Q&A with Josh Lanyon discussion
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All She Wrote
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October 2012, week 3: All She Wrote
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I liked J.X.'s quip, "Black is the new white."
Ricky is introduced, deftly described and dismissed with the line "the used-car salesman," a few choice paragraphs, and Kit's warning, "You’re wasting your time. He’s Ford tough..."
We get an update on everyone's writing projects, Anna takes a few more potshots at Kit's career, and the dinner is lovingly described. Then we cut from a congratulatory toast with crystal glasses clinking, to poison, panic, and tragedy.
Anna is disturbing. She asked Kit here for help and can't stop "insulting" him.
Mod
She asked Kit here for help and can't stop "insulting" him."
Yep, more than a bit of passive-aggressive agenda going on there.
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Karen wrote: "--and amused at how distracted Kit gets as he admires J.X. while they are supposedly considering whether Kit could suffer retaliation and whether Anna has any business involving Kit in a possibly dangerous situation. But Kit is paying more attention to J.X.'s jeans"
Yes, that was amusing and sweet. :) I also liked the part where J.X. was all serious and alert (dressed in underwear and goose bumps), when Kit told him about his conversation with Anna. I also like the transition between scenes here — it's very cinematic (page 137):
She said succinctly, "Well, think about it, darling. If someone starts to view you as a threat, you might find yourself in the same danger as me."
"She said that to you?" J.X. looked sternly handsome—as stern as a man dressed in nothing but his underwear and goose bumps can look—as I related my talk with Anna while we dressed for dinner.
Chapter 13 is really intense. Just like Darkm said, Anna is very disturbing. The way she is trying to control who are the persons Kit is "allowed" to think as suspects and the way she mocks Kit and his Miss Butterwith series at the dinner table. This chapter also answers some of the questions the reader has been wondering about. For example now we know why there were no Anna's notes on Sara's manuscript. And we got to meet the stepson Ricky with artificial hair-, skin- and eye-color *grin* (page 139):
His eye color was lapis lazuli. I was guessing tinted contacts, because that's a color Mother Nature generally reserves for non-humans.
One of my favorite lines in this chapter was the one where Kit accidentally calls J.X. honey the first time (page 143):
J.X. knelt before the toilet, hands braced and white-knuckled, black hair drenched in perspiration. Perspiration sheened the muscular planes of his back too.
The animal scents of sweat and sickness knocked me to my knees beside him.
"Honey," I whispered, touching his ice-cold face. "What's wrong?"
And in the end of the chapter, there goes one of my theories for the murderer when Sara is found dead. This little detail about her nightgown was touching and unexpected (page 148):
She wore a flannel nightdress and I remember staring at the tiny peach roses and blue stripes. Not what I would have expected somehow. There was something so normal, so ordinary and comfortable about a flannel nightie—and the situation was anything but normal, ordinary or comfortable.
Darkm wrote: "Anna is disturbing. She asked Kit here for help and can't stop "insulting" him."
At the beginning of the chapter she looks like a queen giving audience. Puhleeease!
And Kit's observation, that she's almost treating him like a pet is as sharp as usual.
A little bit before Anna's warning about retaliation, she says Kit:
“I’m serious, Christopher. Not by word or deed or—-or even facial expression. I know you. You’re not good at hiding your feelings.”
I think we commented on this before, but it's always funny to see how the narrator perceives himself and how he's perceived by the others. It makes the reader focus on the bigger picture and not always trust the narrator. Of course, in a mystery plot, who can be trusted?
As Karen said, Kit ogling J.X. while they're talking is funny, it's like getting two shows at the price of one. I think here J.X. is expressing our view as readers about Anna:
J.X. said awkwardly, “That’s putting it too strongly. I don’t dislike her. I don’t know her. I don’t like the way she’s using you.”
As for dinner. I wanted to kill Anna when she said:
“I can picture the title now. Miss Butterworth Kicks the Bucket.”
She's truly insulting. It's at least the third time she's being hurtful and she doesn't seem to mind, and always to Kit. He's not your punching-ball, bitch! ... sorry, I got carried away...
