Felix Holt: Week 1: Introduction to Chapter 6

[Cindy, Moderator]

I'm just getting into this read--I've been busy reading books that a parent is attempting to have banned at my high-school library! I'm enjoying the comments and the background information about the setting and the political climate of the times. I did pick up on the fact that Mrs. Transome may have strayed during her marriage.

She's not a likable character, but I do feel for her situation. Her detestation of her husband and older son is not endearing, and it is clear that her strong personality is hard to take. However, it sounds like her second son received plenty of affection and care from her. After leaving, he's happy to receive letters from her without taking the trouble to respond in kind, withholding important information like his marriage and fatherhood from her. After virtually ignoring her for fifteen years, he returns home with a cool arrogance that is very annoying. She finds that the one person she really loves is cold, rude, condescending, and dismissive of everything she has done since he left. He doesn't even pay her enough attention to pick up on her sarcastic digs. I think if anyone was looking for karma to pay her back for any past sins, it has arrived.

At this point, my personal prediction for Esther is that her faults are being pointed out so we can gauge her growth over the novel, but that is just my best guess. We shall see! Actually, I guess I will see, since most of you probably already have a good idea about that! :)

[Michaela]

(No comment on this one, Cindy, but sorry you have to struggle with attempted censure at your high school library!)

[sabagrey]

Michaela wrote: "(No comment on this one, Cindy, but sorry you have to struggle with attempted censure at your high school library!)"

I second this! Keep up the good fight, Cindy - unfortunately we can send you no more than our wishes.

[Cindy, Moderator]

sabagrey wrote: "Michaela wrote: "(No comment on this one, Cindy, but sorry you have to struggle with attempted censure at your high school library!)"

I second this! Keep up the good fight, Cindy - unfortunately w..."

Michaela wrote: "(No comment on this one, Cindy, but sorry you have to struggle with attempted censure at your high school library!)"

Thanks, Michaela and sabagrey! It's disheartening to deal with this in this day and time, but so far, the would-be censors have failed in their mission. They haven't given up, though, and keep coming back with more challenges.

[Renee, Moderator]

They have too much time on their hands. :(

[Lady Clementina, Moderator]

Cindy wrote: "I'm just getting into this read--I've been busy reading books that a parent is attempting to have banned at my high-school library! I'm enjoying the comments and the background information about th..."

Sorry about the struggles with school Cindy. Hope things get better soon.

Glad you managed to start the book and are enjoying it. I'll agree about your comments on Mrs Transome--it is indeed a case of karma. But at the same time, one does feel for her even if one doesn't quote like her.