Vi’s Comments (group member since Jun 04, 2011)

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

I'm finally done with the reading. On to the questions for IX.II - X

1. I am not impressed with Umberto. The guy made mistakes, true but to let one of your own daughters to be a scapegoat? What is your reaction?

2. I'm reluctantly impressed by Janice during the last few chapters. Has your estimation of her improved? I'm realizing she's one character who we can't get a proper sketch on because of the narrator and also because of the unanswered questions.

3. Quote from chapter: IX.II - Juliet saying: (Click on spoiler for a more lengthy extract) (view spoiler)[ “You’ve never done a rational thing in your life!” She closed her ripped shirt with a tight knot. “Why start now?”
As she stomped away from me, I very nearly did sit down and give up. To think it was all my own doing—this whole nightmare of a treasure hunt—and that it could have been avoided, had I trusted Alessandro and not run away from Castello Salimbeni the way I did. If only I had stayed where I was, hearing nothing, seeing nothing, and, most important, doing nothing, I might still have been there now, once again asleep in my canopy bed with his arms around me. (hide spoiler)] But my destiny had demanded otherwise. What destiny? Do you agree or disagree with Juliet's assessment? Could she have done anything differently?

4. What do you think happened to Umberto? Do you think he took the stones?

5. I suppose Juliet falling into the river and the reviving is supposed to mark the breaking of the curse. What is your reaction on reading that passage?

6. So finally we learn that everyone is related to everyone else. What do you think about Eva Maria - the way she reacted to Umberto. I can't help think that if they had trusted Juliet in the beginning, then lots of stuff need not have happened.

7. Last question: Did your initial estimation of Romeo and Juliet change after reading this book, given that this book is steeped in some historical events?

Please do share your thoughts regarding the end of this book

Ok, i'm catching up on the reading now. Questions will be up in a while.

Sashana wrote: "Thanks, Vi. If no one else jumps in then you're free to do it. By the way, awesome work on yesterday's questions (you're a natural). I'm answering them right now"

Cool, I'll take note of that. Thanks! I'm glad the questions were.. questions :P

Sandy wrote: "Earlier in the book (don't even ask me to find the page) a tour guide was speaking in a church/cathedral and mentioned that there was a hidden grave. At the time, I wondered if it was Giulietta's. Agree that this is taking too long."

Wow, good catch Sandy. I kinda vaguely seem to remember that. Let me see if I can find it.

I'm also getting paranoid on the unknown gang. Who the heck are they?

I can do it but it will be late since I have a dinner engagement tomorrow.. If somebody can do it earlier, then I don't mind!

I know this is silly of me but I just want to go into the book, grab Juliet and shake some sense into her. I have a few decidedly not good analogies in my mind which I wouldn't want to go into.

And the absurd thing is I really liked her at the beginning. But that like is slowly but surely turning into frustration :(

Anomander wrote: Was he coming to see Julie or Juliet?"

Sorry, I don't get your question.

Oh, Yay, finally another person who is NOT impressed by Juliet. Anybody from the other POV, please.

I can swear that the last para of the chapter for yesterday ended in Friar Lorenzo coming to meet Juliet? Is it not so for you all?

Tugce Nida wrote: "Sorry I am alittle behind in following the discussion as i am having quite a busy weekend. But something is bothering me so i wanted to ask before we move further in the book. Can someone tell me w..."

I can't answer you since I too have the same question. She just believes what everyone around her be it Janice or Alessandro or anyone says without even questioning anything. Arggh, it's frustrating for me :(

Anomander wrote:
Yeah, but then she is in a foreign country with little or no resources.

She could have given to the hotel manager for safe-keeping..

Why not? He knew Julie had died in the accident and so had no notion that a Juliet may still be alive. When he falls for Julie, it is because he likes her genuinely as a person.

You're right but he believes that Juliet is the real Juliet after her going the second time. I dunno, I maybe the only one but I'm still not convinced completely.

"But isn't she trying to solve the mystery?"

Yes, but she doesn't seem to have any urgency - when you see so many stuff being stolen, wouldn't you want to solve the mystery as soon as you can?

Questions for VI.II - VII.II:

Whew, quite a few developments in 50 pages.

1. The curse says A plague on both your houses . Which houses do you think it means? There are, actually, three houses involved in this mess and everyone seems to think its Salimbeni and Tolomei. Do you agree/disagree?

2. Who do you think would have broken into the hotel room? Do you think Juliet should have been more careful given that somebody had already broken in once?

