The Luminaries, (09/20 - 09/30 (10 days) ) Mercury in Sagittarius; Jupiter in Sagittarius

[Alana]

And how is Dunedin pronounced? I keep hearing "Dunedain" from Lord of the Rings in my head, but that doesn't seem right. .. is it DUNE-dihn or DUNE-eh-dihn, or something else?

[JoLene]

Alana wrote: "And how is Dunedin pronounced? I keep hearing "Dunedain" from Lord of the Rings in my head, but that doesn't seem right. .. is it DUNE-dihn or DUNE-eh-dihn, or something else?"

I visited there several years ago and it is Dun-E-din. Dun rhymes with pun, and it's a long e as in Gee. At least that was my recall as an american -- possibly a New Zealander or Brit would say it differently.

[Becky]

I was totally reading with as Dunedain. I an glad I wasnt the only one! Tolkien ruined me for pronouncing things correctly as much as learning German and being Nebraska did. :D

I still dont understand how to pronounces Ypres.

[Everyman]

Alana wrote: "I almost get a Canterbury Tales feeling about it, like they are all going to take turns telling their story as it goes along?
"

That's a fun thought!

[Mekki]

I found it interesting how Catton is able really make each character behave according to their sign. For example, it says in astrology that Jupiter (Lauderback) is the ruling planet of Sagittarius(Balfour)

In the Jupiter in Sagittarius section, it says that "Lauderback was Balfour’s contemporary in age, and yet from that first meeting the latter deferred to him almost as a son to a father"

So it looks like actions or certain life outcomes are based on their sign or planet. This should help in answering some of the mysteries if we can predict who might do what based on their sign/planet.

Also Jupiter was the roman ruler of the gods and it seems that Launderback being a politian is a sort of ruler of the local area.

[Alana]

Mekki wrote: "I found it interesting how Catton is able really make each character behave according to their sign. For example, it says in astrology that Jupiter (Lauderback) is the ruling planet of Sagittarius(..."

See, all of this makes the story that much more interesting, but I never would have picked up on all that without the outside commentary! Perhaps we'll find it's as brilliant as all the voters say it is after all.

[Alana]

JoLene wrote: "Alana wrote: "And how is Dunedin pronounced? I keep hearing "Dunedain" from Lord of the Rings in my head, but that doesn't seem right. .. is it DUNE-dihn or DUNE-eh-dihn, or something else?"

I vis..."

I can hear it now that you spell it out like that. In fact, I'm sure I've heard someone say it in a movie or something. Duhn-EE-den... duhn-EE-den... ok, I think I got it now!

[Nicola]

Becky wrote: Does everyone think that the characters seem stilted and unbelievable because the author is not a good/unpracticsed author, or because she is stylistically reinforcing that we are seeing everyone at all times through one of the character's eyes, complete with their own prejudices and reservations?..."

I found it a bit awkward at first; I thought that there was a too much direct telling of a person's personality rather than showing what they were like. But I hadn't read very far and on a second go through it wasn't nearly so jarring.

At the moment, from the little I've seen, I don't find the personalities to be improbable. We've really only been properly exposed to two as the second part was all done in 'I'm telling you this as a reminiscence'. It's a little stilted but I don't find it unpleasant.

[Nicola]

Alana wrote: "And how is Dunedin pronounced? I keep hearing "Dunedain" from Lord of the Rings in my head, but that doesn't seem right. .. is it DUNE-dihn or DUNE-eh-dihn, or something else?"

It's pronounced dun-knee-din. If you run it all together you might not hear the double 'n' sound but if you asked one of us to sound it out that is how we'd do it.

I was having a bit of a chuckle over some of the maori names as I read and wondered if anyone would care to hazard working out a pronunciation. I hadn't really thought about the European names giving anyone pause for thought.

[Nicola]

With proper local accent!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITXxO...

[Nicola]

The online pronunciation to Hokitika is laughable but this is pretty cool and will give you some local colour:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYtXk...

[SusanK]

Echoes of Cloud Atlas, but I also thought of Drood by Dan Simmons. Neo-victorian with a supernatural component.

Thanks for the astrology info, an area in which I have zero knowledge. Also the info on New Zealand. It took me 40 pages to realize that January was NOT winter, and the Southern Alps could be crossed. I looked at pictures of the lovely mountains and coast. It helps with the imagery.

