Diane Klajbor
asked:
What was the point of the supernatural aspect of the book? The girls being able to move things, the ghost sighting, it didn't seem to fit and didn't move the story along.
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Kimberly Schlarman
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Tracy King
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Jim
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Chrystal Hays
I felt some supernatural nuances in The Likeness...very subtle stuff that brings to mind pagan beliefs, the idea of Pan, the ancient gods and goddesses of myth.
It's much stronger in this book, only funnelled through the experiences of the young. The implied schooling they have had in classical literature and mythology helps the reader understand their point of view, as well.
To me, it amplified the bond among the girls, and helped explain how the crime was, ultimately, committed. Without it, it is not possible to comprehend the full motive.
It also helps the reader establish being at at age where all things are not known or explained...where something inexplicable can happen, and it is accepted because so much is inexplicable and accepted at that age. The idea that this "weird stuff" is just science we have not gotten to yet is easier to accept for people who have not taken all their science classes.
It's much stronger in this book, only funnelled through the experiences of the young. The implied schooling they have had in classical literature and mythology helps the reader understand their point of view, as well.
To me, it amplified the bond among the girls, and helped explain how the crime was, ultimately, committed. Without it, it is not possible to comprehend the full motive.
It also helps the reader establish being at at age where all things are not known or explained...where something inexplicable can happen, and it is accepted because so much is inexplicable and accepted at that age. The idea that this "weird stuff" is just science we have not gotten to yet is easier to accept for people who have not taken all their science classes.
Laurie Grube
The supernatural aspect was left hanging, it took away from the book instead of adding to it. I listened to the book on CD and found the girl's chapters at most times annoying, if it weren't for their witty almost intellectual sense of humor I would have fast forwarded through them. Holly was the only likeable one in my opinion. Too many secrets between them, there was no trust, really?? They couldn't trust each other to help the other out, it didn't fit.
Jeri
Jim nailed it, so no point repeating: It's about the power of the group, the "magic" in their relationship. None of them alone is as strong as all of them together, unlike Joanne's group, with the power based in Joanne, and the others just as hangers-on.
Linda
It seemed to me it was a distraction. I understand the notion of group hysteria but I didn't feel it was necessary to the story. As always, Tana French delivers a complex story but I think this story would have been just as good a read if it had been 50 pages shorter.
Silverlining2k6
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Fay
I have a very strong love/hate relationship with this series. I love the plot complications and the people but each book has some sort of supernatural aspect that never goes anywhere. In In the Woods, French kept mentioning a loud roaring noise when she referred to the kidnappings. What was that? But in spite of those distractions, the writing is lovely and the people are interestingly not "whole".
Michael
I'm not sure there ~is~ any supernatural aspect in this book. I just saw young people in a pressure-cooker environment convincing themselves that there were supernatural forces at work, as they sometimes have a tendency to do; it didn't really occur to me to buy in with them.
We all know what ghosts and telekinesis are, at the same time we know that we know they don't exist. I think that on the whole French is trusting us to remember that. In this book, like in real life, people can and often do believe they've seen a ghost or turned a light on or off with the force of their mind -- but they haven't. No such thing as ghosts.
We all know what ghosts and telekinesis are, at the same time we know that we know they don't exist. I think that on the whole French is trusting us to remember that. In this book, like in real life, people can and often do believe they've seen a ghost or turned a light on or off with the force of their mind -- but they haven't. No such thing as ghosts.
Kit Shum
Having just a quick glance of some of the comments, I just want to offer my own two cents. Some of these mystical stuff, seemingly unexplained, or even detracting details, are (to me) essential to building the mood and atmosphere, a background where one can submerge oneself in her story telling. Just as some of you have pointed out, "The Likeness" had shown me something about a young adults' clique, "The Secret Place" had shown me one of adolescents, and Rob in "In The Woods" had his own childhood trauma to deal with.
These days, all people talk about is "closure", a mystery needs to be solved, a criminal needs to be punished, a wrong needs to be righted. The reason why Greek tragedies, or Shakespearean ones, are so memorable and poignant, is none of them had "pet" endings. Humans are complicated beings, and in reality defy neat categorization.
So, let Tana French's "ramblings" tease you, tantalize you. I, for one, can only wish that she would continue to write, and never stop.
These days, all people talk about is "closure", a mystery needs to be solved, a criminal needs to be punished, a wrong needs to be righted. The reason why Greek tragedies, or Shakespearean ones, are so memorable and poignant, is none of them had "pet" endings. Humans are complicated beings, and in reality defy neat categorization.
So, let Tana French's "ramblings" tease you, tantalize you. I, for one, can only wish that she would continue to write, and never stop.
Rowena Mohammed
I think that it was another aspect of being a teenager. Alot of this book was taking us on a nostalgic trip back to being young with the concerns and powers of youth. And superstition and magic is a big part of being young. I don't think that we are to judge whether the magical events REALLY happened or not.. but the important part is that the KIDS believed that they happened. And if you were one of Selena's friends, would you prefer to think that she has magical powers or that she was mentally ill??
Laurel
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Stella
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Pam
I didn't see the point of the supernatural in the book. It intrigued me at first as an example of the girls discovering their own power but it ultimately doesn't serve a purpose in this story. I don't have a problem with supernatural stuff but then it would have to be a different book. In this book, it was just distracting.
Lisa Sandlin
Also agree with Jim. It's symbolic, thematic--and plain fun to read. Captures that all-for-one exhilaration that the very young believe can hold off the world.
Andrea
I thought it was a distraction, but I think the intention was to show the strong bond between the girls - although in my mind it backfired because in the end none of the girls really knew each other or trusted each other. I think back on being a teenager and NO WAY could we have kept if we liked a boy from our girlfriends, so the entire premise is just a bit unbelievable to me.
Leslie
I just finished this book, and I totally thought the same thing! What was the point. Really unnecessary to the plot.
Gitanjili
Absolutely agree with Jim!
Tizzz
Not sure. I thought it will explain in the end. But it didn't.
Sara Simpson
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Emrys
Yeah, I didn't even understand if it was really supernatural, or just their imagination, a trick, etc.
S. J
Friendship is Magic?
Louise
I think it was part of the theme of not 'everything being as it seems', throughout the book. I.e. also note the murder, Conway (not as bad as people make out) Moran (not the friendly guy everyone thinks - stabbed his former colleague in the back), all of the girls... etc.
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