Lisa - (Aussie Girl)’s Comments (group member since Sep 26, 2012)

Lisa - (Aussie Girl)’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

Sonia wrote: "I hope you have a wonderful trip too!

Although, why would someone prefer to visit the Tower of London instead of the Belem Tower, is something that doesn't compute on my book.

I'm pretty sure the..."
Those tarts are pretty epic... but afternoon tea at the Shard is pretty special as well. Enjoy your trip, Steven.

DAY 1 QUESTIONS - CHAPTERS 1-16

1. The Good Wife of Bath is an retelling of one of the most famous pieces of English literature ever written, The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer. What is your knowledge of the original? If you were forced to study it at school did you enjoy it /hate it/couldn't understand it or is the original unknown to you and you are reading this book with fresh eyes?

I've heard of the Canterbury Tales and in particularly The Good Wife of Bath but didn't do it at school many moons ago and haven't picked it up since. I really hate wading through Old English texts, so I am approaching this with fresh eyes.

2. The Tales of Husband the First, Fulk Bigod - The first section paints a vivid picture of life in 14th Century England... dirt and sh** in all it's glory. The main theme seems to be the place of women in this time, discuss in regards to Eleanor, Alyson and Fulk's sister, Loveday.
Life was brutal for most people of the time but particularly for women and poor women in particular. We think it is quite disgusting for a twelve year child to be married but it was par for the course in these times. And any women of wealth who married, their property went to their husbands. Eleanor seems to be able to make the best of any situation, Alyson reacts to life as she finds it and poor Loveday, what a sad end. Unfortunately again I'm sure this happened frequently in these times.

3. As in the Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer is a character in the story. Why do you think he takes a sympathetic approach to Eleanor and her plight? What do you think his continuing role will be throughout the novel?
Chaucer observed what was around him then wove his tale accordingly. The Chaucer of this book will probably act in the same way, popping in and out adding his subtle insight and guidance where he feels it is needed and most of the time where it is not.

4. What is you opinion of Eleanor and her schemes so far? Do you think she is atypical for women of this time?

I'm really enjoying Eleanor as a character. An uneducated young woman but with smarts who takes life in her stride and endeavours to improve herself and those around her. I don't think she would have been typical of her time, it's hard to break through the poverty and discrimination cycle. You have to be determined. Fortunately there are other women throughout history that have broken through despite their circumstances. But change is so slow.

5. The Canterbury Tales was known to be fairly saucy and The Good Wife of Bath seems to be continuing in a similar way. Has anything made you smile so far or do you find some of Eleanor's language a bit on the crude side.

I've literally LOL at some of Eleanor's descriptions, especially of her second husband's manhood.. or lack thereof. I'm enjoying the earthy tone of the novel, it adds realism to the story.

DAY 1 QUESTIONS - CHAPTERS 1-16

1. The Good Wife of Bath is an retelling of one of the most famous pieces of English literature ever written, The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer. What is your knowledge of the original? If you were forced to study it at school did you enjoy it /hate it/couldn't understand it or is the original unknown to you and you are reading this book with fresh eyes?

2. The Tales of Husband the First, Fulk Bigod - The first section paints a vivid picture of life in 14th Century England... dirt and sh** in all it's glory. The main theme seems to be the place of women in this time, discuss in regards to Eleanor, Alyson and Fulk's sister, Loveday.

3. As in the Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer is a character in the story. Why do you think he takes a sympathetic approach to Eleanor and her plight? What do you think his continuing role will be throughout the novel?

4. What is you opinion of Eleanor and her schemes so far? Do you think she is atypical for women of this time?

5. The Canterbury Tales was known to be fairly saucy and The Good Wife of Bath seems to be continuing in a similar way. Has anything made you smile so far or do you find some of Eleanor's language a bit on the crude side.

Looking forward to starting.

LISA'S LINKS FOR CHALLENGE ADVANTAGE

DAY 1 DQ'S - Message 17 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DAY 2 QUESTIONS - Message 20 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DAY 3 DQ'S - Message 25 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DAY F DQ'S - Message 27 https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Jenny
4534 books | 205 friends
see comment historyDay 4 Chapter 43 to Epilogue

16.) The clans have a huge influence on the island and its inhabitants, and it seems the greater world wants jade and the power it bestows. What do you think of this world, and the power so few wield over so many?
Also, what did you think of the Interludes that described the origin myths of the gods and jade?

Well, this supposed fantasy world is just the same as our real world. People wanting power and doing anything to get it...It's so heartbreaking really. Greed and power are part of the human condition. We've just got to hope that good and the best of humanity prevails. As for the interludes I always enjoy a good myth. And trying to fit their relevance into the storyline.

