HuffPost Book Club: The Tiger's Wife By Tea Obreht, Part 2 Of 3

The second part of "The Tiger's Wife" Book Club discussion, chapters 5-8 inclusive, will begin here. See our previous discussions here. To add to this discussion, please comment below or on our Facebook page, or you can tweet to us with the #hpbookclub hashtag. We want to hear from you.

A little about who you'll be hearing from...

Andrew Losowsky, Books Editor
I'm British, so anything you think I've spelled wrong, is actually just spelled older. I look for stories to take my brain into new spaces, and I'll be particularly discussing the facts as we think we know them, and the clues I think we're being given by the story.

Zoë Triska, Associate Books Editor
I was a Literature major so I can't help analyzing every single thing (from the syntax and language to metaphors, similes, you name it). I (reluctantly) admit that I'm one of those people who Googles phrases, places, names every couple of pages when I'm reading. There are constantly things that stump me, though so I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Madeleine Crum, Assistant Books Editor
I like looking at language particularities, but in case you think that's a snooze (you wouldn't be alone), I'm also interested in reading what critics say about books and whether their reviews are spot on or way off. Let's talk about it.

Annemarie Dooling, Community Editor
Quotes, locations and descriptions speak to me the same way characters do. I love dissecting the same details that tell us more about the story than the actual prose. If you read the same books over and over and over again the same way you visit an out-of-town friend, we're going to get along just fine.

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One final Chapter 8 thought...

My favorite quote from this part of the book?

Dure was rolling up the rag, winding it tight over his fist and calling it the heart -- and I felt stupid for not considering this possibility, the metaphorical heart, and for doubting the old crone, where she was.

Remember a few chapters ago? (Location 495 for my fellow Kindle readers):

Is your heart a sponge or a fist?

Hmm...

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What *is* a gusla?

@ ErynnIm : what's a gusla? http://t.co/BadKAW4u #HPbookclub

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Animals and their meanings (Chapters 7 and 8 specifically)

I thought this was a great place to jump into deeper symbolism on the presence of animals.

Of course, we have the tiger, who seems to be indicitive of so many feelings of so many characters at different points throughout the entire book (the mystery of the grandfather, the aloofness of Natalia, the restlessness of "the deaf-mute girl, (really, can we not find another name for her?) but what are the other animals who make repeat performances, and what are their relationships, in nature, to each other?

Spoilers beyond this little ticker.

The Tiger: I looked into the history of tigers in fables and found some very interesting links. For a little background, Wikipedia tells us that...

The tiger replaces the lion as King of the Beasts in cultures of eastern Asia representing royalty, fearlessness and wrath...

Of great importance in Chinese myth and culture, the tiger is one of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals. Also in various Chinese art and martial art, the tiger is depicted as an earth symbol and equal rival of the Chinese dragon- the two representing matter and spirit respectively. In fact, the Southern Chinese martial art Hung Ga is based on the movements of the Tiger and the Crane. In Imperial China, a tiger was the personification of war and often represented the highest army general.

The regal nature of this strong animal comes through here but a quick read of Aesop's Fables classic story 'The Tiger and the Fox' reveals that even this strongest of animals has a chink in their armor somewhere. For mr personally, knowing a little bit of the cultural history of the tiger has opened up more interpretation of it's exact mimic of the life of the grandfather, the leadership, the courage, but also the extreme frustration.

The Owl: In chapter 8, Natalia is crouching in the vines of the vineyard when she is approached by a wide eyed owl. The description of their meeting was so quick that if you blink, you might miss it, but the succinct description of this bird was relevant, almost exactly, to the idea we've been given of Natalia at this point. She's an observer, a watcher. She might be the main narrator, but her voice is used to share and report, not experience. Life seems to happen around her, not through her.

Do you agree or disagree? Natalia has been the source of much conflict in our comments section.

The Bear: How could we discuss animals without discussing the great and mighty bear? Though Darisa's story lives largely in chapter nine, he's briefly mentioned, peppered throughout the book, so let's look at the significance of the bear to gear you up for the next chapter. Historically in the wild, tigers and bears are natural sworn enemies (unless you're thinking of these adorable babies here), so it shouldn't be too surprising that there would be conflict with someone who identifies strongly with the tiger, and someone who identifies strongly *as* the bear.

Bears are heavy and awkward. Where the tiger glides, the bear tumbles. They hide for many months throughout the year and their species is vulnerable to total endangerment. That's quite a different cultural view from the tiger, but not so far off in relative terms to our relationships with both of them.