So, her comment about her dry spell begins to look suspicious.
I'm sorry for J.X. not feeling well, but I liked Kit calling him honey.
While everybody is sick, Kit is very openly suspecting of Sara.
Well, she would be, if she had any brains at all. But not too ill, I was willing to bet.
While reading the first time I thought: she can't be, we're at the 50% mark. And in a couple of pages, as Karen said very well poison, panic, and tragedy.
Johanna wrote: "Karen wrote: "--and amused at how distracted Kit gets as he admires J.X. while they are supposedly considering whether Kit could suffer retaliation and whether Anna has any business involving Kit in a possibly dangerous situation. But Kit is paying more attention to J.X.'s jeans""
I got distracted by the hand-brushed denim, too. ;) The pic the phrase conjured was very hmmmm... as if an actual hand was on that ass and thighs. :)
Lol, I posted at the same time as Johanna, we read in the same way apparently :-)
Mod
Yes, we've done so many buddy reads together by now that we're in fact kind of synchronized, aren't we... LOL.
I also liked the fact that you noticed the honey line too. :)
Mod
Wow. I never thought about it that way. And after your comment it seems that I can't stop thinking about it. Too visual. Wow. :)
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There have been many times during this book when Kit has been thinking of how Miss Butterwith would have reacted to the situation on hand, but only now, when Kit thinks about Miss Butterwith in the time of real emergency, it occurs to me that he seems to consider her as a friend and an ally. He's been writing about her for so long and spending so much time with her (even more than with David) that "her logic" seems to comfort him. It looks to me that whenever he comes to a dead end with his investigations, he silently asks for help from Miss Butterwith. In this quote Kit feels ashamed that it hadn't occurred to him to call the police. He obviously had been in too much hurry to even pause to think what Miss Butterwith would have done in his place (page 152):
After a struggle for composure, he asked, "Have you notified the police?"
"I..." God almighty. It hadn't even occurred to me. What would Miss Butterwith think? "Not specifically. Nine one one." I swallowed. "Are you...okay on your own for a few minutes?"
I have a question: Tell me more about the line:
See Christopher run. Run, Christopher, run, run. (page 152)
I assume it's from a book or a movie? All that comes to my mind is: "Run, Jack, run." or "See Spot run." And those lines are from my first English schoolbook back when I was 9 years old... ;)
I just thought it sounded taken from a children book.
I'm fairly sure that's the reference. "See Spot. See Spot run. Run, Spot, run." A Treasury of Dick and Jane and Friends
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Lori wrote: "I'm fairly sure that's the reference. "See Spot. See Spot run. Run, Spot, run." A Treasury of Dick and Jane and Friends"
So THAT's where my 3rd grade English schoolbook's lines were from... ;)
Mod
I know cops are supposed to be sexy and all that, but something about a man in uniform makes me wonder if I’ve forgotten to pay any recent parking tickets.
I know what Kit means. Every time I see a patrol car I have to fight the impulse to scratch my nose (a nervous tell).
It was definitely awkward having one’s editor and old chum banging one’s PA. Granted, not as awkward as having one’s husband banging one’s PA.
Perhaps I was projecting.
And there's the very funny exchange between Kit and Detective Eames regarding Kit's "amateur sleuthing" that follows this quote: “So, in this amateur sleuthing you were doing—” Eames said amateur sleuthing in the same tone most people would say exposing yourself in public, “—did you reach any conclusion as to who the bad guy or girl might be?”
Via Kit's reflections, Chapter 14 provides the reader with a synopsis of the whodunit possibilities to date. It also contrasts Kit's analysis and actions as an amateur detective with those of law enforcement professionals. For example, Kit does his best under extraordinary circumstances, but J.X. has to remind him to call the police. And thanks, Johanna, for pointing out how Kit compares and contrasts Miss Butterwith's actions with his own and what would happen/be appropriate in real life.
Also, another May-December(ish) romance is revealed.
