BuzzSugar

Buzz Book Club: The End of The Wishbones

BuzzSugar — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 07:00:48 -0700

Welcome back, Buzz Book Club readers! We've finally come to the end of Tom Perrotta's The Wishbones and unfortunately the main character, Dave, just might be one of the least appealing protagonists I've come across. But that's how it goes sometimes. Mostly I'm still scratching my head at the fact that someone's going to make a movie out of this. The folks in charge of bringing this to the screen will hopefully (maybe?) make Dave a little less awful.

Anyway, here's how the Book Club goes if you're new: Every week I've suggested chapters to complete by the next post (which, in this case, was every Friday in August). In these weekly Book Club posts, I posited a few questions to prompt discussion in the comments section.

Stay tuned for the announcement of the September selection for the Buzz Book Club!

To discuss the final section of The Wishbones, in which we read from the beginning of the chapter titled "Karma House" through the end of the book, read more.

The ending left me so appalled by Dave's actions that in lieu of the usual questions, I thought this time around I'd compose a bullet point list of the crappy stuff Dave does and how it made me feel (well, OK, you kinda already know that):

He let his brother read his ex-lover's poem at his wedding! Who does that? Then Julie asks, "Where'd he dig that up?" And Dave seems to see nothing even remotely twisted about it! Does the fact that Dave could stomach that (and even encourage it!) make him morally depraved?
Toward the end, when Dave and Julie have sex before the wedding, it's like Dave's attitude changes to "Well, I don't love her, but we had really hot sex, so I guess Julie's OK." He's just so infuriating!
And then at the reception he pleads with her, like the whiny 5-year-old he is, to let him have "just one more song." Why did he marry this woman if he seems to think she's such a drag?! Argh!
I do have this question: Who could you see ~~saddled with the burden of~~ playing Dave in the movie?
And finally, out of curiosity, do you think there's any merit (at all) to Dave not telling Julie about Gretchen? Is ignorance bliss in this case? Or is there never a case when honesty is not the best policy?

Buzz Book Club: The Wishbones, Section Three

BuzzSugar — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 07:00:14 -0700

Welcome back, Buzz Book Club readers! Last week I was peeved at the main character in the The Wishbones and this week I'd say I'm at about a DEFCON 1 level of frustration. Dave is making some cruel choices and I find myself steaming out the ears.

More on that after the jump. Here's how the Book Club goes if you're new: Every week I'll suggest chapters to complete by the next post (which, in this case, will go up every Friday in August). In these weekly Book Club posts, I'll posit a few questions to prompt discussion in the comments section.

Of course, you are always welcome to read beyond the weekly chapters, but please don't spoil anything in the comments!

After the jump you'll find some questions that struck me as I read this section.

The next assignment: Read from the beginning of the chapter titled "Karma House" through the end of the book! We'll chat about this section next Friday, Aug. 29.

To discuss the third section of The Wishbones, in which we read from "This Sad Gift" through "War Pigs," read more!

Dave seems surprised when Gretchen expresses a desire to get married someday, as though he thinks the hip, cool kids don't want marriage and only those who are trapped in boring suburbia find themselves needing to marry. His attitude toward marriage as the lamest thing ever is so frustrating and tiresome because why did he get engaged?
Dave seems either completely oblivious or indifferent to the fact that he's hurting people (namely Gretchen, but Julie, too). When Gretchen says she's jealous of Julie, he's confused, saying, "She's the one being cheated on, not you." Later, in the car with Julie, he gets a sick pleasure from talking casually about Gretchen with Julie as she sits there, completely unaware that she's discussing her fiance's other girlfriend. These things make me want to punch a wall. Anyway. Do you think he is simply selfish, or is there something deeply, seriously wrong with him?
Do you find yourself sympathizing with one of the women more than the other? I initially felt sorrier for Gretchen, but on the other hand, Julie is about to commit her life to a lying cheater.
I really like Ian, and I think he might be the hero of the book for me. Do you have a favorite character?

Buzz Book Club: The Wishbones, Section Two

BuzzSugar — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 08:30:04 -0700

Welcome back, Buzz Book Club readers! OK, now I'm getting pretty peeved at the main character in the The Wishbones by Tom Perrotta. Dave is annoying me, but at least things have gotten really interesting and we're not just reading about a bunch of Jersey guys in band rehearsal anymore. Plus, I like Perrotta as a writer. He's got a point of view and his prose is brisk and to the point.

