Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion
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The Book of Speculation, by Erika Swyler (Anything Goes BOM) ; Start Date July 22, 2015
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7. Evangeline can hold her breath for a very long time and yet drowns. Do you think her ability ran out somehow? Is it actually a curse? Was she murdered by someone?Hmmm, if Evangeline does drown, I think it will be due to a showdown between her and Madame R. I do think there will be a curse involved.
8. What are your thoughts on Doyle and his relationship with Enola?
I do like Doyle. I wish I could see his act - it sounds fascinating!
9. Peabody is encouraging Amos while Madame Ryzhkova is warning Amos away from Egangeline saying that she will drown him. Thought on which you think is true? Any comments on all the drowning?
I think both Peabody and Madame R care for Amos. Peabody has no experience with the Rusalka, so he thinks Madame R is just a crazy old woman.
10. The developing relationship between Evangeline and Amos makes me wonder if the other abilities that people seem to have can be passed through bloodlines too. Amos has his invisibility thing going on but none of the characters we've met so far appear to have that one. Any thoughts on if we'll meet decedents with different abilities?
I hadn't thought of that - would be interesting to meet another 'disappearing' person.
11. Enola says that she's talking to her mother through the tarrot cards. Do you think she's gone a bit nuts or is there something more otherworldly going on?
I like what TerryJane said - if the cards are the original set of Madame R's, perhaps they are cursed and they are 'telling' the mermaids to drown themselves.
12. Frank seems very generous to help float some of the money to repair their house however Leah and Alice don't seem very happy about it. Any thoughts on that dynamic or what the back story is?
Wow, that's a lot of money - at least he is having Simon work some of it off. That was a great scene when we realized that Frank had some of the items from Peabody and Madame R. I didn't see that coming. I can't figure yet how he is connected. Maybe descended from Peabody?
13. This talk of Evangeline "drinking" Amos makes me imagine what seemed to happen to Simon's father where he was a husk of a man. Do you think this is what eventually happens to Amos?
It's too seen to tell, but I think Evangeline will somehow cause Amos's death, and then Madame R will take her revenge. Just my theory.
Discussion QuestionsJuly 24&25
Chapters 8-14 Pages 91-166 Percentage 27-50%
7. Evangeline can hold her breath for a very long time and yet drowns. Do you think her ability ran out somehow? Is it actually a curse? Was she murdered by someone?
A. I think she allowed herself to drown. I do not believe in the latter two.
8. What are your thoughts on Doyle and his relationship with Enola?
A. I think it a good relationship. He seems to balance her out. It kinda reminds me of the relationship prior of Amos. .
9. Peabody is encouraging Amos while Madame Ryzhkova is warning Amos away from Egangeline saying that she will drown him. Thought on which you think is true? Any comments on all the drowning?
Peabody is only thinking of money. I truely believe in Madame Ryzhkova. I thinks she really sees it and really cares about the Amos. The drownings still got me off.
10. The developing relationship between Evangeline and Amos makes me wonder if the other abilities that people seem to have can be passed through bloodlines too. Amos has his invisibility thing going on but none of the characters we've met so far appear to have that one. Any thoughts on if we'll meet decedents with different abilities?
I do not think his invisability is an ability. I see that as a skill that anyone can learn. But no, I think the current abilities they have they will keep because of how the orginal person got it.
11. Enola says that she's talking to her mother through the tarrot cards. Do you think she's gone a bit nuts or is there something more otherworldly going on?
I think Enola is a little trouble and she is imagining it
12. Frank seems very generous to help float some of the money to repair their house however Leah and Alice don't seem very happy about it. Any thoughts on that dynamic or what the back story is?
He seem close to their father. I do not really think he have the money to really be loaning out. It seem strange to me that you want to take from your family to give to another and you do not really have it to give.
13. This talk of Evangeline "drinking" Amos makes me imagine what seemed to happen to Simon's father where he was a husk of a man. Do you think this is what eventually happens to Amos?
A. I believe so. He seems to be drawn to her no matter what. He can not help himself.
7. I had to return the book to the library already, but I’m almost positive at this point in the story Evangeline is alive. 8. I think Doyle seems to be a scary guy when you first meet him. Since Enola has a troubled past, I’d be very nervous seeing her with someone who looks like Doyle. It would make me think she’s getting herself drawn into the wrong crowd.
9. When I was reading this part, I thought Madame Ryzhkova was paranoid. She remembered what happened to her family in the past, and projected this onto Evangeline. This was one of the problems I had with the book. The fortune teller just “senses” that Evangeline is one of the women who lives to lure men into the river to drown them. She never gives any concrete reason why she feels this way. As for all the drowning references, drowning can be a symbol of death, but it can also be a symbol of new life, too. It can refer to a cleansing that needs to take place. I think it’s symbolic of all these things in the book. There is a sense of death and despair that follows Evangeline and Enola around in the book, and actually all the women. Even Simon senses this, too. He is drawn to the water because of his mother. It’s like the characters have to decide within themselves if they will let the water kill them or cleanse them.
10. I don’t want to answer this one as I have already finished the book!
11. It sure feels like there is something otherworldly going on. The cards seem to play an important role in what has been going on with the women drowning themselves.
12. Can’t answer this one either without giving anything away! AllI can say is there is something going on here between these two families that ties everything together.
13. I don’t want to say if this happens to Amos, but I believe that this is exactly what happened to Simeon and Enola’s dad. Their mom metaphorically, if not literarily, took the life from him when she left the family. He didn’t have a reason to live anymore after that, which was so sad because his kids still needed him and he wasn’t there for them.
Mod
July 27&28
Chapters 15-22
14. The horseshoe crabs are becoming another common sign in the lead up to July 24. I went and looked up images, and they are the strangest looking creatures! Have you seen them before?
15. Enola states "This house is a mausoleum,"....."A memorial to people who didn't love me enough to bother staying alive." It seems that each character has an emotional connection to this house. Do you think Simon will let it go? Will Frank let that happen?
16. The book Simon has is an owner's log and is never meant to leave the show. Do you think it maintains a connection with Ryzhkova and if destroyed the "curse" will end?
17. Enola has "a slight, fleshy webbing between each digit" (on her feet), has ripped out every sketch of tarot cards in the owner's log, and her name backwards spells "alone" which is the question Amos continued to ask himself at the end of chapter 18 "Am I alone?", but it is Simon that can hold his breath for 10 minutes and may be the next 'mermaid' act in the carnival. Do you think it is possible that Simon will be the one to drown and thus break the 'curse' and it isn't really Enola after all? Or do you have another theory on how all of this is connected?