Lori wrote: "I'm fairly sure that's the reference. "See Spot. See Spot run. Run, Spot, run." A Treasury of Dick and Jane and Friends"Ladies you're teaching me a lot of things with these posts :)
Johanna wrote: "when Kit thinks about Miss Butterwith in the time of real emergency, it occurs to me that he seems to consider her as a friend and an ally. He's been writing about her for so long and spending so much time with her (even more than with David) that "her logic" seems to comfort him. "That is interesting! He speaks of her like an actual person but sometimes I've got the impression that she represents a part of Kit. I mean he thought her up, knows all the stuff she knows because he's doing the research and does all those intricate logical things.
Lori wrote: "I'm fairly sure that's the reference. "See Spot. See Spot run. Run, Spot, run." A Treasury of Dick and Jane and Friends"
Thank you, Lori! I didn't know about the book. All I came up with in terms of running was Forrest Gump. ;)
Karen wrote: "I know what Kit means. Every time I see a patrol car I have to fight the impulse to scratch my nose (a nervous tell)."
*lol* I start thinking what I could have been doing wrong while driving the last half hour or so and I tend to go really slow. Worst thing ever: overtaking a patrol car. :D
Karen wrote: "Also, another May-December(ish) romance is revealed. "
So now we know about Rudolph (hard not to think of the reindeer ^^) and Sara. What is it about Rudolph and Anna? I'm trying to remember but can't... In chapter 15 Kit asks Anna but like always she's evasive and doesn't really answer.
"You're not naïve. You know what my relationship with Rudolph is."
Mod
That part made me laugh out loud. :) It was so easy to picture those two having the most awkward interrogation moment. And I loved the idea of Eames investigating a crime scene in a house that was designed by Eyre. Also these two following bits of the conversation between Detective Eames and Kit were highly amusing. You seldom hear silences that are this loud!!!
"And," I added, "she wasn't absolutely positive someone was trying to harm her. I think she thought having an extra pair of eyes couldn't hurt."
"It didn't help," Eames said bluntly.
That was unanswerable. I scratched my nose. (page 155)
and
"And you still have no idea who this mysterious person you saw skulking around the night before the accident might have been?"
"No. Shadowy figures all look pretty much the same."
He refrained from making whatever his first comment was going to be. I appreciated that. I'd had a rough night. (page 155)
Mod
Oh dear. You keep planting this kind of pictures in my head... first the hand-brushed denim and now this. ;)
I finally inched the door open and the maid eyed me doubtfully. It might have been The Spiral Staircase eyeball I was giving her through the crack between door and frame.I was ticked by The Spiral Staircase eyeball reference, it should be this:
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Johanna wrote: "Calathea wrote: "So now we know about Rudolph (hard not to think of the reindeer ^^)"Oh dear. You keep planting this kind of pictures in my head... first the hand-brushed denim and now this. ;)"
That's my secret talent: planting pictures.
J.X. was lying on the stately bed, his hands folded on his chest like he'd been laid out for burial. (p. 150)That was creepy, too!
A last quote from chapter 14:
I said, "Then I guess as soon as my— Mr. Moriarity is well enough to travel, we'll be on our way." (p. 159)What was he going to say? Boyfriend? Lover?
Calathea: I have highlighted those parts too and had the same reaction. The first image was even more vivid, if you think how many times Kit thought that bed was a funeral pyre, or a sarcophagus, or something :)
Mod
I said, "Then I guess as soon as my— Mr. Moriarity is well enough to travel, we'll be on our way." (p. 159)
What was he going to say? Boyfriend? Lover? "
Kit has a boyfriend, Kit has a boyfriend! *smirk*
Mod
This sweet image made me grin, because Kit rather reminds me of a pigeon (sorry!) than a hawk:
[...]—including the recollection that I'd spent the early hours of dawn poised over J.X.'s sleeping form watching like a hawk for any signs of distress after the paramedics had finished their unlovely business. (page 160)
Huh. Too bad that we don't know anybody who would be moved by this kind of thing *grin*:
I could feel slow, steady beat of his heart against my back. His hand rested on my flank. His skin felt warm, but not feverishly so, and neither too dry nor clammy. He was making peaceful snuffling noises into my hair. Probably endearing if you were the sort of guy who was moved by that kind of thing. (page 160)
This would make a wonderful drawing/painting/photo:
I threw a quick look back at J.X. His weary, drawn face reminded me of a young, handsome Don Quixote. I wouldn't have been surprised to spot pieces of broken windmill scattered in the sheets around him. (page 161)
Boy, it's good to see Kit finally losing his patience with Anna:
"Is Luke in your will?"
