tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5146259764837045872.post8406583050516863406..comments2023-10-25T04:17:22.699-04:00Comments on Fantasy Cafe: Blogger Book Club Review of Camp ConcentrationKristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01700004253248186101noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5146259764837045872.post-7908873677094590132008-10-21T19:33:00.000-04:002008-10-21T19:33:00.000-04:00Sara,It was more character-centric than a lot of s...Sara,<BR/><BR/>It was more character-centric than a lot of science fiction at the time, but I agree it wasn't really all about the character.Kristenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01700004253248186101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5146259764837045872.post-18349269508397182042008-10-21T17:02:00.000-04:002008-10-21T17:02:00.000-04:00It took character more into account I think, but I...It took character more into account I think, but I wouldn't consider it a book that was intended to be character-driven. This book was certainly much more literary and academic in tone than most sci-fi at the time, I agree. I think this book is a little onion-like... you end up having to peel away layers to get at the goods.Sara J.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13822624137036671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5146259764837045872.post-45111014812421463262008-10-15T18:42:00.000-04:002008-10-15T18:42:00.000-04:00Fabio,Thanks for your comment. That is true that f...Fabio,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for your comment. That is true that for science fiction this book is pretty ancient and that is a point that is important to remember. I hadn't thought of it until yesterday, but for science fiction written in the 1960s, <I>Camp Concentration</I> is a very character driven story, even if the characterization didn't quite work for some of us.Kristenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01700004253248186101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5146259764837045872.post-22726006008060991552008-10-15T17:24:00.000-04:002008-10-15T17:24:00.000-04:00Very interesting post, Kristen. It´s intriguing to...Very interesting post, Kristen. It´s intriguing to see how some ideas maybe fail to pass the test of time. After all, it´s been 40 years since Camp Concentration was first published. That´s a long time for us SF readers, though, I think, not for literature in general - and that´s another interesting point, I think.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5146259764837045872.post-57237472798672573582008-10-14T20:32:00.000-04:002008-10-14T20:32:00.000-04:00Dark Wolf,As I said in the comments on your blog, ...Dark Wolf,<BR/><BR/>As I said in the comments on your blog, it does sound as though we had very similar thoughts on this one. I'm not sure if I would reread it or not. Initially, I did not think I would but after reading all the discussion on this it is making me curious as to what I'd think of it if I read it knowing what would happen from the very beginning.<BR/><BR/>Larry,<BR/><BR/>I have not read <I>Darkness at Noon</I> but I might have to check it out. "Chilling" tends to resonate well with me and one of the things that frustrates me about reading <I>Camp Concentration</I> is that I really could have liked it if it had just made me feel something for the people involved.<BR/><BR/>Joe and Larry, <BR/><BR/><I>The Tin Drum</I> sounds like it may be worth checking out as well. Thanks for the ideas!Kristenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01700004253248186101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5146259764837045872.post-70034755396827874902008-10-14T18:15:00.000-04:002008-10-14T18:15:00.000-04:00Larry: I didn't think of The Tin Drum, but I do pr...Larry: I didn't think of <B>The Tin Drum</B>, but I do prefer that to <B>Camp Concentration</B>. <BR/><BR/>Not sure how comparable the two are, but I'd rather read the Grass than the Disch.Joehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16094675116398769415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5146259764837045872.post-16149971170838274322008-10-14T12:05:00.000-04:002008-10-14T12:05:00.000-04:00It's odd, but I never felt as though Disch's novel...It's odd, but I never felt as though Disch's novel was "academic," although there are some shared motifs with Günter Grass's <I>The Tin Drum</I>, come to think of it. I think the journal approach might represent an attempt to express a societal malaise that was developing in a fashion that wouldn't be so negative in feel. Not for sure if Disch nailed this, however, although I think he had more "hits" than "misses" with this narrative approach.<BR/><BR/>Speaking of novels as prison diaries, have you read Arthur Koestler's <I>Darkness at Noon</I>? I had to read that for a Cultural History of the 20th Century class 12 years ago and it is one of my favorite novels even today. Chilling is the word for it, but it is also more "accessible" than many would find Disch's novel.Larry Nolenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16001420558511460998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5146259764837045872.post-18644325224684636772008-10-14T08:58:00.000-04:002008-10-14T08:58:00.000-04:00Very good review, Kristen :)And like you I too fai...Very good review, Kristen :)<BR/><BR/>And like you I too failed to feel something or identify myself with any of the characters. Although it is written in the first person. It is an interesting read and I don't regret doing it, but I don't think I will make a re-read. I totally agree with what you said, I mean that with certainty a second (even a third) reading will lead me to the discovery of new things, but this novel is not for me. I don't have any problem with the more academic readings, but they have to meet some of my criteria for an enjoyable read.<BR/><BR/>I wonder what book will be next? ;)Mihai A.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08534691063946241019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5146259764837045872.post-18365923596265792992008-10-13T23:18:00.000-04:002008-10-13T23:18:00.000-04:00Joe,Thanks for your comment. I read your review a...Joe,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for your comment. I read your review as well and thought you pretty much summed up what I thought about the book.<BR/><BR/>As far as it being original and challenging goes... I'm sure I probably missed some of the things that made it that way and would possibly pick up more of the subtleties on a reread. I didn't find it particularly original or challenging because on the first read, at least, I didn't come across any ideas that I hadn't been introduced to previously. The whole was original, but the individual pieces seemed like nothing new to me. If that makes any sense. <BR/><BR/>Novels as prison diaries are something I've seen before, although I don't think I've read any science fiction or fantasy novels in that format, now that you mention it.Kristenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01700004253248186101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5146259764837045872.post-8385086623994579822008-10-13T22:03:00.000-04:002008-10-13T22:03:00.000-04:00Except for your last paragraph, I agree. It's ver...Except for your last paragraph, I agree. It's very academic (note the discussions going on at Larry's blog as well as Reading Gaol), and it does feel like one of the literary texts from college. <BR/><BR/>I disagree with the original and challenging part. It felt rather challenging (for me) to quite get what Disch was attempting to do / say, or what conversation he wanted to have with the reader. Original? It's original enough, depending on how well read one is or where ones experiences come from. But, I think so. I don't think I've run across too many science fiction / fantasy novels written as a prison diary. :)Joehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16094675116398769415noreply@blogger.com