Vikki’s Comments (group member since May 25, 2014)

Vikki’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

Almost done with "last straw" book

I found a short book for "last straw." If you want we could boon "started" since all the books are long and boring. I started the "started" book but it taking forever.

Just shelved it. Sorry about that.

The Complete Grimm's Fairy Tales
Authors: Brothers Grimm
880 pages
Completed: 1/19/16
Published: 9/12/1976
Goals: None so far
Points: 100

Will start the "started" goal book shortly...

The Time Machine
Author: H. G. Wells
176 pages
Completed: 1/19/16
Published: 5/31/2011
Goal: None so far
Points: 20 (pages)

There is a chapter or 2 that take place in a hospital run by the Red Cross in Paris after the war in Nightingale. Could this count for the "hospital" goal?

January 18
Chapters 26-33

Q29. After what happened between Vianne and Isabelle during the Beck issue, do you think that the sisters would see each other again? Or at least find a way to forgive each?

I hope so.

Q30. We see that the Nightingale aka "Isabelle/Juliette"got an invite to France. Did you guess she was the nightingale? If it were you would you have gone tothis event? Why or why not?

No. Not sure.

Q31. I understand Gaëtan's fear about loving Isabelle but I think Isabelle is right at this point life is short so why waste it denying how they feel for each other. Does anyone else agree or disagree?

Agree

Q32. Finally Vianne is doing something to fight against the war even though she is afraid. Do you think she will succeed in helping all the children without getting caught?

Yes

Q33. So much has happened to this point, Does anyone have an opinion as to who will survive this war? or what will happen to any of the characters?

I love all the characters so hopefully none... Except the Nazis. That sadist that is billeting with Vivanne can die a very long and painful death.

January 17
Chapters 21 - 25

Q24. So much happened in this small section! First, let’s talk about Isabelle. Many people think she’s going on too many trips to take downed airmen to the British consulate and it was risky considering how badly the Nazis were searching for the Nightingale. Do you agree? Was she being reckless and possibly risking the whole operation by taking too many trips? And do you think she’ll continue on with the trips if she recovers from her injury or will she be forced to take a break?

Yes. Yes. She should take a break but probably won't.

Q25. What did you think of Beck warning Vianne and Rachel about the foreign-born Jews being deported and then obtaining false papers for Ari? Do you think his feelings for Vianne influenced these choices or are they signs of his being a good person in a bad situation?

I think Beck does not agree with what he is being asked to do. Both.

Q26. I must admit, I teared up when we lost an innocent life - Sarah. And then my heart broke when we found Sophie losing her innocence when her mother told her the news - “Do you think I’m stupid? She’s Jewish.” What was your reaction to both of these events?

It broke my heart.

Q27. Vianne surprised me in this section! Not only did she attempt to help Rachel escape and then hide her, she also played a part in the death of Captain Beck! Were you shocked by this side of her and how far she was willing to go to protect her sister? Have your feelings about Vianne changed at all due to recent events?

Yes, yes, and yes.

Q28. With the death of Beck and now knowing her sister has been helping downed airmen in France, do you think Vianne will begin to help as well? Or will she remain more concerned for the safety of Sophie and Ari?

Yes, she will help.

Questions for Chapters 17 - 20

19. Were you surprised to find out that Isabelle's dad was working for the resistance?

Yes

20. It would be so hard to live at a time like this. I would hope that I would have had the courage to help others. Do you think you would have helped, even if it meant risk to your family? Do you have a family story from this time period?

I hope I would.

21. Thinking back to the comparison about love and war at the beginning of he book; the father says, "We are all fragile Isabelle. It's the thing we learn in war." Is this something we learn in love as well? Why or why not?

Yes, because in both we learn what we can endure.

22. Bend, Oregon. Hmmmm...... That is where the vignettes set in 1995 take place. Is the pilot Perkins the father of the son in the 1995 story?

Not sure.

23. The yellow stars have arrived. I was touched that Sophie offered to wear one. I was also pleased with the way that Isabelle has grown and become a stronger character while helping the pilots. She seems more confident and mature now. Has there been character growth or change that you have noticed or enjoyed?

I am starting to like Isabelle more and how she is becoming stronger and tougher.

January 13 Chapters 8-11

9. Have you read much about the occupation of France? Has any of the historical information (such as German officers billeting in houses) surprised you?

Yes. No.

