Dorothy Dunnett Book Club discussion
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QP: Part One: Ch 2: Dieppe: The Pitfalls and the Deer
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Renee
(last edited Apr 30, 2017 08:43AM)
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Apr 30, 2017 08:38AM
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So I am little confused. Is Lymond acting as
o'Liam?
o'Liam?
Do you really want to know? You probably have enough information now to figure it out. Your possibilities are Robin Stewart (not likely, since he's a Royal Archer), O'Liam Roe, Piedar Dooley, and Thady Boy Ballagh. Now consider. Lymond is going to France "under cover" to keep an eye on the Scot's queen and to enjoy himself. Would he disguise himself as an emissary, certain to be spied on by various factions? Likely not. Piedar Dooly is essentially a valet as I remember it, so not someone who would be attending court functions. But Thady Boy Ballagh, as an ollave, would be expected to attend court functions with O'Liam Roe Also, who was able to avoid the disaster with the ships coming into Dieppe? Who was able to speak to the seamen in a language and with the authority they recognized and responded to? It wasn't O'Liam Roe or Piedar Dooly.
See, my first thoughts were the ollave, because that would totally be like him. Then I re-read the first few chapters, and thought hmmm maybe his O'Liam.
I don't think we should be spoiling it for people! It will be revealed very soon anyway, let the new readers puzzle it out for a couple of chapters!
The moment the fat, slovenly, possibly drunk ollave turned into a master mariner, I knew.
So when someone asks a question like that, you don't want an answer?
Hi Sarah - I'm not speaking for everyone, but for me personally, here goes: you asked if she really wanted to know - and then you basically gave her the answer without waiting to see if she wanted you to. I'm not trying to bash you - but for myself - I would have waited to see if the person wanted that much "trail leading". Again, I don't want to be a bitch, or offensive, but I think the beauty of reading Dunnett is figuring stuff out, imperfectly or not, and then discussing it. Does that make sense?
What is the official spoiler policy here? That's what counts. Are we supposed to let new readers learn some things as they happen in the books, or automatically answer all questions about further plot secrets, thus spoiling any surprises for other new readers who DON'T want to know?
Is there a way to answer a question privately? It seems to me if someone asks, they want to know. But I understand not spoiling it for someone else. OTOH, on a Facebook book group I belong to, that specifically says spoilers are allowed, people who ask questions get told to "keep reading" and it drives some of them crazy. They asked because they wanted an answer.
Hi Mary and Hi Sarah - I don't know about answering a question if you are not friends on Good Reads - if you are then you can do so in a private message. As far as this group read is concerned I was under the impression that it was a no spoiler group. And again Sarah, I'm really not trying to be a bitch - though I'm sure I appear to be one, and your point is valid - what happens if someone really does want an answer? Because I don't know if its supposed to be posted for everyone to see. (before the chapter has been read) or privately.
Mod
We haven't yet discussed how to handle spoilers for the Dunnett group. Personally, I thought Sarah's response was appropriate to the question, with very mild spoilage. But, then, I agree that DD has given the reader enough clues at this point to have worked it out.
Since we're all in different time zones, lets table the question of spoilers until Alex can weigh in. I do understand that some readers are more spoiler-sensitive than I am.
Thank you Renee. And Sarah - I am sorry if I offended.
Hello,
What Renee says is true. I am a person who doesn't mind spoilers. I apologize if question was too direct. I can also see that the response might be too spoiley for some people. I understand that people do not like any spoilers.
There is a spoiler tag which goes spoiler under surrounded <> then write whatever then /spoiler under the same brackets. I would write it correctly but it keeps making me a spoiler tag. I hope that makes sense.
When is doubt put in a spoiler, so people are at their own risk, or try to guide the new reader.
Does that help? I agree with Renee. I didn't find your response as Spoiler, but I can understand how other members can think it is, since Mary says it is revealed later, and that could come as a shocker to some and make DD writing greater.
What Renee says is true. I am a person who doesn't mind spoilers. I apologize if question was too direct. I can also see that the response might be too spoiley for some people. I understand that people do not like any spoilers.
There is a spoiler tag which goes spoiler under surrounded <> then write whatever then /spoiler under the same brackets. I would write it correctly but it keeps making me a spoiler tag. I hope that makes sense.
When is doubt put in a spoiler, so people are at their own risk, or try to guide the new reader.
Does that help? I agree with Renee. I didn't find your response as Spoiler, but I can understand how other members can think it is, since Mary says it is revealed later, and that could come as a shocker to some and make DD writing greater.
I've read the book before so, whatever, but I do remember enjoying the shock of the reveal first time round (I was totally surprised!)perhaps we could have a 'spoiler chat' topic where folks could discuss these things to their heart's content, there have been I few things I would have liked to have discussed on here but there were so full of massive spoilers I didn't feel I could. we should remember that the person who posted the question may not mind a spoiler but others who stumble across it might do.
I, unfortunately, did a bit of googling after reading this book the first time (hard to resist) and was immediately swamped in massive spoilers that I did wish I didn't know.
I heard on the radio recently about a study which suggested that spoilers can actually improve our enjoyment of a book, as in we enjoy the ride more if we know roughly where we are headed. I don't have a reference for it but it was radio 4, so, you know, probably true...... :-)
I am not saying we shouldn't try to avoid spoilers, just that, if they come our way, and they will because human nature is far too inquisitive for its own good, we perhaps should not worry too much.
That is a good idea. We could make threads for new readers and threads for older readers with spoilers. That I do not mind if Renee is okay making more threads in the future.
It may bring longer discussions once new readers are done with the book.
Mod
I'm going to suggest two methods...
1) Type the words "SPOILERS AHEAD" then scroll down a few beats before commenting.
2) Use the GR html method...
Type (spoiler) blah blah blah (/spoiler)
But substitute the < for the (.
Don't forget the / to end your comment.
Personally, I think that's an excellent idea. :)
Works of for me. Just when in doubt place a spoiler tag. 😀
I will add our new rule to the website later tonight. my husband commandeered my laptop again. I can't do much on my phone.
You know what is annoying? The Goodreads AP doesn't give you a choice on looking at spoilers, you simple can't. I hate this AP sometimes.
Exposing my non-nerdy status, but... what is an "AP"??
there are different versions of the app, I had one on my kindle when I got it which was awful, just impossible to use. The one on my phone was much better and I was able to download that to my kindle too. It is still not as good as using the browser, which is quite annoying on a phone, but I hate typing on the touch keypads so I do use my computer a lot if I want to comment.
😁 The applications that someone would put on their phone or iPad to go to websites like Facebook without going on internet and typing out the website. Typically , it is a mini version of the website.
Ahh, I see. I'd always just called it an "app" as in application. I use Android sometimes myself. Silly me. :D
Goodreads is in general a complicated website, since they use a lot of PC codes. I have apple devices and I haven't used codes in such a long time. It was hard transfer and I still get annoyed when things get messed up. It is easier being on the computer to type out things.
I apologize, the way you refer it is probably right. I am not very good at shorthand or acronyms of any sort.
Pretty confused: how do I read the spoilers from Samurai Kitty sand Giki? I can see it say "spoilers" but I can't work out how to read the post. Can anyone help, please?
Hello. It should be highlighted blue on your computer and you just click on the word and it should pop open.
Aha! Wouldn't work on my tablet but I can read them on my phone. Thanks, Alex!
Oh good! I am glad it worked on one of your devices!