Her mouth tightened. She didn't reply.
"Let me try it from this angle. Is there anyone on the planet who isn't in your will? Did you maybe forget to mention some gal in Vanuatu? It would be nice to cross someone off our suspect list." (page 167)
It's so disarming when Kit loses his train of thought with J.X. — while admiring his beauty or while being moved by his touch. We have talked about this a lot, but it never seems to lose its power in the middle of all the hassle going on in the mystery:
"[...] Anna's freaking me out." I headed for the bathroom.
J.X. disconcerted me by stepping into my path and pulling me into his arms. "How so?"
It seemed only polite to reciprocate.
In the course of reciprocation, I lost the conversational thread.
"I'm very glad you didn't die last night," I told him a short while later.
"Thanks. Me too." He kissed the bridge of my nose. "What were you saying about Anna?"
I had to think. (page 168)
Near the end of the chapter 15 we learn more about J.X.'s past. The facts that are told are pretty major, but the fact that J.X. opens up about the incident is even more major deal, as it stands. J.X. is not the kind of guy who walks around babbling about his career as a cop. Or about the shooting that affected him so deeply that he considered resigning. This is obviously a gesture of trust. And it reminds Kit of how much they still had to learn about each other.
Johanna wrote: "Chapter 15This sweet image made me grin, because Kit rather reminds me of a pigeon (sorry!) than a hawk:
[...]—including the recollection that I'd spent the early hours of dawn poised over J.X.'..."
At the beginning of the chapter she looks like a queen giving audience. Puhleeease!
"
Very much the queen directing everyone.
What's telling is everyone close to her's suprise in hearing she's back writing.
Anna is very much the queen of ceremonies she seems to adopt the image of a silverscreen siren with her peignoir and fancy surrounds and yet her language shows a course underside.While she acts the star her selfishnbess is showing in these chapters. Chris's comment about not thinking she intended him to curl up in the mattress shows he's aware peripherally that he's being treated as a pet.
His thoughts of Butterwith and not calling the police - he's living a novel. Being directed to snoop and who to suspect, he's more sensitive to his surrounds than he as our narrator realises, it's just joining the dots. When everything seems out of a novel then likely their not as presented. Anna is put out about not knowing of his relationship with JX because it alters the roles she's set. Her insults prove she's dismissive of feelings beyond her own concerns.
Also she has a broken ankle and hurt ribs, can use crutches but swans in bed summoning her guests to her.
Chris has a broken collarbone and dislocated shoulder as well as bruising/shock... yet he's running around at her bidding and helping her to bed?
I love the descriptions of JX even when ill Perspiration sheened the muscular planes of his back too. sounds incredibly sensual. Ok I know the animal smell of sickness immediately detracts from that image, but the appreciation of it struck me! Chris is sooo in love. JX is protrayed as young, hot, talented... Chris really does see him as all that and a box of chocolates ;)
A bit rude commenting after myself (This is my first ever book-group experience!) but I've just got up to chapter 18.Just want to say I liked Det. Eames. I could picture what he was thinking, and Chris's thoughts about not telling the police everything before going over all the wild speculation the det. was clearly expecting.
The description of Ricky made me smile and how JX in comparison is the real deal, a tough non-fancy car.
Chris still doesn't know what to call JX, but he's getting there.
Oh and does to chap18 mean to the end of 18?
Welcome to the discussion!To answer your question: yes, through the end of the chapter.
Kit's slowly coming around as far as J.X. is concerned. For his part, J.X. has some of the greatest patience.