10.I was so annoyed with Isabelle in this section for being so naive and immature that I almost stopped reading the book. As a parent, I became so angry on Vianne's behalf about Isabelle continually putting Sophie at risk. What are your thoughts on Isabelle? Is her hurt and resentment towards Vianne justified? Is she doing the right thing helping the resistance?

I share the same feelings about Isabelle. Yes. Yes.

11. Captain Beck has, so far, tried to be very accommodating and polite. Was he just trying to win their trust to be able to use Vianne? Or is he just a decent man dragged into a war with no choices?

Decent guy

12. Captain Beck does some research and says the men have been captured and are "not coming home". Do you believe him?

Yes

13. Some of the women started to turn on Vianne, insinuating that she may be 'in bed' with the Germans. Do you think this was fair?

No but she is a safer and softer target for their anger and frustrations than the soldiers.

January 14, 2016 Chapters 12 – 16

Q14. Vianne helped make the list of teachers which took Rachel and other Jewish teachers. She went to Captain Beck about the list, which she thought the names were meant to be “clerical in nature”. She also saw all the food and items the Nazi’s had. What are your thoughts about this scene? Was she naïve? Do you think she is starting to understand there severity of the situation? Is she seeing more of what Isabelle is talking about?

I think she did what she had to do but I think deep down she knew it was not just for clerical purposes. I think she will deeply regret her involvement and not being open to seeing what Isabelle is talking about.

Q15. Isabelle has been distributing tracts for months and she stole the bicycle. Is her behavior being more reckless? Do you think she will be caught for these kinds of behavior? Will she be caught with this new mission in Paris delivering secret messages for the Free French?

Yes. Yes. Possibly.

Q16. Do you like the timeline changes (In France, then in Oregon)?

Yes.

Q17. Now with Isabelle in Paris, Captain Beck is alone with Vianne and Sophie. What do you think will happen with Vianne and Sophie?

Worried that Vianne will get too close to Beck.

Q18. Should Isabelle reopen the bookshop?

Yes.

Q19. Which character do you like more, Isabelle or Vianne? Which of the two sisters do you feel the saddest for?

Vianne is the one I like the most and am saddest for. Isabelle is annoying me at the moment.

Just completed and shelved Nightingale.

And starting BOM Him tonight.

I will finish Nightingale tonight.

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

188 pages
Completed: 1/18/16
Published: 12/25/2005 (originally 1845)
Goals: None so far
Points: 20 (pages)

Completed "country" goal

I found a "started" book but it is a long book. Is anyone working on this goal?

Completed "The Hanged Man" book

12 Jan 2016 Chapters 1 - 7 Questions

1.Do you like the book so far? Why did you decide to read this book? Have you read any other books by this author?

I love this book so far. I love historical fiction and have read Winter Garden.

2.The Nightingale opens with the following statement: “If I have learned anything in this long life of mine, it is this: In love we find out who we want to be; in war we find out who we are.” What do you think the narrator means by this? Is love the ideal and war the reality?

That want we want to be isn't always who we really are.

2.Who do you think is the elderly lady at the beginning? What is the reason for your choice?

Not sure. A child of the war?

3.The narrator says that: “He [her son] loves a version of me that is incomplete. I always thought it was what I wanted: to be loved and admired. Now I think perhaps I'd like to be known.” what have you always wanted? Has it changed and why or why not?

I think people try to be what they think other people want or need them to be and that doesn't make them happy.

4.War changes people. “The father who went off to war was not the one who came home.” How did war affect Vianne and Isabelle's family? Do you think that Antoine will be changed like Vianne's father? How about the soldiers that Isabelle comes across? Should she be so angry with them? Would you?

The war changed their father and without their mother it fell apart. War will change all the characters. There is an ideal that soldiers will stay and fight to the death even if there is no hope of victory so I understand the refugees being angry but it is better to live a fight a battle they can win.

5.Why do you think Vianne is in absolute denial about the war? How would you react if it was you? Do you think your choice is a product of 50/50 because we can look back on that period and know what happened?

Her reaction is normal and no one will know how they will react in horrible situations.

6.Isabelle says that "Magic, to be its best, must be unexpected." Do you agree? Why or why not? Do you think she is warning her sister here?

Yes, because there is more wonder in the unexpected. Yes.

7.What do you think of the characters so far? Are they believable? Do you have a favorite? Dislike any?

I like them and they seem believable but I have no favorites.

I found a book with a country's name in the title but it may be Monday before I could finish it.