Annalisa’s Comments (group member since May 04, 2018)

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

I finished Bound to the Battle God. I didn't add it to the mini as it fits a few different places. I'm probably going to read the next in the series so could be a pair if we need that. If you want it for the food or instrument let me know and I can give a quote.

Also, have a hold on . It is pretty long, so I hope I can get it in time.

I'm planning on reading both Ariadne and Malibu Rising. I will probably finish one more book before the Friday deadline but I'm not sure.

DQs - Day 5 - June 20th
"With Skadi gone, ..."

“The ending doesn’t matter. What matters is how we get there. To face what’s ahead with as much dignity as we can muster and make the most of the time we have left.”

21. I was pleasantly surprised by the ending. It had a very hopeful feel to it, even though almost everyone ended up dying. Also I was so happy Boda and Skadi finally got together even if only for a little while. What did you think of the last parts of the book?
I thought the ending was really well done. I wasn't sure exactly what to expect but I liked that Skadi and Angrboda finally got together. I was also really happy to see Hel find happiness.

22. I mostly enjoyed the book overall, although it wasn’t quite what I expected. I have now moved Norse Mythology to the top of my TBR because this book made me realize how little I know on the subject and how much I want to learn. What did you think of the book? Glad you read it? Or just happy to get the points and move on?
This had been on my TBR for a while and I'm glad I read it. It was very good. I didn't know a lot about Norse mythology and don't know that I'll be learning more but I did like the retelling.

23. So many interesting themes in this book. As a new mom, I was most drawn to the theme of mother’s love, but there were so many others: fate vs. free will, forgiveness, death/rebirth, friendship, sacrifice, etc etc. Did any of the themes resonate with you?
Until pointed out I didn't really notice the themes. Although now they seem very obvious. I think I like death/rebirth and friendship. Those were a little more subtle.

24. I really enjoyed reading about Boda’s children and their relationships with each other and their parents, for better or worse. Which character or relationship did you enjoy reading about the most?
I liked reading about Angrboda and Loki. They had an interesting relationship. I also really appreciated the relationship between the wolf and Angrboda.

25. My very favorite part of the whole book was when Boda was finally reunited with her sons and got to say goodbye to them. Did you have a favorite quote or scene?
I really liked that she got to say goodbye to her sons as well that was a nice scene. I think I liked the ending with Angrboda where she finally goes deep and takes the dive into the deep she has been scared of.

Finished The Witch's Heart today and got the DQs answered and on the SS. For Battleship.

DQ's Day 4 - 19th June
"Angrboda was redjusting her pack basket..."
"Angrboda couldn't argue with that." 81%

16. So in addition to her past life as Gullveig, Angrboda is also the Old One, Mother Witch, the wise old woman in the woods and a healer. I can understand wanting to forget about her time as Gullveig but why do you think she can't remember anything from the time before? Do you think she'll recover these memories at some point? She's recovered her power, with a little help from Freyja but still seems to be holding back. How powerful do you think she really is? Do you think she'll go all in and if so what do you think will happen?
I think if you lived forever and didn't forget you might go crazy. I finished the rest of the story so can't really speak to the other questions.

17. "There's no power in the cosmos that can escape what's coming". Angrboda, Odin, Skadi and a few others now know about Ragnorok and, with Loki killing Odin's son, his punishment and the start of the long winter it seems to be the beginning of the end. Do you think it's better to know what's coming like Angrboda and Odin or would you prefer, like Loki, not to know? Do you think knowing or not knowing will make any difference to what happens? Do you think there's anything Angrboda can do to change the outcome?
I think I'd rather not know what happens. It seems like it doesn't change anything knowing what is coming. It would be hard not to know when others know but I'd rather not have the pain of knowing.

18. "I'm the one who's done the most evil among the Aesir, and if nothing else, at least they'll remember my name. That's more than one can say for you." We know a lot more about Loki now, what do you think of him as a character? Why do you think he acts the way he does? Angrboda thinks Loki may have killed Baldur for his daughter's sake. Do you believe he genuinely cares about Hel? What about Angrboda and his sons, do you think he loves them or are they a means to an end? Will Angrboda forgive him despite all he's done?
I think Loki cares about his family. Yes, I think he tries. Maybe he doesn't go about it in the best way but I do think he loves them in the way that he is capable of doing.