Anna likes and lives to be the center of attention. She's a grade "A" b with an itch in her bonnet and is more than happy to share her views with everyone else.
Poor Rudolph.
Mod
Meep wrote: "At the beginning of the chapter she looks like a queen giving audience. Puhleeease!"
Yes. :) Repeatedly Kit ends up in Anna's bedchamber and every conversation between those two in there seems more absurd. It's hard to make sense about what are Anna's plans for Kit. She asked for his help, but she doesn't want to answer his questions honestly. Everything about Anna seems so theatrical, so over the top. Birdwise (probably not a word) she would make a fine peacock. ;)
Mod
Ahem... I seem to do this all the time — commenting after myself. Nobody has complained about it... not at least yet. *grin* So feel free to comment as many time as you like in a row!
Meep wrote: "Oh and does to chap18 mean to the end of 18?"
Yes, just like Lori said, that's exactly what it means. I'm officially on chapter 16 today, but I did catch myself reading chapter 18 in bed last night. It's one of my favorite comfort reads EVER. :)
Meep wrote: "Chris is sooo in love. JX is protrayed as young, hot, talented... Chris really does see him as all that and a box of chocolates ;) "O.O Meep, you said 'Chris'! *shock* ;)
Also she has a broken ankle and hurt ribs, can use crutches but swans in bed summoning her guests to her.
Chris has a broken collarbone and dislocated shoulder as well as bruising/shock... yet he's running around at her bidding and helping her to bed?
You're right! That's something that annoys me, too. We saw hopping around in hospital and down for dinner, but when she wants to spread some drama, Kit is summond to her bedchamber.
Meep wrote: "A bit rude commenting after myself (This is my first ever book-group experience!) but I've just got up to chapter 18."See? I do it, too, the comment after comment after comment-thing... ;) Sometimes it's better to split the long comments up.
I'm a bit behind with commenting (not with the reading, though), so still some thoughts on chapter 15.
Johanne wrote: ""Huh. Too bad that we don't know anybody who would be moved by this kind of thing *grin*:
Oh, I loved that. Just the fact that Kit noticed the probable endearing-ness of the scene shows that he is one to care for such things. :D
"How are you feeling?"Argh. Blinking arrows, anyone? ;)
"Grateful to be alive." Anna made a face, a ghost of her old charming moue. "Guilty." (p. 162)
We could have played ethical ping-pong all morning. (p. 163)Cool phrase to describe these strange situations where all participants try to outdo each other with their politeness and humbleness.
Anna struggled inwardly. At last she said huskily, "He was convicted of attempted murder." (p. 167)And there's the bomb again. We barely gained back equilibrium and then get dropped such a Hint. :) It felt similarly to the moment when we learnt that Victoria had been in the garden when Anna fell. Makes your head spin.
Johanna wrote: "It's so disarming when Kit loses his train of thought with J.X. — while admiring his beauty or while being moved by his touch. "
Yes! So touching. He's completely besotted. :)
Mod
I'll be reading your posts and maybe I'm even able to say something shortly, but I'll be back home late Saturday evening and I'll try to catch up with you guys then at the latest.
Johanna wrote: "I'm afraid I won't be commenting for a couple of days, since we are visiting my parents-in-law at the Arctic Circle. I will be thinking about you all (and the Asquith Estate) because they have SNOW..."Bring back pictures....please? I don't think I'll ever make it to the Arctic Circle so Couch Traveling will have to suffice. Would love some pics if you get them. Have fun and safe travels!
Johanna wrote: "I'm afraid I won't be commenting for a couple of days, since we are visiting my parents-in-law at the Arctic Circle. I will be thinking about you all (and the Asquith Estate) because they have SNOW..."Have fun, throw a snowball! And please read your mail when you come home? I need your assistance to post a picture of one of Josh's books traveling :).
Mod
@Reggie: I took a couple of pictures for you today. ;) I'll try to post them for you later this evening on Photos thread. ETA: And I'll promise you much prettier pictures from Lapland when the snowy winter has finally arrived.