18. Were you surprised by Frank's admission about Paulina? I did wonder why he was so intent on having the house saved, but I'm not sure it did any good to tell Simon about everything that happened. Do you think it was right of him to tell Simon the truth?
19. Evangeline comments that Peabody seems to be "none the worse" for losing Ryzhkova. Do you agree? Has your opinion on his character changed as the book has continued?
20. This book has so many references to Tarot Cards. Have you ever used them or had a reading done?
This book would also count as a bonus for our Tarot Card Reading Challenge!
July 27&28Chapters 15-22
14. The horseshoe crabs are becoming another common sign in the lead up to July 24. I went and looked up images, and they are the strangest looking creatures! Have you seen them before?
I have never seen them in person but I think it would be cool too. They are very weird looking.
15. Enola states "This house is a mausoleum,"....."A memorial to people who didn't love me enough to bother staying alive." It seems that each character has an emotional connection to this house. Do you think Simon will let it go? Will Frank let that happen?
(view spoiler)
16. The book Simon has is an owner's log and is never meant to leave the show. Do you think it maintains a connection with Ryzhkova and if destroyed the "curse" will end?
Good question. I didn't even think about destroying the book so that the curse will be lifted. I can see this be a definite possiblity.
17. Enola has "a slight, fleshy webbing between each digit" (on her feet), has ripped out every sketch of tarot cards in the owner's log, and her name backwards spells "alone" which is the question Amos continued to ask himself at the end of chapter 18 "Am I alone?", but it is Simon that can hold his breath for 10 minutes and may be the next 'mermaid' act in the carnival. Do you think it is possible that Simon will be the one to drown and thus break the 'curse' and it isn't really Enola after all? Or do you have another theory on how all of this is connected?
I actually highlighted the passage about her having webbed feet. I thought that was interesting because she is not the stronger swimmer of the family. I think Simon might be the one to end up drowning if they cant figure out why the curse exists.
18. Were you surprised by Frank's admission about Paulina? I did wonder why he was so intent on having the house saved, but I'm not sure it did any good to tell Simon about everything that happened. Do you think it was right of him to tell Simon the truth?
(view spoiler)
19. Evangeline comments that Peabody seems to be "none the worse" for losing Ryzhkova. Do you agree? Has your opinion on his character changed as the book has continued?
Peabody in my opinion wanted Ryzhkova gone because he was getting jealous of her. She was taking Amos away from him in his eyes. His character had pretty much stayed the same throughout the book.
20. This book has so many references to Tarot Cards. Have you ever used them or had a reading done?
No I have not and I don't even believe in them. I think that is why I am having a hard time enjoying this book as a whole. It has been a tough read for me just because I can't get into it.
14. The horseshoe crabs are becoming another common sign in the lead up to July 24. I went and looked up images, and they are the strangest looking creatures! Have you seen them before?In the book is an illustration of a horseshoe crab. Until now, I only know theat character of crab :D
15. Enola states "This house is a mausoleum,"....."A memorial to people who didn't love me enough to bother staying alive." It seems that each character has an emotional connection to this house. Do you think Simon will let it go? Will Frank let that happen?
It seems to me that Simon will not let go of the home. If not the book and the desire to solve the puzzles he could leave home.
16. The book Simon has is an owner's log and is never meant to leave the show. Do you think it maintains a connection with Ryzhkova and if destroyed the "curse" will end?
I think that this time the curse could touch not daughter but son. Maybe it applies to the first-born child. I'm afraid that Simon will drown at the end. I do not think that a particular object was cursed but family.
17. Enola has "a slight, fleshy webbing between each digit" (on her feet), has ripped out every sketch of tarot cards in the owner's log, and her name backwards spells "alone" which is the question Amos continued to ask himself at the end of chapter 18 "Am I alone?", but it is Simon that can hold his breath for 10 minutes and may be the next 'mermaid' act in the carnival. Do you think it is possible that Simon will be the one to drown and thus break the 'curse' and it isn't really Enola after all? Or do you have another theory on how all of this is connected?
As I said earlier, I think the curse will touche Simon (btw Enola -> alone I have not noticed, in the book there are many hidden meanings...)
18. Were you surprised by Frank's admission about Paulina? I did wonder why he was so intent on having the house saved, but I'm not sure it did any good to tell Simon about everything that happened. Do you think it was right of him to tell Simon the truth?
Any normal person would not say anything and I don't want find out something like that.
19. Evangeline comments that Peabody seems to be "none the worse" for losing Ryzhkova. Do you agree? Has your opinion on his character changed as the book has continued?
Things have changed. I think that he is insensitive. He does not care really on anyone. It gives the impression that he cares about all, but really, nothing can touch him. He does not even cared that Ryzhkov left.
20. This book has so many references to Tarot Cards. Have you ever used them or had a reading done?
I had a card but I do not remember what happened to them. "Professionally" nobody foretell me.
14. The horseshoe crabs are becoming another common sign in the lead up to July 24. I went and looked up images, and they are the strangest looking creatures! Have you seen them before?Yes! An aquarium I visited many years ago had horseshoe crabs in a touch pool where I was able to handle them. I've also seen them occasionally on a beach, but only a handful at a time, not hundreds of them piled all over each other.
15. Enola states "This house is a mausoleum,"....."A memorial to people who didn't love me enough to bother staying alive." It seems that each character has an emotional connection to this house. Do you think Simon will let it go? Will Frank let that happen?
It seems Simon is ready to let the house go, if it doesn't crumble into the sea first. Even if the house were restored, there's too much bad history for him to be happy there, right across the street from his mother's lover.
16. The book Simon has is an owner's log and is never meant to leave the show. Do you think it maintains a connection with Ryzhkova and if destroyed the "curse" will end?
If Madame Ryzhkova is connected to anything, I think it would be the tarot cards. I fear the only resolution to the curse will be for Madame Ryzhkova to be reunited with her "son," in the form of Simon.
17. Enola has "a slight, fleshy webbing between each digit" (on her feet), has ripped out every sketch of tarot cards in the owner's log, and her name backwards spells "alone" which is the question Amos continued to ask himself at the end of chapter 18 "Am I alone?", but it is Simon that can hold his breath for 10 minutes and may be the next 'mermaid' act in the carnival. Do you think it is possible that Simon will be the one to drown and thus break the 'curse' and it isn't really Enola after all? Or do you have another theory on how all of this is connected?