19. It seems like Skadi and Angrboda are on the brink of becoming more than friends when Skadi announces that she's joining the giants in the fight against the gods. She wants to go down fighting for her people and to avenge her father. Were you surprised she wants to go out fighting rather than staying with Angrboda? Has this changed your mind about why Skadi accepted marriage in recompense for her father's death?
This did not change my opinion. It matches with what I thought of Skadi as a character. She seems kind, strong, and reliable.

20. We're moving on to the final section now. What do you think Angrboda will do now that she's alone again? Do you think she'll be reunited with her family? Loki? Any predictions for how it will all end?
I've finished the book. I got impatient.

DQs Day Three - 18 Jun
"There came a day in laste summer..."
"Angrboda agreed." 62%

11. I love how the myths surrounding Loki are casually mixed into this book. I'm a fan of Norse mythology, though I don't know a ton about it. Do you know or enjoy Norse mythology? Do you like how the author is incorporating it into her book?
I like Norse mythology but I am not all that familiar with it. I do like the addition of it in the story.

12. "Was I wrong to not tell them the world may not accept the the way they are?"

This is Angrboda's question after not only Loki's other wife, but Loki himself, refers to their children as monsters. How would you answer her question? Was she right to try and protect and hide them from the Nine Worlds? Should she have gone about it in a different manner?
I think she was right to keep them safe. However, it might have helped to speak to them a little about what to expect. I understand why she stayed hidden and they stayed hidden too.

13. What an ending to Part One! Did you see what was to come? Did you already know the myths before or were you completely surprised? If you already knew the myth, did you like the author's interpretation of events? Were you as angry at the world as I was reading all that happened to Angrboda and her children, cause I was ready to fight!
I did not know the myth but I wasn't surprised by it. Odin is not a kind god. I was upset that Loki was not a better father.

14. It seems that Angrboda's dreams can now transport her into other's thoughts. Do you think this is a one-off event because of how much stress she was under? If not, how do you think she'll use this skill from now on?
I really didn't know at the time what would happen here. Having finished the book I know though.

15. So Angrboda has a new voice in her head. Who do you think the voice belongs to? Do you think it's connected to Angrboda's seeming inability to die? Do you think it's a friend or a foe?
I finished the book. At the time I was thinking it was a friend.

DQs Day 2 — "He stayed with her as the days ..." to "... given her daughter a new obsession" - 40%

6. After Angrboda performs seid for the first time again, she starts having dreams where she hears someone calling to and beckoning her. Angrboda doesn't believe it to be Odin at first, but her suspicion changes over time. Who do you think it could be?
She seems to think it is Odin so I’m inclined to believe that.

7. Skadi reappears in this section, having left her husband behind. Do you think he'll come back into the story later? Why do you think she chose a husband as recompense in the first place?
I don’t know that her husband will reappear but maybe. I think she choose to get a husband in recompense on the chance she picked Odin’s son.

8. Hel was born with "dead" legs (or dead flesh on fully functioning legs? I'm honestly a little confused by it) and when she over exerts herself she starts turning blue. Angrboda attributes this to when she tried to save her daughter — but I'm not so sure. Do you have any theories on what the cause could be? Is it as simple as Angrboda believes, or do you think it's something bigger to be revealed later on?
I think it will be revealed later on in the story. I doubt it has anything to do with Angrboda performing seid to save her.

9. There have been several mentions of a witch who birthed a race of wolves who chase the sun and moon so far in the story — and now Angrboda has given birth to a wolf. Do you think she is the Old one the stories reference? Or, if not, do you think we will meet that character later on?
I think she might be, she seems to be bringing to forest back to life as though it knows her. She also hears the voices. I’d say she is if not the witch then connected somehow.

10. Angrboda decides not to tell Loki about his and his family's involvement in her vision of the beginning of the end. What do you think of her decision? Do you think she made the right choice in not telling him?
Yes, I like Loki but don’t think he is fully trustworthy.

DQs Day 1
Beginning to "... a promise she knew that she couldn't keep."

1.) What attracted you to this book? BOM points? That COVER? Because of the Norse Retelling angle to the story? Any expectations you'd like to share?
I picked it up now for points. It was on my TBR list. I think I was interested because of the fantasy retelling.

2.) What did you think of Angrboda's first meeting with Loki? I mean he brought her heart back in his knapsack basically because he was bored. But he was so charming, I'm not sure I'd care either. Though it didn't hurt I kept picturing him as Tom Hiddleston. LOL
I liked their first meeting. Although he took a long time to say his name and that did get in my nerves a bit.

