Week 3

[Lisa]

I'm standing in for Cecily.
Please discuss any thoughts arising from week 3.

[Lisa]

I keep thinking about what a dangerous life these men and their dogs led. They seem to be close- knit and to look out for each other for the most part. But death and loss is handled very matter of factly, in today's day and age, it appears almost callous.
I'm also a bit disappointed that we hear so much about people and so little about the dogs.
Generally, I'm opposed to hunting, but these men are usually hunting for food and safety. Piers Anthony wrote in his Geodyssey novels that since the dawn of man, we have been destroying the world. This does seem true when people kill leopards.
Any thoughts around Jim's behavior to members of the Shangaan tribe? For me it highlights how quick we are to discriminate against anyone different.

Come back soon Cecily! My mind is drifting.

[Buck]

Lisa wrote: "Any thoughts around Jim's behavior to members of the Shangaan tribe? For me it highlights how quick we are to discriminate against anyone different."

I can't remember exactly where it occurred in the book, but Jock's order of preference was said to be white men, Zulus, and then everyone else.

[Adele]

I loved how the hunters treated the impala chased by the wild dogs. That truly must have been a magical experience. They have so much respect for the wild. And that is how it should be. There has to be hunters in the world. We eat meat. But it is how this hunting is conducted that is important.

[Lisa]

I found Jim fascininating. Mpumalanga and Limpopo is not the usual territory of the Zulus, Jim's a long way from home. Yet he wears the place like a second skin and torments the more peaceful Shangaan people. I think that saying Jock loved Zulus second meant that he loved Jim second.

[John]

Must finish Jock today! Christmas, and my birthday, looms.

[Lisa]

When's your birthday? My folks, sister in law, niece and brother's expected baby are all December babies!

[Adele]

Im afraid Jock is going to start to become unbearable for me. Ive started the last hunt...

Old Zwaartland's end was heartbreaking

[John]

Monday, 23rd. I enjoy it being so close to Christmas. Takes the heat off me, to a degree.

[John]

Fitzpatrick's real genius, for me, lies in the authentic detail he brings to every situation, especially the hunt scenes. Relevant detail is what convinces the reader that what they are reading is true, and helps them to suspend disbelief and be a part of the experience.

[Lisa]

True. He's been there. I've found though that the book is not what I expected. There's more detail about life then and less about the dog than I thought there'd be.

[Adele]

So I'm sitting in theatre with an ectopic pregnancy asleep. And I'm in tears.

Just finished it.

Already started crying last night because I knew the end was near.

This is too much

[John]

Adele,
I weep with you.
Please stay in touch with us.

[Adele]

Just for the record. I dont have the ectopic myself. My patient had. Whom I anaesthetised. I was crying for Jock. Sorry for ambiguity...

[Lisa]

Lol. Adelle is the on call anesthetist at tbh! Can't imagine how nervous your tears made the patient! This is why you shouldn't read in theater. Hope you and your patient are good.

[John]

Hey, Adele. You had me in a state! Exposed my softie side. I think I need to help you update your writing skills. Lol.

[Adele]

I think so too!! So sorry guys! My patient is absolutely fine.

[Lisa]

It's context. I know what Adele does and she's on call. John's softie side and Adele's ambiguity made me laugh.

[Adele]

We could of course still all cry together for Jock...

[Lisa]

Ssh...

[John]

Next time I'll be more careful who I cry for!
Although, tears are never wasted - they cleanse the soul. You always feel better after crying.

[Adele]

Ive upset a lot of people. Even the gynae surgeon thought something was seriously wrong with me...

[Lisa]

So then give them a copy of the book!

[John]

I like the way you think, Lisa.

[Lisa]

Adele, I was reading Terry Pratchett on my kindle once during a registrar meeting. If you start chuckling to yourself in a room of would-be psychiatrists, they think you are odd.