As mentioned above, I do think the secret to breaking the curse lies with Simon and a sort of mother-son reunion. However, it would be terrific if the curse could be broken through the destruction of the tarot cards, so we could have a happily ever after. ;)
18. Were you surprised by Frank's admission about Paulina? I did wonder why he was so intent on having the house saved, but I'm not sure it did any good to tell Simon about everything that happened. Do you think it was right of him to tell Simon the truth?
I have mixed feelings about this. Simon deserves to know the truth. The affair answers many questions, but the knowledge of it will taint Simon and Enola's memories of their parents and home forever.
19. Evangeline comments that Peabody seems to be "none the worse" for losing Ryzhkova. Do you agree? Has your opinion on his character changed as the book has continued?
It seemed like she was trying to plant doubts in Amos' head. I think Peabody just adapted to the situation, but I certainly don't think he "contrived for her to go," as Evangeline implied.
20. This book has so many references to Tarot Cards. Have you ever used them or had a reading done?
No, I've never had a reading. Someone gave me a box of tarot cards as a gift once when I was a girl, but I didn't know what to do with them. They ended up in the back of a drawer somewhere.
14. Thanks so much for adding this picture! I had meant to look them up while reading and never got around to it. I’ve seen quite a few crabs before. On Grand Cayman Island they had crabs around more than a foot in diameter that you had to be careful of while driving at night otherwise they would flatten your tires while scurrying across the road. But I’ve never seen a horseshoe crab before in the wild. I hope I do! 15. Can’t say for sure since I read the ending, but yes, the emotional connection each character has with the house, even Alice, plays an important role in the story. I found the theme of connecting physical objects with the people who possessed them really fascinating in this story. I think that’s something ingrained in many people which is why it’s so hard to declutter and give away many of our possessions we no longer use.
16. Again don’t want to comment in too much detail, but the fact that the log is still here and not with the show and hasn’t been destroyed even though it’s not a part of the show anymore made me think at the time I was reading this that there must have been a reason why the log survived.
17. I don’t know why I didn’t pick up on Enola’s name backward was alone! And what a perfect way to connect her with Amos! They seem very similar, more so than Simeon and Amos, even though it seems that Simeon is the one who can hold his breath longer. But we do know that Enola has the talent, too, but she stays from the water, almost seems scared of it, while Simon embraces it. At the time I read this, I thought maybe the fact that Enola is the one with the cards makes her more vulnerable to drowning than Simeon. It’s like they both feel the pull of the water, but Enola is the only one that senses the danger in it.
18. I’m glad he told Simeon. There would never be true closure about the house, about Frank, about Alice unless Simeon knew the truth.
19. I don’t think he was as unaffected an Evangeline likes to believe. He doesn’t fully realize her loss at first, but eventually comes to respect her. I felt a little underwhelmed by Peabody’s character in the book. We don’t know that much about his backstory or get any real indication of his inner feelings. He was a character that needed more development and depth, in my opinion, in order for me to feel more towards him.
20. I’ve never had cards read before and don’t plan on it. It does intrigue me, though.
Mod
14. totally weird looking!
17. I agree
20. Fair enough. There are a lot of references to the tarot cards!
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@Dawid
16. Oh that could be true. First born rather than daughters
17. Lots of hidden meanings! I knew about Enola -->Alone from reading the Enola Holmes mystery books where she was named Enola for that reason ;)
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@TerryJane
14. Cool!
18. So true. I feel like Frank has ruined their childhood memories really. "Tainted" is a good description
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@Christina
14. No problems. Wow I didn't know there were crabs like that. Amazing
15. good point , well said!
17. another good observation, Enola does seem fearful of the water. I hadn't quite thought of it that way. I was more thinking about Simon just being more comfortable in the water as he had more time with their mum, but you are so right
14. The horseshoe crabs are becoming another common sign in the lead up to July 24. I went and looked up images, and they are the strangest looking creatures! Have you seen them before?I've seen them before in an aquarium. That's an incredible picture of them massed on the beach and must be the sort of thing they are talking about in the book. Can't imagine having them crawl on me, or up my legs. Yikes!
15. Enola states "This house is a mausoleum,"....."A memorial to people who didn't love me enough to bother staying alive." It seems that each character has an emotional connection to this house. Do you think Simon will let it go? Will Frank let that happen?
I think Frank's revelation has ruined the house for Simon and he will not care whether it is ruined. I think Frank sees the house as his last connection to Paulina and will try to save it.
16. The book Simon has is an owner's log and is never meant to leave the show. Do you think it maintains a connection with Ryzhkova and if destroyed the "curse" will end?
I've been thinking the 'curse' had to do with the cards, not the book. If it is the book, will something happen to make Peabody 'infuse' the book with bad mojo?
17. Enola has "a slight, fleshy webbing between each digit" (on her feet), has ripped out every sketch of tarot cards in the owner's log, and her name backwards spells "alone" which is the question Amos continued to ask himself at the end of chapter 18 "Am I alone?", but it is Simon that can hold his breath for 10 minutes and may be the next 'mermaid' act in the carnival. Do you think it is possible that Simon will be the one to drown and thus break the 'curse' and it isn't really Enola after all? Or do you have another theory on how all of this is connected?
Ooh, Enola/Alone. I hadn't picked up on that. This book is definitely multi-layered. Love it. I still think it is Enola who is destined to drown - though I hope Simon will save her in time. I think somehow the cards are talking to the mermaids. Still don't see how July 24 fits in though.
18. Were you surprised by Frank's admission about Paulina? I did wonder why he was so intent on having the house saved, but I'm not sure it did any good to tell Simon about everything that happened. Do you think it was right of him to tell Simon the truth?
I love all the connections. Frank and Paulina are both somehow descended from the original circus/menagerie. I don't think it was good for Frank to tell Simon though. I think he did it more for himself - to unburden himself and tell someone about this great love of his. I think he has damaged two families in the telling.
19. Evangeline comments that Peabody seems to be "none the worse" for losing Ryzhkova. Do you agree? Has your opinion on his character changed as the book has continued?
I think Peabody was very unhappy to lose Ryshkova - both for the show's sake and for Amos. But he is a businessman, and found a way to turn it around. Evangeline almost seemed like she was trying to turn Amos against Peabody, or at least deflect blame from herself for Madame R's leaving. Will Amos turn against Peabody, and somehow damage the book in a way that makes it cursed? so many questions!
20. This book has so many references to Tarot Cards. Have you ever used them or had a reading done?
Never had a reading, but it would be fun to.
