If you would like to be the discussion leader for "The House of the Spirits" please make a post here. This discussion will be for the months of November and December.

Not me. This will be my first read here on Book Talk. I do plan on reading it as soon as I am finished what I am currently reading. I have it on reserve at the library. Figure I will start middle of November.

Surely there is someone that wants to lead this discussion. Sometimes it takes getting a few weeks into the discussion to find a discussion leader.

I think that the person that suggests the book should be responsible for leading the discussion. If they're not interested or compelled to, then why suggest in the first place?

I see the role of discussion leader being similar to a tutor in a university tutorial. You let people discuss freely, but if it's too quiet then you have things prepared to start conversation.

I'll be joining in on this, but don't know when I'll have internet again. We have been without power for almost two weeks due to the blizzard in CT. It Sucks. I'll join in when I can.

Hmmm. I suggested House of the Spirits. I have recently led several discussions, and would be very pleased to lead this one too unless some one else wishes to.

I finished reading House of the Spirits last night. I love this book. The theme is how all good people are ultimately one. It is the story of the magical and terrible fate of Chile in the twentieth century. The love stories are so evocative and beautiful that they break your heart and make you fall in love again.

As I mentioned in discussing the review by Christopher Hitchens, the distant thunder of the fascist dictatorship of General Pinochet sits like an inevitable tragic doom across everything, a tolling bell that will send the beautiful dreams to dust. It reminds me of reading tragic histories of Russia - you know what will happen but you cannot believe that people can be so insane and evil.

Always in an intensely magical and political work such as this there is a tension between discussion of the emerging plot and talking about big themes that can only be understood when you get to the end. So the dilemma is how to open a discussion in a way that intrigues people who are not yet finished reading, while helping them to see where some of the clues are heading.

We do not want to do anything more to scare people away from suggesting books and participating in book discussions. There are a lot of people that will suggest books and participate but get stage fright when asked to lead the discussion. This is OK. Nobody has to lead a discussion around here so please don't feel uncomfortable about suggesting books or giving enthusiastic feedback on the suggestions other people make. Book discussion leaders are selected only on a volunteer basis and nobody will ever be pressured into taking the role.

Robert Tulip, you have proven to be one of the most valuable members we have ever had in our close to 10 years of existence. If you would like to lead this discussion you're welcome to as everyone knows you'll do your usual great job. But like I said above you should not feel any pressure just because you suggested the book. We all appreciate your involvement in the book selection process and I would hate for you to get cold feet about suggesting books in the future out of fear you'll be called on to lead yet another discussion. As long as leading book discussions is fulfilling and enjoyable to you then please continue to do so. But the choice is yours and yours alone. Just the fact that you continually participate in the book selection process and actual book discussions is something worthy of praise and recognition.

Oh I can't wait to get started. Just waiting for it to arrive from the library. This will be my first experience reading about Chile. And here at Book Talk. Thanks Robert for hosting it.

Me too Damifino. The library just notified me it has arrived

This comment is making me want to join in. I had decided not to order this book as I have two trips almost back to back this month, now I'm thinking I might just be browsing the airport bookstore with a mission this weekend.

What does being a discussion leader entail? What're the expectations? Does the DL posit statements from his/her own insight, or is there some authority that has to be referred to? Questions, questions.

A discussion leader is just meant to engage with the discussion and move it along at a steady pace. If readers wish to cite authorities that is great. But personal opinions are fine too. There is abundant material about the House of the Spirits on the internet, so if people want to read reviews and commentaries that can only add to the discussion. Christopher Hitchens' introduction is a good one, as already discussed at post97882.html#p97882

Robert: Thanks for being discussion leader, again. I think it takes some commitment to be an effective discussion leader, commitment to track the discussion and post regularly and keep at it over the discussion period. Personally, I like thought provoking questions that bring out different viewpoints and help you get under the skin of the book. This is something that both the discussion leader and other participants can provide. I look forward to joining the discussion near the end of the month. Allende mixes magic and passion and politics so well.

First time posting (well after my introduction post ) I am looking forward to join the discussions on this book which I read years back and will re-read just to make sure I can follow
The quote in my signature is actually one I had put in my diary when I was about 16 years old after first discovering this novel...
I am still learning how this forum actually works but hope to be up-to-date soon!