I'll be missing in action too. Big wedding in the family, and we all have to play a small or big part. See you all on Sunday :)
Have fun, all of you that are away, but be prepared to come back and discuss Kit and J.X. We have some hot chapters ahead! 
I read chapter 16 and couldn't stop until I found myself starting chapter 23. Don't know how that happend. ;) But for #16:Can someone of you please explain this phrase here?
I went upstairs to change into something warm enough to walk across the north forty without developing pneumonia. (p. 172)I found a reference to forty acres to the north of a house but don't get the meaning.
Kit is doing a lot of introspective thinking at the beginning of the chapter. It's very interesting to read how he starts to notice some things and ask for the reasons behind his behaviour.
It was later on that I’d got cold feet, that I’d kept trying to stall and delay the relationship from progressing.I loved the scene when he realized that he wants J.X. and hugs him tightly.
Why? (p. 173)
“There you are. Ready?”I could hug and cuddle him. I'm so glad he starts showing J.X. how much he appreciates him and that he is initiating contact. *sigh*
“I think maybe I am.”
He blinked as I walked straight up to him, wrapped my arms around his neck and locked my mouth on his.
When we finally, reluctantly broke contact, he said with a hint of unsteadiness, “What was that for?”
As I stared into his eyes I felt like I was seeing right into his heart, seeing the strength tempered by gentleness, the stubbornness balanced by loyalty and integrity, the honesty that didn’t sacrifice kindness. “I missed you.”
There were some funny moments, too.
All the biceps curls in the world weren’t going to turn me into Mr. Atlas. (p. 175)
Mr. Charles Atlas was a bodybuilder and developed a very well-known (back then) exercise program.
Why had I thought making like Scott heading for the South Pole was such a grand scheme? I was beginning to think I’d end this expedition the same way.Ouch! The dashing Mr. Scott didn't survive his second expedition to the Antarctic/South Pole (the Terra-Nova-Expedition). Coincidentally, I visited the Discovery in Dundee when I was in Scotland in September. It's the ship Scott used on his first expedition to the Antarctic. They have a very interesting expedition in the visitor center. I think it would be a load of fun (not only) for children, because you can try out a lot, like pulling ropes and stowing a boat.
“Did you want to stop and rest for a few minutes?”
“God yes.” (p. 176)
Mod
Here's an article about "forty acres and a mule," another well-known (in the U.S.) expression, that made wonder if the two have anything to do with each other. Apparently not, but still an interesting bit of U.S. history.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/reconstr...
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Mod
And thank you, Calathea, for the info about both Mr. Atlas and Mr. Scott! Probably needless to say that those had post-its on them too... ;)
And Josh, yep, we are happy that you wrote all those details in the story — as you can see, they are one of the reasons why we enjoy it so much. :)
Mod
Anyhoo, here is a little something about chapter 16.
Calathea wrote. "I loved the scene when he realized that he wants J.X. and hugs him tightly.
“There you are. Ready?”
“I think maybe I am.”
He blinked as I walked straight up to him, wrapped my arms around his neck and locked my mouth on his.
When we finally, reluctantly broke contact, he said with a hint of unsteadiness, “What was that for?”
As I stared into his eyes I felt like I was seeing right into his heart, seeing the strength tempered by gentleness, the stubbornness balanced by loyalty and integrity, the honesty that didn’t sacrifice kindness. “I missed you.”
I loved that part too. Particularly the first nine words:
“There you are. Ready?”
“I think maybe I am.”
Those words describe the state of their relationship so perfectly! Even though J.X. is talking about being ready for the walk to Victoria's, Kit is actually thinking about their relationship and for the first time making the conscious decision about fully committing to J.X. — and saying it out loud!
To me it has felt like Kit has been solving two mysteries in this book: the mystery concerning Anna and the mystery of his relationship with J.X. Within only couple of pages (173-174) it seems like the pieces of the relationship puzzle has clicked into their places.
