Fiona’s Comments (group member since Sep 25, 2023)

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

DQs Day 2 - Chapters 3 & 4 (pages 104 to 172)

6. What do you think of Julian’s unique position as a wealthy outsider and its influence on his interactions with both the college and the group?
I'm not sure yet what I think about him. He's a bit weird but currently, that's all I really know.

7. The narrator and the group are greatly fascinated by the classics, in particular Greek tragedy. Do you think this influences their perception of the world and their relationships within the group and with other characters?
Definitely. I think that goes for everyone and their specific interests. How you see the world, how it shapes your conversations, etc.

8. What do you think of the relationship between Richard and the other members of the group? Do you think it has evolved over these chapters? What, if any, are the elements most likely to strengthen or disrupt this bond?
I definitely think it has evolved, but I do see some kind of dependency from Richard on the others. Also feels like they're kind of taking advantage of him sometimes.
I think what could disrupt the bond is maybe money? I don't know about strengthen.

9. How does the isolated setting of Hampden College contribute to the atmosphere and the characters' actions?
To me, it seems like they're in a state of "We can do whatever we want because no one is watching"

10. Did your thoughts about Henry’s relationship with Bunny change over the course of these chapters?
Yes, it seemed toxic and Bunny seemed a bit dangerous to me.

11. What do the Bacchic rituals symbolize to the group? Are they seeking a transcendent experience, or are they simply indulging in hedonistic pleasures? How do these rituals contribute to the group's downfall?
I don't know, not really sure I understood anything about the rituals lol

Bonus: I have always been fascinated by the various secret societies one reads about. If given a chance, would you want to be a member, and if so, which one would you want to belong to? (The secret society does not have to belong to a college/university, it can be one not linked to an educational institution.)
I would love to be a member but of which society, I'm unsure.

DQs Day 1
Chapters 1 & 2

1.) Is this your first Donna Tartt book or have you read hot book of whatever year that was, The Goldfinch? If you've read The Goldfinch, has this been sitting on your to-be-read list since?
This is my first Donna Tartt book and I've been wanting to read this since forever!

2.) This has definite secret-college-campus-society vibes. Do you like this setting for a story? Have you read any from this genre you'd recommend to others?
I definitely like this setting and am very intrigued by what the story has to offer.
I've recently read In My Dreams I Hold a Knife which had secret-college-campus-society vibes.

3.) Speaking of the setting, does the author provide a good description of the campus and the surrounding landscape to set a believable atmosphere for the novel?
I'm definitely a fan of all the descriptions. The atmosphere is believable and I like that everything is so detailed, for example the description of life in Plano in the beginning.

4.) Initial thoughts on characters. It's early in the book, but any you like, don't like, or want to learn more about?
To be honest, currently I don't like any of them but I also feel like that's the goal of the book. I might be wrong though, and maybe my feelings will change.

5.) Do you think the narrator is reliable? Do you like unreliable narrated books or are you not a fan?
Well, the narrator definitely isn't reliable. I don't read many books with unreliable narrators but I usually like them.

Volunteering for Noisy Neighbours :)

592 pages
160 pages

Current total: 1,806,990

Perfect thanks 🤗

Brooke, can you add Death of an Addict to your shelf please? :)

Round 4 tab is ready!

Round 4 will be set up completely later today, I haven’t had the time yet, sorry!

Works for me too!

174 pages

Current total: 1,802,308

DQs Day 4
Ch 11 to 13

14. How do you like Poirot's style of revealing what happened? Do you enjoy reading whodunnit mysteries?

15. The mystery has been unraveled and we now know what happened to Mrs. Inglethorp. Have you guessed who it was or were you surprised?

16. Is there anything you would have changed about the narrative? Something you didn't like? If so, here's your place to rant :)

17. If you haven't already, would you consider picking up another Hercule Poirot book or any other of Agatha Christie's works?

400 pages

Current total: 1,793,109

DQs Day 3
Ch 8 to 10

10.) Any guesses about "find the extra coffee cup and you can rest in peace"? Does that fact Lawrence found it indicate guilt or innocence do you think?
It could be anything at this point. I'm as confused as I always am with Poirot books.

