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The Unmentionables
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The Unmentionables - Author/Reader discussion
I would love a copy!!! Preferably print!!!
I would very much like to read this! I am ready to make it happen! I would also prefer a printed copy. I agree to participate in the discussion!
I would love a print copy if possible and of course I will participate in the discussion
I would love to have a copy! Digital ♥
I would love a copy!! I prefer a print copy.
I would love a copy of this book. I would take either version. It doesn't matter to me. I agree to participate in the discussion.
ooh, me, please! I don't usually get to participate because I don't live in the US but a digital copy would be so fun! Thanks!
I will participate in the discussion and a digital copy would be great! Thank you,
Michelle
Mod
I ran the names through the RANDOM.ORG site to determine who landed the signed print copies (7 of you requested that as a preference).
You can view the list here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/mv4rik6mb5s...
Here's the lucky print winners:
Benjamin
Darlena
Chris
The rest of you will recieve a digital download code.
I'll reach out shortly, so check your goodreads or email inboxes!
Thanks so much for the interest, and we hope you love the book. No matter what, it's going to make for a great discussion next month!
The codes have been given out and the books are going out in the mail today. I hope everybody enjoys them. I look forward to the discussion.carbuncle
Thank you for the opportunity! I am looking forward to this read!
Mod
Mod
Was everyone able to download the ebook with the code I messaged them? Please let me know.
Benjamin wrote: "Lance wrote: "The codes have been given out and the books are going out in the mail today. I hope everybody enjoys them. I look forward to the discussion.carbuncle"
I got my copy! Looking forwar..."
Awesome. Enjoy.
Mod
Mod
Sarah, the giveaway ended last month. We're preparing to start the discussion with Lance next week. Please feel free to join us when it starts!
In the meantime, you can download an kindle format of the book for only 2.99 at amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06...
I picked up a copy on my kindle, it was only 1.99 from amazon uk i think. Looking forward to reading with the group.
Mod
Mod
Lance, welcome back to TNBBC. We're thrilled to have you. And I'm really excited to see what everyone thinks of your latest, THE UNMNETIONABLES.
This book deals very heavily with bullies and freaks. I have to ask... which category did you find yourself in back in high school?
Hi Lance, I wonder where did you get the idea for the mansion? It kept reminding me of the Tardis and the very real Winchester mansion. Were either of these your inspiration or was it something else?
Hello Lance. Thank you for the book. I don't normally read this genre of books, but I did enjoy this one, My question is - was this suppose to be an alternate/opposite world of the old TV show Leave it To Beaver? I couldn't help thinking that - especially with Greg's brother being Wally and his friends named Lumpy and Eddie. Everyone seemed to be as opposite a character as the character in the show.
Lori wrote: "I work tomorrow (as always, sigh!) so I wanted to get my question in now, since I won't be able to participate until tomorrow night: Lance, welcome back to TNBBC. We're thrilled to have you. And ..."
In some of my end notes I mentioned that sometimes I was bullied, sometimes I bullied, and sometimes both in the same day. I was lucky enough and at the same time cursed to be big for my age. This made me a target for kids to try to get other kids to fight me. So I often found that older kids would challenge me to fights. That sucked. I also would challenge kids to fights for no reason other than I didn't like the way they looked or acted. That also sucked. I had kids treat me like shit and I sometimes did the same to others. I look back on it now and realize that it was pretty fucked up, but at the time it was just day to day life.
Kids can be mean to each other and I never gave it too much thought when I was that age. I was mostly big enough to defend myself and just defended myself as best as I could and otherwise accepted whatever hassles I got from bigger kids (or tried to get my older friends involved in my defense). But some weren't as lucky as I, and I always did feel bad for them. There was one kid in particular that is sort of the inspiration for Greg. I always felt bad for that kid. And, now, as an adult with middle school kids of my one, it really hits home how mean teenagers can be to each other. Watching my own kids go through their struggles with mean kids was in large part the inspiration for The Unmentionables. And once I started writing it, the memories of my younger years came back and gave life to the story.
Deanna wrote: "Hi Lance, I wonder where did you get the idea for the mansion? It kept reminding me of the Tardis and the very real Winchester mansion. Were either of these your inspiration or was it something else?"
