August 2021 #2: The Elementals

[JasonA]

I just read this one a few weeks ago, but after reading the comments I think I'm ready to re-read it again already.

[Lena]

I’m about halfway through; the oil company and that fat politician are making my blood boil! 😡

[Jennifer]

It took me a little while to adjust to the writing but I'm well into the second half now and loving it.

Thanks for choosing it everyone!

[Char]

Glad to hear it!

[Lena]

Nooooo!
(view spoiler)[All of Odessa’s sacrifices for Dauphin come to naught because of one bratty teen! Damn teenagers! Damn them! (hide spoiler)]

[Lena]

Well, I enjoyed the writing but not the ending.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Char]

Aww, I loved the ending.

(view spoiler)[ I would have been okay if India had died. However, I think the house/the elementals would have done what they did whether or not she had entered. Maybe it was just time? Or maybe somehow the house/elementals knew about the possible sale of the land and destruction of the property and though they had to do something? I don't know, just throwing it out there. (hide spoiler)]

I like that the book spurs conversation and what ifs like this one.

[Laura]

I am a bit late coming to the group read this month, but this is on my TBR list and I am excited to read this!

[Kimberly]

Char wrote: "Aww, I loved the ending.

[spoilers removed]

I like that the book spurs conversation and what ifs like this one."
Char (view spoiler)[ I do believe that the Elementals "knew" about the sale, and they had been tied to these families so long that this was inevitable. That said, I wouldn't have been sad to see India go, either. ;) (hide spoiler)]

[Teresa]

I liked this book but I still think Cold Moon Over Babylon was more intense.

[Char]

I think they both have some intensity.

[Jennifer]

What a great story. I love how the weather and heat was pretty much a character. I'm from the UK and hate, hate, hate warm weather so I was very much suffering along with them.

'Haunted house' stories always seem to be set in a cold and dreary place so I loved this change of setting.

Hope everyone is enjoying it. Looking forward to reading peoples thoughts and discussing together.

[Lisa]

I'm loving this book so far. I'm enjoying the family - they're so odd but seem caring and supportive toward each other, even affectionate, albeit in strange ways. And, all of the children seem to call their parents by their first names. Does anyone know how old India is? Just got to Beldame, great setting, too. I enjoyed the description of India riding on the hood of the car; again, so odd.

[Char]

Her specific age was mentioned, but I don't remember it now. Way too young to be talking about speed freaks and alcoholics, in my book. LOL

[Lisa]

Just found it, she's 13. She definitely seems more adult than child.

[Kimberly]

Lisa wrote: "Just found it, she's 13. She definitely seems more adult than child."

I think she "mentally" became the mother after her own mother left. Lukers doesn't seem to possess any parenting skills at all. ;)

[Char]

I know that Luker doesn't seem to be a good parent, but in a way he is. She's not afraid to tell him anything and that's a good thing.

Did you guys picture the characters as anyone, like a celebrity or something? Who should play Big Barbara, Luker, India or Odessa? What about Dauphin?

[Giovanni]

joining for this one, loving the creepy start of the story, for now

[Char]

Great, Giovanni! I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

[Ashley]

Just finished it, it took me a long time to get into it, probably like the first 60%? I did read the last 40% all today though, so it picked up definitely toward the end.

(view spoiler)[
Against popular opinion it looks like, I really liked India at the end, she grew on me. Everyone was so secretive about everything, including Odessa, but India was super brave. I don't know that I would have gone into that house after Odessa alone at 13.

Also was Luker supposed to be gay? There were a few like throw away parts, the one that stands out to me still is from when they all went back to Mobile for the 4th of July and Luker met up with the man who he didn't used to like but now they have many shared interests. It just seemed like such a strange thing to add.

This family was weird as heck, I don't think any of the adults were very good at being adults.

