January Additional Read - To Whisper Her Name

[Cheryl]

Let's talk about fear for a moment. Olivia, Ridley and even General Harding each had an individual fear of something; what were those fears and how did this play out in the story? And why do you suppose that the author employed fear in each of their lives to move the story along?

[Jan]

I just finished this one. I agree with the comments above. I really appreciated all the research that Tamara did for the one. I look forward to reading the book about Belmont Plantation.

[Nancy]

Cheryl wrote: " Let's talk about fear for a moment. Olivia, Ridley and even General Harding each had an individual fear of something; what were those fears and how did this play out in the story? And why do you s..."

I think Olivia's fear was being betrayed/made a fool again. I think Ridley's was being found out but I think that was a manifestation of a deeper fear of being rejected by people whose love and approval he needed. I think General Harding's was being the weak link in the Harding dynasty.

Olivia and Ridley's fears worked together and against each other and their relationship beautifully because they would be a conflict to one another on the surface but also allow them to bring a healing to each other that wouldn't be possible with anyone else. In a backhanded way, Olivia and Ridley gave each other what they each so desperately needed themselves. He gave her approval and encouragement at every turn and she gave him respect and purpose. Intertwining all of that was the General's need (compounded by the loss of his first wife) to rebuild and prosper the traditions of the South in a new world order.

As for why I think Tamara used fear, to borrow a line from hunger games, the only thing stronger than fear is hope. Hope is the lifeblood of the story and it was brilliantly done.

[Rebecca "Rebaka"]

This is the first book that I have read by Tamera Alexander and also the first historical book I've read and I have to say I enjoyed it. I loved all of the characters. The love story was wonderful between Olivia and Ridley. Where are the men out there like him? The thing that really grabbed me was the respect that Ridley had for Uncle Bob. I can't wait for the sequel to come out. This would be a wonderful movie.

[Anita]

I think Nancy did a great job on the lines of fear of Olivia, Ridley and General Harding. I can't really add to that. Olivia's fear was facing the people in town due to her dead husband's actions, yet she also was satisfied away from all of them in her new life on Belle Meade . Ridley's fear was being discovered as a Yankee. Yet he was not ashamed and stood up for what he believed. I loved watching him pull Olivia out of her "box" of being a Southern woman in that day. And her bravery. I loved the window escape route scenes. But to teach in the school as she did (after Ridley's encouragement to teach at another job) was a real step in facing fear. She burst thru all of them eventually. Ridley knew what he was and what his goal was and he "took the bull by the horns" and went for each goal. General Harding as confident yet he portrayed fear in loosing his second wife, in the midst of rebuilding his estate. But it was all done well and faith was the key ingredient here and Tamera did an excellent job. I wrote her on facebook about a sequel in the lives of Ridley and Olivia we will see if she writes one.

[Loraine]

Nancy and Anita you both summed up the "fear factor" quite well. I think all of them Oliva, Ridley and General Harding faced their fears and became better, stronger people because of it. I would love to see a sequel as well Anita.

[Rebecca "Rebaka"]

I love reading the posts from all of you. Agree with everyone. All of you have the beauty of words.

[Nancy]

This really isn't a plug for my blog, but rather an opportunity I want to share with those of you who have read To Whisper Her Name. Ridley is the hero being featured at FHF right now and there's only one existing reader in the drawing for the $10 Amazon or B&N gift card. It's pretty simple to enter and the drawing is tomorrow if anyone wants an opportunity at that.

http://www.fictionherofeatures.com/20...

Cheryl, we're ready for the next question. I've lurked here for a while and it's the first time I've really gotten into a discussion. It's been fantastic. =)

[Jennipher]

I just finished this one. I was curious what conclusions anybody drew about Rachel's relationship to the Hardings.

[Cheryl]

That is a great question Jennifer and an unanswered one , although much was alluded to! What do you all think?

[Beth]

I was thinking maybe she is a half-sister to General Harding...? Because in the hall, she was looking at a photo of his father, and then Olivia made an observation that their eyes were similar. That was just my guess.

[Nancy]

Beth wrote: "I was thinking maybe she is a half-sister to General Harding...? Because in the hall, she was looking at a photo of his father, and then Olivia made an observation that their eyes were similar. Tha..."

Totally what I thought too.

[Anita]

Jennifer wrote: "I just finished this one. I was curious what conclusions anybody drew about Rachel's relationship to the Hardings."

I wondered if anything further would be said about her and the probability she was General Harding's half sister via his father. But nothing more was said on that. But it was pretty common in those days to have "light slaves". I do genealogy and have relatives in the south and found in my research many folk with a M for color. I wish more would have been said on her but a cabin of her own and to do as she pleased said a message loud and clear as well.

[Nancy]

Well, the scene we're all referencing at the portrait where Olivia was first to wonder was the biggest clue. Rachel herself did bring it up in a round about way in Chapter 43 on page 370 when she was putting Olivia into the dress she'd altered for her. I felt that what Rachel said in that later scene about walking by a mirror and catching a glimpse of someone else in your face or walking by a picture on the wall and seeing your own eyes lookin' back out at you. I agree that based on those two exchanges and what Anita added about her basically having the run of the place and her own cabin (I hadn't really tied that together before) that she was half-Harding.

What I'd like to know/speculate on though is why Rachel and Uncle Bob weren't more of an item. They just seemed so right for each other to me.

[Cheryl]

I am wondering if we will get more on the subject in the next book- didn't someone mention there was going to be a sequel? A "prequel" might be an interesting read as well- some of those questions might be answered and she could include some of the war time stuff. Could be interesting.

