Discuss Young Man, Muddled by Robert Kanigel

Jul. 18, 2023
by Lavender

At what point do you "become" something? Is it the day you start, or when you look back later and realize that's what you are? How much of what we become is due to the people around us?

Jul. 11, 2023
by laurag

What did you think of Kanigel's growing resentment to Maura? Were you surprised the couple lasted as long as they did? What kept them together?

Jul. 09, 2023
by poniesnpearls

The author was influenced by the movie, Wild Strawberries. Why do you suppose the film affected him the way it did? Do you recall ever being similarly influenced by the plot of a movie or book?

Jul. 08, 2023
by K Bosman

If you lived through the Vietnam era, what is your impression, looking back at the period? If you don't personally recollect the time, what impression have you formed of it? Was the era truly different?

Jul. 08, 2023
by poniesnpearls

Why did Kanigel stay on the sidelines as a child? What would have happened if he'd joined in?

Jul. 08, 2023
by poniesnpearls

In your reading of it, did any matters of craft, structure, or form rise to the surface? Did anything in the writing itself impress or annoy you, inspire you or leave you cold?

Jul. 08, 2023
by poniesnpearls

How well do you think Kanigel understood Maura's depression at the time? Do you think he'd have reacted differently if he'd been older?

Jul. 05, 2023
by juliaa

What did you think of Kanigel's intention to go to Canada to avoid the draft? Do you know anyone who was drafted, or who managed to avoid the draft? What would you have done in Kanigel's shoes?

Jul. 05, 2023
by K Bosman

Kanigel believes that those born just a few years later than him often had a quite a different experience" of the late 1960s. Do you agree? Is this the same for all generations? Did the world "need" the 60s?

Jul. 05, 2023
by K Bosman

The author quotes Petula Clark's song, "Downtown" when relating the thrill he felt when visiting downtown Baltimore. Have you ever felt this way about a city's core? Are some large cities more vibrant than others?

Jul. 05, 2023
by K Bosman

Which of the four crises/turning points do you think left the most lasting imprint on the author?

Jul. 01, 2023
by triciat50

Why do you think Kanigel felt isolated in Paris? What would you have done in his place?

Jun. 30, 2023
by dee deek

Maura writes to Kanigel that "To take this life seriously is stupid…It would mean that you really believed that there was a purpose to it and rules to be played by" Do you agree with her?

Jun. 30, 2023
by dee deek

The book is recording his experiences decades later. How much do you trust his version of events? Why do you feel some people can clearly recall their early years while others can't? Which are you?

Jun. 30, 2023
by dee deek

Kanigel writes that memoirs today turn their backs on the ordinary and the familiar. Do you believe this to be true? Do you read memoirs often? Which memoirs have you enjoyed?

Jun. 30, 2023
by dee deek

Kanigel states that in the 1960s, the Government left scientists free to explore. Do you think this was the case? And if so, is it still the same to day? How much direction should the government provide?

Jun. 28, 2023
by Loveslife

What do you think led Kanigel to West Virginia? Do you believe in fate or karma?

Jun. 28, 2023
by Loveslife

Could you relate to his feeling of loneliness in childhood? Do you think being an introvert or extrovert is a product of nature or nurture?

Jun. 28, 2023
by triciat50

Kanigel feels that his parents taught him that "Some parts of life had weight and worth, others you could ignore." Do you think his parents did him a disservice? How did your parents influence you?

Jun. 28, 2023
by skagitgrits

Did Chapter 16, as an ending to this book, feel satisfying???

Jun. 28, 2023
by triciat50

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Young Man, Muddled

Discuss Young Man, Muddled by Robert Kanigel

Overall, what do you think of Young Man, Muddled?

At what point do you "become" something? Is it the day you start, or when you look back later and realize that's what you are? How much of what we become is due to the people around us?

What did you think of Kanigel's growing resentment to Maura? Were you surprised the couple lasted as long as they did? What kept them together?

The author was influenced by the movie, Wild Strawberries. Why do you suppose the film affected him the way it did? Do you recall ever being similarly influenced by the plot of a movie or book?

If you lived through the Vietnam era, what is your impression, looking back at the period? If you don't personally recollect the time, what impression have you formed of it? Was the era truly different?

Why did Kanigel stay on the sidelines as a child? What would have happened if he'd joined in?

In your reading of it, did any matters of craft, structure, or form rise to the surface? Did anything in the writing itself impress or annoy you, inspire you or leave you cold?

How well do you think Kanigel understood Maura's depression at the time? Do you think he'd have reacted differently if he'd been older?

What did you think of Kanigel's intention to go to Canada to avoid the draft? Do you know anyone who was drafted, or who managed to avoid the draft? What would you have done in Kanigel's shoes?

Kanigel believes that those born just a few years later than him often had a quite a different experience" of the late 1960s. Do you agree? Is this the same for all generations? Did the world "need" the 60s?

The author quotes Petula Clark's song, "Downtown" when relating the thrill he felt when visiting downtown Baltimore. Have you ever felt this way about a city's core? Are some large cities more vibrant than others?

Which of the four crises/turning points do you think left the most lasting imprint on the author?

Why do you think Kanigel felt isolated in Paris? What would you have done in his place?

Maura writes to Kanigel that "To take this life seriously is stupid…It would mean that you really believed that there was a purpose to it and rules to be played by" Do you agree with her?

The book is recording his experiences decades later. How much do you trust his version of events? Why do you feel some people can clearly recall their early years while others can't? Which are you?

Kanigel writes that memoirs today turn their backs on the ordinary and the familiar. Do you believe this to be true? Do you read memoirs often? Which memoirs have you enjoyed?

Kanigel states that in the 1960s, the Government left scientists free to explore. Do you think this was the case? And if so, is it still the same to day? How much direction should the government provide?

What do you think led Kanigel to West Virginia? Do you believe in fate or karma?

Could you relate to his feeling of loneliness in childhood? Do you think being an introvert or extrovert is a product of nature or nurture?

Kanigel feels that his parents taught him that "Some parts of life had weight and worth, others you could ignore." Do you think his parents did him a disservice? How did your parents influence you?

Did Chapter 16, as an ending to this book, feel satisfying???

Sorry, Young Man, Muddled by Robert Kanigel is closed for new posts.
Please go to bookbrowse.com/onlinebookclub for a full list of conversations.

We have migrated to a new forum for book club discussions, please join us for our latest discussions on the BookBrowse Community Forum.

Discuss Young Man, Muddled by Robert Kanigel

Sorry, Young Man, Muddled by Robert Kanigel is closed for new posts.Please go to bookbrowse.com/onlinebookclub for a full list of conversations.

Sorry, Young Man, Muddled by Robert Kanigel is closed for new posts.
Please go to bookbrowse.com/onlinebookclub for a full list of conversations.