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The Wonders


"A surreal and exotic thing, a finely wrought interrogation of the ways we ...
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The novel explores many ways in which we look at each other. Why do you think that the public is so interested in looking at the Wonders? Were you surprised by their daily lives given their notoriety?

Created: 01/28/15

Replies: 7

Posted Jan. 28, 2015 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3442

The novel explores many ways in which we look at each other. Why do you think that the public is so interested in looking at the Wonders? Were you surprised by their daily lives given their notoriety?

The novel explores many ways in which we look at each other. Sometimes we are encouraged to look, sometimes we are told not to stare. Why do you think that the public is so interested in looking at the Wonders? Were you surprised by their daily lives given their notoriety?


Posted Feb. 10, 2015 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
lorik

Join Date: 08/25/14

Posts: 19

RE: The novel explores many ways in which we look at each other. Why do you think that the public is so interested in looking at the Wonders? Were you surprised by their daily lives given their notoriety?

Human nature is drawn to the "different." People tend to either want to appreciate the difference, try to understand it, or exploit it. As humans, most of us are inspired by people and animals who have special needs yet who have adapted and been able to do amazing things.

I was not at all surprised by the daily lives of Leon, Kathryn, and Christos. Though they were all brought to celebrity status by Rhona's efforts, they were still real people as characters in this book. Although the lives of people who have differences from us are fascinating- and sometimes just the way that they live is fascinating- they still have their family, friends, and a personal life apart from the spotlight.


Posted Feb. 10, 2015 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
lynnw

Join Date: 09/01/11

Posts: 166

RE: The novel explores many ways in which we look at each other. Why do you think that the public is so interested in looking at the Wonders? Were you surprised by their daily lives given their notoriety?

The public took an interest because they were so different and their marketing was so well done. People had never seen anyone with the conditions that these three either lived with or created for themselves. I think they needed to turn inward and have a more private life because of their notoriety. I don't think they could have existed in a life that was "on" all the time.


Posted Feb. 10, 2015 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
jww

Join Date: 05/31/11

Posts: 166

RE: The novel explores many ways in which we look at each other. Why do you think that the public is so interested in looking at the Wonders? Were you surprised by their daily lives given their notoriety?

Why do humans like looking at wrecks? Why do they watch people being beaten or join in with others who are humiliating or bullying someone? What are the vicarious pleasures achieved by watching atrocities? Do we need affirmation that others are worse off than we are? Or is it simple media manipulation telling us this is something wonderful and we aren't 'with it' unless we find the object/people fascinating? The three Wonders led boing lives (out of the lime-light) because they were, essentially, sad boring people. They were, however, fortunate to have each other to help maintain some sanity.


Posted Feb. 10, 2015 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
pennyp

Join Date: 03/22/12

Posts: 353

RE: The novel explores many ways in which we look at each other. Why do you think that the public is so interested in looking at the Wonders? Were you surprised by their daily lives given their notoriety?

I think the new reality TV shows are an indication of what people will watch. In the wonders, the people were more unique than other reality shows and this made them a valuable commodity. We, as, people seem to like to watch others. Sometimes we watch the rich and famous, sometimes the disgusting or downtrodden. Right now, I am watching a series about people in a rest home. It is billed as a comedy, but at times, it is very sad.


Posted Feb. 13, 2015 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
susanj

Join Date: 06/18/11

Posts: 25

RE: The novel explores many ways in which we look at each other. Why do you think that the public is so interested in looking at the Wonders? Were you surprised by their daily lives given their notoriety?

The Wonders were a modern-day circus sideshow, like the reality shows on TV. People are always fascinated by "freaks", people who appear different. Outside of the limelight, these were people with the same feelings as everyone else. Whether by choice or by consequence, they ended up alienated from the world.


Posted Feb. 13, 2015 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
joyces

Join Date: 06/16/11

Posts: 410

RE: The novel explores many ways in which we look at each other. Why do you think that the public is so interested in looking at the Wonders? Were you surprised by their daily lives given their notoriety?

I think that we are all interested in people who are different from ourselves. One of the reasons I love to travel is to not so much to see sites but to see how other people live. For me it was more interesting to see these three as people in their out of public lives than what they actually looked like. Admittedly they looked different and for most people that is what the attraction was but too often I think that it is often a way to affirm for the viewer that he is normal and therefore in some way superior. As my father always said to my siblings and I that even if someone looks different, or is famous or is rich they all have to eat, use the bathroom, sleep and get up in the morning just like ourselves.


Posted Feb. 17, 2015 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
carolec

Join Date: 04/14/11

Posts: 9

RE: The novel explores many ways in which we look at each other. Why do you think that the public is so interested in looking at the Wonders? Were you surprised by their daily lives given their notoriety?

It is oft times difficult to understand the range of people's perceptions of others -- their ideas, beliefs, their very persons. Perhaps it is understandable that Leon thinks that two cracks had opened in the world -- one that allowed love, exaltation, and wonderment to pour in and the other spewed discontent, envy, greed, and hate. The Wonders experienced both. To so many of the questions raised by this book, there are no easy answers. If there were, we would not be plagued by the headlines that greet us daily that proclaim "man's inhumanity to man," or animal, as the case may be.


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