3. While the development between Alessandro and Juliet was evident, I'm a little off-put by his declaration. I can't yet believe that he is falling for the Juliet person rather than the Juliet name. I'm a little convinced by Juliet falling for Alessandro, though. What do you think?

As an aside, I feel VII.I was rather awkwardly written. ><

4. How much do you believe that Alessandro's bad luck curse?

5. That was a rather... surprising development of Romeo. Looks like Rosalina would have gotten pregnant just before Giulietta's arrival. A little icky, isn't it, Rosalina carrying when Romeo and Giulietta doing their stuff?

6. OOK, what's this? Janice ransacked the room? What's your reaction?

OK - conspiracy time.

7. Given that Sienna is not a big city, finding a graveyard shouldn't be that difficult, right? Evil Salimbeni tried to circumvent the curse by giving them a holy ground - which should rather mean that Giulietta/Juliet can try to narrow down the field. I'm wondering why it's taking her a while to do this? Especially when she's in a race with unknown party?

8. What are your theories on the unknown party? Who do you think is behind this stealing? Umberto/Luciano Salimbeni? Where does Janice fit into all this?

9. Now, lets discuss about Juliet. Random things are getting stolen from her. Even the damn Romeo and Juliet copy. So she's sorta in a race with the other party. But why isn't she more prudent? Why doesn't she want to figure who could have done it faster? I can't figure this girl out..

Conspiracy time ends..

10. Friar Lorenzo has finally joined the party. The only missing person from the first party. What do you think he's going to tell?

Questions for V.IV - VI.I

1. In the beginning of chapter V.VI Janice seemed to be reallyintereste in the whole story and Julie was even surprised with her. Do you think she really cares and why does she care?

We know Janice from Julie's POV only. So i'm trying to give her the benefit of doubt. I was not really surprised about Janice wanting to hear the full story but I am irritated about her insisting stuff like photo.

2. What do you make of Bruno's death and do you think Alessandro was involved?

Nope. I think I can already guess the ending (atleast the one I want) and in that Alessandro is not involved.

3. Janice claims Alessandro was the one who ransacked Julie's room, do you believe her? what could his reasons be?

No. I don't believe her. I'm irritated with her insisting on this point even though you can barely make out who it was on the photo. I sorta trust Julie's guts *ducks*

4. I believe Julie&Alessandro are our modern Romeo&Juliet in this story. And do you think they are forced to repeatthe actions of their ancestors? In what ways their lives were parallel or echos each other or differ?

Yep, I think so. I could nitpick all the way but the major difference at this point is they don't trust each other. But, I think that if they do trust and fall in love, then theirs can be a better love story.

5. Do you think the story of Romeo&Juliet is only about love?

To be frank, I only see stupidity in Rome & Juliet. *ducks again*. I can never get past the sleeping potion? Really Juliet? I only see it as a tragedy.

6. Romeo? Alessandro?! I knew it! know that we know his true identity, why did he keep it a secret and was he rightin doing so?

There are two reasons I can come up with - 1. It's his right. His name, his identity. He doesn't seem to believe in the curse so in a way, his actions are right for him. 2. Building upon reason 1, he wants Julie to like him for what he is and not because of some stupid roles. Yep, second reason is romantic and probably wishful :P

7. Nino was very kind and understanding to Guillietta, did he fool you? Do you think he is as bad ashis father?

I actually pity the kid Nino to be bought up by his father. But the adult Nino - nope. He even lied to Guillietta when she asked if he killed Tebaldo. He was just pretending.

8. What did you think of Eva Maria's invititation and Julie's acceptance?

I don't know. On one hand, maybe the lady just wants to put the old feud to the ground. Or does she have any other ulterior motive?

9. Maestro Lippi isabout to tell us a story called "the curse on the wall", what can that be about and it's significance on our story?

Could it be about the wall Maestro Ambrogio painted?

I am slowly catching up.. Can't wait to join in on the discussion.

Hi guys, I fell sick :( I won't be able to join for a couple of days (I just can't concentrate enough to read). I'll catch up once I get better. Sorry!

I can do the questions on 16th or any other day afterwards. I'll second what Nida said :)

We have a digital library here but due to the stupid geo restrictions, it doesn't match the physical. Geo restriction sucks big big time. But, yes, it's better than nothing.

Tugce Nida wrote: "Vi wrote: "Nida, what library option? You mean, borrowing from your library?"

yes exactly and it's not something common here."

Nida, what library option? You mean, borrowing from your library?

Around 50 pages per day should be ok. Now, all that's left is to find the book.

I'll try to join in for the group read as well. Work's crazy atm, but I should be able to read some each day.

Hey, Nida! *waves*