Q&A with Josh Lanyon discussion
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All She Wrote
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October 2012, week 4: All She Wrote
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Yes. And I can't help thinking that when it's J.X.'s turn to lean on Kit's shoulder in the taxi (even though it was "just" sleeping) there is something very symbolic about it.
I totally agree that there were so many clever touches here like you said it, Karen. I feel like I need some time to digest it all and savor it, before I'm willing to let the story go. :)
ETA: And I don't recall when was the last time I was this happy to know there is going to be a sequel in the near future...
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Yes. Definitely this. :)
Johanna wrote: "But Kit probably thought that Rudolph would go to the police. Or how do you girls saw it? And was that exactly what Rudolph was going to do, but he confronted Anna first? Did he leave Anna with only two choices: to really lose everything and go to prison or to kill herself. "I thought Rudolph may have realised like JX that nothing could be proved to the police. He's realised this woman he's known for a long time (probably has a good idea how her mind works and what his expected role is (and how horrid is that)) has killed his new impossible love. He's older, might see his life lived, hope gone and this woman in her fancy house getting away with so much.. I'd think he'd want justice.
I had the feeling Rudolph heard some of Kit's confrontation, I'd have to check back to see what made me think that.
"Karen wrote: "Yes. And I can't help thinking that when it's J.X.'s turn to lean on Kit's shoulder in the taxi (even though it was "just" sleeping) there is something very symbolic about it."Yep Kit seems strong there at the end.
I believe Anna did this to herself. Her life was basically over, I think. She couldn't write anymore, and either she was confronted by Rudolph or more likely, she realised he, like Kit, eventually would understand what he did, thus she would lose him too. So no career, no love, no life.I like to think Kit didn't plan for Anna's suicide, but after the fact, it might have seen like a likely outcome.
One last remark, I love it that J.X. decides to go with Kit, and that he is the one who puts into words that they want to pursue the relationship. All the way we see everything from Kit's perspective, so it is easy to feel the insecurities he has and believe J.X. isn't fully comitted. But by letting him say and do this, Josh tells us that this is serious for J.X. Lovely :)
@all: Love to read all your comments on chapter 24 and how it all ends! 
I'll check back in tomorrow to comment. For now, I'm beat and need to take it a little more slowly.
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As in the best noirs and gothics, exactly what happens is not always spelled out on the page (or screen). The reader/viewer is left to come up with their own version of what went down — suicide, murder, or (in gothics) the vengeful ghost? A cinematic version might include Rudolph approaching Anna's bed with a steaming cup, "Here darling, you must drink this..." and the audience is left to wonder whether the poison was in the cup or whether Anna realized the gig was up and reached for her pills afterwards...
It takes a combination of craft and discipline to find that balance between what to leave to the reader's imagination and what to include for the most satisfying results.
Karen wrote: "Johanna wrote: "Don't you feel a little sad that we've almost read ASW? I was reading bits and pieces of Come Unto These Yellow Sands the other night and I really wish we could read and discuss it ..."I know I rarely comment, but I wanted to let you folks know that I really enjoy re-reading a book this way, too. It is like discussing the best parts with friends, but I don't have any friends here who read m/m or who have the time to chat. You have expressed so much of what I love about Josh's books, and I've been reading along, smiling or nodding happily in agreement with all that you've written. I also especially enjoy the love scenes, which show so much caring and reveal so much about the characters.
Johanna wrote: "OkayKim wrote: "I originally gave ASW a 4 star. Please...no throwing popcorn at me. I've change my rating to a 5 star since we started this BOM discussion.
I just have to say that I really enjoye..."
LOL. Me, too! I think I just race through them the first time. While I DO pick up on a lot of the nuances and asides, I don't tend to linger and savor them since I read fast, and I want to know what happens next. I've been trying to read my last few Josh books more slowly and to re-read some of the more meaningful phrases and scenes. I think it worked, because I've been giving five stars right off now. ;)
Karen wrote: "Anne wrote: "I believe Anna did this to herself. Her life was basically over, I think. She couldn't write anymore, and either she was confronted by Rudolph or more likely, she realised he, like Kit..."Craft and discipline and not to mention the fact that Josh actually trusts us, the readers, to be able to think for ourselves. So many authors seem to be mortally afraid we won't get what they are trying to tell us, so they s-p-e-l-l it out in painful detail. It is almost insulting sometimes.
Anne wrote: "It is almost insulting sometimes. "And boring!
Antonella wrote: "Anne wrote: "It is almost insulting sometimes. "And boring!"
That too :)
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and Anne wrote: "Craft and discipline and not to mention the fact that Josh actually trusts us, the readers, to be able to think for ourselves."
Wise words, Karen and Anne. This is obviously one of the many reasons that makes reading Josh Lanyon books so satisfying — and makes discussing them so fruitful. :)
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I feel the same way about these discussions. It's always lovely to read Josh's book, but to do it this way, to be able to share the joy, it makes the reading experience even better. It's amazing to know that there are all these cool people from all over the world who love Josh's books as much as I do and who also feel that his books are something to be treasured. I've enjoyed tremendously reading all the insightful comments!
It's amazing to know that there are all these cool people from all over the world who love Josh's books as much as I do and who also feel that his books are something to be treasured. I've enjoyed tremendously reading all the insightful comments! Ditto :)
Has any books been chosen for the next BOM?
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We are currently trying to decide on the book of November on Candidates for Next Month's Read topic.
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You can still post comments in all of these four topics — the discussion doesn't have to stop, even though the month of October is over. :) And thank you for everyone taking part in the October discussion! I learned a lot from you guys — again. ;)
ETA: And thank you, Josh, for letting us organize the BOM discussion this way this time. :)
Q&A with Josh Lanyon
Books mentioned in this topic
All She Wrote (other topics)The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks (other topics)
Come Unto These Yellow Sands (other topics)
Lone Star (other topics)
Fair Game (other topics)
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I think he sees the big picture, but he also puts always Kit and his well-being first.
Now my doubt is: will Kit be able to gain his courage and try, or will he run away again?
I think Anna more than love hated Sara for everything she had. She had youth, she had talent and yes, she had love.
Kit needed the confrontation because he needed to understand, and to have "closure". Deep down, I think he imagined how things would go. I think it's poetic justice.