2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #1 discussion
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Why Mermaids Sing
Why Mermaids Sing
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Jonetta
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Mar 07, 2016 06:27AM
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I could definitely feel myself in a different time and place. When Sebastian took Tom along on the river trip, I was hoping to get more detail of the observatory, but the author hurried over that part. I did appreciate the description of the boat, and I almost smelled the dead fish and other river odors, so the writing was vivid here.
Harris is an excellent writer. The descriptions are never superfluous or excessive but rather contribute to the tone and atmosphere of the setting and the story.
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I think the author does a wonderful job at capturing the sights, smells, and sounds of the time period. She occasionally posts pictures on her blog of places depicted in the books, typically tagged "Sebastian's London". Tattersall's (will also feature in some future books) - where Sebastian confronted Peter Quail.
The Marshalsea - where Sebastian met with the owner of the Harmony's cargo.
This was the sick ward in the Marshalsea circa 1729 (not sure how much better it would've been in Sebastian's time).
The Tower Hill area where Gibson lives and practices.
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You're welcome! I'm a very visual person so it helps me to have images like this.
Wonderful pictures. Thanks Veronica.
Great pictures Veronica. The Tower moat one is fascinating.
I add my thanks, Veronica. The three levels of sick people makes me shudder to think of being in any of these cots or hammocks. Unsanitary conditions, indeed!
It is Harris' descriptiveness that makes the stories so much more compelling and realistic. One thing I hate when reading an historical is to be pulled out of the story by modern turns of phrase.
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Thanks for the pictures Veronica! I love it when books are written about places I regularly visit, I then visualise the place as it was and as it is now. I seemed to remember that Sebastian went to St Albans, Hertfordshire in this book, I regularly go there.
Tracey, I live in the States but I'd love to visit London and take a walking tour of Sebastian's London someday.
London is a beautiful place for so many reasons. I love the history as well as the buzz. I haven't commuted in for work for almost 13 years and I actually miss it. I will eventually be forced to commute in again. I'm postponing it as long as I can so that my girls are older and I will still get to see them every evening but I'm also looking forward to moving in again if that makes sense!
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Love London!I don't think I could ever live there (way too noisy and busy for my small town sensibilities, lol), but I've visited often on holiday and when I lived in Reading for a year.
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Yes, sometimes it's easy to imagine the smells, lol.
I loved the author's descriptions of the settings. I felt like I was there visiting. I love reading books like this because I love visiting different time periods and countries like I am there visiting. I felt like I was on a vacation in London. I love to use my imagination and make believe.I love those pictures Veronica!
My pleasure, Mary Beth.
I love the descriptions by Harris. They are vivid and can change my mood based on where they are in the city. London almost becomes a character in the book; sometimes good, sometimes not so much. I love the pictures posted above. It gives me more to think about and retain for future stories.
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