Glad we all read it though, the ending really made the story for me for sure. Going on a local ghost hunt tonight though and this probably wasn't the best thing to read before hand, haha.
(hide spoiler)]

[Lena]

Big Barbara - Kathy Bates
Luker - Armie Hammer
Dauphin - Chace Crawford
Leigh - Rebecca Ferguson
Laughton - Fred Thompson

[Kimberly]

I thought of Tom Hiddleson for Luker... LOL!

[Lisa]

I keep thinking of Margo Martindale as Big Barbara. I love this book…almost done.

[Lena]

Lisa wrote: "I keep thinking of Margo Martindale as Big Barbara. I love this book…almost done."

Love her! Big fan of her work on Justified and The Americans.

[Char]

Lisa wrote: "I keep thinking of Margo Martindale as Big Barbara. I love this book…almost done."

Oooh, she'd be perfect!

[[deleted user]]

Maybe Luke Evans for Luker? I know it sounds redundant, but I just feel like his personality would fit with the character. And you can give me that man sunning himself in the Gulf any time, thank you very much.

[Char]

JaeRavenClaw wrote: "Maybe Luke Evans for Luker? I know it sounds redundant, but I just feel like his personality would fit with the character. And you can give me that man sunning himself in the Gulf any time, thank y..."

Oh DAMN! I just looked him up and yep, yep, mmmm.

[Laura]

I am 20% in and hope it picks up. Family is weird, but I like weird usually. I am having a hard time liking any of the characters. I hope it gets better.

[Sarah ♡ (let’s interact!)]

Finally starting this evening! Hope I enjoy it, will let you all know my thoughts :)

[Lisa]

Jennifer wrote: "What a great story. I love how the weather and heat was pretty much a character. I'm from the UK and hate, hate, hate warm weather so I was very much suffering along with them.

'Haunted house' sto..."

Great point. I could also just feel the heat of this place while reading. The location and the indomitable weather indeed felt like characters. The author did a great job of making Beldame seem compelling, a place unto itself, where it was wonderful to be. The effectiveness of this was impressive considering the fear that went along with being there.

[Lisa]

Ashley wrote: "Just finished it, it took me a long time to get into it, probably like the first 60%? I did read the last 40% all today though, so it picked up definitely toward the end.


Against popular opinion..."

I also really liked India, and liked the way her relationship with Odessa developed. I wonder if Luker was just a sexual free spirit, as there was another part of the book that mentioned something about him going into town and trying to find a woman to misbehave with, or something similar. I really liked this whole family, and they were written in a much more interesting and sympathetic fashion than the typical dysfunctional rich family you might encounter in a novel.

[Lisa]

Char wrote: "Some of the dialogue here just cracks me up, especially conversations between Big Barbara, India and Luker.
I adore Luker."

The part of the book where India was describing her encounters with her mother made me laugh out loud. Just so hilarious and unexpected.

[Giovanni]

I just finished it. I found the first part of the book quite intriguing, but the second half was hard to get through, except for the conclusion. anyway, not one of my best readings

[Char]

Bummed to hear that, Giovanni.

[Char]

Lisa wrote: "Char wrote: "Some of the dialogue here just cracks me up, especially conversations between Big Barbara, India and Luker.
I adore Luker."

The part of the book where India was describing her encoun..."

YES! Laugh out loud funny! I'm re-reading McDowell's Blackwater via audio right now, and some of the conversations in these southern families make me howl. I think McDowell wrote about southern family dynamics like no other.

[Lisa]

Char wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Char wrote: "Some of the dialogue here just cracks me up, especially conversations between Big Barbara, India and Luker.
I adore Luker."

The part of the book where India was describi..."

So, you recommend Blackwater? I’m definitely interested in reading more McDowell.

[Char]

ABSOLUTELY, YES!

[Laura]

I just finished it this morning and I am so glad I stuck with it! It was really fantastic and I loved the vivid descriptions of the atmosphere, the weather, the feeling/vibe that India and Odessa described about the third house and Beldame! It added to the creepiness and "impeding doom" that was building through the novel!

A great read!

