SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

Space Invaders
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What Else Are You Reading? > "Space Invaders" by Nona Fernández (BR)

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Becky (beckyofthe19and9) | 1894 comments Setting up a thread for the buddy read for this one. :) Currently looking at a start of Feb 1...ish.


Nicol | 505 comments I will join in, but I am going to read in Spanish, since it is cheaper that way on kindle - only 0.99! can't find it at my library.


Becky (beckyofthe19and9) | 1894 comments Nice! Welcome!


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Ines (imaginary_space) | 423 comments Mod
Welcome Kristenelle and Nicol! I'm excited for this one!

Do we want to set the "official" starting date to the 5th, so it starts the same day as the official "Amazin' Eights" buddy read? People can still start reading at the 1st, of course.


Nicol | 505 comments I can do whenever, I am reading in the vanisher's palace too, but this book is less than 100 pages so I can probably fit it in whenever works best for you all!


Becky (beckyofthe19and9) | 1894 comments Oh yes, I'm fine with the 5th.


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Kristenelle | 107 comments Woot! Thanks for setting this up, Becky. :)

I’m excited to read South American sci-fi. I think this is a first for me.


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Anna (vegfic) | 10432 comments I'm so jealous of everyone reading this. I only have it available in Spanish :(


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Meredith | 1780 comments I might try to join too. It's short enough I can fit it in, I'm sure.


Becky (beckyofthe19and9) | 1894 comments My library book came in. Wooo!


Becky (beckyofthe19and9) | 1894 comments Today's the day! I have the library book for another week, so I'll likely be starting this tonight.


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Kristenelle | 107 comments Woot! I’ll be joining shortly!


message 13: by Kaa (new) - rated it 5 stars

Kaa | 1544 comments I'm reading this today!


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Megan (gentlyread) | 155 comments I read this last week!

(view spoiler)


Becky (beckyofthe19and9) | 1894 comments I'm about 40% in, and so far this is reminding me strongly of Never Let Me Go - mostly in tone and style, but also in the memory aspect of looking back at the past. I'm not sure how I feel about that. LOL


Nicol | 505 comments I just started it but I can totally see that. Although I’m not sure if I would have thought that on my own, if that makes sense. Just out of curiosity for the translation to English can anyone tell me what it’s says after the ps at the end of chapter 3?


Becky (beckyofthe19and9) | 1894 comments Nicol wrote: "I just started it but I can totally see that. Although I’m not sure if I would have thought that on my own, if that makes sense. Just out of curiosity for the translation to English can anyone tell..."

I'm glad I'm not entirely crazy, Nicol! ;)

Regsrding the P.S... If you mean section 3 of "First Life", this is what it says: (view spoiler)


message 18: by Kaa (new) - rated it 5 stars

Kaa | 1544 comments I'm not familiar with Never Let Me Go! At 70% - even though this is a short book with short chapters, it can be quite challenging to read. There are references and allusions I'm sure I'm not getting, and the language can be very dense. But it's also really powerful, and I'm pretty impressed by it so far.


Nicol | 505 comments Becky wrote: "Nicol wrote: "I just started it but I can totally see that. Although I’m not sure if I would have thought that on my own, if that makes sense. Just out of curiosity for the translation to English c..."

thank you!


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Ines (imaginary_space) | 423 comments Mod
I'm a slow reader at the moment, but I started it and read through part II.

I agree with Megan, the way the memories are presented is very intriguing and I do think this is one of those books you have to read several times to really get every detail. I am enjoying the style a lot and I think the story is one of those that will make me cry in the end. So far, I'm glad I picked this up, even though I'm a bit confused sometimes as to who's memory we are in each chapter.


Becky (beckyofthe19and9) | 1894 comments I've finished, but I will have to let it settle a bit to give my thoughts.


Becky (beckyofthe19and9) | 1894 comments Wow... I totally forgot to come back to give my thoughts here. Whoops. Some buddy reader I am!

So, overall I actually really liked this. I thought that the way that it was written really worked for what was being communicated, and though it seemed a little bit magical realism-y at times, I still enjoyed it. (I'm not much of a magical realism fan.)
(view spoiler)

One thing that felt... unfinished, I guess was Estrella's story. (view spoiler)

Anyway, all in all, I thought it was interesting, and one of those stories that are infinitely interpretable. It's definitely not one that I would have ever likely picked up on my own, but I'm glad that I read it now. :)

How is everyone else doing with it? Has anyone else finished?


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Kristenelle | 107 comments I'll be joining soon! Promise! Turns out the version I had from the library was Spanish and my Spanish isn't novel-reading level yet.


Becky (beckyofthe19and9) | 1894 comments Kristenelle wrote: "I'll be joining soon! Promise! Turns out the version I had from the library was Spanish and my Spanish isn't novel-reading level yet."

No worries! I think this one would be difficult for anyone who isn't a fluent Spanish speaker (or reader) just by the nature of the story. It was sometimes tricky enough for me to follow in English.

Look forward to your thoughts when you've finished. :)


Nicol | 505 comments Becky wrote: "Wow... I totally forgot to come back to give my thoughts here. Whoops. Some buddy reader I am!

So, overall I actually really liked this. I thought that the way that it was written really worked f..."


When I finished, I wanted to let it simmer for a bit, then I too forgot to come back :)
I agree with you I really like the dreamy/shifty/what is real parts as a vehicle to explore memory and history.

I will just say that I thought the Estrella story was going in whole other direction, so I was surprised by it.


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Ines (imaginary_space) | 423 comments Mod
I am really glad I read this book! Between this and When Fox is a Thousand, dreamy, seemingly disjointed stories were a real thing for me at the beginning of 2021 and I will be trying to find more stories like this.

Overall, this is a great book. The perspective is unique, it's well written and I would love to experience the original text (some day I will hopefully be able to).


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