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The Winter Vault - Parts 2, 3 and Whole Book
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Hugh
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Aug 15, 2020 04:20AM
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The fun thing about retirement is months come and go without awareness. This closed out before we had time to discuss Lucjan's character. I am still digesting the radical shift from the tone in the Avery/Jean story to the Lucjan/Jean story. I have mixed feelings. I did not like the change as I read it, but accept it and can see the literary merit in Michaels' shift. What still troubles me is the differences in Jean's character which I never felt were reconciled. So to answer Hugh's question the ending for me was unresolved. I'll let someone else add their thoughts on Warsaw.
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Hugh wrote: "Once again there was plenty of interesting research, but for me the whole relationship with Lucjan seemed to be driven by the demands of the plot rather than organic character development. Not that..."Interesting thought. I had not considered the motivation plot driven as I was reading for enjoyment, thus did not give the book a critical read. I had the sense that maybe two unfinished books were combined to make one since the direction of the Avery/Jean story took such a dramatic turn to focus on Lucjan, and the WWII experiences in Warsaw. But that slights the author and without evidence contrary, I assume she intended her novel the way it was.
Let me say, I did not buy or even see a happy ending. I saw a question mark at best with Avery and Jean's reunion. I agree that Lucjan's dismissal seemed contrived for that purpose, but since Lucjan is flawed and kind of a rock and roll bad boy from his introduction, their parting seemed destined. But Avery and Jean seem very apart in the last chapter and whatever bonds allow them closeness do not seem strong.
I will try and make one more post about Jean's character, what changed between part one and two, what remained the same, and my overall impression of the book, next time. If anyone has any thoughts on Jean I would be interested to hear them.
I so loved the first part of the book, and Jean's depression in the second part was certainly no fun. I kept thinking, she needs help, someone please get her some help. I wearied of the Lucjan story and was glad to see him go, however contrived the reason. I read the ending as Jean being prepared to come back to life. In the end they did not miss each other at the cemetery. Jean planting the seeds from the plants she gathered at their first meeting is a really strong sign that she herself wants to sprout and grow again. Do you think that's what Michaels meant by including it? I think they will be ok. "Regret is not the end of the story, it is the middle of the story." What do you think about the symmetry of her painting his back now? What are we meant to see in that final touch?
Catherine wrote: "I so loved the first part of the book, and Jean's depression in the second part was certainly no fun. I kept thinking, she needs help, someone please get her some help. I wearied of the Lucjan stor..."I am with you Catherine. The hopeless romantic in me loved the first part and I felt the Jean of the second part to be damaged and needing care. I like your association of Jean's planting as as symbolic of growing again. I did not share the sense of Avery and Jean coming together at the end as permanent resolution. I saw it more as sign of peaceful acceptance that each has grown and moved on. So I saw the painting as a completion of the story of life past rather than an indication of the future for Jean/Avery. But I think my interpretation reflects more of what I see in reality. The individuals will heal and grow but probably not together.