When Kit finds his emergency card with J.X.'s name on it, he sees the last few months played almost like a film in front of his eyes: the writing-retreat weekend, the happiness and the feel of confidence after getting together with J.X., his cold feet about their relationship, J.X.'s arrival beside Kit's hospital bed when he needed him the most. And in Kit's words: —and this after I'd basically blown him off. (page 173)
But the most touching part is how clearly he sees J.X.'s personality in that very moment. This line is already in the quotation above, but it's so BEAUTIFUL that I can't help repeating it (page 174):
As I stared into his eyes I felt like I was seeing right into his heart, seeing the strength tempered by gentleness, the stubbornness balanced by loyalty and integrity, the honesty that didn’t sacrifice kindness.
How utterly wonderful things to think about another person. And what a beautiful way to write it. And J.X.'s next words prove that he really is all of the above (page 174):
"I did miss you, Kit. But I won't push you for more than you can give."
This chapter makes the mystery even more tricky, when we meet Victoria and Poppy and witness their reactions to the fact that Sara died of food poisoning — and that wine was involved.
Victoria's farmhouse is described to be one of those cute, rambling places that provide the domestic centerpiece of films like Bringing Up Baby or Christmas in Connecticut. Here are links to take a look at the houses of those two films:
Bringing Up Baby
http://hookedonhouses.net/2010/11/28/...
Christmas in Connecticut
http://hookedonhouses.net/2008/12/25/...
If you rolled the Bringing Up Baby link page all the way to the point where the pictures stop and the comments start, you probably noticed that there is some speculation about the same house/set being used for the both films:
"Some sources claim that the same sets were reused for the Barbara Stanwyck romantic comedy Christmas in Connecticut in 1945. While they do have similarities–lots of stone walls, Dutch doors, a Connecticut farm setting–they look substantially different to me. Check out the photos and decide for yourself!"
Johanna wrote: "I'm back home and I just want to tell you that I have the nicest parents-in-law. I'm lucky that way (too).Anyhoo, here is a little something about chapter 16.
Calathea wrote. "I loved the scene ..."
Thanks for the links, I love looking at houses, my dream is a little red house by a narrow road, with roses and a cat. Since it also should be close to a city I will never be able to afford one. I also want a stone cottage in the British countryside, maybe something like the ones shown in those links.:)
Johanna wrote: "Hello Meep! Nice to see you here! :)Meep wrote: "At the beginning of the chapter she looks like a queen giving audience. Puhleeease!"
Yes. :) Repeatedly Kit ends up in Anna's bedchamber and ever..."
Thanks for the welcome :) I was worried I'd kill the discussion, that's happened to me before elsewhere O.o
I can see her as a Peacock :D
Johanna wrote: "Meep wrote: "A bit rude commenting after myself (This is my first ever book-group experience!) but I've just got up to chapter 18."Ahem... I seem to do this all the time — commenting after myself..."
*relief* thanks good to know I have company ;)
Calathea wrote: "I read chapter 16 and couldn't stop until I found myself starting chapter 23. Don't know how that happend. ;) But for #16:Can someone of you please explain this phrase here?
I went upstairs to..."
The phrase got explained already :) so I'm just going to add my giggles to that last quote, the 'god yes' I love little moments like that. While other scenes are poignant those two lines show so much; humour, caring, awareness of each other, it makes the characters human.
Q&A with Josh Lanyon
Books mentioned in this topic
Storybook Treasury of Dick and Jane and Friends (other topics)All She Wrote (other topics)
We are reading chapters 13-18 during the third week of October (Oct 15 - Oct 21), but you are welcome to join the discussion at any time!
The October discussion is split in four topics (four weeks, six chapters each) to make the reading schedule more flexible for everyone. This way anyone can join any of these topics whenever they have time to read the chapters in question:
October 2012, week 1 (chapters 1-6)
October 2012, week 2 (chapters 7-12)
October 2012, week 3 (chapters 13-18)
October 2012, week 4 (chapters 19-24)
Those of you who are able to read the book at the same pace with others are welcome to comment the day you read the chapter(s) or at the end of each week.
Enjoy! :)