2666 general thread *spoiler free*

I just began 2666 and am only on page 7 but I have a question. I got my copy at the library and starting from the first page on, I am finding so much that I want to underline and go back to. Is anyone else finding that with this particular book? I think I am going to have to buy my own copy of the book so that I can do that. I am finding it very distracting to want to "deface" the book for future reference and not be able to and remain in the story.
belva

Just for the sake of finishing the book is some reasonable amount of time, I am skipping all the stuff I'd like to research (philosophers, history, geography, etc.) I don't think most of it is integral to the story (we'll see, I'm on page 300). A second read someday may be called for, but for this first read, I'm just trying to get through it.

I have just finished the first book. It is not at all what I expected, and very different from Doctor Jivago and Life and Fate - much more in line with what I enjoy reading, hence, I am loving it! It does require sustained attention, however, and I find myself glazing over when I start reading late at night. Right now, I am just basking in the intricacies of the various relationships and their evolution.

Yes, I find if I only have 15-30 minutes then its not worth picking this up. I need 1-2 hour chunks to really get into it and making progress. I do like it, and the differences between the books are amazing. He's a very talented writer.

I have just received this 'little' tome from Amazon.UK. Hoping to start reading tonight. I may be here for some time.

So right englishrose60. You MAY be there for some time. Seems we are reading a lot of HUGE books this year and many at the same time. Don't you just love a good challenge?
hugs,
belva

I certainly do love a challenge Belva. I think Time Management is the secret. I am lucky to have lots of time on my hands and fill it with lots of reading.

I'm slowly working my way through - I just finished the first part. I agree w/ techno and cecil - definitely a book that requires attention and large chunks of time. I love the way Bolano writes, though, with all those page-long sentences.

Well, I took the library copy back and bought my own copy of this one as I just was unable to read it without scribbling, underlining, etc. in it.
I began it last night while my husband was watching curling in the Olympics and so am only on page 87 but this is (thus far) one fascinating read and I am finding that I just can't read it fast enough.
So I just wanted to check in here and then get to it. I too, like the good Dr. Fetting, love the way Bolano writes and can't get enough of it. I hope that after I finish this one and catch up with all 11 of the other group reads I am attempting, that when I go and look, I will find that he wrote gobs of books I can read!~!
Whoever chose this one did a marvelous job of finding us a book to enthrall us. So thank you to whomever it was.
hugs,
belva

I have just barely started the book, but I am intrigued and hooked from the beginning.
--BJ

I'm into the fourth book and like technodiabla, I'm amazed by the variety of themes and characters. As a matter of fact, I'm having trouble finding a common thread (besides geography and anecdotal evidence) between the books... Perhaps the fifth will pull everything together? It definitely has me intrigued. So far, my favourite is the second book.

I can't think of a common theme besides the serial killings - but then I'm in the fourth book now too, and am beginning to have a hard time with that particular subject. And why on earth is the book called 2666? I like the 2nd book best, too, but that is because Amalfitano (sp?) is my favorite character.

I finished book 3 today and I am enjoying this intriguing work very much. Bolano has a way of writing that just draws me in. On to Book 4 tomorrow.

Ditto on Book 2 being my favorite. I'm in book 4 and getting a bit put off by all the murders (maybe that's the point). I have to put this book on hold for a week or so anyway to read Wolf Hall for another book group. But I'll get back to the murders soon-- and yes I suspect Book 5 brings things together. I know this is a book that has many many surprises, so we may need a "spoiler" thread soon!

In book 4 it just felt weird for each paragraph to begin with a new murder. I am with you tehcno; was rather put off by all of that. I really liked the first book.
belva

I read this last year and thought that the murder descriptions throughout Book 4 became a bit tiresome. I had mixed feelings about the novel overall but Book 5 is excellent.

Finished! Book 5 is excellent. Are we going to have another, spoiler-filled thread? I have questions.

I am enjoying Book 5 immensely and I loved Book 1. I should be able to finish this one tonight, which is good as I am so far behind on my group reads.
But, like scarper, I am having mixed feelings about the novel overall. However this is one that regardless, I will be glad that I read it.
belva

I have finished 2666 and glad that I have read it but am not overwhelmed by it. I agree Scarper that all those murders did become too much. Maybe this was intentional on Bolano's part because at first I was moved by the fate of these young women especially the children but after a while I felt immune to these horrors. I enjoyed the other Chapters.

Is it possible that feeling of ennui with regards to the seemingly never ending murders is what Bolano was aiming at? Is he demonstrating how even the most horrific events can become passe with repetition and time?

Very possible geneg. But my criticism would be that Book 4 takes a lot of effort, by both Bolano and the reader, for the sake of a point that isn't very new...i'm even being blase about it now!

I don't know about ennui... for me it's queasiness followed by dread in case it should go into a prison scene. I'm having trouble finishing book 4 because of it. I just can't get complacent by the horror despite the repetition, if anything it makes my stomach churn a bit more...

It helped me to remember that Bolano wanted all five books published independently of each other but as they were published posthumously, he ended up with no say. But perhaps we would have felt a little different had we read them at different times and not all together. IDK. I had the same emotions as you all did and pretty much ended up skimming the last half of that book.
belva