The Loop - Discussion Thread

[Cassiepeia]

Here we are starting another book for the bookclub. And from what I've read so far it looks like it's going to be a great one.

How this thread works: Each day I'll come online and post a little about the last two chapters. I want you to feel free to discuss what you've read and any topics related to it. After all, that's the whole point of the club...to read and discuss the book together.
Two chapters a day shouldn't be too difficult and it'll make sure that we're all at the same place as far as discussion goes (please don't feel like you have to slow down your reading...read as fast as you like - only the discussions will be kept to 2 chapters a day).

So...chapters 1 & 2

What does everyone think so far? I'm really enjoying it. I was surprised how much actually. I love how the author follows the wolf at the beginning, letting you into his world.
What did you think of the baby incident? I was shocked by it...but I won't say more until I know everyone else has read that bit of the book. Don't want to give anything away.
What do you suppose is going to happen? What do you think of the characters that have so far been introduced?

Cass.

[crazy_paws]

Okay I admit that I've read ahead.

But the first two chapters. . .

I thought that the baby thing was really odd. Really unnatural and uncharacteristic of what I've heard and read of wolf behavior. And I really wanted to know what mother would leave her child in that position. On the porch, by himself!

Poor, poor Prince.

I though Rimmer and Dan were easy to sympathize with. Luke as well. Buck Calder much less so.

[Cassiepeia]

I thought exactly the same thing about both the wolf behaviour and the baby. No mother, at least as far as I'm aware, would ever leave her baby unattended on a porch like that. Certainly not for as long a period as she did.

The character name of Rimmer (not the man himself) makes me laugh and irritates me at the same time because it is also the name of my favourite character in my all time favourite tv show 'Red Dwarf'. Every time I read the name I think of him (the tv character) and he's nothing like this Rimmer. Hahaha! I'm sure I'll get over that though.

Cass.

[fancychicken]

This is a very good book. I have read it twice actually. Once you get further in, it explains a bit of why the wolf approached the baby. I got very up set at the death of the dog.

Prepare yourselves...do you guys know what "the loop" is? I will not give it away....muuuuhahahaha. Let me just say this. I had no clue. When I found out I was horrified.

[Navygrrl]

I know, but I've read it before.

I, too, don't understand why the mother would have left the baby alone for that long. Yeah, I understand wanting some alone time, but, at least for me with my kids, I just wanted time to actually go to the bathroom BY MYSELF! Now that they are finally old enough to give me at least 5 minutes for a quick shower, I've got Jake the Dog following me everywhere.

Hmm... I guess that was a tangent. Sorry.

[crazy_paws]

I know what you mean about the name Rimmer. My sister loves Red Dwarf, and I've seen a few episodes, so every time I see the name I think of the show.

[Cassiepeia]

Sorry about yesterday...got a bit distracted. Ok..so where were we? lol Oh yes...they're looking for the wolf now.

I was glad to read that Luke Calder seems to be on the wolfs side. Also really liking both Dan & Rimmer. I was both hoping they'd find wolves and hoping the wolves stayed hidden. lol

Oh and I LOVE Helen. lol When I first started reading her I was thinking "OMG...that's me!" HAHAHAHAHA! Except for the biology degree. How shocked were you at her father's news? I gasped and then laughed out loud.

I'm really enjoying this book so far.

Cass.

[fancychicken]

I love helen too. She's a tough chick. Except for when she's around her father. How embarrassed for her were you, at her luncheon?

[Cassiepeia]

I know. That was shocking, I kept thinking...."just shut up!".

I was sad for her when I read about her relationship with Joel. It seemed so wonderful at first and I could feel her disappointment towards the end of that chapter.

How's everyone going so far? Enjoying it? Any questions you had while reading the book? Who's your favourite character so far?

Cass.

[crazy_paws]

Yeah, I got embarrassed for her, too. She seems to be a really likeable character. I was suprised by her father's news too.

I find myself hoping the wolves will move further away from populated areas and not come down.

It must be really hard for Luke to live in the shadow of his brother's memory. I keep disliking Buck the more I hear about him.

[Cassiepeia]

Ok...so now I know what "The Loop" is. Was anyone else almost crying when they found out what it is?
I didn't think I could hate anyone more than Buck, but that Lovelace guy has out done Buck by miles.

What about Buck's little 'fling' anyone else surprised to read that? At first I thought he was on his way to see if Helen was interested. LOL Can't believe he actually started thinking about her though. What a loser.

His wife seems like a lovely woman, I feel bad for her and crazy_paws...I also feel bad for Luke. I hope he finds friendship with Helen and Dan, perhaps they'll help him find his place studying and protecting wolves?

The chapters are longer than I thought and I'm a little behind . I'm currently up to chapter '12' (Fall).

Cass.

[fancychicken]

I definately was sick to my stomach when I read what the loop was. So sick and demented. I love Luke. He is totaly different from his family and stands on his own, in his own quiet way ,against his father and everything he represents

[bradfran]

Well, I read this book for the first time as soon as it was released (dont remember when but years ago) and loved it so much I have since re-read it atleast a dozen times and have shared it with almsot everyone I know. I wont spoil anything for any of you, I just wanted to add my opinion that this is one of the greatest books I have read.

If you are interested, read the story that inspired "The Loop". It is the true story about and written by the woman who was basically THE instrumental person in the return of wolves to Yellowstone. It is titled "Shadow Mountain. A memoir of wolves, a woman and the wild." and written by Renee Askins. At an online bookstore you can probably just type in "Shadow Mountain" and/or Renee Askins. Great book, true story.

By the way, the disclaimer at the beginning of The Loop that says something about "all characters in this book resembling any true life persons is purely coincidental"...sort of. The main character in The Loop is PROBABLY based on Renee Askins while a male character (not the teenager but the one who has a pet, stuffed wolf in his office building) is PROBABLY based on L. David Mech. That is just my opinion based upon the extreme similarities between them.

[crazy_paws]

Thanks for the recommendation bradfran! I might just check that out after this one.

I, too, was deeply disgusted by the loop. What sort of mind could think that up?

[Cassiepeia]

I'll look out for that book too Bradfan, thankyou.

How's everyone going?

What do you think of Luke & Helen's friendship? Think it will go any further? I'm glad he has her as a friend now and am glad he's involved with the wolf trapping she's doing.

What do you think of Abe Harding? Do you think his calves are really being taken by the wolves?

Buck Calder is getting more creepy every time I read about him. When Helen was in the bar waiting for Rimmer and he turned up and started talking to her...hitting on her...I kept thinking to myself "No Helen...don't fall for it! You're too smart!" LOL Glad nothing happened, but I was sad to see that she missed the letter she got because of what happened to her mailbox (think it was the Harding boys?).
I'm up around chapter 18 or 19 right now. I'm sure I'm well behind everyone else. lol

Cass.