You are right on the mark with the Winchester mansion. That was in part what Samsa mansion was based on. Also, there is a little bit of Grey Gardens in there, as well as the Main Street victorians that are in Findlay (yeah, that is a real town in Ohio and it is where I grew up).
Lance, since you have been on both sides of bullying, is there really anything the bullied child can do? I was bullied in junior high school, but never to the extent of what happens today. I finally stood straight up in the girl's face and asked her what made her be so mean. She said she just liked to see how upset I got. So when she did something I started laughing and it stopped.
Benjamin, I had the same thoughts as I read this. When I was in Jr. High even saying the word "sex" seemed like a major rebellion. Not that I would expect kids to be so unaware now. - and I would not want them to be unaware.
Chris wrote: "Lance, since you have been on both sides of bullying, is there really anything the bullied child can do? I was bullied in junior high school, but never to the extent of what happens today. I finall..."Wow. I don't really know how to answer that. I was a big enough kid that I typically was able to stand up for myself. I was also a wrestler so I had the ability to defend myself. So I guess in a way, I think that having kids involved in martial arts or something of that nature can be helpful. Initiating violence is never the answer, but it is good for a kid to have the ability and knowledge to defend against and put a quick end to physical confrontations should it become necessary.
And, yeah, I know that not all bullying is physical. There is a lot of mind games that kids play that are just as hurtful. Once again, though, a background in martial arts or something of that nature not only gives kids the physical upper hand, but it can also give them confidence. And a confident kid is less of a target for the mind games. I think kids instinctively single out the weaker kids because they are easy game, so to speak. Anything that gives a kid confidence, whether it be martial arts or success in whatever their interests may be, probably makes them more confident and, thus, less of a target.
Also, my kids have been blessed with the ability to call others out on their bullshit with cutting sarcasm. They may have gotten that from me. That seems to help sometimes.
With all of that being said, I'm not an expert on bullying or how to deal with it. The Unmentionables was written from a place where I watched my kids have to deal with being picked on at one time or another. Greg's actions are not recommended and were probably my way of dealing with the frustration of seeing how shitty kids can be to each other.
Benjamin wrote: "Thanks for talking with us, Lance. I really enjoyed your book. I was wondering who you saw as the audience for this book? It deals with topics that are important for middle school and high school..."
Benjamin,
My kids are all middle schoolers and I gave a copy of The Unmentionables to each of them. Yes, there is violence and some sexuality in the book. But I don't kid myself that my kids have never heard any of that. They tell me the things that kids talk about at school and a lot of it is far more graphic than anything in The Unmentionables.
I'm not one for limiting what my kids can read. My parents encouraged reading when I was a kid and I was reading Stephen King in 4th grade. I was reading National Lampoon magazine in junior high (probably accounts for some of my sense of humor). I was reading things that maybe weren't considered appropriate, but I was reading. And that was important. It fostered a love of reading and the written word. That was what was important.
I don't worry that my kids might read ideas that I don't agree with. If they are reading, then I am happy. Are there any limits? Yeah, of course. I don't need my twelve year olds reading sexually graphic material. But I will watch R rated movies with them (once again, graphic sexuality wouldn't really be cool to sit and watch with my kids, so I do check out what's in a movie before I let my kids watch it). I think being involved with your kids and what they put in their heads is important. But when you try to make something taboo, it just becomes more attractive to kids and they will probably seek it out anyway.
I'm involved with my kids and pretty free as far as what I'll let them read or watch or play at this point. South Park and Tosh.O are pretty regularly watched in my house. Grand Theft Auto games are enjoyed regularly. If I have concerns about something they are watching or reading, I'll discuss it with them. And my kids have turned out pretty well. They excel in school and are not violent. They are not disciplinary problems at school or elsewhere (in fact, they are much better behaved than I was at their age). I think it all kind of depends on the kids and how issues are addressed. Of course this is different for everybody and some people would probably disagree with my outlook on it.
Chris wrote: "Hello Lance. Thank you for the book. I don't normally read this genre of books, but I did enjoy this one, My question is - was this suppose to be an alternate/opposite world of the old TV show Leav..."It wasn't really supposed to be an alternate world to Leave it to Beaver, but I can see where you would get that. The Leave it to Beaver references are something that I pretty much work into all of my books. I used to watch that show as a kid and for whatever reason, I have enjoyed weaving references to something so innocent into my whacked out stories. It's really just something I do to amuse myself and lots of the more subtle references are probably lost on most readers.
