 *rubs hands together* Hee hee hee. (That's an evil laugh, in case you didn't know.) This week we'll be discussing Mark Henry's Happy Hour of the Damned, which I personally thought was awesome. Remember, we're discussing themes and craftsmanship and characterization--the stuff that made the book resonate and contributed to the fun--rather than "like" or "didn't like", although that will be in there too, I'm sure. Mark is offering up some spiffy prizes, too--some Secret Zombie Presents and a signed copy of the book! So join in everyone! Okay, here's our first topic. Amanda Feral is quite the fashionista. What do you think her obsession with labels tells us about her character? In what way did Henry use those to reveal her personality? And also, don't you think it's a little odd that Mark had such familiarity with those designers? Does it make you wonder about his upbringing? Seriously. Comment away! |
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Just finished the book this weekend and loved it.
I think it's easy to say Amanda's label obsession is just plain vanity, but I suspect a deeper reason. Eating disorders and mommy issues are clearly problems for Amanda. Therefore, one could assume the labels and fashion are really armor for her.
I was pretty impressed with all the little girly details he got right. I remember one scene where Amanda noticed someone's makeup brush is frayed and bent. It was a small detail, but Mark managed to make it say something about the person's character.
Hey thanks, Jaye! There's a scene in either Manhattan or Annie Hall (someone help with that) where Woody's walking down the street and sees two model types arm in arm, he asks them how they manage to make it work.
She says, "Well, I'm really shallow and materialistic."
Her boyfriend says, "And so am I."
I loved that scene. Loved. That. Scene.
Amanda in armor? Hmmmmmmmm.
Hi Mark! :)
I just started reading your book this weekend, and am only a few chapters in, so I don't have as strong a grasp on Amanda's personality that other readers may have, but so far she and her friend Wendy seem rather self centered and superficial.
And how exactly does a guy like you know all those incredible details about fashion and makeup and girly things? Sisters? Fashionista wife? Research? You know more about that kind of stuff than me and I've been a girl my whole life! For *beep* years!!! And that's says A LOT! ;p
p.s. The footnotes are hysterical!
Yes, as I was reading it, I thought, "Boy, Mark much watch alot of Sex and the City. Or read a lot of chick-lit. Or watch alot of modeling shows."
There's no chance in hell my husband knows all of those designers or would describe outfits in such detail like that.
Spill, Mark, spill!
I don't mean to imply being superficial and self centered is a bad thing. Well... I mean... it totally works for Amanda. And Wendy. Too funny.
First off, I gots me a subscription to Lucky Magazine which seems to be a catalog of shit people can't afford. I used that as a springboard to designer websites which are full of runway shows and fabric descriptions. Really well done stuff.
The other thing is I'm an only child and my father was always away for work so I was kind of forced to be interested in female things just by spending so much time with my mother and her friends.
But mostly it's just research. A lot of the clothing is wearable art. If you look close enough you'll see that couture is the new museum piece.
Does that answer it?
Oh and hey Christine and AJ!
Thanks for swinging by. Feel free to interrogate me.
As for the superficiality. I think you don't find it enough in fiction. I seem to find it everywhere in reality.
I was going to say pretty much what Jaye said. Amanda doesn't have to be herself when she can hide behind couture.
Amanda's clothes obsession could be soooo many things.
1. She's a rich bitch who can afford to pay attention to these things.
2. Knowing what is the 'best' and making sure she's always dressed as such is an image of power, not only to intimidate but protect herself.
3. She likes quality and is picky.
4. She's in a place where she can award herself for her accomplishments and spoil herself.
5. She uses this as a level to judge people by. What they wear is a status level and she has standards in friends as she does in clothing.
Ok, I'm spent... oh, and I have to get back to work. ;)
Okay so I'm totally impressed that all of your knowledge of haute couture is self taught.
You are so right about there not being a whole heck of a lot of superficiality in fiction. I never really thought about that, but its true. Why do you think that is? I'm stumped! I can't think of a single speculation as to why that's the case.
I think your Mom actually raised you as a girl for the first several years, didn't she?
I think it's because people like to believe that humans have depth and insight--if you'll excuse me dropping into therapy mode--and they do, but only a small percentage of the population in my best estimation. Most people live their lives very superficially, rarely delving into the causes of their own behavior. Because--guess what--it's really hard to figure that stuff out.
It's not like it's taught in our school system, either. Kids aren't even expected to accept personal responsibility for their actions. It's all so external now.
I'm totally not saying anyone needs a therapist to discover their "depth", just a willingness to look beyond societal roles and look at ourselves.
So we read books with characters that are insightful and think, hey I'm like that. Only we're not, we're Amanda, Wendy and Gil.
**This response brought to you by excessive rambling.
Yes Stace,
She made me wear pretty dresses and twirl.
"Twirl, Mark. Twirl!"
Todd - Isn't it time you started hiding behind couture?
and...
Hey Missy!