Next question

I think hand in hand with the concept of fear and how it motivates us is also the concept of needing to be in control. Let's take our three characters again and talk about - Ridley, General Harding and Olivia and explore how the necessity of "being in control" motivated them to make certain choices throughout the story. And do we see any growth in them in this area by the end of the book?

[Anita]

Cheryl wrote: "I am wondering if we will get more on the subject in the next book- didn't someone mention there was going to be a sequel? A "prequel" might be an interesting read as well- some of those questions..."
I started the sequel idea. I commented on Facebook to Tamara about how I would love one. But there is no talk of there ever being one by her. Now a "prequel" now that is a lovely idea. And may be more likely. But again we need to take that up with the author. Isn't she a good writer and she is a lovely person.

[Cheryl]

Nancy wrote: "What I'd like to know/speculate on though is why Rachel and Uncle Bob weren't more of an item. They just seemed so right for each other to me."

Good question Nancy! I would have loved to know both of their "back story's" because you just got this underlying feeling that there was one for both of them- it would have been sweet to see those two wind up together as they did seem to have a husge amount of respect for one another. Hmmm, see aren't we coming up with some great ideas for a sequel!!

[Anita]

Cheryl wrote: "Nancy wrote: "What I'd like to know/speculate on though is why Rachel and Uncle Bob weren't more of an item. They just seemed so right for each other to me."

Good question Nancy! I would have lov..."

Wasn't there a big age difference between them? I am not sure does anyone remember?

[Beth]

Anita, do you mean Rachel & Uncle Bob? I thought Rachel was in her late 50's, maybe a bit older & that Uncle Bob was around the same age. But I could be remembering wrong :)

[Anita]

Yes Beth, I did mean Rachel and Uncle Bob. It seemed Uncle Bob was 60ish maybe more. Tamera seem to portray his as older and getting stiff etc... but still able to work of course. But who bought him Harding SR or the General, I do not remember that. Now, if Rachael is the General's half sister she could have been much younger than the General. But it seemed she was more agile in all her doings to harvest and dry her herbs. Then make the teas etc..and deliver them. That could also be quite a walk. So with what she did in a day, her sewing in addition to her herbs I just surmised a big age gap between them, but I could be wrong. But even at their age it would be acceptable even if 15 yrs between them. And who better to care for Uncle Bob than her and all her knowledge of remedies. I just did not think of putting them together. Maybe in the sequel...hint hint Tamera.
Just another thought....could Rachael and Bob be half siblings? Bob came to Belle Meade with his mother at a very young age. If Rachael is 10 or 15 yrs younger than Bob, Q. could Bob's mother be the woman who also bore Rachael? I am not sure on the timing here. But we know Bob and his mother were bought at the same time. Now if the General bought Bob and his mother or if the Sr Harding did I am not sure here. But if either one purchased them would it be possible they are half siblings? And therefore, they would not go there. Just a thought.

[Nancy]

I hope its okay if I ask another question but did anyone else totally see Seabird as a metaphor for Olivia? Especially in the care of Ridley?

[Barbara]

Nancy wrote: "I hope its okay if I ask another question but did anyone else totally see Seabird as a metaphor for Olivia? Especially in the care of Ridley?"

That entered my mind, also. It certainly fits, and even more as you think about it further.

[Cheryl]

Absolutely , Nancy I thought the exact same thing. Just like it took time and patience for Ridley to win Seabird's trust, the same was true of Olivia.

[Anita]

Cheryl wrote: "Absolutely , Nancy I thought the exact same thing. Just like it took time and patience for Ridley to win Seabird's trust, the same was true of Olivia."

Yes, I see it now, but not while reading the story.

[Beth]

I definitely see that metaphor, Nancy. Especially with them both having been injured & due to that injury were scared & insecure. I thought she made the comparison work really well.

[Cheryl]

How about the character of Elizabeth- what did you all think of her- was she a strong character or weak, especially with regards to how she related to her husband General Harding?

[Nancy]

I've been having to really think about this Cheryl. I'm finally going to have to go with stronger. I think it took a lot for her to have been the second choice wife and never take it out on the General (that I saw).
I think it says a lot for her character that she understood his grief and didn't add to it with her own issues.

My favorite moment however was when she took charge at the dinner and put a stop to the Yankee-bashing in a diplomatic yet compassionate way. Just my thoughts.

[Cheryl]

I agree Nancy and I threw the question out there because on the surface she may have been construed as weak, but as the story unfolded and you really saw how she chose to love her husband, warts and all ( and yet still had some gumption- exemplified by your example above) I found her to be very strong actually, especially with regards to the grief she suffered at losing her son. I also thought that she showed growth, and the ability to see, with Olivia's prompting, how to love her daughter (mary I beleieve it was) a little more effectively. I thought she was a sweet and somewhat complex character and so I thought it would be fun to talk about her a little bit.
On another note, I really loved the pacing of this story- you got the pieces to each character a little bit at a time so that you could understand more fully what made everyone tick-I thought it was very well done and yet I did not feel like it dragged at all as you learned about everyone.

[Anita]

Elizabeth I thought she was a very strong lady. How about her being the contact for the freeman school. That was gutsie in that day for sure as so much was at stake. Then you mentioned Mary Cheryl note Elizabeth had to call both (not one but both) her girls by the first wife's name. She loved her husband as you said warts and all and it was a choice she made and lived with it. Yet we think her fragile due to her illness but in actuality she was far from it. And to admit her wrong her relationship with Mary and rectify it. It takes a secure in herself woman to do something like that. She had losses yet chose to be sweet, positive and approachable to Olivia especially. My vote is she was a strong individual.