This is going to be one of those books that it takes a good 100 pages or so to get into the story. How are all these people connected and what is/are the mysteries?

[JoLene]

Nicola wrote: "The online pronunciation to Hokitika is laughable but this is pretty cool and will give you some local colour:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYtXk..."

Cool video :-)

[Everyman]

SusanK wrote: "It took me 40 pages to realize that January was NOT winter,"

I'm embarrassed to say that that hadn't occurred to me at all in these first two sections. It should have, but no. I appreciate your mentioning it.

[Tanya]

I am really enjoying this book so far. I'm not quite at the end of this section, but I'm already intrigued. I think the author does an exceptional job trying to create a dark and moody atmosphere. This is especially created through the rain. the fact that there is a huge storm occurring while the discussion of the murder is occurring really helps to create intrigue. I am excited to read further!

[Peg]

The following passage on page 71 was the first that shocked me into the Southern Hemisphere:

“As soon as I could, I left for Dunedin, to see about the affair myself. This was—April, I suppose. May, maybe. Some time in the early autumn."

[Everyman]

Tanya wrote: "I think the author does an exceptional job trying to create a dark and moody atmosphere. This is especially created through the rain."

I have always had a yen to visit New Zealand, and even more so after the Hobbit was filmed there.

But this description of New Zealand, especially in summer (January in NZ is July in the US and Europe) doesn't make NZ sound very attractive or appealing.

[Alana]

Nicola wrote: "The online pronunciation to Hokitika is laughable but this is pretty cool and will give you some local colour:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYtXk..."

That was interesting, I liked seeing some of the historical background and photos of the actual town :)

[Alana]

Everyman wrote: "SusanK wrote: "It took me 40 pages to realize that January was NOT winter,"

I'm embarrassed to say that that hadn't occurred to me at all in these first two sections. It should have, but no. I ap..."

I hadn't thought of it either! I have to remember to turn my ideas of the seasons and weather on their heads so I can keep track of it all!

[Alana]

Tanya wrote: "I am really enjoying this book so far. I'm not quite at the end of this section, but I'm already intrigued. I think the author does an exceptional job trying to create a dark and moody atmosphere. ..."

That actually makes me think of more of a Victorian gothic story, like Turn of the Screw or Jane Eyre or something to that effect. Makes the imagery a little more bone-chilling and makes me want to curl up with it late into the night with a good cup of tea! :)

[Stephanie]

Alana wrote: "Mekki wrote: "I found it interesting how Catton is able really make each character behave according to their sign. For example, it says in astrology that Jupiter (Lauderback) is the ruling planet o..."

If you are reading the Kindle version I discovered accidentally if I highlight a person's name the X-ray feature tells me the characters astrological sign and influences. Maybe this is cheating but it has helped!!!

[Sera]

That's awesome! I am also reading on the Kindle and will definitely use your tip.

[Stephanie]

I finally finished this section. The mood is appropriately dark and dreary. Suits the opening scene and setup for the mysteries ahead.

Balfour was the most interesting character. SO far he has been present in both chapters He is almost like the hub of the wheel and the other characters are the spokes connecting in to him. Of course when he disappears in the next section I will know that I am wrong.

I found Lauderback to be distasteful. And I do not believe much of what he has to say. Sounds like a lot of modern day politicians as well.

So onward I go. I hope it starts moving faster for me. It has been a challenge but I've slept well :-)

Stephanie

[Izzy]

Due to starting a second job only had time to read the first page over and over again decided the only way to tackle the complicated plot and descriptive language was to put aside a couple of hours to read straight through a chapter at a time. Feel the language is modern but with a lot of words I'm not sure off so just guessing. Intrigued by the murder and think we are being fed clues like in an old fashioned Sherlock Holmes story.

[Nicola]

SusanK wrote: It took me 40 pages to realize that January was NOT winter, and the Southern Alps could be crossed.

Summer would make the alps more passable but it wouldn't have been a picnic even with, apparently by that time, a vague sort of track.

Here is a video of the alps from the air, unless you're interested I'd advise skipping most of it. But, judging from the colour of the grass at the start this is taken in summer and you'll be able to see by jumping through it, how high those peaks get and how much snow they have on them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XO7J6...