We raised out daughter the same as you raised your kids. She is a very confident adult and was never picked on, she had her sports - which she excelled in. But she did get left out from the In Crowd that were not as good as her. But you can't do anything for jealousy. So to my question about Leave It to Beaver. I loved the alternate world - or am I reading to much into it.
I am going to need to catch up on your other books. I was also influenced by that show.
Mod
I was never really bullied in middle and high school. Not that girls didn't try, because they really did, but I would just give it right back to them. I moved every year between 6th and 10th grade, and it was the same crap every year. First few weeks at the new school with the new crowd was a testing of the waters. Thankfully things never turned physical. Girls are all about the mind games, for sure!
Luckily, my two boys (one is entering high school, one's turning 20) were never bothered at school, and to the best of my knowledge, never bullied anyone. I've always been pretty thankful for that.
As far as limiting exposure for my kids, I was raised watching Poltergiest and Creep Show, reading Stephen King (not as young as you Lance!). I let my kids do the same. My oldest watched Tim Burton's Sleepy Hollow when he was in preschool, and in their 'free time', he'd draw pictures of people with their heads cut off and bloody and we had to explain to the teachers why. lol. My youngest and I watched the True Blood series together. That was all sex and blood, and I shielded him from nothing.
If I hid it from them, they'd find another way to get it, right? That's what I figured anyway.
Better for them to see it and question it and feel comfortable with it than to pretend it doesn't exist.
Mod
The flying piss monkeys?!?
Lance,The first thing I noticed when reading was the great detail you put into this book. I could really visualize the scenes and I loved the way you describe the scenes. "The Big Bopper bounces down Main Street, bony shoulders hunched up, head thrust forward, bobbing to some sublime groove that only he can hear." Just in that first sentence, you can get a feel for the character and what he is like. I enjoyed your attention to detail.
Michelle
Lance, thanks for the answer on the inspiration for the mansion. I didn't realise that Findlay was a real place and your home town.
Was your gym teacher that aggressive and also a bully?
Lori wrote: "Ok, Lance, I have to ask...The flying piss monkeys?!?"
Yeah, um, I don't know how to explain that one. I guess partially inspired by Howard Hughes, partially inspired by sea monkeys. Otherwise, I just saw them as a fun little experiment. Let's have Greg piss in the jars with the mysterious powder in them and see what happens. Oh, yeah, of course...piss monkeys.
Deanna wrote: "Lance, thanks for the answer on the inspiration for the mansion. I didn't realise that Findlay was a real place and your home town.
Was your gym teacher that aggressive and also a bully?"
Coach Manlove was a combination of various coaches and gym teachers I had throughout the years. Yes, a lot of that stuff came from those coaches and teachers. Like they say, you can't make some of this stuff up. But, I guess I never really viewed them as bullies. I kind of always looked at it as them trying to toughen us up a bit, and I don't necessarily think of that as bullying or a bad thing. One of the coaches that added a lot to that character actually kind of watched out for me and tried to keep me out of trouble as a youth. In more than one situation he stepped in with principals and told them that he, instead of the principal, should be the one disciplining me for things that happened in his class.
Michelle wrote: "Lance,The first thing I noticed when reading was the great detail you put into this book. I could really visualize the scenes and I loved the way you describe the scenes. "The Big Bopper bounces ..."
Thanks. I appreciate that. I had so much fun writing the Big Bopper parts. It's nice to know that they were enjoyed.
Benjamin wrote: "Lance wrote: "I don't worry that my kids might read ideas that I don't agree with. If they are reading, then I am happy. Are there any limits? Yeah, of course..."I completely agree with this. Rea..."
Growing up I really liked Stephen King, Douglas Adams and Kurt Vonnegut. I liked anything kind of weird and funny and not necessarily mainstream.
As far as reading my books, I recommend that you start with my first, Smashed, Squashed, Splattered, Chewed, Chunked and Spewed. If you are still with me after that one, move on to Grundish and Askew. By that time, I think you will be ready for Sloughing Off the Rot.