17.) We all wanted to get more of Wen and Ayt, and we got more. Do you think you could be a White Rat for your family? What do you think of Ayt’s plan to take over the world? Or, Hilo’s for that matter?
The plans of the two horns were really interesting especially in light of what is happening in the world today. I thought the last third of the book really picked up the pace, I had been struggling with it before the big showdown. And Wen was a lot more than she was allowed to be. Being a White Rabbit would be too nerve wracking for me, but allowed Wen to feel she was contributing to the Clan in a more positive way.

18.) Anden has some life changing moments towards the end. What do you think about what he did, was able to do in the fight? How do you think Hilo knew it would work? What do you think about his refusal of the jade at graduation?

This was a really enjoyable part of the book. I had guessed that Anden would play a big part somehow and this was pretty big. And then refusing the legacy because of the evil power he feared he wouldn't be able to control. And walking away... for now. Epic.

19.) The book definitely ends with a bang. Were you surprised by how the book ended for any of the characters? What happens next for Doru and Bero and the rest?
Did you like the ending, or the book in general? Will you read the sequel? Any predictions on where the sequels will go?

Doru is pretty much finished. I think further books will revisit the Mountain Clan/No Peak struggle for supremacy. But a big part will be the return of Anden and Bero will also play a significant part, maybe as an alternative to the established Clans in a power struggle. The scene where he is at the cemetery going to dig up Lan for his Jade. Oh my..
I did find this book a bit long winded in parts but it improved by the end. I may pick up the sequels especially if they are future BOM's!

Day 3 Ch 29 to Ch 42

11.) Bero, Bero what to do with you. How does someone fail so spectacularly while successfully overachieving at the same time? No glory or reward, but still a dead Lan. Do you think this is the last we will see of Bero? Or is he our permanent bad penny, destined to reappear?

I'm not surprised that Bero is playing a big part in the story, I sort of saw that coming. But the early death of Lan, major surprise!! But it does move the story forward and becomes the catalyst for the huge clan war so I actually approve.

12.) Guuuuurrrrrrl, Shae busted her jade out and BROUGHT IT. What do you think of her as Weather Man so far? Making good choices? Do you think she and Hilo will be able to break their childhood pattern and figure out how to work together as adults?

Again, I saw that coming. I'm thinking they will grow with their roles and shine.. and crush those Mountain people big time!

13.) Anden, I feel for this guy. Do you think the guilt will crush him or drive him to be the best Fist there is? Potentially all the way to the Horn given time. Will he manage to give himself the grace of forgiveness?

I'm thinking that Anden and his growth to adulthood will be one of the major plot points of the overall series. I'm guessing he will become the Pillar by the end.

14.) Hilo, having to rise to a position of power he never wanted and doesn't think he's right for. Do you agree he's not wired to be a good Pillar? Or is that all in his head with crap his grandfather put in there Hilo's whole life? Or is Hilo (and almost everyone else) selling himself short?

I quite like Hilo's character and we do get to see behind the obvious with his love for Wen and some of his internal doubts. But I'm thinking he's the place holder for Anden. But in saying that Shae and Hilo will be effective in holding the clan together and ultimately winning the clan war.

15.) I wish we'd seen more of Wen and Ayt by this point in the story. There is a lot of unknowns about these women and I am intrigued by them both. Example, I feel like Wen would make a better Horn than her brother with some of the shrewd observations she's made to Hilo. And Hilo seems to not take her seriously for a variety of reasons. Are there characters you wish had more page time by this part of the story?

I think we will learn more about them through the series. Ayr is particularly mysterious at this time. This book seems to more about the No Peak clan's perspective. There does seem to be a lot of world building detail and fighting scenes. Maybe it's first book syndrome but parts of it are dragging on for me.

DAY 2 - CHAPTERS 14-28

6. Even though the island of Kekon and its capital the Jade City of Janloon is a fantasy setting there is a strong influence of Asian countries and culture from our world. I'm interested to find out which real life county you think Kekon is modelled on - Japan, Hong Kong, China.. or maybe another or a combination. And how about the countries of Shotaria and Espenia? Does is make a difference to how you absorb the plot and descriptions of the land and culture or do you read it as pure fantasy?

7. I find Shae one of the most interesting characters in the story and her indecision where she fits in to the legacy of her family. Lan sends his sister on a fact finding mission to the Jade mines and she finds something sinister is going on. In light of what we know about the Weather Man Doku do you think it's possible he is in cahoots with the opposition or is his influence slipping and he's also being played? And do you think there is any way that Shae is not going to end up in his position by the end of the novel?

