always read the books. Waiting for the book from the library.
Peace.

I finished The Wonder about a week ago and was so disappointed that it was closer to disgust. After reading Room, I expected a similar quality but it wasn't there.

The Wonder is similar in that another child is 'locked' in a room and is locked away from human contact. The writing can be brilliant at times and the tension palpable but I feel that Donoghue wasted so much of her talent here.

I won't say much more because many of the problems that I had with the book would be spoilers. Suffice to say that if you like romance novels then The Wonder will be enjoyable as a literary 'wonder'.

Please note: My standards are very high and when the hype around a book indicates a great book then I 'expect' a great book when reading. The Wonder fell far short of my expectations but others might be much less critical.

///I had mixed feelings while reading this novel. Some times I loved it at other's I hated it. I found a middle ground in the Irish setting in which it was told, the nuances of nursing, and other such contrasts, also I could forgive much I did not like as it had a happy ending.

I too think I was a bit surprised by the book, I think I had a high expectation.... but wasn't really sure what to expect. I think the highest point of the novel was the particular viewpoint of the story. I felt like I could take the parts that seemed atrocious and mesh them against the humorous and light beautiful aspects that fought to surface. The parts that were staunchy and melodramatic certainly had there place in the novel also. I think it was a bit Cliche about the mother and parts of the family, though the characters were interesting enough in themselves. What I did like: The relationship between Anna and Lib, how it evolved. The funny riddles and the beautiful hymns. The delicacy with which this part of the story was told/ What I didn't like: It felt too disgusting at times. The changing characters, whom you never could quite get a hold of. There old fashioned attitudes and yet likable dissonance. The repetitive narrative about the sick starving fasting girl, however I think once I got used to this it settled into a sort of rhythm.

I do think it is interesting the way all the authorities are trying to either maintain the girl's ability to further their agenda i.e. faith, while others are trying to catch her and her parents in a lie. Is that just innate human nature to want to mold a situation to fit one's ideology?

What a disappointment. A long book to nowhere. No action for pages and pages and then it all happens in the last 20 or so pages.

Very disappointed with this book so far..

I do think the subject matter is sort of interesting. This was the second book in a row that highlights the often unusual (telekinesis in Carrie), when there is overly weirdly for lack of a better word obsession with ideology, that can affect young peoples lives. I wonder whatever gave Donoghue this idea? To write about this.

The little girl is somewhat interesting, I think that the story takes some interesting twists and turns, and the make believe part that she has to ultimately change identity in order to be saved. The ending also was far from dull though the bulk of the book was a little
slow. Burning buildings, runaway daughters.... The whole story sort of turned me off, from the way the parents and other people acted. I also think it is funny how no one could figure out the mystery and then all of a sudden everything resolves itself. Though there was particular challenges to her final confession about the Mana and mama's hugs. Her brother dieing, the marriage and whatnot...bizzar, though after that part I started to wonder about the scheme. The cousins unfriendliness and refusal to help, also the little girls open manner suggested there was something awry.

Hey guys!

A big thanks to Ethan for leading the discussion this past month! We appreciate the group interaction. Seems like it was a very polarizing read : )

I received this for Christmas, the plot appealed and I liked Room but now I've read so many bad reviews I'm disappointed before I start it!

HI . I am new to the group and this is my first post. I just finished The Wonder, and while it wasn't in the same league as some of her other books, I still think that Donoghue is an amazing storyteller, and that this book is worth reading. The history of the Catholic/English tensions come to life in this story and the characters are very well developed in that context. I thought the story wasn't quite believable, or I would have given it another star (I gave it 3).

Kevin, first, welcome to the group!

To help you acclimate better to the group dynamics, this thread is not meant for you to post an entire review on the book. It's a discussion thread, so we'd prefer you engaging the other readers of the book with your thoughts and striking up conversation on the topics within the book.

Thanks

My apologies, I'll delete it!

I did it for you : )
Feel free to just add in your thoughts to stir up some convo!

I guess I'm in the minority here, but I rather liked this one. Granted, the plot does advance very slowly, but I think it is the development of the characters that propels the story forward. Also, there's no denying the excitement of that ending!

I liked it too, although it took me a while to come around to that point of view. I think when Lib started digging into the reasons and motivations for the fasting is where the story became more compelling.