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Post by bernelli on Aug 8, 2022 7:17:54 GMT -5
Hey all! Hope you are ready for some deep chat about Dark Matter by Blake Crouch!
Day 1: Before we dive into the actual storyline, let's talk about the delivery of this story.
How did you enjoy/like/dislike the book? Is this a different type of book for you from what you normally read, and how did that impact your experience? What genre would this fit into (sci-fi, romance, etc)? Did you like the writing style?
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Post by bernelli on Aug 8, 2022 8:30:38 GMT -5
I'm going to go first....
I'm not a sci-fi fan, typically. The quantum physics stuff really did not interest me at all, but the love-conquers-all theme is right up my alley. I did enjoy the fight Jason put up to get back to "his" Daniela and Charlie. I absolutely loved that.
This is a very different type of book from what I normally select simply because it felt so sci-fi to me. I've enjoyed other Blake Crouch books and so far haven't read any that felt this sci-fi to me.
Yes, I did like the writing style. I just didn't buy the multiple Jason's coming out of the woodwork.
I'm very interested to know other's thoughts.
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Post by fitin14 on Aug 8, 2022 8:34:23 GMT -5
Its not a book I would usually read. I think its sci fi and romance! I enjoyed it and found I couldn't put it down which was surprising. also not a fan of the chat room part finding out all those Jason's were out there. the ending concerned me. Hoping they found safe refuge but the other dimensions Jason had gone to left much to be desired. I wish there as a sequel to know how they fared.
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Post by bumblebuzz21 on Aug 8, 2022 8:58:35 GMT -5
Hi all! I'm out this month for the discussion. Moving across the country took more time and effort than I had (stupidly) thought. See you next time!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2022 10:44:34 GMT -5
How did you enjoy/like/dislike the book?
I enjoyed the beginning and the end. But during the middle, I really hated it and would have thrown it against the wall if I weren’t reading it electronically. The quantum physics started feeling like I was reading a textbook and I did not enjoy that. I’m not a romance reader and, to be honest, I never really considered much about him getting back to her for love. I just thought he wanted his “real”???Life back.
Is this a different type of book for you from what you normally read, and how did that impact your experience?
I don’t read sci-fi, ever. So, yes, this was different. I enjoy suspense so his initial abduction drew me in. I don’t think it changed my mind so that I will consider reading more sci-fi. I think I read that there actually is a sequel to this. I think. But, I don’t think I would read a sequel because the multiple Jasons kind of made me lose interest.
What genre would this fit into (sci-fi, romance, etc)? Si fi. Quantum Physics Primer. Lol
Did you like the writing style?
Hmmmmm…. I remember likening the short choppy sentences during the suspenseful parts. It seemed to quicken my reading pace along with the suspense. But, I don’t think he did much character development, expect for Jason. As I said earlier, I really didn’t even pick up on much “love”. I remember in the “life” where his wife got shot, I didn’t feel like I’d lost someone I truly cared about. But, then how do you develop a character for which there are endless possibilities?
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sal
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Post by sal on Aug 8, 2022 10:54:46 GMT -5
Sci-fi for sure, with a romance as part of the plot (but not a romance novel, because who the hell knows if they really got a happily ever after, and that is a flat requirement in that genre). I read a lot of sci-fi, but this was way heavy on the physics and quantum mechanics for me. I generally go more with implied physics (the spaceships already work and they don't go on about it) or biological (clones, genetic engineering, etc.) so like a few others, I glazed over at some of the stuff in the middle, and YES to bernelli's complaint about the multiple Jasons showing up. I mean, why would they have? Did Asshole Jason(TM) go to a million different realities and tell them to go ruin Real Jason's life? How else would they have either known to show up in that reality, or have had the technology to get there? I didn't buy that part one bit. I didn't even notice the choppy sentence structure until I read about it on Goodreads, because I listened to it and that sort of thing flies under my radar when listening because it's a more conversational writing style.
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Post by honeybzzzs on Aug 8, 2022 12:52:57 GMT -5
Sci-Fi for sure. I don’t see it as a romance novel. And those are two genres that I typically don’t read. I listened to it on audiobook, so, like Sal, I didn’t notice the short sentences and paragraphs. I learned it was written that way while checking Goodreads.
As far as a sequel, I saw that the movie rights have been bought. So we can see all those Jason’s on the Big Screen!