Comments and QuestionsJuly 27&28
Chapters 15-22
14. The horseshoe crabs are becoming another common sign in the lead up to July 24. I went and looked up images, and they are the strangest looking creatures! Have you seen them before?
A. Not until you posted the picture!
15. Enola states "This house is a mausoleum,"....."A memorial to people who didn't love me enough to bother staying alive." It seems that each character has an emotional connection to this house. Do you think Simon will let it go? Will Frank let that happen?
A. In all honesty, I do not see Simon letting go until he has too. And no, I think Frank would fight tooth and nail to avoid that happening.
16. The book Simon has is an owner's log and is never meant to leave the show. Do you think it maintains a connection with Ryzhkova and if destroyed the "curse" will end?
A. I do sense a connection but do not think it will break the curse.
17. Enola has "a slight, fleshy webbing between each digit" (on her feet), has ripped out every sketch of tarot cards in the owner's log, and her name backwards spells "alone" which is the question Amos continued to ask himself at the end of chapter 18 "Am I alone?", but it is Simon that can hold his breath for 10 minutes and may be the next 'mermaid' act in the carnival. Do you think it is possible that Simon will be the one to drown and thus break the 'curse' and it isn't really Enola after all? Or do you have another theory on how all of this is connected?
A. I think Simon is the one who going to die. And if the curse is broken, it would only be because he has no children to pass it on too.
18. Were you surprised by Frank's admission about Paulina? I did wonder why he was so intent on having the house saved, but I'm not sure it did any good to tell Simon about everything that happened. Do you think it was right of him to tell Simon the truth?
A. I did not foresee him and Paula. I thought he was close to his father.
19. Evangeline comments that Peabody seems to be "none the worse" for losing Ryzhkova. Do you agree? Has your opinion on his character changed as the book has continued?
A. I do not agree that Peabody has anything to do with her leaving. I think she really upset that Amos chose to not listen to her and she do not want to see the end result.
20. This book has so many references to Tarot Cards. Have you ever used them or had a reading done?
A. No and no. I like my future to remain a mystery.
Mod
Chapters 23-end
21. I was interested in Simon being able to hold his breath for so long so googled free diving. Then I found something interesting! Did you know there is a "real" mermaid? Linden Wolbert can hold her breath under water for 5 minutes and has a custom maid mermaid tail. Check it out here! http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xyno...
22. Swyler not only wrote the book in long hand or using her vintage typewriters, but when Swyler prepared her manuscripts of this book to send to publishers, she hand bound and tea-stained each of the copies to give them the feel of an old book, similar to the one that Simon receives. She also personally sketched each of the pictures in the novel. Knowing that, does it give the book more meaning for you? Do you think perhaps Simon and his obsessions were somewhat auto-biographical?
23. I found this last section of the book really flew by. There was so much suspense around the storm and I was certain Simon was going to drown. What are your thoughts on this section and ultimately how it ended?
24. Do you ever make up a future for the characters in your mind after the book has ended? If so, what do you think happens with Simon & Alice ; Alice & Frank ; Frank & Leah ; Enola & Doyle ; Enola & Simon etc....?
25. This book has multiple layers and hidden meanings. This is also reflected in the main theme around families with multiple layers, hidden pasts, and an unexplainable connection to other people that their families have known over generations. Did you enjoy this part of the book? Do you believe it is possible to be drawn to people through generations?
26. Final thoughts on the book? How did you rate it?
Mod
14. Yikes is right!!
17. Yes, I wonder if the date has significance
18. I agree. Pretty selfish of Frank
@Tru
17. Yes, I guess both of them have no kids for it to be continued which I guess would by default end the 'curse'?
July 29 &30Chapters 23-end
21. I was interested in Simon being able to hold his breath for so long so googled free diving. Then I found something interesting! Did you know there is a "real" mermaid? Linden Wolbert can hold her breath under water for 5 minutes and has a custom maid mermaid tail. Check it out here! http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xyno...
I only heard about him https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdrwg... :D
22. Swyler not only wrote the book in long hand or using her vintage typewriters, but when Swyler prepared her manuscripts of this book to send to publishers, she hand bound and tea-stained each of the copies to give them the feel of an old book, similar to the one that Simon receives. She also personally sketched each of the pictures in the novel. Knowing that, does it give the book more meaning for you? Do you think perhaps Simon and his obsessions were somewhat auto-biographical?
About drawings I knew and they add a lot of charm into the book (a pity that there are not more, would like to see the whole deck of tarot).
Come on, everyone here probably has a slight obsession with at least one book that has some meaning for him. If I got a book such as Simon has I also will have an obsession with it.
23. I found this last section of the book really flew by. There was so much suspense around the storm and I was certain Simon was going to drown. What are your thoughts on this section and ultimately how it ended?
Also, I thought that Simon lost. Ending can be. Such a happy ending. I confessed something more tragic, not necessarily death, but something more related to the curse.
24. Do you ever make up a future for the characters in your mind after the book has ended? If so, what do you think happens with Simon & Alice ; Alice & Frank ; Frank & Leah ; Enola & Doyle ; Enola & Simon etc....?
I have not thought about it, but I think that they will traveling and eventually will find a job, rent an apartment. I wonder if they will live together.
25. This book has multiple layers and hidden meanings. This is also reflected in the main theme around families with multiple layers, hidden pasts, and an unexplainable connection to other people that their families have known over generations. Did you enjoy this part of the book? Do you believe it is possible to be drawn to people through generations?
I think it is even normal. Especially if you live in a small town for generations. Itself I don't know, maybe the person that I know in job is great-granddaughter of my great-grandmother lover?
26. Final thoughts on the book? How did you rate it?
I give 3 stars (but really 3,5). I like the book. I am pleased to read. I would certainly reached for her again, but not had a bigger impression on me. The book was pleasant and she will give me a nice memory.
July 29 &30Chapters 23-end
21. I was interested in Simon being able to hold his breath for so long so googled free diving. Then I found something interesting! Did you know there is a "real" mermaid? Linden Wolbert can hold her breath under water for 5 minutes and has a custom maid mermaid tail. Check it out here! http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xyno...
Mermaid Linden is fabulous! Thanks for the link. I also went to her company website, Mermaids in Motion and watched a video about her participating in a "Rays of Sunshine" wish project for a little girl. Sounds similar to "Make a Wish" here in the USA.