8. After Hilo's life is threatened it looks like all out clan war is inevitable. The grandfather lashes out blaming Hilo and labelling him an "impulsive hooligan". Is this the rantings of an older man past his prime or is there something in what he says?

9. Beru seems to have fallen onto his feet. How does his meeting with the nameless Mountain Man play into the plot considering what we know about the Jade deposits going missing at the mine? Is he going to play a major part in the story do you think?

10. Chapter 28 brings a revelation when Anden discovers Lan's use of SN1 after his fight with Gam and acquisition of his Jade. How important do you think this will be to the plot moving forward. And what will Anden's ultimate role be in the Clan?

DQ's Day 1
Ch 1-13

1. The opening chapter was a great introduction to the world of the novel, explaining a lot in a short amount of time. We meet Hilo, a Horn of the No Peak clan and get an idea of his character and how he handles his responsibilities. He did what he thought was right and returned Shon Ju’s jade to him, and he has clear ideas of what to do with the boys. Do you think that the young would-be robbers, Bero and Sampa, received punishment fit for the crime, or will the Pillar’s decision come back to haunt them later on?
It looks like within a few chapters it's going to come back and bite him. One of the boys (Bero) already looks like he's up to mischief.

2. The concept of jade granting mystical powers to those that possess it is a really interesting plot concept. Do you think you’d be able to handle the powers that it bestows on those with the right bloodline and learn to fight and use Jade at the Kaul Dusheron Academy?

It is an interesting concept but there is quite a lot of world building to get through early on in the book. This is quite a different fantasy style for me. I don't have any interest really in becoming a Jade fiend however, with great power comes great responsiblity yada, yada...

3. The new Pillar, Lan, seems to be a very different sort of person from his younger brother, Hilo. From what we learn, Lan is more thoughtful and less prone to violence than the rest of the family. Do you think that their Grandda is right that he’s too soft and not man enough to rule the No Peak clan and has lost face in the eyes of the other clans?

It's the old story of the older generation thinking the younger are not as proficient as themselves. I think Lan will do fine, he does take everything into account. Doku the Weather Man does make somegood points and gives mainly sound advice but he was his Grandfather's advisor and Lan has to become his own man and rule for his own time.

4. When Anden is kidnapped by the Mountain clan, he gets an offer that he come work for them when he graduates from the academy. He’s also given information on future SN-1 production that will affect Kekon on the international stage. Do you think he will take them up on their offer? Do you think that the Mountain clan has the right to sell the drug to Ygutan?

Anden will remain faithful to the Peak group. I'm sure he'll be one of the main character's stories we'll follow throughout the story. Looks like the Mountain scheme and the Peak group foiling it will one of the main storylines of the book. It's going to be a catastrophe waiting to happen.

5. Shea’s return to the family after she left Kekon for a foreign man and education seems to have been inevitable to her family. She very obviously just wants to remain a normal person and is working hard to remain so. Do you think she should have said yes to Lan’s request of a favor or said no to stay out of it?

Probably should have stayed out of it but there was no way she could. It's always hard for people to extricate themselves from family business!

Me too! 😊

Ooh, just noticed that my nomination got up! Yay, looking forward to reading it and doing the DQ's! Hope we all enjoy it.

The Good Wife of Bath

4.35 · Rating details · 892 ratings · 156 reviews
A provocative, immersive medieval novel starring one of literature's most unforgettable characters in her own words--Chaucer's bold and libidinous Wife of Bath.

In the middle ages, a famous poet told a story that mocked a strong woman. It became a literary classic. But what if the woman in question had a chance to tell her own version?

England, 1364: When married off at aged twelve to an elderly farmer, brazen redheaded Eleanor quickly realizes it won't matter what she says or does, God is not on her side--or any poor woman's for that matter. But then again, Eleanor was born under the joint signs of Venus and Mars, making her both a lover and a fighter.

Aided by a head for business (and a surprisingly kind husband), Eleanor manages to turn her first marriage into success, and she rises through society from a cast-off farm girl to a woman of fortune who becomes a trusted friend of the social-climbing poet Geoffrey Chaucer. But more marriages follow--some happy, some not--several pilgrimages, many lovers, murder, mayhem, and many turns of fortune's wheel as Eleanor pursues the one thing that all women want: control of their own lives. (less)

New to me author - Hyde

3.88 · Rating details · 504 ratings · 121 reviews
Edward Hyde has a strange gift-or a curse-he keeps secret from all but his physician. He experiences two realities, one real, the other a dreamworld state brought on by a neurological condition.