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Post by corgi on Aug 8, 2022 13:23:08 GMT -5
Here’s my problem with the book - I didn’t get how it was obvious this Jason was “the” Jason. Wouldn’t they all think they were the one (and I think the message board showed that)? I kind of expected the main Jason to realize he wasn’t “the one,” and then have to decide if he would still try to escape with the wife and son, or if he’d help the real Jason.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2022 14:03:48 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2022 14:12:29 GMT -5
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Post by peacemama on Aug 8, 2022 15:06:32 GMT -5
Hi all! I'm having issues posting comments. A glitch I sometimes encounter with my Kindle Fire. I read a smattering of sci fi, but it's not a genre I usually choose. However, in the 90s and early early 2000s I consumed all of Michael Crichton's books. I felt Dark Matter had whispers of similarities to Crichton's work. The plot reminded me heavily of a reimagined A Christmas Carol, which is classic that I've never been a fan of in either book or movie form. GoodReads star rating for Dark Matter: 3. fitin14, I agree, an epilogue would have been welcomed, but I'm also fine with not knowing what happened to them.
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Post by juliajones54 on Aug 8, 2022 15:41:59 GMT -5
Sci-fi is my favorite genre and has been since I was a kid. I am fascinated by Quantum mechanics/physics and have read many books for the lay person written by scientists.
I would classify Dark Matter as sci-fi light mixed with a good mystery and a message to appreciate what we have. I really enjoyed the book & will be looking forward to the series on Apple tv. The book was very fast paced, the short sentences didn't bother me because they were a way to move the plot forward and I thought lead to the temporary status of 'being' in each world.
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Post by ccToast on Aug 8, 2022 16:56:01 GMT -5
How did you enjoy/like/dislike the book?
I loved it! I had read it previously and then listened to it last week to remember the details for this discussion. The exploration of the question "If I had made a different choice, would I be happier?" is fascinating to me. I even liked the idea of all of the Jasons–how every small decision/action is a fork in the road that can lead to a different outcome. Is this a different type of book for you from what you normally read, and how did that impact your experience? What genre would this fit into (sci-fi, romance, etc)? This book is right up my alley. I agree with juliajones54 and would call it mystery/thriller with light science fiction elements. Did you like the writing style? I have no objection. 😉 I thought that it moved quickly, which is just what I like in a summer thriller.
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Post by moosishun on Aug 8, 2022 17:38:11 GMT -5
I'm coming back to this - life got completely in my way!
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suby
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Post by suby on Aug 8, 2022 18:32:11 GMT -5
I liked it okay, didn’t love it.
Not my usual genre, but I’ll dive in occasionally.
I didn’t even think about the likelihood that they would leave some of themselves everywhere they went.
I’m not sure what made the Jason we “know” and Jason 2, the primary rivals
i kept thinking it would be better as a movie
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Post by bernelli on Aug 9, 2022 7:55:57 GMT -5
Day 2 -- this is something that was already touched on slightly, but also something that really bothered me as I was reading. Today's topic is about the multiple Jasons.
What makes Jason1 stand out among all the other Jason’s? DID Jason1 standout to you, and do you think he was the best Jason for Daniela & Charlie? When Jason1 & Daniela slept with the other version of each other, do you consider that cheating on their "true" spouse?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2022 8:14:08 GMT -5
I read a little on-line about all the Jasons after I finished the book. I liked one guy who called Jason 1…Jason Prime. I liked that.
I think Jason Prime stood out to me because he was the narrator so I trusted my walk through the novel with him. Also, he seemed like the only honest and reliable Jason because he was just trying to “get home’’, while all of the others had a dishonest motive. I say dishonest from my perspective. From their own perspective, they were as much the “real” Jason as Jason Prime was.
I don’t think there’s any way for the reader to know if Prime is the best for Daniela and Charlie. It was easy to decide that the Jasons that were willing to kill to get home were probably disturbed in a way that would not be good for them. But, were there new and improved Jasons who could love them better? I don’t know.
I don’t know that I thought of it like cheating. I thought of it more like she was being deceived in the most bizarre manner. If, I remember correctly, she rather liked sex with the other Jason which I thought was an interesting perspective. And, I think it made the deceit more palpable to the reader. As, there was a certain discomfort with knowing she was completely unaware that this man was “different” than her actual husband.
Good questions.
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Post by bernelli on Aug 9, 2022 8:24:22 GMT -5
I'm with you, @fairazzbueller, Jason Prime (love that) stood out mainly because he was the narrator. This stopped me in my tracks a couple times, and I had to decide for myself as the reader, that the reason he's the narrator is because he's the Jason-Prime -- because he truly loves her, honestly and with his soul. So once I decided on that, I could go on reading and accept that this Jason was the "right" Jason.