3.) Thoughts on Skadi? Why do you think she helped Angrboda in the first place? And to such an extent? If Skadi was male, how different do you think that interaction would of been?
Skadi seemed curious to start and then it was business and very good at that. Angrboda doesn’t need much so Skadi gains a friend and a lucrative business partner.

4.) The quote from Skadi, "Time doesn't matter unless you are keeping track of it." Resonated with me. What do you think of this? Do you agree with the statement?
So true. Hard to not track it though.

5.) Loki's reaction to the pregnancy was, let's go with interesting. What type of father are you expecting him to be? Do you think he will be a functioning part of the child's life?
Not really expecting him to be part of the child’s life more than he is part of Angrboda’s life. He will come and go.

The Master and Margarita works for set in Russia and character in prison/jail. Jesus is arrested and in prison. Except for those excepts in Jerusalem the book is set in Moscow. I think we have a few of them banked.

I thought I would have some good reading time over my long weekend but it is looking like I was wrong. I’ve got The Witch's Heart and Ariadne. I’m currently making my way through The Dragon Republic but if I want to finish anything I might pick up a lighter book.

DQ - Day 6 - Covers 28. The Final Adventure of Koroviev and Behemoth -> end

26) Out of all the people in the city, why do you think the Devil decided to help the Master and Margarita? Or did he really even help them?
I don't know that he did help them. He was asked to do something for them and he did. It does seem like they get peace from his actions but they are also dead.

27) What do you think are some of the things the author was trying to convey with this book?
I really have no idea. I often feel like I do not have the type of brain to want to understand satire. It take a deeper reading and I am mostly reading for pleasure and I do not find pleasure in having to dig into history to understand a book.

28) All through the Devil seems to insist to others that Jesus really exists. Why do you think that is?
I assume it is because he has some part in that story and maybe his actions are why it happens the way it happens.

29) (Thanks Google! - I thought this was interesting) The title to Chapter 30 (It’s Time! It’s Time!) references this poem by Alexander Pushkin:
It's time, my friend, it's time! The peace is craved by hearts...
Days flow after days -- each hour departs
A bit of life -- and both, you and I,
Plan a long life, but could abruptly die.
The world hasn't happiness, but there is freedom, peace.
And long have I daydreamed the life of bliss --
And long have planned, a tired slave, the flight
To the removed abode of labor and delight.
Now the question:
It seemed to me that peace (as described in the poem) was a pretty great reward for the Master. But why do you think/ what did in mean that the Master " earned peace but not light?"
I'm not really sure what the difference would be but I do think that peace was something that was earned.

30). What did you rate the book and why?
2 stars because I found it hard to follow and to really understand it I would have had to stop and learn more about the history of the time. Which I had no desire to do.

DQ Day 5
24. The Master is Released -> 27. The Last of Flat No. 50

21) All's well that ends well for the Master and his Margarita! Or is that just another illusion created by Woland? So far at least, it seems like the two of them got what they want - or rather Margarita got what she wanted and the Master is forced to go along and we're of course hoping that it will all turn out for the best. How do you think their story is going to end?
I'm wondering if we will even see the Master and Margarita again before the end of the story. I'm still kind of lost but I imagine that they will both be home but changed.

22) I would not want to be part of the police force in those days, trying to clear up all those messes that the devil and his posse have created while they were playing in Moscow. Lots of people seem to be returning and they all want a padded cell "for their safety" - or would that be sanity? What are your predictions for all these people? Will Iwan realise that he is not actually mad? Will Rimski regain his composure? Will the signing bank personnel believe it was mass hypnosis and all go back to normal? It seems like there is just too much to cover it all up or make it all go away again, or not?
I have a feeling that once Satan leaves Moscow things will go back to being more of how they should be at least in regards to the signing bank personnel. As for Ivan and Rimski I really don't know. It seems like they have been affected in ways that can't be undone.

23) Why do you think Margarita is the only person we have encountered in this novel (so far) who seems to think that there was nothing particularly amiss with meeting Woland. She even took the supernatural element in stride. For her, there is nothing to worry and everything seems to be as it should be. What makes her special? Why is it that she is the only one not to question her sanity?
Margarita's portion of the story was the only part of this narrative that I followed. I think maybe she "sold" part of her soul and that made it more normal for her.

24) The Jesus chapters seem to have come to an end - what do you think their relation is to the story line set in Moscow in light of what has happened in the chapters in Book 2? At first I thought there was more to them, but now I'm beginning to wonder if they aren't merely bits and pieces from the Master's novel thrown into the mix. What do you think their purpose is?
I'm also think that they are the Master's novel. Or in some way Woland's novel that was written by the Master. I don't know what they purpose is but I really hope that the connection is made.

