Journal Entry 1 by melancholyman from Edinburgh, Scotland United Kingdom on Tuesday, March 29, 2005

Comments to follow. 

Journal Entry 2 by dagon on Wednesday, March 30, 2005

Nice little suprise! A quick flick through makes me want to read it....A tasty little nibble before the main course....... 

Journal Entry 3 by dagon on Thursday, March 31, 2005

Moving little short story that rang some bells for me.Will be posting this on to SemioticGhost tomorrow (Monday April 4) together with CoaFE 

Journal Entry 4 by Semioticghost from Ipswich, Suffolk United Kingdom on Wednesday, April 13, 2005

Found on my arrival back in the country today, in the company of the confessions of a flesh eater - thanks muchly! 

Journal Entry 5 by Semioticghost from Ipswich, Suffolk United Kingdom on Monday, April 18, 2005

This little volume is ready to continue its journey wit the Confessions of the Flesh Eater - a little something to clean the literary palate.

"The Drowned Son" is a snapshot of a pebble on the beach of life, with all the inherent corniness the phrase entails: Hutchinson's son dies in October in an accident on a fishing boat. The boy had been looking for a direction for his life and sought adventure in Alaska, where he met his death. A few months later, the boat's skipper comes to meet the parents and tells the story of the accident. Through helping the parents understand their son, what made him, and what drove him, the skipper helps them face their conflict and find closure. 

Journal Entry 6 by tehuti from Treorci, Wales United Kingdom on Thursday, April 21, 2005

Hmmm, an unexpected addition to another ring. I am intrigued. 

Journal Entry 7 by tehuti from Treorci, Wales United Kingdom on Friday, May 27, 2005

Not quite sure what to make of this. The whole question of parents trying to impose a certain personality or lifestyle on their children is an uncomfortable one for a parent, and this was the greatest resonance that I felt from this story. While it made its point, I personally would have preferred to point to be elaborated within a novel-length format. 

Journal Entry 8 by Netstation from Coventry, West Midlands United Kingdom on Monday, June 06, 2005

Arrived with 'Confessions of a Flesh-eater' and quickly devoured. This short story could so easily have been made into a full length novel. The format doesn't give Guterson enough room to explore some of the themes fully. That said it's an interesting read, especially for a parent. It reminds me of a book I read quite some time ago about a trawler crew from Teeside who are presumed lost in a storm. The self-criticism of those left behind turns to anguish or anger depending upon the nature of the person. I wish I could remember the name of the book as this has made me want to read it again! 

Journal Entry 9 by Fellraven from Redditch, Worcestershire United Kingdom on Saturday, July 02, 2005

Passed to me by Netstation along with "Confessions of a Flesh Eater". Obviously the two books are travelling together. 

Journal Entry 10 by Fellraven from Redditch, Worcestershire United Kingdom on Wednesday, July 20, 2005

Other readers have said most of what can and ought to be said about this short story. And it's an old story - the relentless pressure imposed by parents seeking to mould their children, often forcibly and regardless of their children's own wishes or inclinations.

The thing which leapt out of this story for me was Guterson's reuse of the motif of the fisherman drowned because he became entangled in the boat's gear. In this case it was the rigging while in "Snow Falling on Cedars" one of the characters drowns after striking his head and becoming caught up in the fishing nets hanging over the side. I don't know which of the two pieces of writing is the earlier, but Guterson was clearly not going to waste a useful idea.

This will go on to UrbanSpaceman with "Confessions of a Flesh Eater" as soon as I have his details. 

Journal Entry 11 by Fellraven from Redditch, Worcestershire United Kingdom on Wednesday, August 03, 2005

Posted on to UrbanSpaceman today. 

Journal Entry 12 by UrbanSpaceman from Kingston upon Thames, Greater London United Kingdom on Monday, September 12, 2005

Waiting for me when I got back today - along with another 5 rings books... 

Journal Entry 13 by UrbanSpaceman from Kingston upon Thames, Greater London United Kingdom on Sunday, January 08, 2006

A very satisfying short read. I have Guterson's 'Snow Falling on Cedars' on my TBR shelf, so I'll have to read that sooner rather than later. 

Journal Entry 14 by YokoSpungeon from Dunboyne, Co. Meath Ireland on Thursday, January 12, 2006

Picked this up at the Bookcrossing Meetup on Tuesday night at The Stamford Arms. It's no longer paired with the flesh eater. Will journal again once read.