[Char]

YAY! Glad to hear you enjoyed it, Laura!

[Sarah ♡ (let’s interact!)]

Just finished it! Review going up on my page shortly for anybody interested. Have added Blackwater to my list as I enjoyed this one. Thanks for the recommendation!

[Sarah ♡ (let’s interact!)]

JaeRavenClaw wrote: "Maybe Luke Evans for Luker? I know it sounds redundant, but I just feel like his personality would fit with the character. And you can give me that man sunning himself in the Gulf any time, thank y..."

Completely agree with Luke Evans for Luker! After seeing this comment I kept imagining him as Luker and it really worked well.
Also, Kathy Bates for Big Barbara

[Lisa]

Did anyone else notice that Odessa was, very often, referred to as "the black woman"? It really stuck out to me and I wonder why that phrase was used so much. I also wonder why Odessa told India to (view spoiler)[ eat her eyes if something happened to her. I can't imagine she wanted to saddle India with terrible knowledge and visions, rather, might it have been a way for her to protect herself and her family? Passing that knowledge that she lived with to another, even though it was a terrible burden? It's odd to want to pass it to a child, but India is likely more capable and mature than any of the other characters. (hide spoiler)]

[Elysa]

Lisa wrote: "Did anyone else notice that Odessa was, very often, referred to as "the black woman"? It really stuck out to me and I wonder why that phrase was used so much. I also wonder why Odessa told India to..."

Ah, yeah, Odessa's character seemed to be a mother version of the "Magical Negro" trope we see in Hollywood films. Couldn't help but cringe at it sometimes, but I thought that might be intentional because of how India felt about Odessa at first.

But anyway, the part you described between Odessa and India was effectively spooky for me. (view spoiler)[I think you're right that India is capable and Odessa likely knew that. As Luker said, Odessa would have "slit her wrists to give Dauphin a bath" (or something like that) and knew that while she was willing to die for the family, someone would have to go on protecting them. And India was very capable and clearly willing to do so. (hide spoiler)]

[Lisa]

Elysa wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Did anyone else notice that Odessa was, very often, referred to as "the black woman"? It really stuck out to me and I wonder why that phrase was used so much. I also wonder why Odessa ..."

Agreed on both things. I can't help but feel that it was deliberate, maybe to put across the idea that, to society, that was Odessa's initial distinguishing characteristic, despite her immense intelligence, kindness, and integrity. And on the spooky...man. When Odessa dropped that command on India, it was so disturbing.

[[deleted user]]

Finally getting to start this one, sorry for being a little late to the party :) I have loved reading all of your thoughts and can’t wait to be able to click on the spoiler tags. This sounds like a great story with some very interesting characters and spooky vibes.

[Char]

I'm glad you were able to join us, Michelle! I know I'll be looking out for your thoughts, even if the month is over.

[[deleted user]]

Only on chapter 8, but I am loving it so far. I thought it would take me a bit to get hooked, but it starts out with some unique creepiness that has me thinking this is going to be a great ride. Makes me think I need to listen more to what my friend’s parrot says when it talks too! It is great to see all the celebrities that you guys pictured for the characters as well, Luke Evans for Luker is a great pick :)

[Netanella]

I've been following this conversation, and I'm finally I'm almost at the point where I can click on all of the spoiler tags! I have five more chapters left, and I'm finishing tonight!

What an amazing story this has been so far. Besides the queer family dynamics, the oddity of a haunted setting on a remote beach islet on the edge of Alabama, with all that stultifying and soporific heat. It was almost as if the family were stuck in quicksand while they were in Beldame.

[[deleted user]]

Just finished this one, absolutely loved it! I really want to dive into more of his works soon. Thanks for being such a fun group to read it with too :) Sorry again for getting a late start!

[Kimberly]

Netanella wrote: "I've been following this conversation, and I'm finally I'm almost at the point where I can click on all of the spoiler tags! I have five more chapters left, and I'm finishing tonight!

What an amaz..."

That's a great analogy!