25) Any predictions on the last craziness of the devil gang? What are they going to get up to now that they've set flat No. 50 on fire and have flown out the window?
I really have no expectations for what would happen. If I made a guess I would be wrong.

DQ Day 4
Book 2: 19. Margarita -> 23. Satan's Rout

16) Margarita dreams of the Master coming to her and she believes he is either dead and coming for her or alive and wants her to remember him. Have you ever had a dream about a loved one or about something that eventually came true?
I’ve had dreams about loved ones but nothing that came true that I’m aware of. I rarely remember dreams once I wake up.

17) Margarita rubs the cream all over her and turns into a young witch who becomes invisible and flies through the air on a broom. Her first act is to go to the critics house and destroy him but since he is not there she destroys his house instead. Do you think she really would have killed him if he was home?
I don’t know if she would have killed him but I do think she would have done something extremely abhorrent. She is being influenced by Satan..

18) This ball Woland hosts, what do you think it is meant to symbolize? Why are the women naked and what was the meaning of Margarita taking a few extra seconds with the woman who killed her baby?
I assume maybe it is the excesses of the upper class and the decay that it saw. However, my history is a bit forgotten so I’m not sure sure of that. I honestly can say I do not remember the woman who killed her baby. I just listened a couple hours ago.

19) Do you think Margarita will remain with Woland after this night? She seems to be in over her head and this reunion is not at all what she expected.
I don’t think she will stay with Woland. I think she has already done what was needed of her and she will get the Master back in some way that is not pleasing or pleasant.

20) After reading Book 1 about the Master and a few chapters in Book 2, which are you enjoying more? Is one easier to read or understand than the other?
So far book 2 is earlier to under Since we have only had Margarita’s point of view and haven’t jumped all over the place. I still am not really enjoying the novel.

Day 3 - DQs

14. Saved by Cock-Crow -> 18. Unwelcome visitors

11)
“Since antiquity, the rooster has been, and still is, a sacred animal in some cultures and deeply embedded within various religious belief systems and religious worship….
In the sixth century, Pope Gregory declared the rooster the emblem of Christianity and in 9TH century the figure of the rooster was ordered to be placed on every church steeple. Also in Central European folk tales, the devil is believed to flee at the first crowing of a rooster.” (Source : Wikipedia)

Maybe it is just me, but I think there is something deeply symbolic about the fact that in the seemingly atheistic society a man is saved from black magic/the devil by a bird that is strongly connected to Christianity and is part of people’s inherent belief/superstitions. Do you think this was intentional on the author ‘s part and if so what possible message was he trying to pass on?
I am pretty sure since this entire book has religion as a back drop that this was intentional. I am not sure of the message. That just went right over my head.

12) Connected to the question above: were there any superstitions you were brought up with or were told about by your family/friends?
I don’t know that I was brought up with any superstitions. I do think about the saying “step on a crack break your mother’s back.” That kids would sing song as they ran down the sidewalk.

13) While the plot mainly concentrates on the weird happenings in “modern” Moscow and only few chapters are devoted to Jerusalem, do you think any parallels can be drawn between the two cities or their people?
I have no idea. I find the story in Jerusalem easier to follow by a small amount but I really don’t know about parallels. I think I might not be spending enough time to really get everything from the story. I can’t say I’m really enjoying it.

14) One of the many memorable scenes was when people broke out in a “song and dance flashmob” despite their not wanting to (the evil workings of Korovyev, the “ex-choirmaster”, translator ad assistant of Woland). Have you ever participated in a flashmob or saw one performed in person? If not: have you ever been involved in a school play/choir/etc?
No to both.

15) We already agreed that it is quite difficult to make sense of this book. Have you ever read a book that had similar effect on you? (fascination/bewilderment/what-am-I-just-reading? :)
I’m in the what am I reading camp. I don’t know that I’m really fascinated by the story. Im more going for the ride and I don’t think I really care for it. If it wasn’t a BOM I would have stopped reading.

I'm working my way through The Master and Margarita. I need to finish it before my audible subscription ends on June 30th so I'm going to be listening more than I would without a long drive.

Not sure what ebook I'll pick up next. Hopefully one of the other BOMs comes in soon but it is looking like I won't get The Book of Cold Cases in time.