Here's a recap of how the Book Club goes if you're new: Every week I'll suggest chapters to complete by the next post (which, in this case, will go up every Friday in August). In these weekly Book Club posts, I'll posit a few questions to prompt discussion in the comments section.

Of course, you are always welcome to read beyond the weekly chapters, but please don't spoil anything in the comments! After the jump you'll find some questions that struck me as I read this section.

The next assignment: Read from the beginning of the chapter titled "This Sad Gift" through the chapter called "War Pigs." We'll chat about this second section next Friday, Aug. 22.

To discuss the second section of The Wishbones, in which we read from "It's Your Wedding" through "Carlos and Stevie Ray," read more!

This section, and WhiplashGirlchild's comments last week, got me thinking: What kind of person plays in a cover band, as opposed to a band that writes and performs original music? Do these guys fit those stereotypes?
The different lifestyles of Dave and Gretchen came out in this chapter: Though Dave lives within striking distance of New York, it was like he'd never been to Brooklyn before. He's taken the safer, suburban route, romanticizing life in the city but never living it. Do you think Gretchen's lifestyle contributes to his decision to cheat on her?
Along with the above question, this section got me thinking about the choices you make after high school: to stay near home and family and what's familiar, or to strike out on your own. Do you identify with one of those paths more than the other?
I find myself getting angrier and angrier with our protagonist, Dave. What do you think of him? And do your feelings toward the protagonist heavily influence your enjoyment of a book, or not so much?
I'm kind of loving all the references to life in the '90s (having to call people from pay phones, Shawn Colvin on the stereo, etc.). In what ways do you think this story would be different if it were set in present day?

Buzz Book Club: The Wishbones, Section One

BuzzSugar — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 09:00:48 -0700

Welcome back, Buzz Book Club readers! I hope you're enjoying the The Wishbones by Tom Perrotta so far. It's definitely Nick Hornsby-esque already and even though our protagonist is the kind of guy I'd tell my girlfriends to get over, I still can't help but find him somewhat sympathetic.

Of course, you are always welcome to read beyond the weekly chapters, but please don't spoil anything in the comments! After the jump you'll find some questions that struck me as I read this section.

The next assignment: Read from the beginning of the "June" section ("It's Your Wedding") through the chapter called "Carlos and Stevie Ray." We'll chat about this second section next Friday, Aug. 15.

To discuss the first section of The Wishbones, in which we read from the start of the story until the end of the chapter titled "You've Got a Friend" in the section titled "May," read more!

What do you think of our protagonist, Dave? Do you relate to him at all?
Which of the other characters do you like, or dislike? And are they the same as the ones you relate to? I personally am curious about Stan, and I think I like Ian the most, but I often relate to Julie. At the same time, I wish I could yell at her to wake up and realize that this guy maybe doesn’t really want to marry her.
Speaking of marriage, it's portrayed pretty bleakly in the book so far, and together with his other works like Election and Little Children, it makes me wonder about Perotta's take on marriage in general. Based on his works, do you think there is anything redeeming in marriage at all? Or is he merely a cynic?
Several of these characters still live at home with their parents, despite being 30 years old, or even older, and they don't seem to think it's that bad. It makes me think about the modern-day practice of moving back in with parents after college. Where do you stand on this issue? Would you live with your parents as a 30-something adult?
What's your opinion of playing in a wedding band as part of one's career? Dave and his bandmates witness the death of an elderly wedding singer, Phil Cardini (Phil Hart, to Dave), and Dave thinks a lot about being Phil's age when he dies, and having Julie mourn him. Do you think it would be fun to be (or to have your significant other/life partner as) a wedding performer all the way into old age? Is it a sweet way to bring joy to people's lives, or do you think it's not that cool?

Source

Buzz Book Club: The Wishbones

BuzzSugar — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 11:32:28 -0700

Hello Buzz Book Club readers! Welcome to August! We finished the July book club selection a week ago, and while the breather was kind of nice, it's time to get back to reading. After last month's detour to personal essay-ville, we're returning to fiction-land for August, as I've chosen Tom Perrotta's book The Wishbones as this month's selection.

This book was the author's first novel and came before his more famous works, like Election and Little Children. The story seems like The Wedding Singer meets High Fidelity, and it piqued my interest because - like his other books - it will also become a movie soon.