When murders in Victorian Edinburgh echo the ancient Celtic threefold death ritual, Captain Edward Hyde hunts for those responsible. In the process he becomes entangled in a web of Celticist occultism and dark scheming by powerful figures. The answers are there to be found, not just in the real world but in the sinister symbolism of Edward Hyde’s otherworld.

He must find the killer, or lose his mind.

A dark tale. One that inspires Hyde’s friend . . . Robert Louis Stevenson. (less)

I'll volunteer for DQ's

Cat, I forgot to mention in my last set of answers the side plot about Mr P possibly being her grandfather. Is that where the author was heading with that gem, I wasn't sure? If he was he wasn't doing a very good job of it really. Watching over her isn't the same as active family participation in my book.

That's interesting Karen because I was looking for a setting for Uno and realised it was never stated where the hotel actually was. I assumed somewhere in the USA but what State or city was undisclosed. Maybe the author didn't want the distraction of a stated location. Thinking about it it was kind of like a play with only a few locations, the hotel, Molly's flat and the restaurant.

Links to Lisa's answer for bonus BOM points.

DQ's Day 1 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DQ's Questions Day 2 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... Message 25
DQ's Day 3 https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... Message 51
DQ's Day 4 https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... Message 59

Lexi (friend)
2667 books | 121 friends
see comment historyDQ Set 4 Feb 5th
Chapters 25 to end

13. How did you enjoy the book? How was the pacing and how the story was told?

To be honest I was pretty blah with this book. It was okay I guess, the ending was a bit of a surprise. I had to read it a few times to get it straight.

14. Did the romance with Juan surprise you? Thoughts on it?

I picked up on this about chapter 25. When I realised JM was a single man and was sending money back to his Mum and siblings. They seemed to be a happy couple.

15. How did you like the ending and parallels with the pillows and the actual murderer? Did anyone guess it?

That was a surprise what had happened with Molly's Nanna. And adding the parallels with the Black murder.. I guess that was a bit of a red herring thrown in at the end with the mysterious "Who's in the mirror" scene. It was a bit confusing till we had the full disclosure at the end.

16. Finally, thoughts on Molly’s development as a character? Most guessed she was an unreliable narrator, but do you think it realistic that she knew the murder and the nuance there but not the drugs?

Did she really develop? I'm thinking no, well maybe she wasn't as trusting but she was still the same old Molly with her quirks and attention to detail. Definitely on the Autism Spectrum somewhere. Thus she was able to hone in on some things and scan past others.

For me this was a 2-3 star read, can't say I enjoyed it overmuch but didn't hate it either.

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Oh a side note - I’m confused with how penniless she is.
I know Wilbur stole their savings, but her apartment seems to be in a bit of a dodgy building and she still can’t afford the rent or even fo..

I'm thinking the inference is that even though it's a dodgy apartment most of her paycheck which is minimal wage is going for her rent.

DQ Set 3 Feb 4th
Chapters 13 to 24

9) There seems to be a subtle parallel between drugs causing issues for Molly's parents and now herself. Do you think the author had an intent behind this, if so what? Or just a convenient coincidence? Do you think we will ever know who Molly's father is? Her Gran seemed to know but never said. Do you think Mr. Presten knows?

I don't see much of a parallel between Molly's parents drug problem and the fact that she has been framed for a drug murder. Is there a subtle reference that Molly's cognitive differences are because of drug addiction much like fetal alcohol sydnrome? I'm thinking who her father is has nothing to do with the plot at this point, unless Mr Preston is her secret father!

10) Calling Rodney for help? Poor Molly!! Was anyone surprise what Rodney did with the information she gave to him? Do you think Mr. Snow is involved?

I actually think that Molly turning the tables on Rodney is her revenge for his mean and degrading treatment of her. Not sure about Mr Snow, perhaps he is turning a blind eye to what is going on. Maybe he is getting kickbacks under the table.

11) Does Molly's arrest make you think about how venerable certain members of society are to the criminal justice system? Discuss.

For sure, this is a huge subject. I think quite a lot of people who end up in gaol for more petty crimes have mental health issues and/or come from socially disadvantaged backgrounds. And in Australia a very current issue is the percentage of our indigenous population who end up dying in custody. Things need to change for sure.

12) The setup. Did you enjoy this? Was anyone surprised that Rodney and Giselle were doing the horizontal tango? What did you think of Molly's call to Giselle, do you believe what Giselle said?

It was a surprise but on reflection probably shouldn't have been. Mmm, Giselle, I'm really hoping she is sincere this time especially when Molly gave her the heads up that she needed to flee. I'm hoping at least that Molly can take from the situation that she was a good friend to Giselle and she should be proud of that. Even if it proves to be an error in judgement she was the bigger person.