22. Swyler not only wrote the book in long hand or using her vintage typewriters, but when Swyler prepared her manuscripts of this book to send to publishers, she hand bound and tea-stained each of the copies to give them the feel of an old book, similar to the one that Simon receives. She also personally sketched each of the pictures in the novel. Knowing that, does it give the book more meaning for you? Do you think perhaps Simon and his obsessions were somewhat auto-biographical?
That's fascinating. Since Simon was handwriting and sketching his manuscript on ragged paper at book's end, it certainly sounds as if Swyler put a piece of herself into that character.
23. I found this last section of the book really flew by. There was so much suspense around the storm and I was certain Simon was going to drown. What are your thoughts on this section and ultimately how it ended?
Agreed. I read the remainder as soon as I finished answering questions for 7/28. Just couldn't wait any longer! I'm pleased with the ending. A fresh start is a good thing.
24. Do you ever make up a future for the characters in your mind after the book has ended? If so, what do you think happens with Simon & Alice ; Alice & Frank ; Frank & Leah ; Enola & Doyle ; Enola & Simon etc....?
I don't generally speculate much detail beyond the ending, but I think all of these relationships will survive with a fresh start. I thought it odd but pleasing that Alice was Simon's rescuer. I like that when he says, "I'm sorry," she hears, "Thank you." Alice and Frank, and Frank and Leah, will have some awkwardness, but I think they will forgive and move on. Enola and Doyle, and Enola and Simon, should be able to have stronger, closer relataionships now that the cards are out of the way. Frank and Churchwarry could become friends over their newly discovered history.
25. This book has multiple layers and hidden meanings. This is also reflected in the main theme around families with multiple layers, hidden pasts, and an unexplainable connection to other people that their families have known over generations. Did you enjoy this part of the book? Do you believe it is possible to be drawn to people through generations?
I enjoyed unraveling the mystery of the family connections, but, as mentioned a few days ago, I like genealogy anyway. I think it's possible to be drawn by geography. Not so sure about people. I always feel at home in the mountains and foothills of my western SC/NC ancestors. Others feel that same draw (7 of 8 first cousins born and raised far away, moved "home" to the southeast US as adults). In our case, we could easily end up in communities with descendents of families our grandparents knew. Who knows?
26. Final thoughts on the book? How did you rate it?
I was thoroughly entertained by this book. I'm thrilled that neither sibling had to die to break the curse, that Doyle was not a sea monster despite his octopi tattoos, and that Churchwarry was genuine. Whew! I hate that the library was flooded, but am not at all bothered by the demise of the house. I gave this novel 4 stars.
Mod
21. Thanks for the link!
22. I am quite familiar with Tarot Cards so it wasn't difficult for me to picture them, but your comment has made me realise that for many people the pictures of these (even as an appendix at the back of the book) probably would have been quite helpful
@TerryJane
21. Yes she seems to do a lot of community work with her mermaid self!
24. I loved that "thank you" too. One of the best moments in the book
25. You may have cousins just around the corner ;)
Thanks for participating in the read! I loved reading everyone's comments
July 29 &30Chapters 23-end
21. I was interested in Simon being able to hold his breath for so long so googled free diving. Then I found something interesting! Did you know there is a "real" mermaid? Linden Wolbert can hold her breath under water for 5 minutes and has a custom maid mermaid tail. Check it out here! http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xyno...
22. Swyler not only wrote the book in long hand or using her vintage typewriters, but when Swyler prepared her manuscripts of this book to send to publishers, she hand bound and tea-stained each of the copies to give them the feel of an old book, simi lar to the one that Simon receives. She also personally sketched each of the pictures in the novel. Knowing that, does it give the book more meaning for you? Do you think perhaps Simon and his obsessions were somewhat auto-biographical?
A. Yes it does. Alot of thought and time was put into the creation of the book. Yes, I agree with that as well. I like that Simon wishes to recreate the book and add more to it.
23. I found this last section of the book really flew by. There was so much suspense around the storm and I was certain Simon was going to drown. What are your thoughts on this section and ultimately how it ended?
A. I was really shock that he didn't. Had no idea that the true key to stop the curese was not the book itself.
24. Do you ever make up a future for the characters in your mind after the book has ended? If so, what do you think happens with Simon & Alice ; Alice & Frank ; Frank & Leah ; Enola & Doyle ; Enola & Simon etc....?
A. I don't do that, but I do try to create myself as a character and imagine myself into the story.
25. This book has multiple layers and hidden meanings. This is also reflected in the main theme around families with multiple layers, hidden pasts, and an unexplainable connection to other people that their families have known over generations. Did you enjoy this part of the book? Do you believe it is possible to be drawn to people through generations?
A. Yes I do. I love how everyone was intertwined. It shows a ripple effect. One action affects so many people.
26. Final thoughts on the book? How did you rate it?
A. I ghought it was overall good. I give it a 5 star!!!
Mod
1. If you received a book in the mail like Simeon did, filled with references to your ancestors, would you research the book further? If so, how much time would you put into it?
Personally, I’m quite interested in genealogy and being influenced by my Nana to pursue it before she passed away. When we were clearing out items from her home when she had passed we discovered that she had begun researching my family linier for me and I’m keen to carry this on.
2. The story switches between chapters from the present and the past. Which chapters have been your favorite to read so far and why?
I’m enjoying both sides of the story at the moment as albeit they are set in different periods you can see/sense the similarities in the world between them i.e. Enola/Ryzhkova card reading and Simon/Evangeline and their underwater abilities
3. What do you think of the mysteries so far in the book? Are you intrigued by them? Do they leave you wanting to know more?
Initially I didn’t think I was going to enjoy the book as the written language seemed quite pretentious within the first chapter or so, but once I started understanding the stories a bit more I’ve started to enjoy it and wanting to keep reading.
4. When Hermelius Peabody took in Amos and gave him a job a Wild Boy, I found this extremely degrading at first. But then it seemed like the act gave Amos purpose to his life and set him apart as special. Do you think Peabody is just looking to make money off Amos, or do you think he really wanted to make Amos’ life better? Do you think this will turn out to ultimately be a negative or positive experience for him?
I think Peabody sees a lot of his own children in Amos and wants to make sure they are happy etc. but is ultimately a businessman. I believe that he is keeping his ‘book’ which has various different things written in it because he is genuinely interested in his entourages abilities though.
5. The story in Chapter 6 of Evangeline, her “baptism” as a baby, her grandmother’s twisted way of trying to keep Evangeline from becoming like her mother and ultimately the murder of Grandma Visser, was one of the most emotionally charged sections of this book. What are your thoughts on what Evangeline did? Was she in any way justified?
