Read-A-Long of Norma by Sofi Oksanen

[Heidi M Simone]

I'm caught up, too.

I also understand the connection to Eva and Norma's hair, but I am curious why was Norma never told. I mean it seems like Norma already didn't have a father in her life, so why hide the fact that someone else was an absent presence in her family? I can only imagine how it must have felt for Norma growing up thinking that she was the only one with her hair situation.

Speaking of the hair, personally, I would not want hair like Norma. To always be cutting it is bad enough, but the whole thing of absorbing other people's feelings? That is way too much. I have enough feelings to manage, I wouldn't want several others, as well.

Also, Anita's character seems to have a lot more going on than I first realized. Blackmailing, overthrowing, and claiming the "clan's" territory. Gosh, I didn't see some of that coming!

I'm curious about Marion and Helena, as well, and their involvement in all this.

[Heidi M Simone]

You probably haven't reached that point yet.


I never would have thought I would be ahead.
I'll probably fall behind, but I'll try to keep up.

I see.

I"ll try to keep up as well.

I'll also try to keep up

[gali]

I'm caught up, too.

I also understand the connection to Eva and Norma's hair, but I am curious why was Norma never told. I mean it seems like Norma already didn't have a father in her life, so why hide the fact that someone else was an absent presence in her family? I can only imagine how it must have felt for Norma growing up thinking that she was the only one with her hair situation.

Speaking of the hair, personally, I would not want hair like Norma. To always be cutting it is bad enough, but the whole thing of absorbing other people's feelings? That is way too much. I have enough feelings to manage, I wouldn't want several others, as well.

Also, Anita's character seems to have a lot more going on than I first realized. Blackmailing, overthrowing, and claiming the "clan's" territory. Gosh, I didn't see some of that coming!

I'm curious about Marion and Helena, as well, and their involvement in all this.

I do too. I wonder if her real grandma is still alive.

I also wouldn't want an hair like that!

Yes, Anita seems like a complex character! And she gave her daughter some vitamins so she could sell her hair. She used her own daughter!

Marion knows more than she tells. She and Anita plotted something.

It also seems that the clan deals with some babies trade! How awful!

[gali]

Where are you guys in the book? I am on chapter 5, page 75 or so.

[Gravy]

Where are you guys in the book? I am on chapter 5, page 75 or so.

I'm a little into chapter 5.


I would hate having hair like Norma's! That would be aweful!

I never thought that Eva might still be alive. Now I kind of hope she is.

[gali]

Where are you guys in the book? I am on chapter 5, page 75 or so.

I'm a little into chapter 5.


I would hate having hair like Norma's! That would be aweful!

I never thought that Eva might still be alive. Now I kind of hope she is.

They didn't say she was dead, so one can hope...

[Heidi M Simone]

Eva being alive would be awesome!

I just finished reading chapter 5. As we continue reading, I'm enjoying the story more and more. Also, it is definitely less confusing than the beginning, which is good!

Spoilers: Up to and including chapter 5
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Can't believe Norma's mom was using Norma's hair without telling her. Whenever her mom made Norma take all those pills/vitamins because of some gray hairs that made me upset because, seriously? Using your daughter like that?

Though, I do like that Norma is working the same salon and trying to put together the pieces of her mother's secrets.

Oh, gosh and the baby trade business? I don't think I got to that point, gali, when you first said it, but now I know about it. Gosh, that is so weird and I'm pretty sure not really legal. Can you imagine finding out your parents aren't really your biological ones, but they had no intentions in telling you? Also, I don't I would be able to hide something like from loved ones. "Oh yeah, we just a baby. You know we've been traveling for pleasure and work, and it just sort of happened. No big deal!"

So, Marion thinks that Lambert will do something to her. I wonder if he would and what would that entail?

[gali]

I also finished chapter 5.

I couldn't believe either that Norma's mom was using Norma's hair without her knowledge or consent. She used her for her own ends. Btw, who knew that hair extensions were so popular...

The baby trade business gave me the chill. They used poor women to serve as wombs for hire!

I wonder what Marion hides that makes her so afraid. Lambert is her father, right? He sure doesn't act like one.

[Heidi M Simone]

I also finished chapter 5.

I couldn't believe either that Norma's mom was using Norma's hair without her knowledge or consent. She used her for her own ends. Btw, who knew that hair extensions were so popular...

The baby trade business gave me the chill. They used poor women to serve as wombs for hire!

I wonder what Marion hides that makes her so afraid. Lambert is her father, right? He sure doesn't act like one.

Right? I also had no idea that hair extensions were so popular. I've never used them, but who knows, maybe in Helsinki they are?

That's true! Did they say anything about how the women they use were chosen? I feel bad for them and definitely wouldn't want to be chosen!

Okay, that's what I was thinking that Lambert's her father, but I wasn't sure if I missed that or just didn't piece the two together right away. I agree, he doesn't act like a father. Also, I don't think I'm too big of a fan of Alvar either.

[gali]

I also finished chapter 5.

I couldn't believe either that Norma's mom was using Norma's hair without her knowledge or consent. She used her for her own ends. Btw, who knew that hair extensions were so popular...

The baby trade business gave me the chill. They used poor women to serve as wombs for hire!

I wonder what Marion hides that makes her so afraid. Lambert is her father, right? He sure doesn't act like one.

Right? I also had no idea that hair extensions were so popular. I've never used them, but who knows, maybe in Helsinki they are?

That's true! Did they say anything about how the women they use were chosen? I feel bad for them and definitely wouldn't want to be chosen!

Okay, that's what I was thinking that Lambert's her father, but I wasn't sure if I missed that or just didn't piece the two together right away. I agree, he doesn't act like a father. Also, I don't think I'm too big of a fan of Alvar either.

According to the book, hair extensions are popular all over the world. I don't use it either.

They didn't say yet how they choose the women.

I don't like Alvar either.

[Gravy]

I have just begun chapter six.

I'm thinking that the hair extensions are a metaphor, bordering on satire.

What do you guys think?

[gali]

I have just begun chapter six.

I'm thinking that the hair extensions are a metaphor, bordering on satire.

What do you guys think?

I also just started it and hope to read some more later.

I agree. I think the author wanted to ridicule the excessive preoccupation with women's hair.

[Heidi M Simone]

I have just begun chapter six.

I'm thinking that the hair extensions are a metaphor, bordering on satire.

What do you guys think?

I also just started it and hope to read some more later.

I agree. I think the author wanted to ridicule the excessive preoccupation with women's hair.

I haven't started six, but will today.

That's an interesting thought. I don't know if I thought about it beforehand, but it makes sense that the obsession over hair extensions would be a metaphor. Good thinking!

[Gravy]

I actually starting to feel like the whole book is a feminist statement.

[gali]

Lol, it does seem that the author wrote the book more to pass a point than to entertain.

I finished chapter 6 and now know the secret of Marion. It doesn't seem that much of an issue to get killed over it, though.