When I read that Daniela found the sex with the other Jason more thrilling, I did start to wonder if some other Jason could love her better. But when it comes to Charlie, no one can love him better than THE Jason that fathered him.... he was an involved dad... and loved his son. This is father-son bond was the clincher for me on the "right" Jason.
....I think though, that had an imposter Jason stayed with Daniela and had she ever found out in the future, that would be an enormous betrayal...
This whole "duplicate Jason" thing messes with my brain way too much.
Regarding the question about cheating, I don't think Daniela was cheating cuz she really didn't KNOW... it makes no sense that her husband couldn've been some version of himself from a different multiverse, so if what she did was cheating then the wrongness of that lies with the other Jason... if I were her, I'd be super pissed and feel used and manipulated...after I got over how great the sex was, haha. I don't know if Jason was cheating... my brain is breaking from this multiple person garbage. It drives me too crazy. ... he still loved all his versions of Daniela... but maybe it was cheating? But it's still Daniela. Shit. I don't know.
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suby
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Post by suby on Aug 9, 2022 8:42:22 GMT -5
What makes Jason1 stand out among all the other Jason’s? DID Jason1 standout to you, and do you think he was the best Jason for Daniela & Charlie? When Jason1 & Daniela slept with the other version of each other, do you consider that cheating on their "true" spouse?
Jason1 was the one who made the decisions with Daniela about what their life would be like. Jason2 was the "what if" Jason. I think being the true Jason made him the best for Daniela.
No, I don't think it was cheating. Maybe a little reckless because you don't know what you're setting in motion.
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sal
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Post by sal on Aug 9, 2022 9:35:25 GMT -5
Definitely not cheating on Danielas part as she had no idea.
I'm conflicted on if Jason was cheating in part because he was just in such a weird headspace and so desperately wanted his Daniela back and was trying to make it happen even though he knew this wasn't her.
I agree with Suby re: why Jason Prime was the best Jason for Daniela, because I think if she had said "you know, fuck all y'all", I think he would have (unhappily) dealt with that.
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Post by peacemama on Aug 9, 2022 10:27:27 GMT -5
Jason 1 was the version that built his life and relationships with his wife and son, whose heart was most authentically connected to them.
I kept wondering at what point do the other versions happen. We have so many thoughts and actions throughout each day impacted by our environment and others' actions, so infinite possibilities. The plot definitely had Marvel Dr Strange multiverse territory parallels, especially the quest for the one successful version.
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Post by fitin14 on Aug 9, 2022 10:39:32 GMT -5
Jason Prime was the best for Daniela because he was 'her' Jason. I don't think it was cheating on her part. on his I think it was more desperation.
The Jason who stole his identity ... Jason Evil twin.... I was surprised when he helped Jason Prime and Daniela when they were surrounded at the cabin, even though he was dying. So I think he loved her too.
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Post by juliajones54 on Aug 9, 2022 21:16:36 GMT -5
I agree that Jason1 as the narrator already had our trust and empathy, so no other version had a chance to win us over. In his world, he was first.
Not cheating. We all have many facets of ourselves but we're integrated, not going to pieces like all the Jasons!
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Post by bernelli on Aug 10, 2022 7:30:34 GMT -5
DAY 3: I found this question on a suggested book discussion list and really liked it:
What about the science? -For those with little scientific knowledge: were the book's scientific passages a detraction, something you had to plow your way through, or maybe just skim over? -For those strong in the sciences: was the writing too boiled down, merely "popscience"? Or was it a fairly legitimate description of today's scientific theories?
And do you believe multiple universes exist?
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Post by bernelli on Aug 10, 2022 7:36:12 GMT -5
I'm going to post and run -- work has been too demanding (I'm getting old..shouldn't I have a lighter load? haha)
I'm one of those with little scientific knowledge. Yes, I did find all the sciency stuff a bit of a distraction, and the workings of the box were hard to comprehend. - the box sounds largish.. didn't someone find it and haul it to a dumpster in at least one of these multi-universes? I had to suspend belief quite a lot for this story.
No, I do not believe that every decision breaks us off into another universe where we live out that option. What would be the benefit anyway since we have no idea that's happening? And the choices we make impact other people, and they get dragged along with our hairbrain ideas? What if you're a crazy indecisive person and are always thinking of options? Chaos. Too much chaos... just thinking of that makes me jittery. So no. I don't choose to believe this... and here I just split us all off into another realm to live out the option that I DO believe it. haha
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