Meg's comments (member since May 28, 2008)

Meg's comments from the Chicks On Lit group.

Well I think that is how it was in those days. I believe men ruled the roost -- the farm, the family and the money. I don't think there was much more time for anything else unless a church was within the community. Remember that they had moved to CA and lived there for a short time.

One particular quote struck me: The greatest terror a child can have is that he is not loved and that rejection is the hell he fears.

Comments?

When reading Chapter 22, the last half of the Chapter specifically talks about Cain and Abel. Steinbeck refers to it as the story of the original sin (Eden) and the story of Cain and Able, specifically brother murder. Is this foreshadowing?

I am wondering two things here as well. Cain is the evil one and Abel. If we look at initials here C (charles) a (adam). This analogy works. IT is also stated that God (their father) accepted Abel (Adam) and rejected Cain (Charles)

Now let's look at the initials of the twins c (Caleb) and a (Aaron). Will this be the same with the twins?
Prediction?

I am also wondering about more foreshadowing when Lee is talking about Cain and Abel speaking of crime as though it is happening in King City?

I so agree Cindy.
Can't wait Rebecca.

I just bought the book but have not read it yet. I am hoping to start and finish before you finish the discussion.

I am glad you got it. I hope you are feeling better.

I didn't want to look at Oprah's information for that reason. I was going to wait until I finished.

What a great review Renee to love a book that much that you couldn't put it down. The only reason I am putting it down is my eyes close and I start snoring!!!

I am really loving it too.

Well as of Chapter 17 I am still sticking with good and evil more in the biblical sense that is. I keep thinking of the stories in the Bible and how so many of the stories are good and evil stories.

What is the What by Eggers

I am thinking she is going to get together with Charles, get all of Adam's money and they will get rich and greedier together.

I think Cathy is going to go back to Charles. Charles and Cathy are going to scheme to find a way to get all of Adam's money and land.
The twins will be raised by the Hamiltons. One twin will be as evil as his mother and the other as naive as his father.
The evil twin will pair up with Charles and Adam.

OK for those of us who haven't read the book before,
the end of this week's reading was a great cliff hanger

Predictions:
1. Where did Cathy go?
2. What happens to Adam?
3. What happens to the twins?
4. How do the Hammiltons play into this scenario?

I knew it was a girl, I just felt the vibes! Congrats!

Can't wait Rebecca.

I don't know how many of you have read Chapters 12-13 but the plot is really thickening!

As your read Chapters 11-20 more characters appear. I will continue adding to the list

Samuel Hamilton
A native of Ireland. He is the first generation to arrive in the Salinas Valley from the home country. He makes his living as a blacksmith, well digger, and informal doctor.

Liza Hamilton
The wife of Samuel. She is humorless and morally strict - an opposite of her husband.



Will Hamilton
The oldest Hamilton son. He moves to the city and becomes a successful businessman.

George Hamilton
Another Hamilton son. He moves to the city and becomes a businessman in the insurance field.


Tom Hamilton
Another Hamilton son. He stays on the farm and reads books devotedly. He commits suicide after blaming himself for the death of his sister, Dessie.


Joe Hamilton
Another Hamilton son who attends Stanford College.


Dessie Hamilton
The favorite Hamilton daughter. She becomes a popular dressmaker in Salinas.


Olive "Ollie" Hamilton
The narrator’s mother. Her husband’s name is Ernest Steinbeck.


Mr. Edwards
A "whore-master" who runs a successful business setting up prostitutes in small town hotels and then rotating them over a two-week period between towns. He has an affair with Catherine Ames, then beats her and leaves her to die.

Yay, I love Cindy letters!

OK I found this quote to be an interesting topic for us:

Adam Trask had not been home long before the tensions began to buildup. The brothers saw too much of each other and not enough of anyone else.

Do you think this is true for most couples that live together? Do you think this can ruin a relationship or make it stronger?

I will try to keep everyone posted when we meet new characters that seem to be more important. I tend to keep the list going, and will add more detail as we continue our read. That is how I taught novels in school and it seems to work well.

Everyone that I have talked to stated that this book was their favorite Steinbeck book.

I haven't listed the sons/daughters yet as I am not sure how they will play out and how important they will be.