For those of you new to my book club format, here's how it works: I'll announce a new book each month. Every week I'll suggest chapters to complete by the next post (which, in this case, will go up every Friday in August). In these weekly Book Club posts, I'll posit a few discussion-provoking questions for you to respond to in the comments section.

To find out what The Wishbones is all about and to get the first assignment, read more.

The synopsis for The Wishbones reads:
"Tom Perrotta's first novel, The Wishbones, is all about that much-maligned class of 30-ish men who still live at home with their parents, guys who make furtive love to their girlfriends - if they have them at all - in the basement rec room or the back seat of a car. But Dave Raymond, the protagonist of The Wishbones, doesn't waste his time on Star Trek reruns or computer games; he spends his weekends playing in a wedding band called The Wishbones, using the rapidly receding dream of rock stardom as an excuse to put off growing up. The sudden death of a fellow musician sends Dave into something of a tailspin, however, and in a moment of weakness, he proposes to his longtime girlfriend, Julie. The engagement has hardly been announced when Dave meets Gretchen, a bridesmaid at one of the weddings at which The Wishbones play, and before long he's having serious doubts about his own marital plans."

The first assignment: Read from the start of the story until the end of the chapter titled "You've Got a Friend" in the section titled "May." We'll chat about this first section a week from today, Aug. 8.

Source

The Look For Less: Dogeared Wishbone Necklace

FabSugar — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 03:00:22 -0700

I like the idea of having an everyday necklace to wear with any and all outfits. This Dogeared Wishbone Pendant Necklace ($58) is something I can see myself sporting when I don't feel like wearing a loud statement necklace. It's subtle and would hopefully bring me good luck. The price isn't horribly bad, but I found a similar necklace for less than half the price!

To see the look for less, read more

I stumbled upon this Wish Inspirational Pendant Necklace ($15) while doing research for everyday necklaces. It's nearly identical to the Dogeared version - petite and charming. Hopefully, just because I paid less doesn't mean I'll get less luck . . .

Wishbone Just Wanted to Stop

PetSugar — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 12:15:57 -0800

I love smushed faces and I think Frenchies are cute clowns in (and out) of the ring. Last night during his moment in the spotlight, little Wishbone wished to break and smell the ~~grass~~ green astroturf . . . mid stroll.

This cutie pie could very well sniff some leftover mustard and hot dog juices from a past Knicks game - look how quickly he slams on the brakes!

Steal of the Day: Pottery Barn Emerson Chair

CasaSugar — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 11:00:00 -0700

If you ever fell in lust with Hans Wegner's Wishbone Chair ($599) - a beloved design from 1949 that never ceases to be stylish - but couldn't afford its high price tag, your time is now. Pottery Barn has created a successful knock-off (sans a wishbone-shaped backrest) and lucky for you, it's on sale! The Pottery Barn Emerson Chair ($169-$199, reduced from $249-$289) claims to be inspired by "the look of classic Chippendale style," which is a big load of b.s. Even if Wegner's chair was "inspired by classical portraits of Danish merchants sitting in Ming chairs," I think Pottery Barn should own up and pay Wegner credit where credit is due - right? Still, this slight sequestering of information won't keep me from loving Pottery Barn's version; I'm a sucker for its slender, curved form, natural-fiber seat, and washed gray tone.

Spray the Night Away and Win a $10,000 Shopping Spree!

FitSugar — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 10:03:29 -0700

You may have noticed the ads for Sprays In the City running across the Sugar Network this week. To thank my new friends Spraychel and Spritzy for their sponsorship, I wanted to take this opportunity to tell you about the webisodes that they will be starring in this summer and how you can win a $10,000 shopping spree! Spraychel and Spritzy have just moved into a new fridge and each week they will be embarking on a new adventure. A clip of the webisode is below. To see the rest, visit SpraysInTheCity.com, and then vote at the end of the episode on what should happen next. By voting you could win a $10,000 shopping spree in NYC as well as other prizes. Also, visit SpraysintheCity.com to get coupons for I Can't Believe It's Not Butter! and Wish-Bone products, as well as recipes featuring a variety of uses for the sprays.

Spray the Night Away and Win a $10,000 Shopping Spree!

FitSugar — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 10:49:20 -0700