Ok so I started this yesterday and tore through just over half of it - it's so weird but I love it! I was always on the outskirts of school friendship groups - never really 'in' but not friendless and not bullied or singled out either luckily. I wasn't really allowed to read stuff with sex and violence in it - my mam returned a Stephen King to the library before I'd finished it as she thought it was too scary for me, although I didn't! - but to be honest most of the time I tended to only read what I was ready for anyway if that makes sense.
I have no idea what this Leave it to Beaver is so I'm obviously totally missing all those references, but I love the house (will have to look up the Winchester mansion) and the 'unmentionables' and also the Big Bopper.
I have no idea what this Leave it to Beaver is so I'm obviously totally missing all those references, but I love the house (will have to look up the Winchester mansion) and the 'unmentionables' and also the Big Bopper.
Hi Lance, and thank you for the book. It's entirely not something I would read, so that was a good exercise for me :) It is very well written.I was wondering if you could talk a bit about the resolution of this book. To be honest, I was disappointed with Greg for the absolute lack of responsibility he took for the deaths that happened, specifically those that were directly his responsibility (the deputy headteacher and the three bullying kids). Is that something you'd done on purpose to provoke discussion, or is it just "how it happened" (I know I have very little control over what my characters are doing). If it's the latter, are you happy with this resolution?
Gal wrote: "Hi Lance, and thank you for the book. It's entirely not something I would read, so that was a good exercise for me :) It is very well written.I was wondering if you could talk a bit about the res..."
Gal, I'm glad we could broaden your horizons with new material.
Like your thoughts on the matter, I have heard from some of my readers that they were disappointed in how Greg ultimately dealt with his tormentors. Some do not like that he may have sunk down to their level.
I guess I understand that, but I am entirely satisfied with the resolution of the book. If I were not satisfied with the ending, I would have scrapped the project. When I set out to tell a story, it is fairly unstructured. I always know where the story is going to start and typically think that I know how it will end. I have thoughts and ideas about what should happen. But, just as with real life, I cannot 100% control outcomes. When I write, I am discovering the story, too. My characters and storylines often veer off in directions that I do not expect. For me, the best thing I can do is follow that trail and see where my characters take me. That is part of the fun of writing for me. Also, I think it is the most honest way of telling my stories. If I set out with a detailed outline and cram my characters into little predetermined boxes, the writing will be stale and insincere. I guess in a sense my books are thought experiments for me. I set up certain scenarios with characters who have given qualities and see how they react.
I consider myself an absurdist author. The whole point of this is to take a fairly normal character and place him or her in absurd circumstances to see how they react. When writing with this in mind, I do not set out to teach a lesson. My books are not morality plays. I do not judge how my characters react. I do not predetermine their morality or ethics. I set out to tell a story and see where it goes.
If it is something that I allow into print, then I am happy with it. Otherwise, like I said, I would scrap the work if I find it not to satisfy. I write my stories with the thought in mind that I want them to be something that I would like to read. If they satisfy that criteria, then I set them free and let others do with them as they will. Obviously I hope that my readers will enjoy my stories, too. But, I also understand that they sometimes will not appreciate certain aspects. Hopefully I can present an entertaining enough tale that the overall experience will make up for any perceived deficiencies.
In light of the above, we must consider Greg. He has taken horrible abuse from an entire town. To be honest, I set out to see how much abuse I could heap onto Greg in order to see how he would react. Maybe some would have liked to see Greg take some sort of high ground and learn some deep lesson. I guess that’s great if I’m trying to make an ultimate point about bullying and how it should be dealt with. But this was not that kind of book. I abused Greg horribly and asked my book how things would turn out. The fact that Greg finally became almost numb to his tormentors is just how things turned out and it made sense to me. (Keep in mind that he did not become an emotionless monster. He still felt love for a brother who relentlessly abused him and found a soft spot in his hear for Wally, Eddie and Lumpy). A happy ending where everything turns out okay and everyone learned and grew from the experience would have been cheesy and fake. That just didn’t feel like a good fit for this book. The way things ended were more in line with the overall tone of the book and sequence of events, at least it felt that way to me so that is how it was presented. Ultimately, I was very happy with the ending of the book, although I can understand where others might disagree.
