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July 2014 Moms
The Museum of Extraordinary Things - Book Club discussion 2.0
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Re: The Museum of Extraordinary Things - Book Club discussion 2.0
So, I think what impresses me most about this book is how deftly the stories are interwoven. I knew there was goi to be some sort of showdown between Rachel and Connor, but I never guessed it would involve so much of the other stories as well. I always marvel at authors that are able to plan like that when they develop the story. I am not liking what has happened to Tess' situation. While te beginning stages seemed realistic to me, I'm sort of finding he tacit forgiveness a little...awful, I guess. Not much more to go, but I had to stop myself before I finished the book so that maybe I can contribute something!
I know I am not as far as some of you, but here is what I got so far. Also, I am a little bitchy so please bear with me
- I am sure I would like Rachel more but I can't get over how much she dislikes her daughter in law. Things may change ( and I hope they do) but from what I can tell her DIL seems like a polite nice girl who loves her family and son etc and it seems like no matter WHAT she does, Rachel can NEVER give her the satisfaction of approvals. The chocolates she gave her ( or cookies?) which she LOVED but when asked if she would like more she says no they were too sweet for her. Seriously, WTF is so wrong with saying they were delicious thank you so much! The poor DIL can't even wear her hair in a ponytail without some snarky thought from Rachel. ( * I understand there is underying issues with Janie dying and now she has this "daughter" but I just dont like it)
- I am really stuck on Cecilia. Sometimes I like her and other times Im just like huh? What would you ladies do in her position? Would you turn your husband in?
- Tess.... Sleeping with someone in two days, don't get me wrong GOOD FOR HER her husband is a POS anyway, but I did think it was a wee bit too soon.
Also- I thought this thread would be like 9 pages by now with all the interest in the book suggestions... Where is everyone?! Can we also do Gifs of how we picture the characters? These are mine
Cecilia
Tess
Rachel:
Love the gifs. I picture Cecilia quite simalarly. I think Rachel has a slight animosity towards Lauren because, in short, she's terribly jealous. Rob looks up to Lauren with regards to her career, which is in the same field Rachel was in years ago, though she thinks Rob forgot or doesn't care. In her opinion Lauren is given more credit and does less.
I wondered the same thing regarding turning in my husband or not. It'd be easier to sweep under the rug if you didn't know the victim or the family, though it would be the worst possible secret to have. Some things are simply unforgivable, though, no?
I get the impression that Rachel doesn't hate Lauren per say, it's more that she disapproves of the way she takes care of the family. Maybe she resents her because she wishes she could be having the same kind of relationship with her own daughter?
SPOILERS (through the end!)
I agree that Tess is more enticing and exciting and well, a more entertaining character with Connor, but I feel like her ending up back with Will seems more realistic. She's doing what's right for her family, even if it means sacrificing her chance at true love and happiness. She knows she'll still be happy with Will at least on some level. As someone who's been in a similar situation, I felt like her giving up Connor was just more relatable.
I don't know what I would do if I were Cecilia. I would have had all the emotions she had. I would look at him and see a father who loved his daughters and not be able to see someone who would murder a girl just because she rejected him. I would have no idea what to do because turning him would ruin their children's lives. They would have to move, maybe out of the country, so they could lead a semi-normal life. I would be so mad that he put that in a letter where they would find this out when he died. I think that was selfish to put on her and the girls.
Rachel is very interesting. I think Lauren must be the opposite of what she thinks Janie would have been like. Lauren seems to try really hard to do things that will make Rachel like her but we don't get into Lauren's head to see if she desires that relationship or is just trying for Rob's sake.
Tess does surprise me with how quickly she decides to "recycle". I know she must have been extremely hurt and angry but I think waiting a bit might have been healthier for her in the long run. It just complicates an already complicated situation. Okay, hope I didn't spoil anything for anyone. I'm trying to be good.
I can't believe Cecilia is somewhat keeping it together (or pretending too). I would be losing my mind and hope I would be able to go to the police if something like this ever happened to me. I think she will eventually come clean and tell someone about Janie. Also John Paul's mother is creepy. I'm wondering how that is all going to play out.
I say good for Tess! It seems like she is finally realizing that she did whatever Felicity wanted/needed. I know it's good to have your BFF, but sometimes you have to put your relationship first. I hope her and Conner end up together, or hope that she doesn't go back to Will.
I just really feel bad for Rachel. How hard must it be to not know who killed your daughter and then your son moving across the country. Hopefully she will get some closure at the end of the book.
Can't wait to see what happens next!
I think Rachel is going to live the rest of her life in turmoil no matter what, and that's heart-breaking. Maybe Rob and Lauren could invite her to live in NY as well. Not with them, but in the area, so that she can continue seeing Jacob grow up and be a part of their lives. Maybe Lauren will want that now that Rachel has knocked down her "Berlin wall."
I loved the way all the story lines intertwined. It gave the book a good pace and kept my interest.
For me, Tess was the most relatable character. I was expecting she would have a big blow out with Will and leave him for Connor, but I was happily surprised that Tess and Will reconsiled the way they did. It felt more real to me. I know a lot of people will see it as Tess caving but I think there is a lot to be said for salvaging the best of a relationship and putting in effort to repair the damage.
I do wish there was more about how the characters turned out in the future. How did Polly handle having only her left arm? How did Will and Tess ultimately turn out? Did Rachel go to NY and how did she ultimately cope with knowing Janie's murderer? Though I did like the epilogue and the thought that a slight change in the past could affect many people's future
Overall really loved this book. Solid choice ladies!
*Spoilers*
For me, I really enjoyed the Epilogue. It really made me think about things and how one minor change in our daily schedule could change the outcome of our life and/or the life of several others. If Janie would have remembered that her mother was supposed to pick her up to go the dr., she more than likely wouldn't have been with Connor that night or John-Paul. Rachel wouldn't have lived all these years thinking Connor was the killer and the little girl might not have lost her arm.