Evangeline was obviously being controlled quite heavily both mentally and physically by her Grandmother and perhaps the years of this abuse finally got the better of her. I don’t think she was justified in killing her, and she clearly never actually meant to do this but I do believe that it’s better that Evangeline is out of that relationship.
6. A lot of the women in Simeon’s family die on July 24th. Simeon is driven to find out why. What are your predictions about why this is happening? Do you think there is something significant about this date?
It’s difficult to say at the moment what significance the actual date will have at the moment, I suspect it’s possibly not the date itself that has started the initial death but the mystery lies in why the following ones share the date.
7. Evangeline can hold her breath for a very long time and yet drowns. Do you think her ability ran out somehow? Is it actually a curse? Was she murdered by someone?
I think there probably is some kind of curse. The older stories seem to depict women controlling and killing the men, leading them into streams and seas but the future generations closer to Simon’s seem to show suicides. I think there is perhaps some curse on the women that causes them to commit suicide before they can lead the men to the water.
8. What are your thoughts on Doyle and his relationship with Enola?
It seems to be quite a nice lighthearted relationship and he seems to genuinely care for her and show concern for her acting ‘strange’
9. Peabody is encouraging Amos while Madame Ryzhkova is warning Amos away from Egangeline saying that she will drown him. Thought on which you think is true? Any comments on all the drowning?
I think Evangeline may not deliberately try to drown Amos, but he will follow her into the water and be unable to shout for help due to not being able to speak.
10. The developing relationship between Evangeline and Amos makes me wonder if the other abilities that people seem to have can be passed through bloodlines too. Amos has his invisibility thing going on but none of the characters we've met so far appear to have that one. Any thoughts on if we'll meet descendents with different abilities?
I think Amos’s invisibility ability is just a metaphor for him being so small and quiet that people don’t notice him so much that he is technically ‘invisible’ to them. I think the ‘mermaid’ ability is the only one that’s been passed down through the bloodlines.
11. Enola says that she's talking to her mother through the tarot cards. Do you think she's gone a bit nuts or is there something more otherworldly going on?
Perhaps I misread this, but I didn’t realise she was actually talking to her mother using the tarot cards but more just having a conversation with the cards themselves which used to belong to her mother. Either way, I don’t think she’s going nuts and there is definitely something ‘otherworldly’ going on.
12. Frank seems very generous to help float some of the money to repair their house however Leah and Alice don't seem very happy about it. Any thoughts on that dynamic or what the back story is?
I suspect that Frank is definitely more involved in the whole story that we realise at the moment. I believe he probably loved Simon and Enola’s mother and there was some history there that we haven’t found out yet.
13. This talk of Evangeline "drinking" Amos makes me imagine what seemed to happen to Simon's father where he was a husk of a man. Do you think this is what eventually happens to Amos?
I think Ryzhkova will hopefully prevent this happening to Amos before it fully takes effect, but I suspect this is what Evangeline is going to do whether she means to or not.
14. The horseshoe crabs are becoming another common sign in the lead up to July 24. I went and looked up images, and they are the strangest looking creatures! Have you seen them before?
I hadn’t seen a horseshoe crab before but something about them reminds me of facehuggers from Alien. The thought of them crawling all over Simon is turning my flesh now!!
15. Enola states "This house is a mausoleum,"....."A memorial to people who didn't love me enough to bother staying alive." It seems that each character has an emotional connection to this house. Do you think Simon will let it go? Will Frank let that happen?
I think Simon may have to end up giving up the house to save Enola from whatever “curse” affects her.
16. The book Simon has is an owner's log and is never meant to leave the show. Do you think it maintains a connection with Ryzhkova and if destroyed the "curse" will end?
I don’t think the book holds the curse, and it’s actually Enola’s cards that are cursed. The book was never around Ryzhkova and it would be something that she could leave to Amos that would be close to Evangeline and could carry on the curse around her.
Personally, I’m quite interested in genealogy and being influenced by my Nana to pursue it before she passed away. When we were clearing out items from her home when she had passed we discovered that she had begun researching my family linier for me and I’m keen to carry this on.
2. The story switches between chapters from the present and the past. Which chapters have been your favorite to read so far and why?
I’m enjoying both sides of the story at the moment as albeit they are set in different periods you can see/sense the similarities in the world between them i.e. Enola/Ryzhkova card reading and Simon/Evangeline and their underwater abilities
3. What do you think of the mysteries so far in the book? Are you intrigued by them? Do they leave you wanting to know more?
Initially I didn’t think I was going to enjoy the book as the written language seemed quite pretentious within the first chapter or so, but once I started understanding the stories a bit more I’ve started to enjoy it and wanting to keep reading.
4. When Hermelius Peabody took in Amos and gave him a job a Wild Boy, I found this extremely degrading at first. But then it seemed like the act gave Amos purpose to his life and set him apart as special. Do you think Peabody is just looking to make money off Amos, or do you think he really wanted to make Amos’ life better? Do you think this will turn out to ultimately be a negative or positive experience for him?
I think Peabody sees a lot of his own children in Amos and wants to make sure they are happy etc. but is ultimately a businessman. I believe that he is keeping his ‘book’ which has various different things written in it because he is genuinely interested in his entourages abilities though.
5. The story in Chapter 6 of Evangeline, her “baptism” as a baby, her grandmother’s twisted way of trying to keep Evangeline from becoming like her mother and ultimately the murder of Grandma Visser, was one of the most emotionally charged sections of this book. What are your thoughts on what Evangeline did? Was she in any way justified?
Evangeline was obviously being controlled quite heavily both mentally and physically by her Grandmother and perhaps the years of this abuse finally got the better of her. I don’t think she was justified in killing her, and she clearly never actually meant to do this but I do believe that it’s better that Evangeline is out of that relationship.
6. A lot of the women in Simeon’s family die on July 24th. Simeon is driven to find out why. What are your predictions about why this is happening? Do you think there is something significant about this date?
It’s difficult to say at the moment what significance the actual date will have at the moment, I suspect it’s possibly not the date itself that has started the initial death but the mystery lies in why the following ones share the date.
7. Evangeline can hold her breath for a very long time and yet drowns. Do you think her ability ran out somehow? Is it actually a curse? Was she murdered by someone?
I think there probably is some kind of curse. The older stories seem to depict women controlling and killing the men, leading them into streams and seas but the future generations closer to Simon’s seem to show suicides. I think there is perhaps some curse on the women that causes them to commit suicide before they can lead the men to the water.