Laura wrote: "Ok so I started this yesterday and tore through just over half of it - it's so weird but I love it! I was always on the outskirts of school friendship groups - never really 'in' but not friendless ..."I'm glad you are enjoying it. Definitely check out info on the Winchester mansion. It's an interesting story.
Hi Lance,Thoroughly enjoyed your book. Thanks for the copy and a kickass story. I had been nursing the thought of reading a bizarro for a couple of years, and I am glad that 'The Unmentionables' is the first book I read in the genre. I recommended the book to my friends and they loved it too.
My question: What part does the big bopper play in the events that transpire in the book? What do they represent?
The question is gnawing at me. My friends and I have different opinions on it.
Mod
G wrote: "Hi Lance,Thoroughly enjoyed your book. Thanks for the copy and a kickass story. I had been nursing the thought of reading a bizarro for a couple of years, and I am glad that 'The Unmentionables' i..."
Can you tell me the various thoughts on the Big Bopper before I answer?
Hi Lance,I loved this book. It was obvious from the start that you were trying to evoke The Metamorphosis (Greg(or) Samsa, the cockroach dream, etc). I felt a little bit of House of Leaves in there, too, with the shifting of the house.
I had a hard time placing myself temporally at first. It should have been very obvious this was the eighties (ET, Phil Donahue, Morton Downey, Jr., etc) but for some reason, I felt displaced in time. Was this just me, or did anyone else notice that.
But back to The Metamorphosis. There's the obvious parallel of a transformation. Greg is transformed from the bullied to a bully, and then to someone who is neither. Both Greg and Gregor come from poor families, and music plays an important role in both stories (Gregor's sister and her violin, and Greg's love of old records and of course, The Big Bopper). So how much time did you spend thinking about Kafka's work while working on your novel?
The Big Bopper was an interesting character who I wish I had more backstory on. He's obviously something primal, connected to people through the songs their emotions generate, but I'm not sure what I'm supposed to make of him. The novel would have worked without him, but I didn't resent his presence there, either. I quite enjoyed his short chapters to break up the somewhat dreary existence Greg was living.
By the way, congratulations on a bizarro novel that is easily accessible. That's hard to pull off. I liked the book enough to buy a copy for my mother, who has never read bizarro fiction (she's more of a horror and literary fiction person). When I told her the premise of the novel, she was interested enough to ask me questions, so I figured it best to just buy her a copy so she can read it herself.
Joe
Lance wrote: "G wrote: "Hi Lance,Thoroughly enjoyed your book. Thanks for the copy and a kickass story. I had been nursing the thought of reading a bizarro for a couple of years, and I am glad that 'The Unmenti..."
I think Big Bopper represents the omnipresent, yet impotent God, who wishes for the best for the world, but can't stop the bad from happening.
Friend A thinks Big Bopper is time. Because of their need to keep moving on to the beat of the world.
Friend B thinks the Big Bopper is the spirit of the small town.
He is giving us a total of 3 signed paperback copies (for US residents only) and 10 digital copies open internationally.
In order to be considered, you must comment here or on the blog for a shot at winning one and secure a spot in the discussion that kicks off on June 19th.
http://thenextbestbookblog.blogspot.c...
This giveaway will run through May 9th.
Winners will be announced here and via email (if you provide one) on May 10th.
Here's how to enter:
1 - Leave a comment here or in the giveaway thread over at TNBBC's blog (linked above). Please let us know if you prefer print or digital. REMEMBER, You must be a resident of the US to qualify for print. The winners will be chosen via Random.org and the print copies will be issued in the order the names are listed. The digital will go to the remaining 7 winners.
ONLY COMMENT ONCE. MULTIPLE COMMENTS DO NOT GAIN YOU ADDITIONAL CHANCES TO WIN.
2 - State that you agree to participate in the group read book discussion that will run from June 19th through June 25th. Lance has agreed to participate in the discussion and will be available to answer any questions you may have for him.
*If you are chosen as a winner, by accepting the copy you are agreeing to read the book and join the group discussion right here in this thread next month.
3 - If your goodreads profile is blocked (set on private), please leave me another way to contact you.
GOOD LUCK!!!!