Madam, want to talk about author Mary Stewart? discussion
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This Rough Magic
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TRM Chapters 6-11
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Lori wrote: "Hannah wrote: "Lorraine wrote: "No-one's commented on the amusing description of the Castello's furniture, the weapons on the walls, and the cases and cases of moth-eaten stuffed birds. I had to sm...""Lolita" - chuckle!
I zipped into this section this morning without even noticing it, but one thing I did notice was how true several of the characters rang: Phyllida's anguish and panic over the ring fiasco, which I find completely believable, and Lucy's confusion over just why she's protecting Mr. Gale. She's looking at what she thinks are the facts of his behavior, including her "belief" that he was shooting at the dolphin, but her actions don't jibe with her wannabe thoughts. It's hard to believe what we want to believe, when reality keeps wriggling through.
Just starting chapter 11. Wow...do these section of chapters start moving the story. In Chapter 6 when Lucy (view spoiler).Chapter 7 and the search for the ring sets off another chain reaction of events. I like how Mary Stewart keeps the reader balancing all these plots in our head. It's like our focus is on Max, then switched to Godfrey than even Phyl gets center stage, here comes Julian...wait Adonis is in the wings. All the while the mystery is still under the surface....
Currently on chapter 11 and suddenly in the midst of tension and questions there is a lovely breakfast in the huge kitchen at Julian's. Reminded me so much of that dinner in Nine Coaches Waiting. So much tension and then a very involved descriptive dinner after Linda and Philippe's long hike. Comfort food at its finest.
Uh oh. This is where I get nervous. (view spoiler) What adventures (i.e. Mary Stewart mega tension) is coming down the pike??? 😮
Oh, there's all kinds of excitement yet to come. :D
Teaqueen wrote: "Uh oh. This is where I get nervous. [spoilers removed] What adventures (i.e. Mary Stewart mega tension) is coming down the pike??? 😮"Haha! What a pike it is!
I had remembered much of this section, now I am sketchy on the rest except for one section. I really love this book. I'm glad so many others also love the beach scene and that kiss.
So things really heat up in these chapters, with all the antagonism between Alpha A and Slightly-Less-Alpha B and the dead body/bodies and the smuggling stuff. Regrettable that the plot has to depend on Lucy not telling the police all she knows. (view spoiler) I know this is many people’s favorite Stewart book and I do love all the Tempest stuff, but the plot and pacing leave a bit to be desired in my book.
Yes, I'm another one who kept trying to tell her not to forget about the dolphin! Priorities! I really had a hard time believing she would just forget it because of Max.
On the other hand, it’s an effective technique for keeping us turning the pages while we scream over and over, ”The dolphin!! The dolphin!!!” 😁
I just finished this section and really enjoyed the whole dolphin rescue/suddenly in love scene. From my first read I knew who was going to be the hero, but enjoyed all the details which I had totally forgotten. Her sister and that whole property are very interesting and this is an excellent setting for a mid winter read.
Just starting this section. I wonder if Spiros might still be alive? I’ve nothing to base this on, I just wonder if there was any way he might have survived.
Abigail wrote: "On the other hand, it’s an effective technique for keeping us turning the pages while we scream over and over, ”The dolphin!! The dolphin!!!” 😁"Oh, yes, I see exactly what you mean now!
Just starting on Chapter 6. So Max Gale is some sort of Räuberbaron, coordinating a band of smugglers . . . And Lucy is so confused she calls Godfrey "Geoffrey", or is that just the audiobook?
I really like the interaction between the two sisters, so different and yet so close. They make me want to ring up my brother!
Julie wrote: "Abigail wrote: "On the other hand, it’s an effective technique for keeping us turning the pages while we scream over and over, ”The dolphin!! The dolphin!!!” 😁."I can see a pattern here ;-). First she forgets Frances on the Cretan rocks, and now, the dolphin on a Corfusian beach!
For the past couple of chapters I've been wondering what was there first: the characters, or the plot that needed certain character traits to drive it along? Phyllida, for one, needs to be pregnant, wealthy, and upper class to do the things she does, and that, in turn, propels Lucy along her path – keeping secrets, going down to the beach at odd hours, and so on . . . I reckon it's more of a gradual evolution than 1+1, but the characters are so well drawn one is inclined to think they must have been there first, and the plot followed!At the same time, some elements don't tie in: I'm still wondering why Lucy knows what a ricochet sounds like, and why she's never been to visit her sister in Corfu before.
Elizabeth wrote: "Julie wrote: "Abigail wrote: "On the other hand, it’s an effective technique for keeping us turning the pages while we scream over and over, ”The dolphin!! The dolphin!!!” 😁."I can see a pattern ..."
It’s Corfiot - not Corfusian! 😉
I’d forgotten about Frances forgotten on the Cretan beach! Poor forgettable Frances . . .In your speculations about character and plot, I think you’re touching on something that’s key to why Stewart is so readable, and rereadable. Georgette Heyer had that gift as well, of making it seem as if the plot inevitably spun out from the clash of characters. As a reader one rarely feels manipulated.
Susan in Perthshire wrote: "It’s Corfiot - not Corfusian! 😉"To steal the words of another character from the book: "That was a joke." ;-).
Abigail wrote: "I think you’re touching on something that’s key to why Stewart is so readable, and rereadable. Georgette Heyer had that gift as well, of making it seem as if the plot inevitably spun out from the clash of characters.Absolutely! Although I get the impression that Stewart's characters have more bottom, so to speak. Lucy is very public spirited, something I like about her. You know, when she tells Godfrey that if you live in a country, you should obey its rules (I forget the precise words).
I've come to the end of Chapter 11 now. The castello and its interior! The gila warrior! Pampas grass and whatnots! This is about the nth time I've read or listened to the book, and it gets me every time. "A tasteful arrangement of crossed whips and spurs." (view spoiler) (Sorry, quoting from memory.)
Linda wrote: "Yes, I'm another one who kept trying to tell her not to forget about the dolphin! Priorities! I really had a hard time believing she would just forget it because of Max."Or because of (view spoiler)
I wish Lucy would stop biting her lips, though. It's giving me cold sores!
My feelings exactly. I just have to think of "stopping in 18 inches of water" and I glow all over. She is my literary mother.