The Vanishers - Part 2 (January 2015)

[Casceil]

This thread is for discussion of Part two. Our scene has shifted to New York, and Julia's life is very different now. Julia has an unusual job, and I found myself wondering why anybody would pay someone to do what Julia does.

Julia has dinner with her Father and her step-mother, Blanche. Blanche is described as "an energetic wrangler of other people's messes, capable of dusting and watering the elephants that inhabited the many rooms of our farmhouse in Monmouth. . . ." (p. 70).
I found the family dynamics at the dinner very interesting, particularly the comments on the different thought styles of Julia and her Father. What did the rest of you think?

[LindaJ^]

I finished Part Two last night. I thought Blanche was the most likeable character I've encountered to date. I was not struck at all by comments on the different thought styles of Julia and her father and do not have the book with me, so cannot look to see what I missed!

This part, particularly the scenes related to the convention, seemed as if the author was writing a farce and poking fun at conventions, such as those for Star Wars aficionados. In fact, for me, much of this book seems to be farce. Does it strike anyone else in this manner?

[Peter]

Farce is certainly one of the elements, even self-conscious farce at times.

[Casceil]

Farce, yes, but also very pointed satire.