Is it a contest of who is the most fierce? Not to me. As we've discussed, every character seems to have their own corresponding animals, and we've been given the story of Darisa to contrast and compliment to tiger. He is an animal of a different kind. What does he mean to you?

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Chapter 7: Learn About Luka

In this chapter we dig even deeper into the world of fables that quietly intertwines with the main story plotline. We specifically look at Luka, who, it's noted, is given a completely different spin.

Click below to see some spoilers!

Great point made by Carolyn. Luka gets a whole new dimension in this chapter when we see him as not someone who is plain old nasty to his wife, but the pain and the story behind his frustration and his own hatred of himself.

One part I was a little confused on is what exactly happens to Luka. As it's told by fable, we get a lot of symbolism, the hawk, the bloody pelt, but we don't hear a final sentence. Did he just run off? Was he actually killed? What do you all think?

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Book Club Updates: 1/20

Hi everyone! Welcome to the second part of the 'Tiger's Wife' discussion. We've broken them up so it's easier for you to find quotes and comments and talking points, but we'd love to hear if this works for you. Please leave us a comment if you have suggestions on how you'd like to discuss the next book.

Also, we're working on getting a better newsletter for you all so that, regardless of whether you're on Twitter or Facebook, you can still be a part of everything we have going on.

Finally, we'll be discussing chapters 7 and 8 today, 9 and 10 this weekend and the final three chapters mid next week, so let's hear all of your thoughts on how this book is summing up! We've LOVED all of your thoughts and are very excited to hear what else you're thinking.

And we have some very big news coming in our next newsletter, so make sure you've signed-up on the main Book Club news page!

Now, let's get reading!

- Annemarie

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On animals and characters...

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Best tweet ever?

@ Bernonika : Just bought rose hip jam, thanks to the author's description of her grandfather's home town. #hpbookclub

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Fantasy vs. Reality

Dava has some great thought in our comments...

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@ JanDeLaRosa : Today's accurate description: "Her expression seems to indicate that the photographer owes her money"- Obreht #HPBookClub

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More

Comments

[minzy]

06:08 AM on 05/07/2012

what do you think the genres in her novel represent?

[Carolyn1960]

11:38 AM on 01/26/2012

Last night I read the chapters with Dariša the Bear and I found them fascinating. How he grew up, his relationship with his sister and how he developed into an adult. I also find myself rooting for the Tiger and the Tiger's Wife - and, of course, Grandfather when he is a boy. I'm just finding the writing to be lovely and something I can escape into.

[Jodi Lampert]

07:40 PM on 01/25/2012

I was waiting for finish Chapter 8 before I came and read people's comments. I really agree with what someone said about it being hard to believe it is such a young author. I, unlike most people here, am liking the actual book part a little more than the fables. So far.. But I will say, what I said after the first section is true. I've almost never read a book this slowly, on purpose. There are just little gems everywhere, and yet, it doesn't feel like a slow read.
I think this is a great first choice. I have been to Mexico several times for 'Day of the Dead,' and the cultural things that people must do are fascinating. I love that the grandmother is so insistent that she not open the grandfather's bag. It's like you can feel what it means to her. Through words!

[Katie Dvorak]

06:42 PM on 01/25/2012

Must admit I was disappointed in the end of The Tiger's Wife. I understand leaving some endings untold, but I felt there were too many loose endings. I left the book not feeling any sort of closure or satisfaction, just confusion.

Made me realize that personally the ending of the book is the most important part. If I leave a book satisfied, then it stays with me. If I am unsatisfied, I quickly let it go and dwell on it no longer (and tend to not read more by the author.)

Looking forward to seeing what book comes next!

[juicykate]

01:23 PM on 01/25/2012

Absolutely love The Tiger's Wife! Great pick HuffPo! Looking forward to the next one.

[bonsterblack]

05:10 PM on 01/25/2012

I finished the book a few days ago. I think it's going to be one of those books that just stays with me and pieces will pop up into my mind every once in a while. In fact, although I rarely read a book twice, I believe this is one I will come back to sometime in the future. I hope this isn't a "spoiler," but I found myself disappointed that there were many unanswered questions at the end of the book. But then I came to realize that this is the way it was supposed to be. We often don't have all the answers and just have to live with uncertainty.

[Annemarie Dooling]

12:46 PM on 01/26/2012

Glad you liked it! Hope you like the next book just as much!

