Gormenghast - thoughts (contains spoilers)

[Jonathan , Master of Ritual]

This is a spoiler allowed zone for those who have read Gormenghast to allow them to post thoughts and ideas. Again, you don't have to participate in the reread if you have already read the books but if you wish to then go ahead!

[Willow]

Hi Midnight, you might want to hide your post. I've never read Gormenghast, but I suspect that's a pretty big spoiler. :D

[midnightfaerie]

oh...i suppose i'll just delete it. i didn't hide it because this was the discussion that "contains spoilers".

[Cecily, Gormenghast Librarian]

Willow, it's a shame you were upset by Midnight's post, but if you haven't yet read the book, it's worth checking carefully before you click links.

Don't feel bad, Midnight. There is one discussion clearly labelled "Spoiler free", but this one is clearly labelled "Contains spoilers", and the very first post in this topic says "This is a spoiler allowed zone for those who have read Gormenghast".

Anyway, I saw what you posted, and agree that Fuchsia's death is awful, though it does lend a deeper poignancy to her life, and it has a big effect on Titus. Even so, is it worse than the burning of the library and the method of death that triggers in the Earl?

[Traveller]

Goodness, but you guys are reading a lot of Peake back-to-back. I should go peek on the main schedule, I've been bad with keeping up with this group...

[midnightfaerie]

I think it was so traumatic for me, Cecily, because I just really liked Fuchsia. Sometimes I get very attached to my characters. I will say that if she had to go, it was a fitting death. I would probably have preferred her to have jumped willingly, but having fallen accidentally is much more fitting to Peake's idea of Gormenghast.

As for your last question...nothing is more horrible than a library burning. :)

[Jonathan , Master of Ritual]

Yes clearly this is the spoiler containing section so I would recommend anyone reading in here who hasn't yet read the book to stay clear of the links. I myself don't mind spoilers as a good book is good no matter if the suspense of an unknown event is taken away for me.

[Metaphorosis]

@MidnightFaerie Sorry I didn't get to see your post. Fuchsia's death bothered me a lot - not because she dies, but because she died in such an offhand manner. She deserved better than that. I can accept the accidental manner of the death, but it troubled me that Peake didn't seem to care that much about it.

[midnightfaerie]

Thanks B. That's pretty much what I said. I was just so shocked when she died. I didn't see it coming at all. Although if she had to die, I rather like the dramatic, senseless way she died.

[Cecily, Gormenghast Librarian]

midnightfaerie wrote: "...if she had to die, I rather like the dramatic, senseless way she died."

I like to think that Fuchsia would agree.

[midnightfaerie]

!! I've been watching the BBC version on youtube in 10 min increments when I have the time and they show Titus kissing the wild girl b4 she dies! Did I miss that? Did they kiss? I know there was a lot of tension between the two and Titus was almost obsessed with her, but was it sexual? Definitively sexual? Or maybe was that just the way the writer's took it? Will have to look that part up again, but I don't remember anything sexual, unless that whole romp/throwing rocks thing in the cave I didn't read completely or something...

[Cecily, Gormenghast Librarian]

I think they touch, or nearly so. I'm not sure about a kiss though.

[midnightfaerie]

Yeah, re reading it, i'm thinking it was just touching, but not even necessarily sexual in nature...think they just added that for the tv version...

[Metaphorosis]

I'm pretty sure they don't kiss. I don't even recall them touching. Actually looking forward to going back to watch the series, now that I've read the trilogy again. If I can just find a night when my wife is out - she hated the series, and therefore won't touch the books.

[midnightfaerie]

lol, i've been watching it in 10 min increments on youtube.

[Metaphorosis]

midnightfaerie wrote: "lol, i've been watching it in 10 min increments on youtube."

Hey, good thought! Especially since my DVD is a continent away...

[Sumant]

Here is my review of 2nd book in the Gormenghast trilogy.

[Cecily, Gormenghast Librarian]

You've encapsulated your thoughts really well there. Thanks for sharing.

[Sumant]

Thanks Cecily.