8. What are your thoughts on Doyle and his relationship with Enola?
It seems to be quite a nice lighthearted relationship and he seems to genuinely care for her and show concern for her acting ‘strange’
9. Peabody is encouraging Amos while Madame Ryzhkova is warning Amos away from Egangeline saying that she will drown him. Thought on which you think is true? Any comments on all the drowning?
I think Evangeline may not deliberately try to drown Amos, but he will follow her into the water and be unable to shout for help due to not being able to speak.
10. The developing relationship between Evangeline and Amos makes me wonder if the other abilities that people seem to have can be passed through bloodlines too. Amos has his invisibility thing going on but none of the characters we've met so far appear to have that one. Any thoughts on if we'll meet descendents with different abilities?
I think Amos’s invisibility ability is just a metaphor for him being so small and quiet that people don’t notice him so much that he is technically ‘invisible’ to them. I think the ‘mermaid’ ability is the only one that’s been passed down through the bloodlines.
11. Enola says that she's talking to her mother through the tarot cards. Do you think she's gone a bit nuts or is there something more otherworldly going on?
Perhaps I misread this, but I didn’t realise she was actually talking to her mother using the tarot cards but more just having a conversation with the cards themselves which used to belong to her mother. Either way, I don’t think she’s going nuts and there is definitely something ‘otherworldly’ going on.
12. Frank seems very generous to help float some of the money to repair their house however Leah and Alice don't seem very happy about it. Any thoughts on that dynamic or what the back story is?
I suspect that Frank is definitely more involved in the whole story that we realise at the moment. I believe he probably loved Simon and Enola’s mother and there was some history there that we haven’t found out yet.
13. This talk of Evangeline "drinking" Amos makes me imagine what seemed to happen to Simon's father where he was a husk of a man. Do you think this is what eventually happens to Amos?
I think Ryzhkova will hopefully prevent this happening to Amos before it fully takes effect, but I suspect this is what Evangeline is going to do whether she means to or not.
14. The horseshoe crabs are becoming another common sign in the lead up to July 24. I went and looked up images, and they are the strangest looking creatures! Have you seen them before?
I hadn’t seen a horseshoe crab before but something about them reminds me of facehuggers from Alien. The thought of them crawling all over Simon is turning my flesh now!!
15. Enola states "This house is a mausoleum,"....."A memorial to people who didn't love me enough to bother staying alive." It seems that each character has an emotional connection to this house. Do you think Simon will let it go? Will Frank let that happen?
I think Simon may have to end up giving up the house to save Enola from whatever “curse” affects her.
16. The book Simon has is an owner's log and is never meant to leave the show. Do you think it maintains a connection with Ryzhkova and if destroyed the "curse" will end?
I don’t think the book holds the curse, and it’s actually Enola’s cards that are cursed. The book was never around Ryzhkova and it would be something that she could leave to Amos that would be close to Evangeline and could carry on the curse around her.
17. Enola has "a slight, fleshy webbing between each digit" (on her feet), has ripped out every sketch of tarot cards in the owner's log, and her name backwards spells "alone" which is the question Amos continued to ask himself at the end of chapter 18 "Am I alone?", but it is Simon that can hold his breath for 10 minutes and may be the next 'mermaid' act in the carnival. Do you think it is possible that Simon will be the one to drown and thus break the 'curse' and it isn't really Enola after all? Or do you have another theory on how all of this is connected?
I never realised the ‘alone’ palindrome before, but that’s a really good point. I think the curse can be broken if Enola gets rid of her cards. This is why she’s been tearing out the pictures of them in the book so that Simon doesn’t recognise them as hers, which were actually Ryzhokovas.
18. Were you surprised by Frank's admission about Paulina? I did wonder why he was so intent on having the house saved, but I'm not sure it did any good to tell Simon about everything that happened. Do you think it was right of him to tell Simon the truth?
I’m not surprised by Frank’s admission. You could tell that Paulina had the same way of ‘sucking people in’ as Evangeline did, so I suspected that Simon’s father wouldn’t be the only one she had this effect on. I don’t think he should have told Simon the truth. The house was close to falling to pieces anyway, and Simon didn’t have the money to save it. I don’t believe he would really have taken Frank’s money and would have ended up taking a job out of town and eventually leaving the house.
19. Evangeline comments that Peabody seems to be "none the worse" for losing Ryzhkova. Do you agree? Has your opinion on his character changed as the book has continued?
I can’t quite place my finger on it, but I’m not keen on Evangeline. Her character seems to have become less conscious of others feelings and harsher in her words.
20. This book has so many references to Tarot Cards. Have you ever used them or had a reading done?
This book would also count as a bonus for our Tarot Card Reading Challenge!
I haven’t ever had any experience with Tarot cards, but it’s not something I would be against trying. I believe I’m quite spiritual and believe strongly in an afterlife, so imagine Tarot cards would be really interesting.
21. I was interested in Simon being able to hold his breath for so long so googled free diving. Then I found something interesting! Did you know there is a "real" mermaid? Linden Wolbert can hold her breath under water for 5 minutes and has a custom maid mermaid tail. Check it out here! http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xyno…
I went onto Linden’s website after seeing this and had a look at the gallery and some of the photographs on there are absolutely stunning. Very beautiful woman, as mermaids are supposed to be! I’ve always had a belief in mermaids, or Kelpies as they’re known in Scotland as we have a lot of folklore and history regarding them. Unfortunately never seen one though.
22. Swyler not only wrote the book in long hand or using her vintage typewriters, but when Swyler prepared her manuscripts of this book to send to publishers, she hand bound and tea-stained each of the copies to give them the feel of an old book, similar to the one that Simon receives. She also personally sketched each of the pictures in the novel. Knowing that, does it give the book more meaning for you? Do you think perhaps Simon and his obsessions were somewhat auto-biographical?
I think knowing that Swyler composed and marketed the book this way was a great tip to get her book noticed, and I believe that all authors in a sense have some connection with the kind of stories they write otherwise the stories themselves wouldn’t come across to the reader as well as they could.
23. I found this last section of the book really flew by. There was so much suspense around the storm and I was certain Simon was going to drown. What are your thoughts on this section and ultimately how it ended?
I finished the last few chapters of the book quicker than the rest of this, so I definitely agree that it flew by. I was expecting a slightly more ‘mystical’ ending than the one that we got, but still really enjoyed the way that Swyler took the story.