[techie4ever]

07:42 PM on 01/23/2012

My favorite passage (after reading chapters 1-8): "When men die, they die in fear," he said. "They take everything they need from you, and as a doctor it is your job to give it, to comfort them, to hold their hand. But children die how they have been living -- in hope. They don't know what's happening, so they expect nothing, they don't ask you to hold their hand -- but you end up needing them to hold yours. With children, you're on your own. Do you understand?" These words, so true, made the entire book worth reading. BUT YOU END UP NEEDING THEM TO HOLD YOURS. Sadly true.

[Annemarie Dooling]

02:15 PM on 01/26/2012

Love this analysis. Can't wait to share this on the liveblog.

[Carolyn1960]

05:27 PM on 01/23/2012

I know this is probably not in line with the depth of all the other input but as far as the deaf-mute girl is concerned: YOU GO GIRL! I am becoming so interested in her! Now that Luka is gone and she is wearing fabrics and fattening up, I can't wait to know why and what part the Tiger has it it and where has Luka gone. I love that she is now so mysterious in a powerful way.

[vanessaplmn]

01:19 AM on 01/22/2012

Where is chapter 5?

[Annemarie Dooling]

07:48 PM on 01/22/2012

We covered a lot of the themes from that chapter in our chapter four review (similarly chapter 6) so we decided to concentrate on the overall concepts from those chapters in relation to the ones here. Hope that wasn't too confusing! What were your thoughts on these chapters?

[Katie Dvorak]

06:18 PM on 01/21/2012

Really love this quote from chapter 8.

"In that room, Death had come and gone, swept by, and left behind a mirage of life -- it was possible, he realized, to find life in Death."

[Carol Mahoney]

11:26 PM on 01/20/2012

Animals and their meanings... In Native American tradition, each individual is accompanied and guided by nine different animals during their lifetime. These are called totems and can represent clans or tribes or just individuals. The bear represents such qualities as self-preservaton, guardianship, observance, courage and great strength. (In Irish history, Mahoneys are said to belong to the clan of the bear.) I think the bear represents Natalie, and I identify with her because she is a survivor, and an observer, and she shows both courage and strength. Look at the way she stood up to Dure regarding the sick children, and faced her fears in the vineyard.

[Katie Dvorak]

10:55 PM on 01/20/2012

I agree that Natalia just seems to be a conduit in the book. She is what ties it all together in a way. She is able to relay her grandfather's stories. She can ground us in the place and time of the novel. I feel something might be lost if the grandfather was the narrator. The stories of the Deathless Man and Tiger's Wife seem all the more magical as tales passed down through a generation. And it adds to the mysteriousness of it all. Not yet fully knowing the details behind her grandfather's death -- but putting the pieces together alongside Natalia.

Maybe we'll find out from the deathless man himself what happened. I'm only through chapter 8, so I am excited to see what happens if we meet him again.

[Elias Petras]

08:45 PM on 01/20/2012

I loved The Tiger's wife for part one of our read. I felt the quality of the writing was superb with wonderful descriptive passages and a fascinating cast of characters which I was very curious about. However, I found that by the time I got to the end of part one I found myself lost. Each chapter did seem independent as many readers have said. Because of the lengthy nature of in particular the fantasy sections and difference stylistically with the present day chapter i couldn't remember what the previous chapter was about. As far as the progression of the story was concerned I was lost. I found my head was swimming with no grasp of the whole.At the same time I never felt like putting the book down. Beautifully written but to what end? Perhaps part three will provide me with some greater understanding. I don't agree it's not a good book to start with. It's definitely a challenging read that bring about lots of interesting discussion because of the variety of understanding and interpretation.

[bonsterblack]

02:53 PM on 01/21/2012

I'm only just starting Chapter 10 right now, so I don't know the answer, but I have a feeling that everything is going to tie together in the end. In fact, I can see many things coming together right now.

[daloia]

02:56 PM on 01/20/2012

Oop...The white dog with the black head.

[daloia]

02:55 PM on 01/20/2012

on animals...what was the meaning of all the dog with the white head and his portraits all over the town Natalie visited? I think he was even in the town her grandfather passed in...

[Annemarie Dooling]

05:03 PM on 01/20/2012

We hear more about the dog in chapter 10. Keep reading. :)

[DavaCastillo]

07:29 PM on 01/20/2012

Annemarie,
Did you learn anything about my post this morning? I wondering if I post it again.
Thanks
Dava

[BrandonGordon]

02:30 PM on 01/20/2012

I'm on Ch. 6. The Deathless Man intrigues me. I want to know more. More importantly, who does the Tiger symbolize? #HPBookClub

[Annemarie Dooling]

02:38 PM on 01/20/2012

Just posted about the tiger right now! Would love to know YOUR thoughts so I can post them above too!