DQs Day 2
7. The Haunted Flat -> 13. Enter the Hero

6.) Berlioz kept having things disappear from his apartment. What would you of thought if stuff was randomly disappearing from your home? Blame it on the kids? Partner? Ghost? Thief? Do you think it's supposed to represent Stalin's infamous purges where people simply disappear?
I would have been first confused and from there it would have probably escalated to being a bit scared and thinking someone was breaking in. I'm not one who normally misplaces things though so this would be more than out of the ordinary. It does feel like the disappearances are a reflection of what was happening in Russia at the time.

7.) What do you think of Woland's posse of 3? Would you want to be a part of that group? Of the 3, do you have a favorite character?
Woland is a very very strange character as are his minions. I don't know if they are all one or if they are separate. I think I like the cat best. Mostly thought I'm just a bit confused by them.

8.) Thoughts on Stavinsky? Would you want him treating a family member? Considering this is the 1930's and it's a mental asylum, was it what you'd expect? Or more modern?
I actually though it wasn't that bad. We are only seeing Ivan's point of view there though. I don't think I'd want Stavinsky treating me or anyone else, even if he is the best, he seemed with drawn and not engaged in listening to the patient as though he had already made his decision.

9.) This section made me think about the housing/apartment situation in Stalin's Soviet Union. Maybe because I recently moved house, it made me grateful for the choices I have available about my living situation. Did this resonate at all with you? How so?
I didn't really think about the housing at all though I did find the Master's house interested as it didn't feel like a basement apartment from the way it was talked about.

10.) I still have like no idea what's going on really. I feel like I'm just going to keep reading and hope it either starts making sense or the book ends. How are you enjoying the book so far?
I'm pretty lost most of the time. I think I'm missing a lot of history and cultural context that would help my understanding of the novel. I am rather ambivalent about it at this point.

I finished The Most Eligible Lord in London that works for plain on the cover. Could also work for the farmer task or the own a cow task I think I saw.

Book 1- Chapters 1 (Never talk to strangers) - 6 (Schizophrenia)

1) Poetry and literature. Religion. Philosophy. Deep topics, deftly handled by a mad, funny writer. What do you think so far? Are you fans of Homeless (Ivan) and Belioz and their pretentious academic discussions? Are you intrigued? Confused?
at this point in the story I’m kind of confused. Not really sure what is happening. Also having a hard time keeping track of the characters. It’s an odd story.

2) So, you meet a stranger that that knows your name, and says that he just had breakfast with Immanuel Kant (who died over100 years ago), and was there to see Jesus, then tells you how you are going to die.
Did you know who the Professor (W, foreigner, stranger, consultant, etc.) is from the synopsis, or when did you start to realize who this character really is?
I hadn’t read the synopsis until a ways into this section. I doubt I would know who the Professor is still if I had not read the synopsis.

3) We move to Judea, in the story that the Professor is telling. Pilate and Yeshua discuss why he has been imprisoned. What did you think of their talk? Did the characters of Jesus and Pilate differ from how you imagined them? What do you think of the different philosophies of authority vs the kingdom of truth and justice, in the book or in life?
What do you think of Yeshua’s belief that all men are good?
(I Personally loved the comment of Yeshua that his disciple keeps recording his words wrong. Teehee)
I was very confused by this and at first wasn’t sure where the story had gone. Took me a while to catch on here. I have a feeling this entire book is going to mostly go right over my head as I’m missing key context to understand at a deeper level.

4) Well, Ivan’s life just took a turn. A dead friend, levitating men, a giant cat, a dip in a river resulting in missing clothing. Ever had a day like this? Do you think you would have given chase?
I would not have given chase. Though I do think him being seen as crazy wouldn’t be out of the ordinary if you experienced something similar.
5) I love the psychiatric hospital scene. It is so absurd. “Let him use the phone.” Teehee. I mean, poor Ivan. Do you think he will be there a while, or convince the doctor to let him go?
I have no idea what is going to happen to him. Imagine he will get out eventually.

Bonus question) Anyone familiar with Stalin’s Russia? How does what you know relate to the book so far? Does the fact that this book was written during Stalin’s Russia make a difference to how you are understanding the book?
I’m only a little familiar and it was a long time ago that I studied it. I can see how that would have influenced such a story. Doesn’t change the fact I feel lost and wonder if I’ll understand later.

I'm currently reading . It might work for plain on the cover. I found this in the text but I don't know that it is referring to a character, so much as a cow.

"I do vow it." Fitzwalter actually looked insulted. "I'd never hurt a cow, no matter how hardheaded she is."

Would that work? Also, I can't remember if we need the - or not.