I think there's something to be said for being superficial, recognizing that you're superficial, and embracing that. Same is true for bitchiness. So I think that Amanda, having died, is just comfortable being bitchy and superficial in a way she might not have been when she was alive, because, hey, if you don't like it she can just eat your ass. I mean, srsly. ;)
Amanda's obviously got issues, but I'm not sure I think that the bitchiness is a shell. She enjoys being bitchy too much. (Same goes for Wendy.) When you don't have to worry about how another person feels if you're being bitchy at them (either because they get it, or because they're, well, food), there's a lot of freedom in that.
What impressed me about the book was that Amanda can basically be a heinous person (because, really, she is shallow and bitchy), but I, as a reader, still *care* about her. And for that, Mark deserves some major kudos.
At first I thought Amanda's fashion knowledge was just pure vanity but as I continue reading, I think it's way deeper than that so I totally agree with what Jaye said. Or maybe we'll wrong and she's just a hugely vain zombie!
It's really impressive that Mark knows all about fashion when me, a GIRL, has barely a clue!
And by the way, the character Wendy? FABULOUS. But I might be slightly biased. Ahem.
Thanks Alana,
If only everyone shared that opinion. I think it comes across that I love bitchy snarky villainous characters. If I didn't and was trying to fake it, Amanda would have never worked.
Ps. You're right, sometimes it's awesome to be superficial and bitchy.
Mark: Maybe if I was a filthy-rich professional writer, I'd be decked out in Armani pajama pants or Marc by Marc Jacobs...umm, I dunno what they make. I just have a high school classmate who works there.
I do have some Polo dress shirts, which I think are actually Southeast Asian ripoffs, but that's as close as I get.
Hey Wendy,
She's all you. You're my inspiration. Now don't forget to stop by the Home Depot and pick up a bucket on the way home!
Heeheheee!
Todd. I'm currently decked out in dirty cargo shorts from Old Navy, a v-neck t-shirt and flip flops. The underwear may or may not be clean.
I fully expect to be treated to a Saville Row suit when the author money starts rolling in.
Anyday now. Any. Day.
Mark, not to worry I have extra ones at home. Just in case I'm feeling some chocolate cake urges.
Btw, that scene in the bathroom? HILARIOUS!
Yes, but it's gold plated dirty underwear. I know how rich writers live.
Aside from psychoanalyzing Amanda, the clothing question is also satirically fun. SatC, etc., all feature people who we're supposed to want to be because they dress in fancy things. Mark creates a fun inverse/converse/i should have taken logic wherein the pretty clothes are worn by horrifying undead (but funny) creatures.
I think Amanda used fashion as a way to define herself. She was dead and eating people, but she still had her fashion sense. It was a way for her to hang on to her previous life.
(though I could be totally off base here)
I was impressed with Mark's fashion knowledge and his girly insight.
P.S. I loved the book!
And Stacia, I certainly do think it's a little odd how Mark has such familiarity with those designers - it kinda makes me wonder what's in his closet which is sorta creepy, isn't it?
I think the dogs just pooped in my closet so if you're going to go poking around in there could you take a wad of toilet paper with you?
..You mind if I use your book?
Ooooh, BURN! heehee! (just kidding, I love HHotD!)
FACE!
This post has been removed by the author.
Oops. My fantastic burn got posted twice. I got you GOOD.
You really did. I even screamed to the heavens in response.
I'm afraid you're about to be visited by several plagues.
Watch out for the locusts.
Oh please.
Like I'm scared of a bunch of little insects. Um, I'll just go look for something I lost, um, under my blanket.
All my soulful insights into Amanda and all I get is a 'Hey Missy!'... bitch. ;P Heehee
Can't wait til tomorrows post!!
Hey Missy - I apologize profusely. They were just so well stated I couldn't make fun of them.
You know we loves you.
Forgiven... and thank you. ;) We loves you too, Precious.
I don't think there is anything wrong with hiding behind labels. I mean really what exactly is wrong with being superficial? I of course am not superficial(putting down my Lavin bag)nor do I pay attention to brands of anykind(kicking off my Manolo's)but let's not crucify someone for paying attention to them..(wait I got caught up on my Prada scarf)
As for why Mark knows so much about these brands, I can't say exactly...but I did see him standing in front of Barneys window
wiping a tear from his eye..why Mark why???
Synde - The Alexander McQueen Novak bags were just...so...beautiful. I couldn't look away, it was like staring into the sun (thus the tears).
Hey, late as usual. :)
You mean there was going to be a test on the deeper meaning of Amanda's fashionista sense and nobody told me? I have to think about it? LOL
I think alanajoli really summed it up for me when she said " I think there's something to be said for being superficial, recognizing that you're superficial, and embracing that. Same is true for bitchiness."
If you know you are and embrace it then you can be at peace. If you missed the clue train on this one, it may make you and everybody around you miserable. One doesn't need to change if one loves themselves and all their bitchy vain glory. I guess it is all about perspective. :)