11.) With books as old as this, some language/terms just do not age well and can be jarring to randomly come across in the text. Should language like this be censored/edited to match less offensive terms of the times (though not sure there is a correct way to say a lady dressed up in blackface). Or should they be left as is and used as a point of discussion on race/sexuality/class/gender/etc?
That's a really difficult question. Whenever I come across this kind of language I am first shocked and then a little split between thinking well, it's bad but what can we do and it should be changed so for example the narrators of the audiobook don't have to go through saying these things. Obviously, it would be better for the terms not to be in the books though.

12.) Lots happening in the section, arrests abound! Do you think John was arrested for his step mother's murder or for some other reason like Dr. B?
I can only guess at this point. Probably for something other than the murder but who knows?

13.) What do you think about our narrator and giver or random marriage proposals, Hastings?
I just love Hastings. He is funny, charming, sometimes a little dummy and that's what I love about him.

DQs Day 2
Ch 5-7

6. Poirot is concerned because Cynthia does not take sugar in her coffee and calls back to when he tasted all the coffees, but it’s never expanded upon. We later find out that the poison was likely administered in coffee and that it has a bitter taste that coffee could mask. Do you have any theories as to why Poirot put such importance on “Cynthia does not take sugar”?
My guess it that for some reason, the coffee he tasted had sugar in it, which would be weird. Maybe the murderer tried to mask the bitter taste with the sugar?

7. Witnesses have testified to overhearing an argument between Mr & Mrs Ingelthorp the day she was murdered — but Mr Ingelthorp claims they are mistaken. Do you believe he is truly the one who was having the argument, or do you have any other suspicions? Poirot certainly thinks he is innocent and claims to be able disprove the other claim (about him buying the poison) — does that sway you at all?
If there was indeed someone impersonating Mr Inglethorp, would it be so far off to think the impersonator was the one having the argument with Mrs Inglethorp? I think not.

8. Most people seem to believe Mr Inglethorp is guilty (ESPECIALLY Evie), while Lawrence seems to believe the death came by natural causes, and Mr. Inglethorp doesn’t seem to have any theories at all except to believe it was murder but never pointing fingers at a suspect. I have to admit, I expected more finger-pointing from this group! Have any characters’ reactions so far stood out as peculiar to you?
Honestly, not really. But that might be because this is a reread for me.

9. One of my favorite things about mysteries is trying to figure out what happened before it’s revealed. Are you trying to solve the murder, or would you prefer to be surprised by the eventual reveal? Do you feel like you’re usually good at solving the mysteries, or do they evade you?
I have read so many Agatha Christie books and I'm always so bad at trying to solve it myself. Even when rereading, I usually only remember how the person was murdered but not who it was haha

DQ Day 1
Chapters 1 - 4


1. The first few chapters set the scene for this (first) instalment of Hercule Poirot. What do you make of the various characters we are introduced to? Especially "Alfred dearest" whom everybody seems to dislike. Do you agree with Mrs Howard that they're all only interested in the money? Do you agree with Hastings that they're all somewhat suspicious?
Having read this book and most other Poirot books, I adore Poirot and Hastings with all my heart. "Alfred dearest" is very sus to me (I must say that I usually don't remember who did it, so rereading Agatha Christie's books is always great for me). They definitely seem to be interested in the money.

2. A murder has occurred! Anyone want to venture a guess at this stage as to who has done it? And was it really death by poison? Or is Dr. Bauerstein's expertise in the matter and the fact that Mrs. Inglethorp suffered from severe convulsions in front of practically the entire household merely a red herring?
I think the poison was just a red herring (this is really me guessing, I forgot haha) and for now, my guess is on Alfred.

3. There was an argument the day before the murder between the late Mrs. Inglethorp and an unknown person, potentially Mr. Inglethorp. What might this have been about?
Maybe about money?

4. What might Mrs. Inglethorp not have wanted to show Mary Cavendish that resulted in the latter feeling somewhat peeved?
I have no idea :D

5. Are you enjoying the narrative so far? I assume I don't have to ask if this is your first Christie book? It seems like most everyone has read at least one of her books, or has seen an episode or two of the tv adaptations.
Agatha Christie is my favorite author, I love her brain so much. Hercule Poirot has a really special place in my heart, so yes, I'm enjoying it.

508 pages

Current total: 1,791,274

257 pages

Current total: 1,790,348

The BOM The Mysterious Affair at Styles has started, head over here to discuss it if you're reading!
I got DQ's for the last day, so that's extra points for us :)

314 pages

Current total: 1,789,406

443 pages

Current total: 1,788,116