3. Discuss the plot:

[John]

3. Discuss the plot:
• Is it engaging—do you find the story interesting?
• Is this a plot-driven book—a fast-paced page-turner?
• Does the plot unfold slowly with a focus on character?
• Were you surprised by complications, twists & turns?
• Did you find the plot predictable, even formulaic?

[[deleted user]]

This book is character focused and at the moment there is no clear plot apart from the characters growing up

[Patrick]

I believe the over-arching plot is the gradual decline of the two houses; the last few chapters of the second book, where there are a few discussions about the current financial state of the two houses, is quite revealing. Further, Dai-yu's health in gradual decline is another clue that all is not well.

[Anna]

I think the book is about Bao-yu and his relationships with the females that surround him.

[John]

I thought book 2 was very plodding, in a way.

[Jen]

I agree with Patrick in the over-arching plot. I found this book to be setting up the rest of it in the very detailed description of everyday life and clues that things may be changing. There wasn't a huge amount of plot development in this volume. It was largely descriptive and focused on character development.

[Pip]

I found this volume fascinating. Its description of daily life of an aristocratic family was absorbing. Although there was not much plot development the descriptions of the entertainment, in particular, was so interesting.