24. Do you ever make up a future for the characters in your mind after the book has ended? If so, what do you think happens with Simon & Alice ; Alice & Frank ; Frank & Leah ; Enola & Doyle ; Enola & Simon etc....?
I imagine that Enola and Doyle didn’t go back and work at a circus again and stayed close to Simon and Alice perhaps living in the same city and spending a lot of time with them. Frank and Leah probably lived out the rest of their days being quite unhappy. Alice and Frank wouldn’t have seen eachother again, unless Frank fell ill and Alice felt compelled to go back and see her father before he died.
25. This book has multiple layers and hidden meanings. This is also reflected in the main theme around families with multiple layers, hidden pasts, and an unexplainable connection to other people that their families have known over generations. Did you enjoy this part of the book? Do you believe it is possible to be drawn to people through generations?
I believe that you are always connected to your family through generations in both appearance and personality. Most people are brought up by the parents (who in turn were brought up by theirs) and receive a lot of influence on beliefs and morals shaping you to be the person that you are. You share the same genetics as relatives so will always be connected that way.
26. Final thoughts on the book? How did you rate it?
I thought the book was a bit of a slow starter, and wasn’t really sure what I was getting myself into having read the book through the Goodreads book-group and wasn’t sure how much fantasy was going to be involved in the plot. Once I realised that there was quite a lot of suspense with the plot and not knowing which way the author was going to take the story I settled into the plot and started thinking about the characters. I found all the main characters to be quite likeable, from both generations and enjoyed all the decisions that they made throughout the story. The way the two timelines worked at the same time as each-other was really clever, and the way that it was a chapter at a time for each made the book flow really well.
(view spoiler)
All in all, I enjoyed the book and the plot and gave it 4* on Goodreads.
I never realised the ‘alone’ palindrome before, but that’s a really good point. I think the curse can be broken if Enola gets rid of her cards. This is why she’s been tearing out the pictures of them in the book so that Simon doesn’t recognise them as hers, which were actually Ryzhokovas.
18. Were you surprised by Frank's admission about Paulina? I did wonder why he was so intent on having the house saved, but I'm not sure it did any good to tell Simon about everything that happened. Do you think it was right of him to tell Simon the truth?
I’m not surprised by Frank’s admission. You could tell that Paulina had the same way of ‘sucking people in’ as Evangeline did, so I suspected that Simon’s father wouldn’t be the only one she had this effect on. I don’t think he should have told Simon the truth. The house was close to falling to pieces anyway, and Simon didn’t have the money to save it. I don’t believe he would really have taken Frank’s money and would have ended up taking a job out of town and eventually leaving the house.
19. Evangeline comments that Peabody seems to be "none the worse" for losing Ryzhkova. Do you agree? Has your opinion on his character changed as the book has continued?
I can’t quite place my finger on it, but I’m not keen on Evangeline. Her character seems to have become less conscious of others feelings and harsher in her words.
20. This book has so many references to Tarot Cards. Have you ever used them or had a reading done?
This book would also count as a bonus for our Tarot Card Reading Challenge!
I haven’t ever had any experience with Tarot cards, but it’s not something I would be against trying. I believe I’m quite spiritual and believe strongly in an afterlife, so imagine Tarot cards would be really interesting.
21. I was interested in Simon being able to hold his breath for so long so googled free diving. Then I found something interesting! Did you know there is a "real" mermaid? Linden Wolbert can hold her breath under water for 5 minutes and has a custom maid mermaid tail. Check it out here! http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xyno…
I went onto Linden’s website after seeing this and had a look at the gallery and some of the photographs on there are absolutely stunning. Very beautiful woman, as mermaids are supposed to be! I’ve always had a belief in mermaids, or Kelpies as they’re known in Scotland as we have a lot of folklore and history regarding them. Unfortunately never seen one though.
22. Swyler not only wrote the book in long hand or using her vintage typewriters, but when Swyler prepared her manuscripts of this book to send to publishers, she hand bound and tea-stained each of the copies to give them the feel of an old book, similar to the one that Simon receives. She also personally sketched each of the pictures in the novel. Knowing that, does it give the book more meaning for you? Do you think perhaps Simon and his obsessions were somewhat auto-biographical?
I think knowing that Swyler composed and marketed the book this way was a great tip to get her book noticed, and I believe that all authors in a sense have some connection with the kind of stories they write otherwise the stories themselves wouldn’t come across to the reader as well as they could.
23. I found this last section of the book really flew by. There was so much suspense around the storm and I was certain Simon was going to drown. What are your thoughts on this section and ultimately how it ended?
I finished the last few chapters of the book quicker than the rest of this, so I definitely agree that it flew by. I was expecting a slightly more ‘mystical’ ending than the one that we got, but still really enjoyed the way that Swyler took the story.
24. Do you ever make up a future for the characters in your mind after the book has ended? If so, what do you think happens with Simon & Alice ; Alice & Frank ; Frank & Leah ; Enola & Doyle ; Enola & Simon etc....?
I imagine that Enola and Doyle didn’t go back and work at a circus again and stayed close to Simon and Alice perhaps living in the same city and spending a lot of time with them. Frank and Leah probably lived out the rest of their days being quite unhappy. Alice and Frank wouldn’t have seen eachother again, unless Frank fell ill and Alice felt compelled to go back and see her father before he died.
25. This book has multiple layers and hidden meanings. This is also reflected in the main theme around families with multiple layers, hidden pasts, and an unexplainable connection to other people that their families have known over generations. Did you enjoy this part of the book? Do you believe it is possible to be drawn to people through generations?
I believe that you are always connected to your family through generations in both appearance and personality. Most people are brought up by the parents (who in turn were brought up by theirs) and receive a lot of influence on beliefs and morals shaping you to be the person that you are. You share the same genetics as relatives so will always be connected that way.
26. Final thoughts on the book? How did you rate it?
I thought the book was a bit of a slow starter, and wasn’t really sure what I was getting myself into having read the book through the Goodreads book-group and wasn’t sure how much fantasy was going to be involved in the plot. Once I realised that there was quite a lot of suspense with the plot and not knowing which way the author was going to take the story I settled into the plot and started thinking about the characters. I found all the main characters to be quite likeable, from both generations and enjoyed all the decisions that they made throughout the story. The way the two timelines worked at the same time as each-other was really clever, and the way that it was a chapter at a time for each made the book flow really well.
(view spoiler)
All in all, I enjoyed the book and the plot and gave it 4* on Goodreads.
#8- That is a very good thought about the sea creatures tattoos. I didn't even think about him maybe being a danger to the family due to that fact.